Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2004)

202 consumer complaints on file.

#11734599April 29, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION
2004 Hyundai Sonata GLS front sub frame (K Frame) has rusted out but I guess for certain VIN numbers there was a recall. Mine has the same issue and has caused suspension issues with the control arms and axles, subframe has snapped due to rusting in Michigan.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718609February 17, 2026
SUSPENSION
On February, 16th 2026, I took my vehicle into the Automotive shop for an oil change. They inspected the car as well and they found that the front passenger side of the vehicle subframe has a substantial amount of the metal rusted through. The file attached was a photo of the repair invoice from Luke’s Auto in Upper Arlington, OH. I see that there is an open safety recall for this exact issue on the 2004 Hyundai Sonata. Although this recall was sent out in 2009, am I able to take this to a local Hyundai dealership to have this fixed?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681163August 17, 2025
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I got this car a Hyundai sonata 2004 about 2 to 3 years ago. At first I didn't notice the problem until a couple months into me having the car I was on the freeway and it suddenly felt like I was out of control of my car and the back end was like swerving like I was pulling a trailer. And ever since then it's gotten worse now my front right tire goes flat randomly. A friend mechanic of mine looked at it and said that it is a suspension He just doesn't know what part of the suspension. This is dangerous because I could lose control of my car I have at any time. That could be detrimental and there is a recall in it seems like almost every other state but Utah. For the exact issue that I'm having and I don't think that's right. I've had issues with this car ever since I got it. If you guys could look into this that would be great Also this form asks the approximate date that something happened it happens all of the time. To the point where I'm afraid to drive it at all. I also it's gotten so bad that sometimes when I'm going only 35 mph and I hit like a pothole it will severely swerve and I will lose control of my car or if I turn my car I turn my car my steering wheel the right way and I lost control of my car it started swerving and I was on a mountain..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650911March 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2004 sonata which was manufactured 05/07/04. has front frame corrosion exactly like the 089 safety recall that hyundia issued already for 1998-2003. My car was manufactured a few months later and they are denying the repair because it doesn’t fall in their production dates.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11592697June 5, 2024
SUSPENSION
I currently own a 2004 Hyundai Sonata with a severe sub-fame deterioration, Unfortunately it does not fall under the so called salt belt states, That being said I don't know how Kansas does not fit that especially north east Kansas. Wondering if there's some way that they could reconsider on this matter and maybe get some help. I know the cars almost 20 yrs but it's in good shape with only 108000 miles on it. Thanks for any help with this matter. I was just informed by Hyundai that they would not do anything with it so I guess my only option is to drive it at my own risk and hope for the best. Regardless I'm very upset with there decision and that there okay with a persons life knowing this was a issues with many sonatas that probably didn't make the recall list.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557773November 30, 2023
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated her fiance was driving 20-25 MPH on a steep hill with her in the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that her fiance depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, but the brake pedal went down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's fiance veered to the left and intentionally hit a telephone pole to avoid crashing into a parked vehicle, and to prevent a more severe accident from occurring as the road was significantly steep. The brake warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a seatbelt mark. The contact's fiance was not wearing a seatbelt and hit his head against the windshield. The contact's fiance sustained a concussion, a laceration on the chin, a chipped front left upper tooth and bruises on the bottom teeth. The ambulance transported both the contact and her fiance to the hospital, where they received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11545320September 19, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
UNKNOWN, I recently purchased it from a dealership in Lemon Grove Cailfornia. Ever since I bought it,it has never had a catalytic converter and only one muffler. It is a 2.7L motor DOHC and requires 2 catalytic converters and dual exhaust due to the double overhead cam. It has cause motor oil into my engine block and has coughed my heater core. Also blown head gasket. I have hired certified ASE mechanics to replace parts and then I run into another problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518068April 20, 2023
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated she heard abnormal creaking and cracking sounds. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become more frequent. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent where it was diagnosed and determined that the front subframe, lower panels, and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517597April 18, 2023
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STEERING
