Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#10363895November 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2009 HYUNDAI SONATA REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE NOISE DUE TO THE "SLIDERS" ON THE CALIPER. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER (CAR HAS 35,000) TO PIN POINT NOISE. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS UNEVEN WEAR ON REAR BREAK PADS AND THAT THE SLIDERS ARE STICKING CAUSING THE PADS TO STAY COMPRESSED TO ROTOR. THEY OFFERED TO "LUBE" THEM FOR ME AND REPLACE PADS FOR OVER $200.00. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363667November 2, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND BEGAN TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER WAS REPORTED INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ONLY DEPLOY WHEN THE IMPACT FROM THE CRASH STRUCK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10363679November 2, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED BUT IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BODY DAMAGES REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 175,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363370October 30, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA, AND MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED, THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR DROPPED DOWN INTO HIS FIELD OF VISION. HE TRIED TO PUT IT BACK UP, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE AND CONTINUED TO FALL DOWN. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND FOUND OUT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN MANY TIMES WITH BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE SUN VISORS. THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR BREAKS. HAVING IT DROP INTO THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION WHILE HE IS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT IT DID FAIL. MY PASSENGER SIDE VISOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I STILL WANTED TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE VISORS IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362784October 28, 2010
VISIBILITY
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AND BOTH SUN VISORS HAVE BROKEN AND WILL NOT STAY INT THE UPRIGHT POSITION. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH ALL HYUNDAI MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362573October 27, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
OUR 6 MONTH OLD CHILD MUST HAVE EATEN TOO MUCH OR HAD AN UPSET STOMACH AND BEGAN TO VOMIT. MY WIFE AND I BEGIN TO PANIC BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE CHOKING. SO WE ARE DOING 40 MPH ON ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER AND CARS ALL AROUND LOOKING FOR A PLACE PULL OFF. BUT HE'S NOT CHOKING YET, SO I'M STILL DRIVING. FINALLY A SHOULDER, SO I PULL OFF AND STOP. THIS IS A RENTAL CAR, BUT IS NO DIFFERENT FROM MANY OTHER CARS IN THAT MUCH TO OUR DISMAY SHE FINDS THAT ALTHOUGH SHE CAN OPEN HER DOOR AND GET OUT SHE CAN'T GET INTO HIS DOOR) BECAUSE PROBLEM #1 IT'S ONE OF THOSE CARS THAT HAS THE DOORS THAT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU TAKE IT OUT OF PARK OR MOVE MORE THAN 5MPH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO NOW WE ARE FIGHTING WITH THE BUTTONS ON OUR RESPECTIVE DOORS, BOTH TRYING TO UNLOCK HIS DOOR, IN OUR PANIC NOT THINKING THROUGH THAT MAYBE I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND THEY'LL ALL UNLOCK THEMSELVES. NOW I'M PANICKING AGAIN - SHE'S ABOUT TO CRAWL OVER THE SEAT, I'M ABOUT TO START TEARING PIECES OFF THIS CAR BUT I CAN'T GET OUT CAUSE CARS ARE FLYING BY MY SIDE. SO SHE FINALLY REACHES AROUND AND UNLOCKS HIS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND GETS HIM OUT OF THE CAR SEAT. HE'S OK. WHEW! I REALLY BELIEVE THESE AUTO LOCKS ARE A BAD IDEA, AND I HAVE FROM THE START, BUT NOW I KNOW I NEVER EVER WANT A CAR OF MINE TO HAVE THAT FEATURE AND I WILL ALWAYS DISABLE IT. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE LEARNED THAT WHILE I HAVE THIS RENTAL CAR I CAN WAIT FOR THE DOORS TO LOCK AND HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND THEY WILL STAY UNLOCKED. WHICH BRINGS ME TO PROBLEM #2. THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME SYMBOLS ON IT AS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY REMOTE CAR KEY. AND THE SYMBOLS ON THE DOOR BUTTON ARE FAR TOO SMALL - I HAVE TO LEAN FORWARD AND SQUINT TO FIGURE OUT WHICH POSITION IS "UNLOCK." THE CAR KEY HAS THE SYMBOLS OF AN OPEN PADLOCK AND CLOSED PADLOCK. THESE TO ME SHOULD BE THE SAME SYMBOLS USED ON THE DOOR BUTTON - THEY SHOULD BE A UNIVERSAL SYMBOL, AND THEY SHOULD BE BIG ENOUGH TO SEE FROM MY SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362614October 27, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CUT VALVE IN GAS TANK NECK FAILED. WHEN FUELING VEHICLE GAS WOULD SHUT OFF WITHIN 2 SECONDS, ATTEMPTING TO FUEL AGAIN GAS WOULD SHOOT OUT SPLASHING GAS ON YOU. QUICKLY MOVING OUT OF THE WAY I BROKE OFF THE COVER PLATE TO FUEL CAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362719October 27, 2010
