FaultScore

2017 Hyundai Sonata headlight problems

21 of the 1,000 complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Sonata are about the lighting — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 24,000 miles.

A

21

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exterior Lighting 19 90.5%
Brake Lights 1 4.8%
Bulbs 1 4.8%

Lights across every Hyundai Sonata year

2005 17 1.7%
2006 46 4.6%
2007 39 3.9%
2008 20 2.0%
2009 15 1.5%
2010 11 1.1%
2011 251 25.0%
2012 143 14.3%
2013 201 20.0%
2014 122 12.2%
2015 38 3.8%
2016 39 3.9%
2017 21 2.1%
2018 22 2.2%
2019 18 1.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Rutland, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

.Car is using or burning alot of oil. After oil change. It went 2800 miles on the oil change and the cars oil light come on. Checked oil and nothing on the dip stick. Headlights randomly shut off at night. Had the wiring checked and didnt find any issues

NHTSA complaint #11683066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Jose, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I keep having both my low beam headlight bulbs burning out and one of them started catching on fire. The driver side caught some type of electrical issue causing it to start smoking and eventually melted the connector and lightbulb housing

NHTSA complaint #11640472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Leesburg, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim while driving at night. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was provided a diagnostic fee to have the vehicle inspected. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the defect was a manufacturer defect that only the manufacturer could resolve. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #11560963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles Fredericksburg, VA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior brake lights failed to illuminate while the brake pedal was depressed. The failure almost caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA complaint #11470287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garland, ME

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have owned this car since 11/2018. I have NEVER replaced as many headlight bulbs in my life as I have for this vehicle. Mostly the low beam. Almost every three months. I'm looking to replace the wiring soon hoping to remedy this issue. Ridiculous.

NHTSA complaint #11443421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hewitt, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

On a dark or dimly lit road the low beam headlights create a sharp boundary looking through the windshield with headlight illumination on the lower area and darkness on two thirds down from the top of the viewing area. It is as if the windshield has a line horizontally across it two thirds down in the field of view. The line bounces when the car bounces and dark upper portion can not be properly viewed through to see the road ahead. It is a safety issue due to poor visibility. The dealer has said a few times there is no issue and no reported issue. All they could do was adjust the headlights an inch. It didn't help. I don't drive it at night unless I have no choice and only very short distance. It got much worse recently. I won't sell this car to anyone, its not safe.

NHTSA complaint #11435227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The headlights and brake lights are constantly blowing and not working. Just recently my light bulbs were switch in august and the driver side will only work with the high beams on and my car is available upon request for inspection… I’m unable to see if i don’t have on the high beams and I’m pretty sure it’s blinding the other drivers. It haven’t been to the dealer since they were able to repair the brake light defects and there were no warning signs prior to the issue.

NHTSA complaint #11429346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS

The headlights and brake lights are constantly blowing and not working. Just recently my light bulbs were switch in august and the driver side will only work with the high beams on and my car is available upon request for inspection… I’m unable to see if i don’t have on the high beams and I’m pretty sure it’s blinding the other drivers. It haven’t been to the dealer since they were able to repair the brake light defects and there were no warning signs prior to the issue.

NHTSA complaint #11429346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

* Taillights (Brake lights) * Bulbs are burning out continuously and I am afraid is going to cause a fire since they get so hot. I have replaced them on both sides at least 10 times over the last year * No * No

NHTSA complaint #11427277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Three Rivers, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL WHEN THE OIL DROPS BELOW NORMAL. THE ENGINE USES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL FOR NORMAL USES. MY VEHICLE GOES THROUGH ABOUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL A MONTH IF NOT MORE AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT LEAKING ANY OIL AT ALL. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED FOR LEAKING. MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT AT BUSY TRAFFIC LIGHTS, INTERSECTIONS AND HAS NOT STARTED DUE TO OIL ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #11400251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Johns, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS(LOW BEAM) ON LIMTED MODEL HAS A DARK LINE AND TWO NOTCHES. DIFFICULT TO SEE PROPERLY AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11279307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Brandon, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I BOUGHT MY CAR NOVEMBER 28, 2017. ON JUNE 27, 2019, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT WERE INOPERATIVE. I'VE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP FOR THE PAST APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS, AND IT STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED. IF I DRIVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, I'M SUBJECT TO A $30 FINE. I'VE BEGUN TO ASSEMBLE DOCUMENTATION FOR A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT. I'M INCLUDING THE REPAIR INVOICE FOR THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND THE LAST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP. SO PLEASE DISREGARD THE ATTACHMENT INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FORMS.

