Hyundai Sonata Complaints

17,026 consumer complaints on file.

#10290374October 30, 2009
STRUCTURE
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY SONATA. A CRACK HAS APPEARED ON THE DASH FOLLOWING THE OUTLINE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND DASH I HAVE HAD TO PUT ON THE CAR FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. TO ME THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WITH DASHES CRACKING AROUND MY AIRBAG. DEPLOYMENT OF THIS AIRBAG MAY BE FOREVER COMPROMISED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. AND THE FACT THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE THE EXACT SAME WAY SEEMS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE. ALTHOUGH I HAVE SEEN ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE, THERE ARE MANY MORE LIKE ME EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR SONATA DASHBOARD CRACK WILL BRING UP MANY POSTS FROM SONATA OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES SUCH AS ME. I DON'T WANT TO TRUST MY YOUNG SON AND WIFE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN THAT COULD SHORTEN THEIR LIVES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290196October 29, 2009
CHILD SEAT
AIRBAG LIGHT ON TOOK CAR TO CARSPLUS, SHOP DIAG/ADVISE: FOUND DTC B1706 PASSENGER SEAT BEAT BUCKLE NEEDS REPLACED SPO BUCKLE FOR REPLACEMENT/ TECH COMPLETED DIAG AND FOUND SEAT BELT MODULE FAULTY/ RECOMMEND TO REPLACE/PARTS ORDERED- DATE 11/12/08/ (2) DATE 12/15/08 TOOK IN TO SHOP AGAIN, SAME PROBLEM AIRBAG LIGHT ON/ TECH DIAG/ FOUND FAULTY SEAT BUCKLE RECOMMEND TO REPLACE. NOTE: AS OF OCTOBER 22, 2009 CALLED DEALER AND MENTIONED PROBLEM FOR THE 3RD TIME SUGGESTED TO BRING IN, ASKED IS THERE A RECALL TECH SAID THERE IS NONE, I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I AM CONCERNED WITH SAFETY AND COST IF THIS IS CONTINUING PROBLEM WHICH I'LL BE STUCK WITH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290262October 29, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA PURCHASED IN APRIL/MAY 2007, AND I'VE ALWAYS DONE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT DEALERS ONLY, NO OUTSIDE SERVICERS. BOUGHT CAR AT POWER BOWSER IN PITTSBURGH, PA (LIVE IN BOSTON NOW) WHO DID PA STATE INSPECTION AND 30K SERVICE THERE WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 32K MILES IN 2/09. (REAR BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY IN 7/08). AT THE TIME, FRONT BRAKES WERE MEASURED AT 60% REMAINING AND REAR 90% REMAINING. I DID MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, WHICH INVOLVES LITTLE BRAKING, SINCE THAT TIME. LESS THAN 7K MILES AND 7.5 MONTHS (MY CAR IS NOW AT 39K) LATER NOW MY CAR IS AT MIRAK HYUNDAI IN MASSACHUSETTS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES MEASURING AT 25-30% AND DAMAGED ROTORS, AND THE BACK BRAKES ARE AT ZERO% ON ONE SIDE IN THE BACK AND 70% ON THE OTHER SIDE IN THE BACK WITH THE 70% SIDE IMMOBILE IN THE CALIPER HAVING WORN DOWN FROM 90% ONLY BECAUSE OF ROTOR WEAR. IN OTHER WORDS, ONE SIDE OF MY REAR BRAKES WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CAUSING THE OTHER SIDE TO WEAR TO ZERO, AND I WAS DRIVING ON 25-30% FRONT BRAKES. THE BACK ROTORS WERE DESTROYED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH THE BRAKES. THE POWER BOWSER IN PITTSBURGH SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE SONATAS (ESPECIALLY MY MODEL YEAR) THAT HYUNDAI CORPORATION IS FULLY AWARE OF (IN 2 WAYS THEY EITHER STICK TO THE ROTOR OR DON'T MOVE, AS IN MY CASE) AND HAS NOT RECALLED OR ISSUED A BULLETIN ON. INSTEAD, THEY APPARENTLY HAVE A "GOODWILL UNOFFICIAL WARRANTY" THAT THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM IF IT HAPPENS WITHIN 2 YEARS OR 24K MILES OF PURCHASE. MY CAR IS A FEW MONTHS OVER 2 YEARS OLD, SO THAT DID NOT APPLY TO ME. THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL CAR, BUT I HAD NO WARNING. I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH ONE SIDE OF MY BACK BRAKES NOT WORKING THAT WORE THE OTHER SIDE TO ZERO AND WAS GRINDING METAL-ON-METAL. I HAD TO PAY $500+ FOR THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. OVERALL, THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT ONLY COSTLY BUT FRIGHTENING THAT THEY LET ME AND OTHERS DRIVE AROUND ON BRAKES THEY KNOW TO FAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290096October 28, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES ON 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA ACQUIRED HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL, ODOR, AND WHEELS WERE TOO HOT TO THE TOUCH AT 17,500 MILES. BOTH REAR WHEEL BOLTS & WHEEL WERE VERY HOT. THE TIRE COULD BLOW UP ON A HIGHWAY AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER SAID TO REPLACE REAR DISK BRAKES AT A COST OF $275. I PROTESTED SAYING THAT AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND THERE SEEMS TO BE DESIGN DEFECT AND THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD NOT BUDGE. THERE SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE MECHANISMS CAUSING THE PADS TO FREEZE AGAINST THE ROTORS. I GOT PADS REPLACED, ROTOR RESURFACED ETC. AT NAPA. THEY SAID THAT IT IS SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH SONATAS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE POSTED REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS AT HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2007/HYUNDAI/SONATA FOR YOUR REVIEW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290185October 28, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A 30FT MOUND/RAILROAD TRACK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, ENOUGH TO DEEM THE CAR A "TOTAL LOSS", YET NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I SUFFERED PHYSICAL INJURIES TO TOP HALF OF BY BODY BY LITERALLY SLAMMING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. HAD MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMAL INJURIES TO MY BODY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10290006October 27, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TOWARDS THE RIGHT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE DISCOVERED THAT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED , IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO TILT TOWARDS THE RIGHT. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289803October 26, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, INDICATING THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ,WHOM STATED THAT THE PRESSURE PLATE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED AND THE SENSOR WAS RE-CODED,BUT THE FAILURE RESURFACED FOUR DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,366. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289705October 25, 2009