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN MY '06 SONATA GLS CAME ON THE DAY AFTER IT WAS INSPECTED IN SEPTEMBER. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. THAT BEING SAID, IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED VIA RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362186October 25, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BOTTOM LINE IT IS MY FIRM BELIEF THAT IF MY FAMILY WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVING ROAD OR HAD MY SIXTEEN YEAR OLD STUDENT DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL WE WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT TODAY. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON OUR 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA (VIN EXCLUDED) BECAME STUCK FULLY OPEN. YESTERDAY EVENING IN SHELBYVILLE KY AFTER ACCELERATING TO GET THROUGH A YELLOW LIGHT, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING CALLED THIS TO MY ATTENTION AS SHE JAMMED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I (FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT) TRIED TO GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO FIRST GEAR TO SLOW THE CAR. THE CAR DID NOT SEEM TO DOWN SHIFT AFTER ASKING MY WIFE IF THIS WAS BETTER SAID SHE SAID NO! SO SHE HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT STOP. BUT IT SLOWED SOME AND I THOUGHT MY WIFE HAD THE CAR UNDER CONTROL SO I POINTED TO A LOWES PARKING LOT AND THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AS SHE MADE THE TURN AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE SO I TRIED TO GET IT BACK INTO LOW AND IT WOULD NOT GO. WE ROUNDED THE TURN INTO THE LOWES PARKING LOT AT A HIGHER THEN EXPECTED SPEED WHEN MY WIFE LET OFF A LITTLE ON THE BRAKES DUE TO THE FORCES ON HER. I HAD HER POINT THE CAR TO WHERE THERE WERE NO CARS AND THEN I REACHED OVER AND TURNED THE KEY TO OFF AND CAR SHUT OFF. THE SMELL OF BRAKES AND OVER HEATED ENGINE WAS SICKENINGLY STRONG. THE HEAT FROM THE BRAKES AND ENGINE COULD BE FELT SEVERAL FEET FROM THE CAR WHEN WE WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE ROLLED THE CAR INTO A PARKING PLACE FOR SAFETY. WE THEN TRIED TO GET OUR KEYS OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR INTO PARK AND WE COULD NOT NO MATTER WHAT WE DID. WE EVEN TRIED TO STARTED THE CAR AND IT WOULD ACTUALLY START IN NEUTRAL (WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON BUT NOT THE FOOT BRAKE) AND YES WE HAVE WITNESSES TO THIS (OTHERS TRIED). WE CALLED THE 1-800-HYUNDAI EMERGENCY ROADSIDE SERVICE. THEY RECORDED OUR CALL TO THEM WITH A SU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363149October 25, 2010
AIR BAGS
I OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT IS PLAGUED WITH THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT (EVEN WITH MY 120 LB WIFE IN THE SEAT) ALONG WITH THE DASHBOARD "AIR BAG LIGHT THAT JUST TURNED ON YESTERDAY. AS I SEE ON THE INTERNET, THIS YEAR ALONG WITH NEWER MODELS SEEM TO BE PLAGUED WITH THIS PROBLEM. RESPONSE FROM CORPORATE IS, AS USUAL TO THE CONSUMER, IT'S YOUR TOUGH LUCK, BUDDY. RESPONSE FROM DEALERS ARE "OPEN UP YOUR WALLET AND WE'LL PRETEND TO FIX IT". THIS IS A HIDEOUS AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT DESERVES A RECALL OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. THE USUAL QUESTION, OF COURSE, IS HOW MANY DEATHS OR INJURIES WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE THIS COMPANY STEP UP AND FIX THIS EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRODUCT?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362115October 24, 2010
STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED: 6 MONTHS OF PERFECT OPERATION AND APPROX. 11000 MILES. VIOLENT SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN AFTER ACCELERATION ONTO AN ON RAMP. IMMEDIATE AND ENTIRE FAILURE OF STEERING WITH VIOLENT AND EXTREMELY LOUD SHAKING AND VIBRATING OF STEERING WHEEL. SHAKING CONTINUED EVEN AFTER IGNITION SHUT OFF. OCCURRED FOR 20+ MINUTES. DISABLED ONLY BY DISCONNECTING BATTERY. BLISTERS ON HAND FROM HANGING ON TO STEERING WHEEL. NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO STEER, OPERATE, OR CONTROL VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHIN SECONDS. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. KEPT FOR 3 DAYS. COULD NOT REPLICATE. STEERING COLUMN RECALL PERFORMED WITH STEERING SOFTWARE UPDATE, ESC REFLASHED, REPROGRAMMED EPS. HYUNDAI WAS EXCELLENT IN THEIR RESPONSE - BOTH DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI USA. HYUNDAI USA ENGINEERS AND TECH'S WERE INVOLVED WITH RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS INCIDENT AND POSSIBLY LIFE THREATENING. WHETHER REPAIR ATTEMPT WILL RESOLVE ONLY TIME WILL TELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362133October 24, 2010
