Hyundai Sonata Complaints
17,026 consumer complaints on file.
- #10358361September 29, 2010AIR BAGS
2003 SONATA HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. I CALLED A HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO PAY THEM $89 TO CHECK IT. I ALSO WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC (NOT AT THE DEALER) THAT HYUNDAI WILL WANT TO REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND COMPONENTS WHICH WILL LIKELY COST MORE THAN $900 AND CLAIM IT IS NORMAL WEAR. HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL WEAR ON THE VEHICLE? ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX? I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE AS WELL AS ON THE WEB. DO I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED? WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN A RECALL! I AM PLANNING ON BRINGING THIS TO THE DEALER BUT WANT TO KNOW IF THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS AT NO COST TO ME. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357999September 28, 2010SERVICE 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
- #10358095September 28, 2010VISIBILITY
BOTH SUN VISORS IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THEY BOTH FLOP DOWN AND WON'T STAY UP. I TOOK THEM APART AND FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC FRICTION-SLEEVE AROUND THE METAL HANGER HAS BROKEN ON EACH ONE. THE FLOPPED-DOWN VISORS RESTRICT THE DRIVER'S VISION AND THEIR MID-WAY POSITION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE MAKES RE-FOCUSING ONE'S EYES BETWEEN THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE OF THE CAR PROBLEMATIC. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I HAVE NOT HAD THE VISORS REPLACED. INSTEAD, I PUT STRIPS OF VELCRO ON THE ROOF AND ON THE VISORS TO KEEP THEM UP. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10358124September 28, 2010VISIBILITY
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
- #10357777September 27, 2010STEERING
WE RENTED A NEW 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA IN JUNE THROUGH BUDGET IN MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN. WE DROVE IT APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES, PULLED INTO OUR HOTEL TO REGISTER, AND WHEN WE WENT TO MOVE INTO THE PARKING LOT SOMETHING POPPED AND THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY DISENGAGED FROM THE CONTROL ARM (I THINK), THE STEERING WHEEL SIMPLY SPUN UNDER OUR HANDS. BUDGET REPLACED THE CAR FOR US BUT THE HYUNDAI CLAIM THAT ALL CARS MADE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BEFORE PROBLEMS GOT SERIOUS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357785September 27, 2010POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IT WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. ONCE HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,200.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357844September 27, 2010VISIBILITY
DRIVER SIDE VISOR CAME DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND AFTER HITTING A BUMP ON THE ROAD. FORWARD VISIBILITY IMMEDIATELY BLOCKED. VISOR WOULD NOT GO BACK TO POSITION; FUMBLED WITH IT AND HELD IT UNTIL GETTING OFF HIGHWAY AND ONTO A SURFACE ROAD. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357900September 27, 2010FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE GROUND FROM A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 242,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357651September 26, 2010AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
I OWN A HYUNDAI SONATA 2006, AND JUST BEFORE IT GOT TO 80,000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY WENT ON. IT HAS STAYED ON FOR A WEEK AS OF 9/25/10. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE HYUNDAI SONATAS AND IT IS VERY COSTLY TO FIX. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO WITH HYUNDAI, IF IT HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357742September 26, 2010PARKING BRAKE
OUR NEW CAR ROLLS A LITTLE BIT AFTER APPLYING THE EMERGENCY (PARKING) BRAKE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357464September 25, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VISIBILITY, AIR BAGS
LIGHTS ACROSS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL NOT GO OFF INCLUDING: ESC OFF, CHECK ENGINE, AIRBAGS AND ABS. THERE IS ALSO A VISIBILITY ISSUE REGARDING THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THESE ARE ALL ISSUES THAT I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING AS WELL AND ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357635September 25, 2010STRUCTURE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WAS DRIVING 2002 SONATA WITH CHILD IN CAR DAUGHTER GOT DIZZY FROM GAS FUMES GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FROM TOP OF TANK,CALLED HYUNDAI MOTOR CORP SAID CAR WASN'T COVERED OUT OF WARRANTY,TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD CAR GAS TANK HAD TO BE DROPPED TO FIND THE PROBLEM,HYUNDAI REFUSED TO PAY FOR TANK TO BE DROPPED, FINALLY TOOK IT TO BE FIXED AT A LOCAL SERVICE PERSON ,FOUND THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE TANK AT THE HALF WAY MARK,HE FOUND THE TANK WAS LEAKING TO A STRESS CRACK ON THE TANK,I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THIS MATTER,THERE IS A SAFETY REGARDING STRESS CRACKS ON THE SONATA PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357407September 24, 2010AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2007 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 76,000 MILES - AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIES PROBLEM AS BEING LOCATED IN AIRBAG SENSOR BLADDER UNDERNEATH PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357165September 23, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
