Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#10520438June 18, 2013
STEERING
I PURCHASED MY 2013 SONATA LTD WITH STANDARD ENGINE 08/17/12. AFTER THE FIRST 300 MI OR SO I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE "DRIFTS", WHICH REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE FASTER THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING THE MORE PROMINENT THE DRIFTING, SO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS CAN BECOME TIRING, WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL MOMENTARILY, WITH SEVERE CONSEQUENCES. THIS VEHICLE IS DESIGNED WITH ELECTRIC STEERING THAT FUNCTIONS NORMALLY FOR TURNING BUT THERE IS AN INHERENT DESIGN ERROR IN THE STEERING CONTROL THAT ALLOWS THERE TO BE PHYSICAL ?PLAY? IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS ?PLAY? IS SIMILAR TO AUTOS THAT HAVE MANY MILES ON THEM. THEY WOULD HAVE RACK TO PINION WEAR OR BAD STEERING BUSHINGS CAUSING A GAP IN THE STEERING MOVEMENT LEFT AND RIGHT FROM CENTER. THE SONATA'S ?GAP? ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE STEERING IS OFF CENTER DURING VEHICLE TURNING AND HAS TO BE PASSED THROUGH TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON TRACK. THE GAP ON THE SONATA IS ABOUT 1/3?. THIS CAUSES THE "DRIFT". BY CONTRAST, I ALSO OWN A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH CONVENTIONAL POWER STEERING AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PLAY IN THE WHEEL, THUS THE VEHICLE GOES EXACTLY WHERE POINTED WITHOUT DRIFT. IN VA. WHERE I LIVE, GIVEN A SCENARIO WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS OLDER AND GOING THROUGH A STANDARD ANNUAL INSPECTION, THIS STEERING ?PLAY? WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE REJECTED AS HAVING A SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE REPAIRED. THE NHTSA SHOULD WITHOUT DELAY REQUIRE HYUNDAI TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS ISSUE BY REMOVING THE STEERING ?PLAY?. HOW MANY OWNERS DOES IT TAKE WHO ACTUALLY COMPLAIN BEFORE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN? I WOULD VENTURE A GUESS THAT THIS ISSUE AFFECTS EVERY SONATA OF THIS DESIGN. I NOTED THIS SAME PROBLEM BEING REPORTED IN PREVIOUS YEARS OF THIS DESIGN AFTER THE RECALL WITH SOME REPORTS DESCRIBING POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. THAT'S A LOT OF CARS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520527June 18, 2013
STEERING
WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AFTER YOU TURN OFF THE CAR, A FAIR PERCENTAGE OF TIME YOU CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO START THE CAR. IT SOMETIMES LOCKS DOWN SO HARD YOU NEED TWO PEOPLE TO TURN IT. I WAS STRANDED IN 105 DEGREE HEAT TRYING TO GET MY CAR STARTED, I AM 86 YEARS OLD IF MY SON DIDN'T COME BY I WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS. HYUNDAI VERIFIED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK THE CAR TO START IT BUT THEY ALL DO IT. I HAVE A CAR NOW I CAN'T DRIVE. WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK. SAFETY ISSUES THAT SHOULD INSTILL A RECALL ON THIS STEERING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520092June 17, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL INTO THE KITCHEN OF HIS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520184June 17, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TIGHTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520276June 17, 2013
STEERING
WE PURCHASES THIS VEHICLE IN 2012. WE NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING WE HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY TIGHT TO STAY IN HIGHWAY LANES. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING PULLS RIGHT AND LEFT CAUSING US TO WANDER REALLY CLOSE TO OTHERS LANES. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX IT. WE FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND FEAR AN ACCIDENT IS WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520283June 17, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR CAME LOOSE AND NOW HANGS DOWN OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE SUN VISOR NO LONGER WILL STAY UP, IT ALWAYS HANGS DOWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520279June 17, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE BY HITTING CANCEL OR TURNING IT OFF. IT WOULD ONLY DISENGAGE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THE BRAKE INTERLOCK SWITCH WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE, IF IT HAD FAILED AGAIN THE ONLY OPTION WOULD HAVE BEEN TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT IT OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519955June 15, 2013
STEERING
