Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#10505528April 3, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE
I OWN A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA AND WAS INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTING THROUGH, PRESENTING A SEVERE SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. THERE IS CURRENTLY A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SHOWING FOR THE 2001-2004 MODEL FROM YOUR INVESTIGATION. SHOULDN'T THE 1999 BE INCLUDED DUE TO IT HAVING MANY COMPLAINTS DUE TO THIS CORROSION ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARYLAND AND OWNED IN VIRGINIA FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. IT ALSO HAS BEEN IN OUT OF VIRGINIA FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS WHERE SALT IS APPLIED TO ROADWAYS LIKELY CONTRIBUTING THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505555April 3, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
UPON PURCHASE OF MY USED 2007 SONATA ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BOTH SUN VISORS BROKE. WE WERE INFORMED IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE LIVED WITH IT BUT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND UPON SEARCHING FOR A RECALL I FOUND THIS HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF UNHAPPY SONATA OWNERS. I FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT APPLIES TO ONLY CERTAIN STATES. WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THAT... SHOULD BE ALL STATES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505360April 2, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY POPPED OUT. IT APPEARS THAT THE BOLT MOUNTS HAVE BROKEN DUE TO A DEFECT. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUNK RELEASING WITHOUT INTENTIONALLY OPENING. SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE FOUND THE TRUNK OPEN IN THE MORNING OR WHEN I RETURN TO THE CAR AFTER WORK, OR SHOPPING. HYUNDAI SERVICE SAYS THAT I ACCIDENTALLY PUSH THE RELEASE BUTTON SOMEHOW. THIS IS NOT THE CASE AS I PURPOSELY PLACE THE KEY FOB WHERE IT CANNOT BE ACTIVATED AND STILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM. ALSO, THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. THE ONLY CAST A BEAM ABOUT 50 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITH A DISTINCT LINE OF LIGHT ABOUT 5 FEET ABOVE THE ROAD. WHILE THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON STRAIGHT ROADS, IT IS A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING ON HILLY ROADS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505378April 2, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION
VEHICLE WANDERS DANGEROUSLY FROM SPEEDS OF 35 MPH TO 60MPH. I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH SONATA HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505226April 1, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS TILTED AWKWARDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE REAR PASSENGER UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505129March 31, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR FAILURE RESULTED IN A CAR THAT WOULDN'T START. THE KEY-LESS ENTRY DEPENDS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, OTHERWISE THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OVER. UNDER NORMAL OPERATION WHEN THE DRIVER IS TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE KEY MUST BE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER MUST DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN PRESS THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE CAR NORMALLY TURNS OVER. IN THIS SITUATION ALL SYSTEMS FUNCTION AS IF THE CAR DOES NOT KNOW THE BRAKE PEDDLE IS BEING DEPRESSED. THE BATTERY HAS FULL CHARGE, ALL ACCESSORIES FUNCTION NORMALLY, BUT THE IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OVER. BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY START THE CAR, THE CAR IS RENDERED COMPLETELY USELESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505136March 31, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATING SONATA FAULTY REAR CONTROL ARMS THAT AFFECT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. ON OCCASION, MY SONATA WILL LIGHT UP THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL DISABLED DASHBOARD INDICATOR. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WILL INDICATE THAT IT'S OFF FOR A FEW MILES OF DRIVING AND THEN THE DISABLED LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AND I AM PRESUMING THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IS BACK ON. I HAVE NOT FELT ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE DRIVING WHEN STABILITY CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED, BUT THAT VERY WELL COULD BE BECAUSE I USUALLY ASEE THE INDICATOR LIGHT UP (ON THE OCCASIONS THAT IT HAPPENS) IN THE MORNING AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO EXIT. AFTER DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 40 FOR A FEW MILES, THE DISABLED INDICATOR DISAPPEARS. TOTAL TIMES ISSUE OCCURRED: ABOUT 10 OR LESS SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE MID 2012. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505035March 30, 2013
