Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2008)

425 consumer complaints on file.

#10381575February 11, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, WHEELS
TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR ANNUAL STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TO HAVE "CHIRPING" NOISE FROM BRAKES CHECKED. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE AT 3/32"; MIN ALLOWED IS 2/32". FRONT PADS OK AT +7/32". REPLACED REAR PADS, MACHINED ROTORS. MILEAGE WAS 23,226; CAR PURCHASED FEB2008 AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AT DEALER. DEALER SA ADVISED THAT PAD WEAR WAS NORMAL AND THAT 'ON THIS MODEL THE REAR BRAKES ALWAYS WEAR FASTER'. WHEN THIS WAS DISPUTED THE SA SAID THAT CORROSION ON CALIPER DID NOT ALLOW PADS TO WITHDRAW AND THAT CONSTANT CONTACT WORE OUT THE PADS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE SA SAID THAT BRAKES ARE ONLY COVERED FOR 12 MONTHS. SUBSEQUENTLY NOTED THAT ON SIDE OF CAR WITH STICKING CALIPER THAT THE PAINT ON BOTH STEEL WHEELS HAS PEELED AND WHEELS HAVE RUSTED. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED, FRONT-TO-BACK, SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NEW. POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM DRAGGING PADS OVERHEATED WHEELS AND DAMAGED PAINT. ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE HEAT TO WHEEL BEARINGS. WILL HAVE THIS CHECKED AT NEXT SERVICE, OR SOONER. THIS PREMATURE REAR PAD WEAR IS NOT NORMAL FOR HYUNDAI. ALSO, PRESENTLY DRIVING A 2001 ELANTRA THAT WENT 60K+ BEFORE NEEDING BRAKES. NEVER OWNED ANY CAR THAT HAD REAR BRAKES WEAR BEFORE FRONT. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGISTERED INDICATES THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MATERIAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS CORRECTING BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380826February 5, 2011
VISIBILITY
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN HINDERING VISIBILITY. THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP EVEN AFTER TRYING TO FORCE IT. LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHERE REGULAR USE OF VISOR WEARS OUT THE SPRING/ASSEMBLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380802February 4, 2011
VISIBILITY
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S EYES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379814February 1, 2011
VISIBILITY, EQUIPMENT
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. AT 20,000 MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR STARTED TO SAG, AND NOT RETURN TO ITS FULL UPRIGHT FOLDED POSITION. AT 40,000 MILES IT FULLY FAILED, IN THE FULLY DOWN POSITION IT BLOCKS A TALL PERSONS FIELD OF VISION. I RESORTED TO SEWING VELCRO TO TO THE VISOR AND CEILING TO HOLD THE VISOR IN PLACE. NOW AT 60,000 MILES THE PASSENGER VISOR IS STARTING TO DROOP, AND NOT RETURN TO THE FULL UPRIGHT POSITION. THE PASSENGER VISOR IS USED A FRACTION OF THE AMOUNT OF THE DRIVER VISOR; THEREFORE IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM LATER. IT APPEARS THAT INFERIOR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN USED. ONLINE FORMUMS INDICATE THIS PROBLEM GOING BACK TO 2006 MODELS. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378119January 21, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BEFORE FAILURE. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AT JUST UNDER 45,600 MILES EXPECTING TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACE. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE MADE OF DEFECTIVE METAL WHICH CORRODED AND PITTED BADLY. IT DESTROYED THE OUTER PART OF THE BRAKE PADS SO THEY DID NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR. LESS THAN ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE PAD WAS PROVIDING BRAKING ABILITY. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE REAR WHEELS AS WELL AS ALL BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THE BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT IS EXPECTED MAINTENANCE. THE REAR WHEEL ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377608January 17, 2011
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REMAINS OFF EVEN WHEN OCCUPIED BY MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (115LBS) AND WIFE (125LBS). HYUNDAI INITIALLY CLAIMED THE SEAT WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. I THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE SEAT HAS SINCE BEEN RE-CALIBRATED AT LEAST TWICE AND THE ENTIRE SEAT REPLACED ONCE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366490November 16, 2010
VISIBILITY
I PURCHASED MY 2008 SONATA ON MARCH 11, 2010 ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR CAME DOWN AND WILL NOT GO BACK UP IN ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. IT HANGS IN MY LINE OF VISION MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO HOLD IT UP MANUALLY AND THAT IN ITSELF IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HEARD THIS IS NOT COVERED NOR IS IT A RECALL THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND I SURE HOPE THERE ARE NO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS DUE TO SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO SEEING HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. IT MIGHT SEEM MINUET TO THE MANUFACTURE BUT TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING IT, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I DREAD GETTING INTO THE CAR TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS BECAUSE IT HITS ME IN MY FOREHEAD AND SOMETIMES IT HURTS AND IT DEFINITELY DISTRACTS YOU. PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT AND HAVE IT RECALLED AND FIXED CORRECTLY FOR ALL OF OUR SAKES, LET'S NOT WAIT FOR A TRAGEDY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363854November 3, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING OUR VEHICLE THE THROTTLE HAD STUCK, I PULLED ON THE FLOOR MAT AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AS THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN. I POPPED THE THROTTLE WITH MY FOOT HOPING THIS WOULD FREE UP THE THROTTLE, WHICH JUST MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKE UNTIL I SAFELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM THAT SAME DAY TO FIND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP HAD FAILED. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363867November 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED. REAR BRAKES WORN. REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND RESURFACED ROTORS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 35,570 MILES. FRONT BRAKES FINE. REAR BRAKES SHOULD BE RUSTED AND NEED REPAIR AT 35,570 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361008October 18, 2010