AS A RESULT OF THE WANDERING STEERING ISSUE, I HAVE CONCLUDED MY 2012, HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED 2.0T IS UNSAFE. UP UNTIL THIS REPORT, I HAVE TOLERATED THE STEERING. ON JUNE 14, 2013, I NEARLY CROSSED OVER THE CENTER OF A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY NEARLY HITTING AN 18-WHEEL SEMI TRUCK HEAD ON. THE STEERING IS NOT SAFE. DUE TO THE VERY LIGHT NATURE OF THE STEERING AND LACK OF PROGRESSION JUST OFF CENTER, THERE IS TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE CENTER OF THIS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THIS PLAY RESULTS IN A SLIGHT DELAY IN RESPONSE TO SMALL STEERING INPUTS. ALONG WITH A POOR FACTORY SUSPENSION SETUP THAT IS TOO STIFF, THE CAR EASILY BEGINS TO WANDER ON EVEN THE SMOOTHEST OF ROADS. AN EXAMPLE IS NOTED. CAR MOVES RIGHT. I RESPOND WITH LEFT INPUT. CAR MOVES LEFT. HOWEVER, DELAY IN STEERING RESPONSE TO CENTER CAR RESULTS IN OVERSHOOTING CENTER POSITION OF THE LANE. THEN HAVE TO PROVIDE RIGHT STEERING INPUT, AGAIN WITH DELAY IN RESPONSE TO INPUT. AS A RESULT, THE CAR BECOMES STUCK IN A LEFT TO RIGHT OSCILLATION. EVEN IF I LIGHTEN UP ON THE INPUTS, I CANNOT ELIMINATE THE OSCILLATION BECAUSE NO ROAD IS PERFECTLY FLAT. ADD IN CROSSWINDS, IT ONLY GETS WORSE. I AM AWARE OF NUMEROUS REPORTS CONCERNING THE WANDERING STEERING OF THE HYUNDAI SONATA. I AM ALSO AWARE OF SOME OWNERS HAVING THE STEERING MODE CHANGED TO SPORT, BUT I AM NOT CONVINCED THIS WILL HELP MUCH IF I CHOOSE TO HAVE THIS DONE. THE POOR SUSPENSION (TOO MUCH DAMPING) ALONG WITH THE LOW PROFILE TIRES WILL STILL BE THERE, AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY CAN GET THE STEERING TO WORK WELL WITH THE SUSPENSION. OVERALL, THE LIGHT, SLOW TO RESPOND STEERING AND A TOO STIFF SUSPENSION ARE NOT A GOOD MATCH FOR EACH OTHER UNDER DAILY DRIVING. THE STEERING IS PROGRESSIVE DURING MORE AGGRESSIVE DRIVING, EVEN THOUGH IT LACKS GOOD FEEDBACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519971June 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
HEARD SQUEALING AND GRINDING COMING FROM REAR BRAKES.REPLACED PADS AND LUBRICATED PINS, NOW 6/2013 HEAR THE SAME NOISE AGAIN AND THIS TIME PREMATURE WEAR OF THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE WARPED AND FALLING APART. ALSO LUG NUTS ARE RUSTED AND SWOLLEN (THIS AT 45000) JUST UNDER 14000 AFTER LAST REPLACEMENT. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC SO THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT TRIPLE CHARGE FOR WORK AND TELL ME IT IS MY FAULT. WE'LL SEE HOW LONG THIS REPAIR LASTS. ALSO HAD THE CAR IN FOR BOUNCING IN THE FRONT...HAD TIRES ROTATED AND REBALANCED AND STILL DOES IT PERIODICALLY THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519845June 14, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED HYUNDAI SONATA 2008 A FEW MONTHS AGO AND WE DECIDED TO TEST IT ON A LONG DRIVE. WE CHANGED THE OIL, FILLED UP THE TANK AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED WE TOOK OFF TO BOSTON (MA) A 750 MI DRIVE FROM COLUMBUS (OH) FOR A FAMILY REUNION. ON OUR WAY BACK THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME UP CAUSING AN INSTANT LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND A DEAD GAS PEDAL. I LEARNED THAT IF I TURNED OFF THE CAR THE LIGHT WENT AWAY AND I COULD DRIVE FOR ANOTHER 10-15 MIN UNTIL THE LIGHT CAME UP AND WE HAD TO POOL OVER AGAIN. WE DROVE 10-15 MILES AT THE TIME ALL THE WAY HOME PRAYING THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO POOL OVER IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WHERE THERE WAS NO PLACE TO POOL OVER AND TRAFFIC WOULD HAVE TO STOP UNTIL I WOULD RESTART MY CAR. IT WAS NERVE WRECKING BECAUSE I HAD TO STOP VERY OFTEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE DURING THE NIGHT WITHOUT KNOWING IF THE NEXT RESTART WILL WORK AGAIN. MY WIFE AND OUR 11 MONTHS OLD WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AND I ALL I WANTED WAS TO GET THEM HOME SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519716June 13, 2013
SUSPENSION, STEERING
HYUNDAI WONT PAY FOR THE TIRES THAT HAD TO BE REPLACES MANY TIMES OR A CAR TO DRIVE WHILE MINE WAS IN THE SHOP ITS THEIR FAULT THEIR LACK OF QUALITY BUILD OF THE CAR. THE DEALER IS FIXING THE FRAME DUE TO THE RECALL NO CHARGE TO ME BUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW TIRES AND A CAR TO DRIVE TILL MINE IS FIXED AND TO REALINE AFTER I JUST FEEL THAT'S UNFAIR.. IT ALL SHOULD BE INCLUDED ON THE RECALL.. I WONT OWN ONE AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519749June 13, 2013
AIR BAGS