VISIBILITY
BOTH SUN VISORS ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA WILL NOT STAY UP NEAR THE CEILING OF THE CAR. BOTH SLIP DOWN WHICH IS A HUGE DISTRACTION. I HAD TO REMOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR AND ONLY KEEP THE DRIVER SIDE ONE ATTACHED IN CASE THE SUN IS IN MY EYES. PUTTING IT TO THE LEFT CREATES A BIG BLIND SPOT. IT IS UP TO $100 TO REPLACE THE VISOR AND HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING DESPITE THE HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504759March 27, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BACKING INTO THE GARAGE, MY FOOT ON BRAKE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO HIGH RPM, THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS, PROPELLING A HEAVY RUBBER MAT ON WHICH THE CAR IS NORMALLY PARKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE THEN IMPACTED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE REAR GARAGE WALL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I MANAGED TO PRY THE GEAR LEVER OUT OF REVERSE, HIT DRIVE INSTEAD AND SENT THE CAR, WHEELS STILL SPINNING AND LAYING DOWN RUBBER, FORWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE. ON ITS WAY OUT THE CAR SWIPED ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE THE GARAGE DOOR POST BEFORE FINALLY COMING TO A STOP IN THE DRIVEWAY. FINAL RESULT, SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BOTH THE CAR AND THE GARAGE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR IN TRAFFIC OR WITH PEDESTRIANS IN THE AREA. ON-LINE RESEARCH HAS SINCE SHOWN ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS WHERE HYUNDAI SONATAS HAVE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON THEIR OWN. SEE HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/SONATA/CAR-ACCELERATES-ON-ITS-OWN-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504551March 26, 2013
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING THE CARS STEERING TENDS TO OVERSTEER REQUIRING CONSTANT WHEEL ADJUSTMENT. THE FEEL IS SIMILAR TO THE WIND BLOWING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH ON THE HIGHWAY. IT CAN BE FELT AT LOWER SPEEDS BUT IS MORE PREVALENT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON 3/26/13 AND WAS TOLD ITS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING AND THAT IT IS OPERATING AS IT SHOULD. THEY TOLD ME IT,S DIFFERENT THE HYDRAULIC STEERING AND IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO GET USE TO IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504607March 26, 2013
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS DRIVING & HEARD SOMETHING FALLING DOWN ON MY BACK WINDOW - IT SOUNDED LIKE ICE FALLING DOWN FROM THE ROOF. I GET TO WORK & PARK IN A PARKING SPOT ONLY TO REALIZE THAT MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED! THE MIDDLE WAS CRACKED & STICKING UP & THE REST WAS SHATTERED IN A WEB EFFECT. WHEN I CLOSED THE DOOR THE WHOLE THING JUST FELL DOWN. LUCKILY I HAD THE INSIDE VISOR OF THE SUNROOF CLOSED SO IT DIDN'T GO INSIDE THE CAR. HOWEVER, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WAS OPEN & I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY STILL?? I AM SURE I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THIS CAR FOR A WHOLE YEAR YET. I BOUGHT IT ON JUNE 30, 2012, BRAND NEW. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED & CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. IT IS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALER PENDING REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504442March 25, 2013
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS SOMETIMES LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON DURING A TRIP, ON ANOTHER DAY IT STAYS OFF. HAPPENS WHEN NOBODY IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND ALSO WHEN AN ADULT SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT. DEALER INSPECTED CAR ON 3/25/13 AND SAID THAT THE CONTROL UNIT NEEDS REPLACING AT A COST OF ABOUT $270. THINKS THAT WHEN LIGHT IS ON, AIR BAGS MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY. CLAIMS THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME I HAVE SEEN A RECALL NOTICE FOR THAT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504259March 23, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVER SUNVISOR FALLS INTO YOUR VISION UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504219March 23, 2013
POWER TRAIN
