Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2002)

320 consumer complaints on file.

#10259899February 25, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VIBRATION IN FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AT HIGH SPEEDS. I TOOK MY 2002 SONATA TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME MY CRADLE THAT INVOLVES THE HALF SHAFT/CONTROL ARM IN THE SUSPENSION WAS RUSTED THROUGH WITH FIST SIZE HOLES. I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME OVER $500.00 TO REPLACE THE HALF SHAFT AND CRADLE, ALSO THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED HAD MY WHEEL FALLEN OFF. THAT WAS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I'VE EVER HEARD. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE HALF SHAFT, WITHIN 2 DAYS I HAD A GRINDING/RATTLE ON THE SAME RIGHT SIDE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE AUTO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME NOW IT WAS THE BUSHINGS IN THE SUSPENSION AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE.. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT THERE UNTIL THEY WORKED ON THE CAR ORIGINALLY. IT WILL NOW COST ME OVER $300.00 TO HAVE THE BUSHINGS REPLACED. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS WITH THE ORIGINAL WORK. THERE IS A FEDERAL PROBE GOING ON WITH THE NHTSA, IT IS STATED THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS CAR SHOULD BE STANDING BEHIND THEY'RE PRODUCT, BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE THE APPROPRIATE CHANGES THAT COULD IN TURN SAVE SOMEBODY'S LIFE IF THEIR CAR WOULD FAIL DUE TO THIS FLAW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257341February 3, 2009
SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY WIFE OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA, AND LAST WEEK SHE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT. SHE DRIVES 60 MILES ROUND TRIP TO HER JOB 5 DAYS A WEEK. ONCE SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT, I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE THINKING IT WAS IN NEED OF A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. MY TECHNICIANS CALLED ME BACK TO THE SERVICE AREA AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AS TILTED TO THE SIDE SLIGHTLY. I TOLD THEM TO BEGIN REPAIRS IMMEDIATELY, AS MY WIFE'S SAFETY IS MY TOP PRIORITY. I CALLED HYUNDAI ON 2/3/09 AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER, AND TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME IN 3 TO 4 BUSINESS DAYS. I EXPECT FULL REIMBURSEMENT, AS I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256270January 25, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2002 HYUNDAI SONATA RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WENT SIDEWAYS WHILE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED BUT THE CAR WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. FROM READING INFORMATION ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256011January 22, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254855January 13, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA FAILED STARE INSPECTION DUE TO RIGHT FRONT ROT ON SUBFRAME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY ARE GOING TO REPAIR PROBLEM. UNTIL THEN, IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A CITATION FOR IT NOT BEING INSPECTED . I AM LEFT WITH AN UNINSPECTED AND ROTTED CAR UNTIL THEY CAN TAKE IT IN. HYUNDAI DOES NOT GIVE OUT LOANER CARS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251746December 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BATTERY IS OFTEN DRAINED AND CONTINUES TO DO SO ALL THE TIME I'VE RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET AND MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, POSSIBLY THE IGNITION SWITCH RELAY. MANY HAVE REPLACED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND PROBLEMS CONTINUE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY DRAINING AND DYING ALL THE TIME I HAVE PURCHASED A JUMP STARTER FOR MY CAR. I HAVE TO JUMP MY CAR EVERY TIME I USE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251188December 9, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAME BEING SEVERELY RUSTED IN ON SPECIFIC AREA. FRAME FAILURE AT THAT POINT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE A WHEEL/SUSPENSION FAILURE, MOST LIKELY WHILE BEING PUT UNDER THE STRAIN OF TURNING/BRAKING. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DEFECT IF NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250674December 3, 2008
STEERING
ON 11/3/08 I FILED ODI#10248441 REGARDING ROTTED RIGHT SIDE SUB-FRAME ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER ON 11/11/08 AS A 1 TIME "GOODWILL" REPLACEMENT. DURING REPLACEMENT OF SUB-FRAME DEALER DAMAGED AND REPLACED FLEXPIPE AND BOLTS. CAR WAS RETURNED AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE POWER STEERING FLUID. WE MONITORED AND REPLACED FLUID BUT STEERING WAS DIFFICULT AND MADE NOISE MOSTLY ON START-UP AND TURNING CORNERS. ON 12/1/08 WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED - WE LOST THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY AND IT WOULD NO LONGER HOLD FLUID. DEALER STATED THAT POWER STEERING RACK MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF OVER $1,000. WE ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR REPAIR STATING THAT CRACKED STEERING MOUNT IS RELATED TO ROT PROBLEM AND IS THE DEALERS RESPONSIBILITY. 12/3/08 WE OPENED A CASE WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS . BASED ON INFORMATION RESEARCHED ON THIS SITE AND OTHER RELATED SITES THE CRACKED POWER STEERING MOUNT IS COMMON AND RELATED TO ROT PROBLEM. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI. CAR ONLY HAS 41,400 MILES AND WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES, TIRES, HEAT SENSOR, AND SUB-FRAME IN ADDITION TO NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250476December 2, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAMES. THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE THAT RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FRAMES, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME DEFECT AND BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ THE SWAY BAR ENDS LINKS AND BUSHINGS WERE WORN. UUPDATED 01/09/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249150November 18, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:VALVE
I HAVE HAD TWO VALVE STEMS ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA GO BAD. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AT GURNEE HYUNDAI 10/23/07. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS 4 OR 5 MONTHS AGO AND THE MOST RECENT WAS ON 11/2/08. WE WERE TRAVELING IN VIRGINIA AND STOPPED FOR LUNCH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND WE WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE MOUNTAINS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248441November 11, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2002 HYUNDAI SONATA/4DR SEDAN/2.4L AU - RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. CAR WAS BEING CHECKED FOR A LEAK AND MECHANIC FOUND DAMAGE. CAR WAS TAKEN OFF THE ROAD UNTIL REPAIRED. NO INJURY OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248519November 11, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH THE ENGINE CRADLE FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT. VEHICLE FAILED NH STATE INSPECTION AND IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. MILEAGE: 123,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248003November 8, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBFRAME RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. LUCKILY THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A REPAIR OF A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT REGARDING THE 1999-2004 SONATA IN HIGH SALT AREAS AND HYUNDAI IS APPARENTLY REPLACING THE FRAME OUT OF WARRANT (MINE WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ANYWAY). I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL TO PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT WHICH HAS CAUSED, IN SOME CASES, WHEEL SEPARATIONS. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE PART HAD A LARGE HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248004November 8, 2008