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RANDOM POINT AND TIME THE E.S.C CONTROL COMES ON BY ITSELF AND IF I DO NOT NOTICE RIGHT AWAY AND APPLY THE BRAKE THE BRAKE SEEM TO BECOME EFFECTED I WILL HEAR A GRINDING NOISE THE CAR WILL SLIDE AS OPPOSE TO COMING TO A STOP THIS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. AS YET I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST SIX WEEKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360852October 17, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK OR MOVE AND THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. NOTICED WHEN DOORS WERE LOCKED REMOTELY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WAS ABLE TO BE OPENED, WE SEE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DOOR LOCK LINKAGE RECALLS AND SERVICE NOTICES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360754October 16, 2010
VISIBILITY
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS DROP DOWN INTO THE LINE-OF-SIGHT VIEW OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO PREVENT IT FROM BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. ONCE THEY FAIL, IT IS PERMANENT, THEY WILL NOT STAY UP AND OUT OF THE WAY EVER AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SOMEDAY WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY, OR POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THESE PARTS WILL FAIL EVEN IF REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN INHERENT DESIGN DEFECT. HERE IS A LINK TO NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.HOWTOMENDIT.COM/ANSWERS.PHP?ID=157121. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357999September 28, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED A VERY LOUD RUBBING SOUND, LIKE METAL TO METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER POLISHED THE DRUMBS AND RESET THE BRAKE PADS BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES AND THE DEALER POLISHED THE DRUMS AND RESET THE PADS ON EACH VISIT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358124September 28, 2010
VISIBILITY
I PURCHASED A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA FROM THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST OF 2009. THE CAR HAD 27,000 MILES. 7 MONTHS FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS STIFF, I PULLED IT DOWN AND YOU COULD HEAR THE INSIDES CRACK. THE SUN VISOR NEVER WENT BACK UP, IT NOW HANGS AND REFUSES TO STAY UP. NOW A FEW DAYS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. A YEAR AND 12,000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE. THE VISOR NOW BLOCKS MY LINE OF SIGHT AND CAUSES A SAFETY CONCERN. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE READ THIS HAPPENS EXTREMELY OFTEN AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE EVEN GONE THROUGH MULTIPLE SETS OF VISORS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356794September 21, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A METAL TO MEDAL LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT LUBRICATE THE PISTONS PROPERLY; AND THE QUALITY OF THE LUBRICANT WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTED THAT THE BRAKES BE DIAGNOSED EVERY 15,000 MILES, AND IF THE BRAKES LUBRICATION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY THEN THE CALIPERS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MANUAL WAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO HIM AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, WHICH WAS A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354738September 9, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA AND HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES AT 24,000 MILES. MY DEALER SAID THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CALIPERS STICKING AND THIS CAUSED MY REAR BRAKES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. MY DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS IS "A HYUNDAI PROBLEM" AND THEY SEE THIS A LOT WITH "THESE CARS." I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND INFORMED THEM OF THIS ISSUE, AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE TO SAY THE LEAST WITH REGARD TO THEIR RESPONSE. THEY CLEARLY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOR THE MOST PART LAYS THE BLAME ON THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE REAR BRAKES REQUIRE REPLACING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE WHERE OTHER OWNERS OF THESE CARS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, YET NO INVESTIGATION IS BEING LAUNCHED AND HYUNDAI CLEARLY REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEARLY SUBSTANDARD BRAKING SYSTEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354327September 7, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AND NEAR/MISS THIS MORNING. MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA (LIMITED EDITION) CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON AS I WAS EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY DOING 65 MPH! I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR! MY FOOT WAS SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND I FELT/SMELLED THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I FLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP, BLOWING MY HORN, WHIPPED AROUND THE CURVE TO A STREET ON THE RIGHT, NEARLY HITTING 4 CARS BEFORE I FINALLY THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. MY CAR HAS CRUISE CONTROL, BUT I DON'T USE IT. I WAS VERY SHAKEN UP, BUT MIRACULOUSLY, NO ACCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIANS CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I WON'T DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. NO WAY. I WAS TERRIFIED. THIS WAS CLEARLY A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE, AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353751September 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. SHE HEARD A NOISE NEAR THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD BE INSPECTED EVERY 15,000 MILES BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 27,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352001August 26, 2010
VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WHOSE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE. WHILE MOVING THE VISOR INTO POSITION A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC BROKE FROM THE VISOR. NOW THE VISOR RANDOMLY FALLS FROM IT'S POSITION AT THE CEILING ONTO THE DRIVER'S HEAD. DESPITE WEARING SUN GLASSES THERE ARE TIMES THE USE OF THE VISOR IS CRITICAL - ESP WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. ALSO THE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT CAUSES A STARTLE REACTION COMPROMISING THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352207August 26, 2010
VISIBILITY
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. IT WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION OR THE FULLY FORWARD POSITION. IT HANGS IN MY LINE OF SIGHT AND MAKES DRIVING DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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