AIR BAGS
MY2006 SONATAS AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON HAVE HAD IT AT 2 DEALERS 10 TIMES THEY KEEP RESETTING LIGHT COMES BACK ON IN 3 DAYS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 1 YEAR 11 MONTHS. ALSO ON FAST ACCELERATION ESC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON,CAR LOSES POWER THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTART CAR TO BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS PROBLEM ALMOST 2 YEARS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY IN A ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289634October 23, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE HAS A CHROME COVER ON IT, THAT AT ONE POINT WAS GLUED TIGHT TO THE HANDLE, BUT NOW DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, THE EDGE OF THE PLASTIC CHROME PIECE IS EXPOSED AND IT YOUR NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND SLIDE YOUR HAND ACROSS IT WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT CAN RESULT IN A CUT.GASH IN SOMEONE'S HAND. (INJURY) I HAVE GOTTEN A FEW CUTS, NOTHING SERIOUS, BUT IF SOMEONE REALLY WAS IN A RUSH, IT COULD BE QUITE A DEEP CUT/GASH IN YOUR HAND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289216October 21, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVER OF 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, MAKING UPHILL TURN INTO A FLAT PARKING SPACE EXPERIENCES ENGINE POWER SURGE THAT PROPELS VEHICLE OVER SIGN STANDARD, FLATTENING SIGN AND REQUIRING TOW TRUCK TO EXTRICATE VEHICLE. PHOTOS AVAILABLE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN SYNDICATED REPORTER JAMES R. HEALEY OF USATODAY NOTED SAME DANGEROUS POWER SURGE IN TEST VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2005. OWNER OF INCIDENT VEHICLE HAD SAME COMPLAINT AND ASKED DEALER TO CHECK DEFECT ON PRIOR OCCASION. DEALER SERVICE REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. IN THIS INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR SAFETY AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, AGAIN DEALER SERVICE REPORTS NO PROBLEM OR RECALL. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289281October 21, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDIA SONATA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INTERIOR FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER CHROME DOOR HANDLE EXHIBITED A CRACK AND BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THERE WAS ALSO A SHARP EDGE ON THE CHROME PLATE SURFACE. A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO A FINGER ON THE DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V171000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT ADDRESS THE RECALL DEFECT. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10289178October 20, 2009
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA SE LIMITED I HAVE LIGHTS TELLING ME THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT OPERATIONAL. IT SOME TIME TELLS ME THERE IS A PASSENGER WHEN THERE IS NOT AND SOMETIMES NO PASSENGER WHEN THERE IS. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. NOW WITH THE RECALL FOR THE TAILLIGHTS I AM THINKING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288942October 19, 2009
VISIBILITY
BROKEN SUN VISOR BRACKET- HYUNDAI ISSUED A TSB BUT WILL NOT REPLACE VISOR IF VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID A CHILD CHASING A BALL WHICH BOUNCED ACROSS THE STREET I HIT MY HEAD ON THE EDGE OF THE SUN VISOR WHICH DANGLES DOWN. MY HEAD WOULD NOT HAVE HIT THE VISOR IF IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. ALSO THE VISOR DANGLES BLOCKING YOUR VISION WHEN THE VISOR IS NOT NEEDED BUT IT WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288989October 19, 2009
AIR BAGS
THE "AIRBAG" LIGHTS REMAIN ON IN MY VEHICLE WHEN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES ARE BOTH OCCUPIED. I'M UNSURE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, IF THE AIRBAGS WILL ACTUALLY WORK. THIS MATTER NEED TO LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288830October 18, 2009
VISIBILITY
SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. IT WAS WORKING FINE, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY IT WAS DOWN AND I COULD NOT PUT IT BACK IN PLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288799October 17, 2009
VISIBILITY
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA - DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN FOR A 2ND TIME. REPLACED THE 1ST ONE IN OCTOBER 08 AT MY EXPENSE, THE PART WAS $127.00. WHEN I CALLED TO SEE IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY I WAS ADVISED IT WAS A COSMETIC ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. NOW I AM IN NEED OF ANOTHER ONE, BUT I THINK I WILL DO WITHOUT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR ANOTHER ONE. THE VISOR BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND AS I LOWERED IT I COULD HEAR IT CRACKING INSIDE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VISOR WON'T STAY UP OR DOWN, IT FALLS INTO YOUR LINE OF SIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288610October 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR LOOSE POWER MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING, DOES NOT SHUT OFF. DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287363October 14, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE STOPPED, OPERATING FROM 0-50 MPH GOING FORWARD AND ALSO IN REVERSE AT MINIMAL SPEED CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10287365October 14, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 65 MPH WITH AN OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED THE "ON" POSITION MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS). NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY SINCE THE OCS WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,700. UPDATED 11/10/09 *BF UPDATED 11/13/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287189October 13, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED, AND THE REPRESENTATIVES CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE IS 90BLS AND WHEN SHE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. SOMETIMES, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. UPDATED 10/29/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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