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT, 2/4/13, I REQUIRED QUICK ACCELERATION TO AVOID A COLLISION. A SUDDEN THRUST OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHOULD RESULT IN RAPID ACCELERATION, INSTEAD THE CAR HESITATES, DE-ACCELERATES, PRESUMABLY WHILE IT TRIES TO FIND A SOLUTION (BATTERY VS GAS), STALLS, THEN SLOWLY ACCELERATES. THIS DELAY IS DANGEROUS AND WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. SPECIFICALLY, I APPROACHED A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING. DRIVERS TREATED THE INTERSECTION AS A FOUR WAY STOP, AS THEY SHOULD, WHEN IT WAS MY OPPORTUNITY TO TURN LEFT, I EXECUTED MY TURN NORMALLY, BUT THEN NOTICED A TRUCK CREST THE HILL TO MY LEFT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ABOUT BLOCK AWAY, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO FINISH MY TURN AND GET OUT OF THE WAY. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT POWERED DOWN, SAT THERE FOR A SECOND, THEN ACCELERATED SLOWLY. THE TRUCK SWERVED AND SLAMMED ON ITS BREAKS TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH ME. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30+ YEARS, I AM A SAFE, DEFENSIVE DRIVER. I HAVE ALSO OWNED ANOTHER HYBRID CAR (2007 TOYOTA CAMRY) WHERE THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICE. ADDITIONALLY, TWO OTHER ISSUES I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE; I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR FOR 1,883 AND RECORDED MY MILEAGE AND GAS PURCHASES USING THE TOOLS FROM FUELECONOMY.GOV AND HAVE REALIZED AN OVERALL MPG OF 23.73. FOR A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ACHIEVE BETWEEN 34 AND 39 MPG, IT MISSES THE MARK. THE HYBRID BATTERY WILL NOT CHARGE ABOVE 50%. OCCASIONALLY, DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE HYBRID BATTERY WILL CHARGE ABOVE 50%, BUT QUICKLY DEPLETES THE BATTERY TO BELOW 50% WITHIN A FEW MILES. I WONDER IF THIS AFFECTS THE CARS LACK OF ELECTRIC RESERVES WHEN EVASIVE DRIVING MEASURES ARE REQUIRED. HYUNDAI SERVICE INDICATED THE BATTERY CHARGE LEVELS ARE NORMAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504179March 22, 2013
AIR BAGS, SEATS
BOTH AT A COMPLETE STOP WHILE IN GEAR AND WHILE MOVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. IN THIS VEHICLE THAT LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO GO OFF WHEN SOMEONE OVER 85LBS SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. TOOK VIDEO OF THREE INCIDENTS OVER A PERIOD OF TWO DAYS. SPOKE TO JENKINS HYUNDAI, OCALA, FL WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR & THEY WERE UNABLE TO PULL A CODE. THEY WERE ALSO UNINTERESTED IN THE VIDEOS AND STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT SENSOR IS CALIBRATED FOR 115 LBS +/-. AS MY WIFE IS 128 LBS THEY FEEL THAT IT IS WELL WITHIN LIMITS & THAT SOMETIMES THE AIRBAG SENSOR WILL NOT SENSE HER PRESENCE. I THOUGHT THE LIMIT WAS 85 LBS FOR SMALL CHILDREN. IF WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503956March 21, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE. AS YOU DRIVE THE BRAKE SMOKES AND RUBS CAUSING YOU TO STEP HARDER ON THE GAS TO MOVE FORWARD. EVENTUALLY YOU HEAR THE BRAKE RELEASE AND IT DRIVES NORMALLY. I HAD A NEW CALIPER , ROTOR AND BRAKE PAD PUT ON 2 WEEKS AGO FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503852March 20, 2013
VISIBILITY
I PULLED MY VISOR DOWN TO BLOCK THE SUN. PLASTIC CRUSHED AND BROKE AT THE VISOR PIVOT ARM. NOW THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD IS HINDERED. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HARDLY USE MY VISOR SO WEAR AND TEAR IS NOT AN ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY HYUNDAI BUT I AM PASSED MY WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503399March 18, 2013
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TPMS SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER CAR HAD FLAT. TOOK IT TO LES SCHWAB 7 TIMES AND THEY KEPT CHECKING FOR A FLAT. SOMETIMES SOMETHING IN THE TIRE, SOMETIMES NOT. FINALLY TOOK IT TO A DEALER. THEY RESET THE SENSOR BUT ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON. THEN I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR. HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. IT SEEMED TO BE RELATED TO PLUGGING MY CAR CHARGER IN. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS THOUGHT UNTIL I HAD THE FIRST FLAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503480March 18, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503254March 16, 2013
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON, AND HAS STAYED ON. LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN AN AIR BAG RECALL FOR THE 2003 SONATA. WE (ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS) ARE HOPING THAT ONE WILL BE ISSUED FOR THE 2004 MODEL, AS WELL. THANKS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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