Hyundai Sonata Complaints (2008)

425 consumer complaints on file.

#11002589June 30, 2017
AIR BAGS
MY 2008 SONATA WITH VIN [XXX] DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SMALLER ADULT PASSENGERS RESULTING IN ILLUMINATION OF THE "PASSENGER AIR BIG OFF" LIGHT IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. I NOTICED THIS AROUND 2009-2010. I DID RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND NOTED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED (RECALL NUMBER 08V161000), WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE'S "OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM" OR OCS. AT THE TIME, THERE WAS NOT A METHOD TO RESEARCH MY SPECIFIC VIN, SO I BROUGHT THE CAR TO TAMERON HYUNDAI IN BIRMINGHAM, AL IN THE 30-50K MILE RANGE. TAMERON HYUNDAI DID NOT PERFORM EXTENSIVE TESTING, BUT RATHER HAD A "130 LB" MECHANIC SIT IN THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG "OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM" OR OCS WAS IN WORKING ORDER. THE CAR CONTINUED TO FAIL TO RECOGNIZING SMALLER ADULTS. HOWEVER, MORE RECENTLY WHEN A LARGER ADULT PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT CAN TRIGGER THE PASSENGER OCS, THE RED DASH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASH. IMMEDIATELY WHEN I NOTICED THE CHANGE IN THE OPERATIONAL STATUS OF THE VEHICLE, I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THEY CREATED THE CASE NUMBER 10343035 FOR REFERENCE TO MY CASE, AND REFERRED ME TO FRANK HYUNDAI. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FRANK HYUNDAI WHERE THE PROBLEM AS A MALFUNCTIONING PASSENGER OCS WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE RECALL ABOVE. BOTH FRANK HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE ADVISED ME THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL ON THE OCS (RECALL NUMBER 08V161000). THE COST OF REPAIR WAS GREATER THAN THE VEHICLE'S VALUE. I WAS EASILY ABLE TO AFFORD A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, SO I DISPOSED OF THE VEHICLE AND OBTAINED A NEW VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHO STILL DRIVE SIMILAR VEHICLES. I THINK SOME SONATAS MAY HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED IN RECALL 08V161000, AND I THINK THE CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VINS. 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
#10983443May 4, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES
AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED, THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2008 SONATA RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. REPAIR COSTS NEAR $600. SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT "EVERY ONE OF THESE CARS WILL BE IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM" DUE TO THE DESIGN. THE TWO BRAKE LINES AND TWO FUEL LINES WHICH RUN FROM FRONT TO REAR ON THE VEHICLE (UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT) ARE HELD IN PLACE WITH CLIPS AND THEN THE ENTIRE LENGTH IS COVERED WITH A RECTANGULAR PLASTIC COVER (OR RACEWAY). WHILE THIS MIGHT WORK WELL IN OTHER CLIMATES, HERE IN THE NORTHEAST "SALT BELT", THIS COVER TRAPS THE ROAD SALT WHICH COLLECTS AT THE CLIPS AND ROTS THROUGH THE STEEL BRAKE LINES. FUEL LINES ARE NOT STEEL AND ARE NOT AFFECTED. AT THE VERY LEAST, HYUNDAI SHOULD REQUIRE CUSTOMERS TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE COVER REMOVED AND DISCARDED, AND THE LINES WASHED OFF AND INSPECTED. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THEY SHOULD REPAIR THE DAMAGE. DUE TO THE WAY THE LINES ARE ROUTED, THE POSITION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THE REPAIR IS COSTLY - BUT IS ALL LABOR. IT IS ABOUT $50 IN PARTS AND $500 IN LABOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10981439April 29, 2017
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RECEIVER, WHICH I REPLACED WITH A NEW PART, AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON AND NOW I AM TOLD IT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR. I SAW THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. I AM UNABLE TO INSPECT THE CAR IN THE STATE OF MAINE NOW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10980808April 26, 2017