DASH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2006 SONATA (SEE SAFERCAR.GOV DATABASE). IN MY CASE, THE DEALER SAYS THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS REPLACING AT A COST OF OVER $2000. I NOTE IN THE ABOVE DATA BASE THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A WIDE VARIETY OF CAUSES FOR AIR BAG FAILURE. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR SO OFTEN IN THE 2006 SONATA, AND CREATE SUCH A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE HYUNDAI TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THESE AIR BAG PROBLEMS FOR GOOD. I JUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519527June 12, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION
WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL EVERYTIME WHEN TURNED OR ROCKED IN A RIGHT TO LEFT MOTION, A CLUNKING LOOSE SOUND WILL BE FELT AND HEARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519468June 12, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AN EXISTING RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000) INDICATES THAT FOR 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA THE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT: "DURING THE AFFECTED MODELS' PRODUCTION PERIODS, SOME VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLIES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT SWITCH POINT CONTACT. THIS CONDITION COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE PUSH-BUTTON START FEATURE, INTERMITTENT ABILITY TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE'S SHIFTER FROM THE PARK POSITION, ILLUMINATION OF THE ESC' (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) INDICATOR LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INTERMITTENT INTERFERENCE WITH OPERATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE, OR INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE STOP LAMPS." ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED IN MY VEHICLE, YET THIS VIN IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516107June 10, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH REAR SEAT PASSENGER DOORS HAVE BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE DOOR. THEY BROKE APPROXIMATELY WHERE THE LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE HANDLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER HANDLE IS ACTING DIFFERENT THAN IT USE TO NOW ALSO. AS OF THIS WEEKEND THE FRONT DRIVERS HANDLE ARE ACTING DIFFERENT ALSO! THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING /DESIGN ISSUE AND NOT AN ABUSE OR VANDALISM ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515880June 9, 2013
STEERING
CAN'T KEEP CAR GOING IN STRAIGHT LINE. CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT STEERING, BUT CAN'T KEEP CAR FROM WANDERING INTO OTHER LANES. THIS IS EITHER GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN CLOSE PLACES OR PROVOKE A POLICE STOP FOR DRUNK DRIVING. I NOW HAVE 3,117 MILES ON THE CAR, AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS WORSE IN FLORIDA DUE TO THE 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE I 75. UNCONTROLLABLE AT LEGAL SPEEDS. FOUND THAT HYUNDAI HAD THIS PROBLEM ON 2010 MODELS. WHY DOESN'T NHTSA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE NEW MODELS THEY ARE BUILDING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515894June 9, 2013
TIRES
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT HAS COME ON EVERY TIME WE TRAVEL OVER 300 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS COMMON. I THINK IT IS SAFETY CONCERNED. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A LOW TIRE OR NOT WHEN I'VE CHECK THEN AND EVERYTHING IS OK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515780June 8, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
P0504 BRAKE SWITCH A/B CORRELATION . LIGHT ABS - ESC/OFF AND CHECK.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515682June 7, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT. NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS YEARS BUT NOT THE 2008. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515707June 7, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I TOOK MY 2004 SONATA FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO A LARGE HOLE FROM CORROSION IN FRONT PASSENGER SUBFRAME NEAR CONTROL ARM BOLT COSTING $1200 TO FIX. AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THIS WAS RECALLED AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS COVERED (I AM IN SO-CALLED "SALT BELT"). WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER BACK, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER THEN CALLED HYUNDAI AND DEALER CALLED ME BACK STATING THAT HYUNDAI WOULD NOT COVER. THIS HOLE CAN GET LARGER AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. MY APPROX MILEAGE IS ONLY 42K. WHY IS IT NOT COVERED?!?!?!? I'M GETTING THE RUN AROUND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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