NHTSA complaint #11243662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Azusa, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY HEAD LIGHT MELTED AND THE WIRE HARNESS, I STARTED THE VEHICLE I THE MORNING AND I HAD WEIRD NOISE, I CHECKED AND HEAD LIGHT WAS OFF, I OPENED AND TO FIND OUT THE WHOLE BULB SOCKET WAS MELTED. THEN THE BREAK LIGHT ALWAYS GETS OVER HEATED AND BURNS DOWN , I CHANGE THEM ALMOST EVERY MONTH.

NHTSA complaint #11235212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles NEW Ringgold, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT NIGH, THE HEADLIGHT PROJECTION IS SO POOR THAT VISIBILITY IS RESTRICTED TO ABOUT 40 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WE'VE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS DUE TO POOR HEADLIGHT PROJECTION. COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ECHO OUR COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #11232853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEAD/TAIL LAMPS FLICKER (RAPIDLY) ON/OFF WHILE THE LIGHT STOCK IS IN THE AUTO MODE. OCCURS RANDOMLY DAY/NIGHT EITHER STATIONARY OR MOVING. LIGHTS DO NOT FLICKER WHEN LIGHT STOCK IS IN ON MODE.

NHTSA complaint #11223106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Johns, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THE LIMITED EDITION SONATA HAS A DARK LINE AND 2 NOTCHES OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW AT NIGHT. COMPLAINED AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY SAID IT'S NORMAL AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. MEANWHILE, MY RESEARCH ON CARGURUS.COM WEBSITE SHOWS MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA complaint #11181224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Pompano Beach, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PRODUCE ADEQUATE LIGHTING. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11155620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5 miles Lehigh Acres, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THERE IS A BLACK SHADOW AT THE END OF THE REGULAR LIGHT BEAM ON DRIVERSIDE IN MOTION WHEN REGUALR DRIVING , IT GOES UP AND DOWN AND LEFT AND RIGHT AND ITS VERY VERY DISTRACTING. HYUNDAI REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BUT ITS BETTER BUT STILL THERE. READING ONLINE OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11076009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodland Hills, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ON THE 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED (NOT THE BASE OR SPORT MODELS), THE ENCLOSURE SURROUNDING THE LIGHT UNIT HAS A PIECE AT THE TOP THAT CASTS A SHADOW ON THE STREET THAT IS DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER AND IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. THE SHADOW APPEARS TO LOOK LIKE A TAB AND CASTS A SHADOW ON THE LEFT HAND LANE LINE THAT MAKES VISIBILITY HARD AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE TOOK IT TO THAT ORDERED A REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT UNIT THAT IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN THAT ONLY APPEARS TO IMPACT TO THE LIMITED MODELS OF THE SONATA. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT ARE REFERENCED IN THE WEBSITE HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T68982_DS813530 REGARDING ISSUES WITH BOTH THE 2017 AND 2018 MODELS. WE ASK THAT THIS ITEM IS INVESTIGATED FOR RE-MANUFACTURE AND A RECALL ISSUED TO PROTECT ALL FROM THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ATTACHED A FEW PICTURES TO DEMONSTRATE THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY THE TAB ON A FREEWAY AND IN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AS WELL AS A CLOSE UP OF THE HEADLIGHT WHICH YOU CAN SEE IS CASTING THIS SHADOW. I HAVE ALSO SHOWN A PICTURE THAT IS CAST ON THE FRONT OF A HOUSE THAT WHILE PROJECTED UP (AS WE WERE ON THE UPSLOPE OF A DRIVEWAY), VISIBLY SHOWS THE TAB THAT GETS DISPERSED WHILE ON THE ROADS.

NHTSA complaint #11056589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,700 miles ST. Augustine, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO VIEW FAR DISTANCES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 844-462-5557 AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 105-09466. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.

NHTSA complaint #11015033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Weaver, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I RENTED A 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA FROM ENTERPRISE IN KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA (I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN). DRIVING FROM REVELSTOKE TO KELOWNA IN THE DARK ON THE NIGHT OF 16 JANUARY REVEALED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO SEE THE ROAD EVEN DRIVING AS SLOW AS 35 MILES PER HOUR. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL SONATAS, AND PERHAPS OTHER HYUNDAIS AS WELL. IN OVER HALF A CENTURY OF DRIVING, THESE WERE THE WORST HEADLIGHTS I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA complaint #10945874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2017 Hyundai Sonata problems

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