Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#10178477January 11, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME OF 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS FOUND DURING OIL CHANGE TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WENT TO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD TO CONTACT HYUNDAI CORP. AFTER 2 WEEK PERIOD WE WERE TOLD HYUNDAI WOULD DO NOTHING TO CORRECT PROBLEM. WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND AFTER 3 DAYS WERE AGAIN TOLD NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO FIX PROBLEM. THE CAR ONLY HAD 88,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND STILL HAD ORIGINAL MUFFLER. DOES FRAME USUALLY RUST OUT BEFORE MUFFLER? EVENTUALLY BECAUSE OF NEED FOR VEHICLE WERE FORCED TO HAVE VEHICLE FIXED OUT OF POCKET. REPAIR SHOP TOLD US THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL HYUNDAI SONATAS OVER THE LAST YEAR WITH RUST ALL IN THE SAME SPOT ON THE FRAME AND THAT SOME COULDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE SHOP WITHOUT A TOW. WE PAID TO HAVE A REFURBISHED FRAME PUT ON THE CAR, AT THE COST OF $1150, NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MONTHS IT TOOK TO GET IT FIXED. WE HAD PICTURES TAKEN OF THE FRAME ON THE CAR AND AS IT CAME OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178270January 9, 2007
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
HYUNDAI SONATA 2001 SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. I WAS WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN AIR BAG DEPLOYED AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE AT A STOP, THEREFORE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DAMAGE TO DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, HEADACHE, AND LEFT SHOULDER SORE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. TOOK CAR INTO BE INSPECTED BY HYUNDAI. THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT WITHOUT A DEPOSIT. (WHICH WILL NOT BE REFUNDED) IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A DEFECT WITHIN THE CAR, AND NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES THE CAR HAS, AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOYED, UNLESS THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10177980January 6, 2007
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS ARE LOSING CLARITY IMPAIRING VISION. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177772January 4, 2007
AIR BAGS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED HAS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING RECALL 014347000, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT WHILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE WAS A CRASH. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177370December 29, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FILED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LATEST COMPLAINT I HAVE IS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM. MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN THIS BROKE. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL GARAGES INCLUDING THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE HAS EVER REPLACED AN UPPER CONTROL ARM EXCEPT ON A VEHICLE THAT IS VERY OLD AND THEN VERY SELDOM. MY SON WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FELL SIDEWAYS. UPON LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM WE DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE. THIS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED ON A 2002 VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176916December 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1) ENGINE LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH 2) FAN KNOB FOR HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK ON 1 OR 2, IT WILL ONLY WORK ON 3 OR 4. THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176934December 26, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT DIDN'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN SOMEONE SAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MOST COMMON PASSENGER WEIGHED 120 LBS, AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. IF THIS LIGHT WAS ON AT THE BEGINNING OF A TRIP IT USUALLY STAYED ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ON 11/1/2006 ,AND HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DECEMBER 1, 2006. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED HIM THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER A SEAT SENSOR FOR VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE HIM A LOANER VEHICLE, 2006 OR 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AND HE NOTICED THAT THE SENSOR LIGHT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS HIS SONATA. THE CONTACT DID TAKE THE SANTA FE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO GAVE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SECOND LOANER VEHICLE WAS A 2007 SONATA, AND HE NOTICED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIPHAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED HIM ON 12/26/06 TO INFORM HIM THAT ORDERED PART WAS IN, AND THE VEHICLE COULD BE BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177018December 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PASSENGER (130+ LBS) IS SEATED PROPERLY IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT GO OFF. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPEATEDLY AND RANDOMLY SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 9/05, AND HAVE REQUESTED ACTION AT EACH WARRANTY SERVICING. (22,500 MI CURRENTLY) EACH TIME THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THE DIAGNOSTICS DO NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS WORKING PROPERLY. THEY SAY THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS FROM HYUNDAI ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THERE ARE AT LEAST 15 COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS OF 12/06. I AM VERY UPSET BY THIS APPARENT LACK OF CARING ON HYUNDAI'S PART ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR PASSENGERS. JUST BECAUSE THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM CAN'T BE REPRODUCED AT THE DEALER'S DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PASSENGERS ARE NOT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A WAY TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM EVEN IF IT CAN'T BE OBSERVED IN THE MOMENT, EVEN IF IT MEANS REPLACING THE PARTS IN THE SEQUENCE TILL THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176896December 25, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
HYUNDAI SONATA 2002 OUTSIDE AND INSIDE PAINTED DOOR HANDLE PEELING CAUSING INJURY TO HANDS. INJURY MORE CAUSE BY INSIDE DOOR HANDLES DUE TO SLIVER PAINTED DOOR HANDLES. BECOMES VERY SHARP ONCE PEELING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10176530December 19, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL* - THE CONTACT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT, IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP TWICE (MEDILD HYUNDAI), AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT SEAT COVER WAS THE REASON WHY THE LIGHT STILL ON. THE CONTACT SAID THAT SHE TOOK THE SEAT COVER OFF AND THE LIGHT STILL DID NOT GO OFF. CONTACT SAID THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT A PERSON WOULD HAVE TO BE AT LEAST 110 POUNDS FOR THE AIR BAG TO WORK. THE CONTACT DOSE NOT HAVE RECORD OF SERVICE, BECAUSE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176541December 19, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, STEERING, WHEELS