ENGINE, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. ...UPDATED 06/13/17 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10979381April 19, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THE MOTOR, THERE WAS NO OIL LEAN AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A HIGH VOLUME OF OIL EVERY 30 DAYS. THE OIL AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE MANUFACTURER MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V568000 (ENGINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10972350April 13, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINE SEIZED AT AROUND 124000 WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED WITH A USED MOTOR AND NOW I BELIEVE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW AGAIN AT THE SAME MILEAGE. I HAVE USED ONLY MOBIL ONE SYNTHETIC OIL IN BOTH MOTORS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10971550April 10, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUN VISORS FALL DOWN WHILE DRIIVING, BLOCKS VISION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10971551April 10, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VISORS DROOPING DOWN WILL NOT STAY UP, BROKEN UNABLE TO DRIVE VISUALY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10971552April 10, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUN VISOR DROOPS DOWN WILL NOT STAY UP BLOCKING VISUAL FIELD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10971426April 8, 2017
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM UNDER HOOD. GETS LOUDER AS ENGINE HEATS. UNSAFE TO DRIVE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10970794April 5, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
ON THE 3.3L ENGINE THERE IS A FAULT IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT CAUSES OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING PREMATURE ALTERNATOR FAILURE. IF THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME ENGINE SUCH AS THE VERACRUZ AND A RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED. FOR SOME REASON THE RECALL DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE SONATA AS IT SHOULD. THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE VERACRUZ RECALL INVOLVING THE SAME ENGINE. "HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2012 VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH JULY 24, 2012. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK VALVE COVER GASKET. IF THERE IS A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF OIL DROPPED ONTO THE ALTERNATOR, THE ALTERNATOR WILL BE DAMAGED CAUSING THE CHARGING SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE." MY ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED TWICE NOW, ONCE WHILE DRIVING AND I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT IT EASILY COULD HAVE GONE BAD ON ME AS I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC. ONCE MY ALTERNATOR AND SUBSEQUENTLY MY BATTERY DIED I WAS LEFT WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WITHOUT LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OF MY SITUATIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10969196March 28, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES
WE RETURNED TO THE CHICAGO AIRPORT FROM A VACATION AND WERE GOING TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME, 200 MILES TO GREEN BAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TO DEPRESS FURTHER THAN NORMAL RIGHT AWAY BUT WE FIGURED IT WAS DUE TO THE CAR SITTING FOR A WEEK. WE PROCEEDED WITH OUR DIVE BUT AFTER ABOUT 100 MILES NEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING AS THEY SHOULD. WE PUT BRAKE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE BUT STILL THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. AT ONE POINT I HAD DEPRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING. I FOUND A MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUE RIGHT AWAY AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER GETTING A LOANER TO GET HOME, I HAD TO DRIVE BACK THE NEXT DAY AND RETRIEVE MY CAR. THIS WAS AT A COST OF $750.00. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE HAD WE CONTINUED OUR DRIVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED. I HAVE REVIEWED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE OF BRAKES FAILING ON THIS VEHICLE, YET A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BRAKE LINES. THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION OR WARNING LIGHT THAT WENT ON IN THE CAR, ONLY THE PRESENCE OF MIND THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE REPAIR THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT BOTH BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. I HAVE ASKED THE MECHANIC IF HE COULD SALVAGE THE PARTS FOR ME TO KEEP IN CASE WE NEED THEM. I HAVE NOTIFIED HYUNDAI AS WELL VIA E-MAIL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10960113March 11, 2017
AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS NO BODY WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE CAR. THE LIGHT DOESNT FLASH OFF AND ON, IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. SEVERAL MECHANICS CANNOT CLEAR THE CODE OR FIGURE OUT WHY. IVE BEEN SENT TO CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I VE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE PUMPING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO FIXING IT, ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME BACK ON. IM NOT PUTTING MONEY INTO A BLACK HOLE FOR THE PROBLEM TO NEVER HAVE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. I FEEL UNSAFE NOT KNOWING THE REAL ISSUE. ITS NOT THE AIRBAG FUSE OR WIRING AS THAT HAS BEEN INSEPECTED AND TESTED. I HAVE ONE DEALERSHIP WHO WON'T EVEN LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE I THINK THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I HAVE NO DOCUMENTS TO ATTACH BECAUSE TECHNICALLY NOTHING HAPPENED TO MY CAR TO TRIGGER THIS LIGHT. IT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY. IT DOESNT MATTER IF THE CAR IS PARKED OR IN DRIVING MODE OR ANYTHING. ITS ALWAYS ON. I CAN'T PASS ANY STATE INSPECTIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10955519February 19, 2017
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOT DETECTING ANYONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH MY AIRBAGS AND MAY BE DUE TO A FAULTY WIRING ISSUE UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ADDITIONALLY, THE LOW BEAM ON MY DRIVER SIDE LIGHTING FIXTURE IS NOT WORKING, ALTHOUGH I'VE HAD THE BULB REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. FURTHER, THE HEADLIGHTS, ALTHOUGH ALSO REPLACED, DON'T WORK AT ALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10948045January 27, 2017
AIR BAGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY ALONG WITH AIRBAG WARNING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10938676December 29, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE IN PARKING LOT IN TYSONS CORNER, VIRGINIA. HAD TO PUMP BRAKES TO STOP HITTING THE EXIT GATE. BRAKE LINE RUSTED, BROKE, AND ALL BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. CAR HAD 102127 MILES. NEVER HAD A CAR WITH A BRAKE LINE THAT RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANICS FIXED BY REPLACING SECTION OF STEEL BRAKE LINE UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF BODY SUBFRAME THAT HAD RUSTED AND SPLIT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10937487December 26, 2016
ENGINE
THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY, SLOWING DOWN AND IDLING ROUGH. I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT REMAIN RUNNING IN IDLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND INSPECTED AT THE HOUSE AND THE VALVES ARE BAD. IT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, LIGHTS OR GAUGES COMING ON OR PRIOR NOISE. I WAS DRIVING AROUND 45-50 TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE. 179,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE WITH 60,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10937210December 23, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF! A LIGHT SAYS ESC OFF, WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF , LATER THE LIGHT IS OUT BUT I STILL DO NOT HAVE FUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHTS THEY JUST STAY ON WHILE IN MOTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10935937December 17, 2016
AIR BAGS, SEATS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IM JUST WRITING BECAUSE IM GETTING ALOT OF ALERTS FROM YOU GUYS AND I DONT LIVE AT THE SAME ADDRESS WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR. SO IM NOT GETTING MY RECALL LETTERS OR NOTICES. SO WHAT IM WOUNDERING IS WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE SURE MY CAR IS NOT BEING EFFECTIVE BY THESES RECALLS. THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10935960December 17, 2016
AIR BAGS
MY CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER. FOR SOME REASON THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTIFICATION EARLIER THIS YEAR IN REGARDS TO SEAT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES ON 2006-2008 SONATAS, WHICH APPLIED TO MY CAR. AT THAT TIME HOWEVER, I HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT BUT NOW THE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT MY ISSUE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HOWEVER IT HAS TO DO WITH A B1448 080 (OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM) (MAT DEFECT) I HAVE SPENT SOME TIME DOING RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE WHATS GOING ON HERE BUT I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THE AIR BAG ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED A COST OF $1,300 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS ACCEPTABLE AND THAT THE COST SHOULD NOT BE PUSHED ON TO THE CONSUMER, GIVEN THAT IT APPEARS TO BE MAT DEFECT WHICH PROBABLY STEMS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE SAME DEALER FOR SERVICE AND ALL THE RECORDS OF SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE. I AM JUST CONCERNED THAT THIS AIR BAG ISSUE MAY BE VERY SERIOUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Hyundai Sonata