VISIBILITY
1. HYUNDAI SONATA 2006 SUN VISOR DID NOT STAY IN FULLY FOLDED OR EXTENDED POSITION. 2. TRIED TO MOVE SUN VISOR TO FULLY FOLDED POSITION AND HEARD CRACKING SOUNDS AND SUN VISOR JUST HANGS LOOSE (STRAIGHT DOWN) BLOCKING ROAD FIELD OF VISION 3. I USED SHOE STRING TO TIE SUN VISOR TO SAFETY HANDLE ABOVE DOOR TO KEEP IT FROM OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY IF VISOR IS TIED IT IS NOT FREE TO MOVE INTO FULLY EXTENDED POSITION TO SHIELD SUN WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS ALSO A VISIBILITY HAZARD. I REMOVED THE VISOR AND TOOK APART BROKEN HINGE TO FIND CRACK PLASTIC BUSHING AROUND ROD WHICH ALLOWS ROTATION OF SUN VISOR. SINCE THE THIN PLASTIC BUSHING WAS CRACKED/BROKE INTO PIECES THE VISOR DOES NOT HOLD SPECIFIED POSITIONS. AN ONLINE FORUM SHOWS NUMEROUS CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY REPLACE THE SUN VISOR FOR IT TO JUST BREAK AGAIN. THIS PART IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO BUY A NEW PART(~$100) THAT IS MANUFACTURED THE SAME AS THE ONES THAT BREAK EASILY, JUST SO I'LL HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER REPLACEMENT SUN VISOR AGAIN. A THIN PLASTIC BUSHING AROUND A METAL ROD THAT IS LOADED FREQUENTLY IS PRONE TO STRESS FRACTURES AND FAILURE. NUMEROUS INCIDENCES OF THIS DEFECT SHOULD PROMPT A NEW DESIGN AND FREE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR CONSUMERS SINCE THIS IS A DRIVING VISIBILITY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361420October 20, 2010
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT REMAIN IN A SECURED POSITION. THE SUN VISOR EXHIBITED A CRACK AND WAS SECURED WITH TAPE TO AVOID OBSTRUCTION IN THE VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361469October 20, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DURING COLD STARTS BATTERY & SEAT BELT LIGHTS COME ON. ALSO, POWER STEERING SEEMS TO NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE ALTERNATOR & BATTERY WERE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DAMPENER PULLEY REPLACED & CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361292October 19, 2010
VISIBILITY
MY 2007 SONATA HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. THE SUN VISORS WILL NOT STAY UP AND FALL AT RANDOM TIMES. I HAVE VELCRO ATTACHED AND IT STILL WILL NOT STAY UP. CAUSES A LARGE PROBLEM AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND IT FALLS IN YOUR FACE. *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
#10361117October 18, 2010
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE, SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE HAD DEVELOPED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, AND I SCHEDULED AN ALIGNMENT. THE MORNING BEFORE THE SCHEDULED ALIGNMENT, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO GO TO WORK WHEN THE RIGHT INNER CV JOINT DISINTEGRATED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED SEVERE SUBFRAME CORROSION RESULTING IN THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT SEPARATING FROM THE SUBFRAME, CAUSING THE CV JOINT TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. NHTSA AND HYUNDAI ISSUED A RECALL IN 2009, CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000. HOWEVER, THE STATE I RESIDE IN (NEBRASKA) IS NOT LISTED AS A "SALT BELT" STATE AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. NEBRASKA DOES INDEED USE SALT ON THE ROADS, AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FAULT AND POTENTIAL RESULTS MATCHES EXACTLY WITH THE RUST AND CORROSION ON MY VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME AND THE RESULTS. I BELIEVE IT LIKELY THAT THERE ARE OTHER MOTORISTS IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA WHO ARE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES WITH THIS HIDDEN AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS FAULT. THE HYUNDAI DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO HELP ME SO FAR WITH A FAULT RESOLUTION PER THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361078October 18, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE HORN IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. YOU CAN HARDLY HEAR IT INSIDE THE CAR, AND IN TRAFFIC, OTHER CARS CAN NOT HEAR IT WITH ALL THE ROAD NOISE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360839October 17, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OUR 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA PURCHASED 30 APRIL 2010 COULD NOT BE STARTED ON 4 OCCASIONS SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE (KEYLESS, PUSHBUTTON). FORTUNATELY, THE EVENTS OCCURRED EITHER IN THE GARAGE OR ON A PARKING LOT. AFTER "MUSCLING" THE STEERING COLUMN LEFT-RIGHT AND/OR PLAYING WITH THE SHIFT LEVER, THE CAR STARTED AFTER SOME TIME. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD IN ALL CASES. *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

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