THIS COMPLAINT APPLIES TO A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED (NO OPTION FOR 2007 WAS AVAILABLE IN DROP DOWN MENU) (ISSUE 1) AT OR AROUND THE INITIAL FEW DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY I BEGAN TO NOTICE ABRUPT VIBRATION AND SHAKING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL; SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH TO FEEL IN THE SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT THEY REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED THE VEHICLE TO BE IN MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATION. NONETHELESS, DEALER ATTEMPTED WHEEL BALANCE AND RADIAL FORCE BALANCE AS A "GOOD WILL GESTURE." PROBLEM IS NOW MORE ARTICULATED AND THE ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED. (ISSUE 2) ENGINE EMITS A RATTLE NOISE SIMILAR TO LIFTER CLATTER UPON START AND CONTINUES THROUGHOUT OPERATION; PARTICULARLY IN COLDER WEATHER. TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS REPLACED AND ONE NOISE WAS RESOLVED BUT THE CONTINUAL NATURE OF THE LIFTER CLATTER REMAINS. DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED. (ISSUE 3) FUEL SLOSHING COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CLAIMS THIS TO BE NORMAL AND NOT A SAFETY RISK. SOUND IS MORE PRONOUNCED AT OR AROUND 3/4 TANK. BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND REMAINS UNRESOLVED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176168December 14, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT LEFT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE ON 2/22/2004, WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AT 2 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE AIR BAG. ON 6/5/2006, A NHTSA RECALL LETTER # 02V145000 FOR THE AIR BAGS: SIDE/WINDOW WAS ISSUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND SALES/SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175477December 7, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE INFILTRATING IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING HEADACHES TO THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS. THE CONTACT MEASURED 999 PARTS PER MILLION OF CARBON MONOXIDE WITHIN THE CABIN. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10175276December 6, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WAS HARD TO SHIFT. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE GAS SPILLED OUT WHILE PUMPING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175173December 5, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT REMAINS LIT EVEN WHEN FRONT SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY OTHER OWNERS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175235December 5, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
WHILE DRIVING APPROX 30 MPH MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FOLDED BACK AGAINST THE FENDER, BRING ME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. ONCE I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP WE FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF OF THE SUB FRAME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE SUBFRAME ON THIS 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 77000 MILES ON IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175018December 3, 2006
WHEELS:HUB
1.) DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 2.) VALVE STEM CUT, LEADING TO DEFLATION OF TIRE. HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO HAVE A WRECK ON THE INTERSTATE. 3.) I HAD TO HAVE UPWARD TO 12 TIRES FIXED OR REPLACED ON THE FRONT END OF MY CAR DURING 1 YEAR. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE TIRE COMPANY TOLD ME TO TAKE OFF MY HUB CAPS (ORIGINAL TO THE CAR) TO SEE IF IT HELPED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD NO MORE FLATS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174897December 1, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD WAS HIT AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174730November 29, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT WHEEL PASSED OVER A SMALL DIP IN THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED UP, AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WHERE THE CONTROL ARM WAS ATTACHED HAD RUSTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, WHO SUGGESTED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, WHO INFORMED THE FRAME WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE FRAME SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE'S 100000 MILE WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174592November 28, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
WE PURCHASED A USED 1998 SONATA GL FOR MY DAUGHTER IN MAY 2006. IN ABOUT JULY 2006 SHE NOTICED THAT SHE SEEMED TO BE USING MORE FUEL THAN USUAL. ALSO THAT HER AND HER FRIENDS NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. CHECKING UNDER THE VEHICLE I NOTICE THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS WET ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE REAR TIRE AND SMELLED OF GASOLINE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC UPON REMOVING THE TANK NOTED THAT ON THE TOP LEFT OF THE TANK (IF YOU WERE FACING THE REAR OF THE CAR) HAD BEEN PATCHED PREVIOUSLY WITH SOME KIND OF EPOXY. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS REPAIR WAS DONE. HE ATTEMPTED AGAIN TO REPAIR IT WITH EPOXY, THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE THEN REPLACED THE TANK WITH A USED FUEL TANK FROM ANOTHER HYUNDAI. THIS WAS ALSO UNSUCCESSFUL. HE THEN WELDED THE SPOT ON THE TANK. THIS WAS ALSO UNSUCCESSFUL AS THE TANK STARTED LEAKING AGAIN FROM THE SAME AREA. WE CHECKED WITH A DEALER AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AND HAD A FUEL LINED OR HOSE REPLACE ON OR ABOUT MARCH 29, 2001. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V314001 A NOTE: THIS WAS SIX YEARS AGO IN 2000-2001. THIS CRACKING AND LEAKING OF FUEL IS STILL AN UNRESOLVED ISSUE AS NOTED IN THE NOTE: WHAT HAS BEEN DONE? WHAT IS THE UPDATE? IT HAS BEEN SIX YEARS. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM OF THIS FUEL TANK AND HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF IT. THEY HAVE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO RESEARCH AND COME UP WITH A SAFE RESOLUTION TO THIS DANGEROUS CRACKING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RESOLVED AND MUST BE SOON. THE FOLLOWING IS THE NOTE FROM CAMPAIGN 00314001: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 00V314001 MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: HYUNDAI / SONATA 1997-1998 **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. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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