1997 Hyundai Sonata Fuel System Problems
15 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Fuel System Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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 EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
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 CRACKING. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, THE CAUSE FOR THE CRACKING HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AFTER HYUNDAI HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE AND CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE.
Owner Complaints (15)
Your fuel tank has developed a crack that is leaking gasoline. This is a safety concern that requires immediate attention. The fuel tank will likely need to be replaced or professionally repaired to stop the leak.
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Your car jerks or lurches forward at specific speeds (12 mph and 32 mph), and it struggles to accelerate smoothly up to 20 mph, which has created safety concerns. Multiple mechanics have suggested different causes—fuel/air system, engine computer, or transmission—but the problem persists despite numerous repairs including alternator replacement, transmission work, and valve service. The issue appears to be a recurring defect that may require diagnosis of the fuel system, ignition timing, or transmission control electronics.
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Your fuel tank is leaking gasoline from the upper section, even though it was repaired under a 2001 recall. The problem has come back, but the dealer and manufacturer won't fix it again because the recall was already completed. You're also experiencing a door lock defect that prevents the door from opening. The fuel tank may need to be replaced or the seal resealed, and the door lock mechanism may need repair or replacement.
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Your 1997 Sonata has a fuel system defect covered under recall #00V314001. The dealer has already repaired this problem three times, but is now refusing to fix it again because the vehicle is out of warranty. You're questioning whether the dealer remains responsible for a defect that keeps recurring despite multiple repair attempts. The fix would involve diagnosing and repairing the underlying fuel system issue that keeps returning.
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After having recall work done on your fuel tank, you noticed a strong gasoline smell inside the car and your check engine light came on while driving. The dealer repaired the vehicle five times, but the problem kept coming back. You may face charges for additional repairs to fix this recurring issue.
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After hitting a pothole while driving, all the fuel leaked out of your car's gas tank. The dealer initially refused to inspect or replace the tank, blaming the pothole damage. Later, you received a recall notice (00V-314001) for a gas tank defect, and the dealer performed the recall repair work.
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You've tried to schedule service appointments multiple times to have recall 00V314001 performed on your fuel tank, but the dealership hasn't been able to complete the work because the necessary parts aren't in stock.
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Your car's fuel system may pull too much vacuum on the fuel tank during certain operating conditions, which could cause minor distortion or a small crack to develop on the top of the fuel tank. If this happens, you might see your check engine light come on and possibly notice a gasoline smell. The repair typically involves inspecting the fuel tank and potentially replacing or repairing the evaporative emission control system components.
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After refilling your fuel tank, you noticed a strong gasoline smell inside or around your car. You contacted your dealer about recall 00V314001 regarding the fuel tank, but they said your vehicle wasn't covered under this recall based on your VIN. The dealer will need to diagnose whether the odor is related to a fuel system issue that requires repair.
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After the dealership replaced your fuel tank as part of a recall in January 2003, your fuel gauge needle became stuck pointing to full and won't move. You reported this to the service department and scheduled an appointment, but were turned away when you arrived because the service center was closed that day. You're concerned that poor work during the recall repair caused this gauge problem and worry it may affect your vehicle's safety.
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FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING GAS WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT LEAK CAME FROM THE UPPER PART OF THE FUEL TANK.*AK
RECALL 00 V 314 001/FUEL TANK: RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE IN APRIL 27, 2001, AND PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER THAT FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL REPAIRS, THEY INDICATED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY CONSUMER'S PERSONAL MECHANIC AND WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF EXCESSIVE VACCUM NOR REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT CHARGE. *TT
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL, DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL TANK FIVE TIMES, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED, A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *AK.*JB
FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED AT SEAMS, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL TANK TWICE.*AK
OBSERVED GAS LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP UPON INSPECTION TANK WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK ON THE SIDE NEAR THE TOP SPOKE TO DEALER NOT THINKING THIS WAS A WARRANTY PROBLEM WAS INFORMED FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED ON JULY OF 99 WAITING FOR AN ANSWER ABOUT REPLACING TANK