NHTSA Campaign 09V124000 (Hyundai Recall #089) - excessive corrosion, thinning of the metal and perforation of the front sub-frame steel, due to road salt, resulting in separation of the forward mounting of the lower control arm increasing the risk of a crash. The recall was issued in 2009 for 1999-2004 Hyundai Sonatas. The present owner purchased the vehicle in 2014 with no knowledge of previous recall. The excessive corrosion and perforation of the sub-frame was brought to the owner's attention in December 2022 during a routine oil change by a Meineke shop and reported as unsafe to drive. The vehicle was towed to Route 1 Hyundai in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, for inspection and repair estimate on December 30, 2022 and an online complaint filed with Hyundai Motor America for the recall (Case #[XXX]). Following numerous email communications to Hyundai Consumer Affairs, it was confirmed by a National Consumer Affairs representative that the vehicle was covered in Hyundai Recall #089. Route 1 Hyundai took photos of the front sub-frame and H-frame, completed a report and submitted it to Hyundai Motor America. Hyundai Motor America responded that they are declining assistance due to the failure being out of warranty caused by the time in service and mileage of the vehicle. The vehicle has 80,000 miles on the odometer. I am of the understanding that safety recalls are never out of date. Please verify if the response made by Hyundai Motor America is justified. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505474February 3, 2023
AIR BAGS
Air Bag autolight is on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494053November 17, 2022
SUSPENSION
The shocks and suspension in my car are almost nonexistent causing multiple almost car accidents
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491277October 28, 2022
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while performing a 4-wheel alignment, the independent mechanic informed her that he was unable to complete the alignment successfully because the sub frame was severely corroded. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, she heard and abnormal sound coming from the sub frame and the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that she almost lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that she needed to pay for the repair because the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension) or TSB Number: 12-01-029. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 310,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483656September 9, 2022
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic, she was informed that the subframe was severely corroded. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482239August 31, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The front subframe has a hole in it it rusted for some reason and upon research there was a recall on this particular issue but now there isn’t one. I went to two dealerships and they informed me that Hyundai had recalls on this issue that’s why I’m confused on why when I search by my VIN there isn’t any open recalls. Just because they isn’t any open recalls on this doesn’t mean that people aren’t still experiencing this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464039May 10, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
I own a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. On 1/19/22, while driving the car, the brakes started failing. I was able to drive the car to my independent mechanic's shop and they repaired the brake issue with a fabrication and installation of the brake line. As my inspection was due, I made an appt with them to bring it back for inspection before the month was over. When I did bring it back however, another mechanic (who apparently had seen underneath the car when they did the brake work) stated that it would never pass inspection as the corrosion was severe. I then made an appt on 2/9 with the dealer who sold me the vehicle. The dealer however stated that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign 09V124000 (Suspension). I believe it should have been included in that recall and that I am entitled to the "Remedy" outlined in the NHTSA recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460738April 14, 2022
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the fog lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451154February 9, 2022
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, she noticed that her brakes were failing. The contact stated that she drove her vehicle to an independent mechanic who attempted to replace the brakes however, the mechanic informed her that her vehicle had a lot of corrosion on the brakes, and underneath the vehicle, which caused the brakes to fail. The contact stated that the mechanic did fabrication and installation of the brake line. The contact stated that she then took her vehicle to be inspected and was informed that the corrosion on the vehicle was too severe and the vehicle would not pass State Inspection. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413869April 25, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE IT SEEMS TO ACCELERATE FOR A SECOND BEFORE BRAKING. I HAVE DOUBLE CHECKED AND I AM NOT PRESSING THE GAS ON ACCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I START DRIVING (SO GOING UNDER 25 MPH) ON SIDE STREETS IN TOWN. I AM UNSURE OF THE EXACT DATES THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11406073April 2, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE LOCAL DEALER FAULKNER HYUNDAI (11500 ROOSEVELT BLVD, PHILADELPHIA) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE K-FRAME HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11397102February 20, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION
I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER ON THE HAS BUDDY APP AND IT SAYS THAT I HAVE A RECALL FOR SUSPENSION BUT CALLED A DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT DOESN'T. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE WIRING TOO BECAUSE MY DOORS LOCK AT RANDOM TIMES MY SEAT GOES FORWARD AND BACK RANDOMLY MY SPEAKERS DON'T WORK. WHEN I HIT A BUMP JT FEELS LIKE MY TIRES ARE GONNA FALL OFF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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