I BACK UP A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT THAT THE HORN ON THE 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA IS COMPLETELY WORTHLESS AND A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS SO QUIET THAT IT IS USELESS AS A WARNING TO PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER MOTORISTS SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. IT HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH A "NORMAL" LOUD HORN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357204September 23, 2010VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN YOU SET THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BEYOND THE NORMAL SPEED WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONNECTED TO HYUNDAI'S ATTEMPT TO INCREASE THE MILES PER GALLON. THE MANUFACTURER ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM, BUT AT THE TIME THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1490. UPDATED 12/23/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/04/11.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357226September 23, 2010STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING FURIOUSLY & I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT STOP EVEN WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN SO I COULD GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC. IT WAS REVVING UP THE ENGINE TO ABOUT 90 RPMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357004September 22, 2010VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AND I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR 2 TIMES THUS FAR. THE FIRST ONE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE 2ND ONE WASN'T. NOW IT HAS BROKE FOR THE 3RD TIME AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT WILL NOT STAY UP. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357007September 22, 2010STRUCTURE
RUST AND BUBBLING PAINT AROUND FUEL DOOR, INSIDE FUEL DOOR AND BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS ON A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 88,483 MILES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10357082September 22, 2010STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2000 HYUNDAI SONATA, VIN: [XXX]MFG DATE: 06/18/1999 SUB-FRAME FAILURE. CONDITION FOUND BY TIRE RETAILER DURING INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT. LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM SUB-FRAME. FORTUNATELY, CONDITION FOUND BEFORE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. LESS THAN 1 WEEK PRIOR TO DISCOVERY, EXPERIENCED DRIVE AXLE FAILURE. RIGHT DRIVE AXLE REPLACED BUT TECHNICIAN FAILED TO NOTICE OR MAKE ME AWARE FOR SEPARATION OF SUB-FRAME. THIS WAS THE APPARENT CAUSE OF THE DRIVE AXLE FAILURE. THE SUB-FRAME SEPARATION ALLOWED THE DRIVE AXLE TO SHIFT AND SLIP FROM TRANSMISSION CASE. LOWER CONNECTION FOR CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM SUB FRAME. THE CONDITION THAT OCCURRED IS IDENTICAL TO RECALL ON 2001-2004 HYUNDAI SONATA MODELS AND THE RECALL ISSUED FOR 1999 AND 2000 MODELS IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED HEAVY WINTER WEATHER HERE IN VA OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. LARGE AMOUNTS OF SALT HAVE BEEN USED ON OUR ROADS. THE RICHMOND AREA HAS EXCEEDED SALT USE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE! BUT SALT ISN'T A REQUIREMENT FOR A CONDITION SUCH AS THIS. THE BUILD UP OF WATER ALONE WILL CREATE THIS CONDITION! RUST OCCURS ANY TIME THAT WATER WITH NO DRAINAGE COMBINES WITH STEEL/IRON. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN DEALER SERVICE HAVING THE SUB-FRAME REPLACED! HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS POTENTIAL CONDITION, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO RESOLVE IT BEFORE IT THREATENED PERSONAL INJURY TO ME. I CAN ONLY THANK THE STAFF AT MERCHANT'S TIRE FOR FINDING IT BEFORE IT FAILED ON THE ROAD! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10356918September 22, 2010EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SEE E-MAIL EXCHANGE: DEAR [XXX] : THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. WE APOLOGIZE YOU WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH OUR PREVIOUS EMAIL. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT IN YOUR 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WE UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN BE FRUSTRATING TO YOU. HOWEVER, WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT. IN ADDITION, THIS INFORMATION IS WITHHELD FROM YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL, AS IT IS ONLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BE COMPLETED BY AN AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO ENSURE IT IS DONE TO HYUNDAI SPECIFICATIONS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO COMPLETE THIS REPLACEMENT WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF YOUR DEALERSHIP, TO ENSURE IT IS DONE CORRECTLY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU PURCHASE A SERVICE MANUAL. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT REQUIRED. THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR BULB REPLACEMENT IS 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF FIRST USE (DFU), OR 12,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FOR FACTORY DEFECT IN PART OR WORKMANSHIP ONLY. HYUNDAI'S WRITTEN WARRANTIES ARE LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENTS THAT CAN'T BE ALTERED OR EXTENDED FOR ANY REASON. IN ADDITION, HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED, AND SET THEIR OWN PRICING ON VEHICLES THEY SELL AND SERVICES THEY PROVIDE. WE ARE UNABLE TO REGULATE ANY SERVICE COSTS, OR FORCE YOUR DEALERSHIP TO COMPLETE THE SERVICE FREE OF CHARGE. WE APOLOGIZE ABOUT ANY DISAPPOINTMENT THIS MAY CAUSE. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR REQUEST UNDER CASE # [XXX] . THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS. EMAIL RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRSHYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I FIND YOUR REPLY TO BE TOTAL [XXX] . YOU HAVE DESIGNED A SAFETY HAZARD INTO YOUR AUTOMOBILES. YOUR REPLY THAT I MUST EITHER PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE DEALER CHARGE OR PAY FOR A MAINT. MANUAL WHILE MY CAR WHICH IS 500 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY IS UNACCEPTABLE. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE FED. AGENCY IN CHARGE OF SAFETY HAZARDS. I OWN 2 HYUNDAI'S NOW. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0