1997 Hyundai Sonata
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Hyundai Sonata is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 132 on record.
1997 Hyundai Sonata at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1997 Hyundai Sonata recalls 2
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCES…
Fix: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF IT IS CRACKED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP THAT DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 SONATA FUEL TANKS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED…
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1997 Hyundai Sonata common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1997 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings
Side barrier testSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Hyundai Sonata 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1997 Hyundai Sonata MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1997 Hyundai Sonata costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 59
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 59.
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lam…
Bulletin 23-BD-002H · Visibility · Jan 2023Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or other drivability conditions. ï· Use of other DCT and IVT gear oil may result…
Bulletin 21-AT-006H · Power Train · May 2021This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection requirements to determine next required steps.
Bulletin 21-EM-004H · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment · Mar 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
Bulletin 21-BR-002H · Service Brakes, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Mar 2021This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
Bulletin 21-EM-003H · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment · Mar 2021This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
Bulletin 20-BR-002H · Service Brakes · Nov 2020This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) d…
Bulletin 20-SS-004H · Wheels, Tires · Nov 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp as…
Bulletin 20-BD-014H · Exterior Lighting, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2020This bulletin provides information on tire maintenance best practices and procedures for dealers and customers to maximize tire life and performance.
Bulletin 20-SS-002H(1) · Tires, Wheels · May 2020This bulletin describes the general guidelines to help disinfect and protect vehicle exterior/interior surfaces using recommended safe chemical products.
Bulletin 20-BD-007H-1 · Equipment · May 2020Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SONATA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the evaporative emission control systems may apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tank during the canister purge cycle if the two-way valve filter assembly becomes contaminated with dirt. Minor fuel tank distortion could result and a small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface. The driver may notice a gasoline odour. Fuel leakage in the presence…
Transport Canada #2001081 · Apr 2001Structure
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 215 - BUMPERS. AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO A 5 MPH BARRIER CRASH TEST, THE FRONT HEADLIGHT MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE THEREBY ALLOWING THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION. CORRECTION: HEADLIGHT MOUNTING AND BUMPER MOUNTING AREA WILL BE REINFORCED.
Transport Canada #1997105 · May 1997Visual System
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SOLDERING FLUX. THIS CONTAMINATION COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENT THE WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHICH MAY IN TURN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: CONTAMINA…
Transport Canada #1997045 · Mar 1997Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata, which was introduced in 1985, was a facelifted version of the Hyundai Stellar with an engine upgrade, and was withdrawn from the market in two years due to poor customer reaction. While the nameplate was originally only sold in South Korea, the second generation of 1988 was widely exported.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1997 Hyundai Sonata vehicles on record
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU781807
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU768092
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU668766
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU757444
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU824183
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU865973
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU774144
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU771464
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU710491
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU769609
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU824278
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU827232
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU775112
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU770801
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU831582
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU866332
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU865558
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF21FPVU748959
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU831636
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHEN41BP2A624548
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU824793
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU866108
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU769884
1997 Hyundai SonataKMHCF31FPVU829823