STEERING
POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURED ABRUPTLY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT HIGH SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247111October 29, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SONATA, WHEN IT BASICALLY JUST FELL APART. IT SOUNDED LIKE SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE TIRE RIM, BUT ALL 4 TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE DID LOOK TILTED OUT. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THAT SITE. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER INSPECTED IT AND STATED HE WAS SURE THAT THE CAR HAD GONE OFF THE ROAD AT SOME POINT BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS BROKEN, THAT TIRE WAS BENT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SCUFFED "SHINY". IT HAD NOT GONE OFF THE ROAD, SO MY MECHANIC TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED RIGHT THOUGH AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED (TO MY 16 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AT NIGHT) WAS THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SO RUSTED THAT IT CRUMBLED, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL AND BREAK THE AXLE AND BEND THE WHEEL! THANKFULLY, SHE HAD ONLY JUST DRIVEN ONTO THE ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY, SO SHE WASN'T GOING FAST AND THE LANE SHE ENTERED WAS CLEAR. I'D HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD SHE MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED! WHEN WE DISCOVERED ON LINE THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 1999-2002 SONATAS, WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER. HE SAID WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED (15 MILES) TO HIS SERVICE DEPT WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE A HYUNDAI REP TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE SAID HIS MANAGER HAD BEEN KNOWN TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT HE DOUBTED VERY MUCH THAT THEY'D PAY FOR THE AXLE, WHEEL, AND ANY OTHER DAMAGE INCURRED. AFTER READING ALL THESE OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS, I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO BOTHER GOING TO THE TROUBLE OF HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI. I DEFINITELY FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. (I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN JAN '05 WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY BY A REPUTABLE MECHANIC THESE PAST 3+ YEARS, AND IT NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245794October 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH HAS SEVERE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE RUST. IT WOULD NOT PASS VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED WELDING THE FRAME TO "BANDAGE" THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THE OTHER STORIES FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR AND BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, IT'S LIKE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. MY SON ALSO DRIVES MY CAR ON OCCASION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245641October 16, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TOOK MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION AND HE TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT MY SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT...HE COULD STICK HIS FINGERS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FRAME. HE SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND TO CALL OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. I DID AND THE SERVICE GUY THERE SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION. THAT THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE RUSTING OUT OF SONATA SUBFRAMES AS A PROBLEM AND UNDER "GOODWILL"....THEY WILL FIX IT FOR FREE, UNLESS THE CAR HAS BEEN WRECKED. TOLD HIM MY CAR WAS NOT WRECKED....IN FOR STATE INSPECTION ONLY. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY SONATA THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING VERY BAD....ESPECIALLY WHEN BREAKING ON A HILL. I THOUGHT MAYBE MY BRAKES WERE GOING BAD. NO!!! IT WAS MY RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED. I HAVE TO TAKE MY SONATA TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 5 DAYS SO THEY CAN ORDER A NEW SUBFRAME. THANKFULLY, NONE OF MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS.....WHY HASN'T THEIR BEEN A RECALL ON THIS FOR SONATAS???? IS HYUNDAI GOING TO WAIT FOR FATALITIES BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION??? OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THE ENGINE COULD FALL OFF AND/OR OUR TIRES COULD BREAK OFF WHILE DRIVING. AND WE DON'T DO ALOT OF CITY DRIVING....MAINLY HIGHWAY DRIVING AND MY 17-YEAR OLD SON HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS SONATA. I THANK GOD NOTHING HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE SONATA. PLEASE RESPOND TO ME ASAP. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL NOW!! I AM CONTACTING OTHER SONATA OWNERS WHO'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE ARE GETTING A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT TOGETHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245566October 15, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE SUBFRAME BEING CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THEY RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244457October 5, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER BRAND NEW. I ALWAYS HAVE MY VEHICLES SERVICED PER THE MANUFACTURER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. AS I WAS GETTING MY 90,000 MILE SERVICE WORK ON MY VEHICLE, THE SERVICE TECH NOTICED / STATED THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMING APART ( HOLES ) DUE TO RUST; PER THE SERVICE TECH, THE CRADLE NEEDS REPLACING AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE CRADLE ( CROSS-MEMBER); AND PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH I HAD TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP $2,200.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243885September 29, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I HAD MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA IN TO REPAIR A POWER STEERING LINE THAT HAD RUSTED OUT AND WAS LEAKING WHEN THE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE CRADLE HAD A FIST SIZED HOLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CRADLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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