NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
WHILE ROUNDING A GRADUAL CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL AND WENT OFF ROAD. EXAMINATION OF VEHICLE SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT REVEALED LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSED BY SEVERELY RUSTED RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) FRONT SUBFRAME AND APPROXIMATELY 8 INCH HOLE AND BENDING/CRACKING OF SUCH DUE TO THE RUST, THIS ON A VEHICLE WHICH IS OTHERWISE PRISTINE (THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE). I URGE NHTSA TO REQUIRE HYUNDAI TO ADDRESS WHAT I HAVE NOW LEARNED IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL IN QUESTION, ESPECIALLY BEFORE ANY OTHER LIVES ARE PUT IN JEOPARDY OR LOST DUE TO WHAT IS CLEARLY AND OBVIOUSLY A GROSS MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT. NOTE THAT I CONSIDER THE SITUATION TO CONSTITUTE NO LESS THAN AN EMERGENCY AND THAT UNTIL CERTAIN MODEL YEARS OF THE HYUNDAI SONATA ARE UPDATED WITH A REVISED/NEW SUBFRAME THEY SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND INDEED ARE NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. AT PRESENT MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ROAD WORTHY DUE TO THE RUSTED SUBFRAME AND AS IT IS 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY (WARRANTY PERTAINING TO RUST THROUGH) I FORESEE THAT I WILL HAVE TO BEAR THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR (SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT) MYSELF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $800. HER STATE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000. UPDATED 05/04/09 *BF UPDATED 05/04/09.*JB
FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED AND BROKEN. ALIGNMENT AND STEERING IS WAY OFF . WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE SINCE FRAME DAMAGE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
MY 2001 SONATA ENGINE CRADLE IS SERIOUSLY RUSTED OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE AFT, A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BE ISSUED. I FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINT ONLINE FOR THE SAME AUTO. *TR
FAMILY VEHICLE: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA -MY WIFE HAD CALLED ME TUES. 15TH, JAN. 2008 AFTERNOON, THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. ASSUMING A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM, I TOLD HER TO DRIVE CONSERVATIVE, UNTIL WE COULD HAVE THE AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM CHECKED OUT. APPROX. 90 MINUTES LATER, SHE'S CALLING ME BACK, QUITE A BIT SHOOK UP, EXPLAINING THAT SHE WAS LOADING SOME ITEMS IN THE TRUNK AND WHEN SHE SLAMMED THE TRUNK CLOSED, THE FRONT PASSENGER, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED! ACCORDING TO HER, QUITE AN EXPLOSION AND ODOR. WE'RE THANKFUL THAT THERE WERE NO FAMILY MEMBER SITTING IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME. I HAVE TAKEN DIGITAL PHOTOS AND NOTIFIED MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY FOR DOCUMENTATION PURPOSES. I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND I CONFIRMED, THROUGH THE VIN, THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL/DEFECT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SERVICE, 7-20-2002. RECALL ID 01V347000 STATES THAT AB WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF SIDE IMPACT AB WIRING HARNESS/CONNECTOR AND THAT THIS COULD PREVENT DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE IMPACT AB'S. WELL, IN THIS DIFFERENT CASE, THE AB WARNING LIGHT DID COME ON (AND IS STILL ON), AND SLAMMING OF THE TRUNK TRIGGERED THE SIDE IMPACT AB TO DEPLOY! SO EITHER THIS IS A NEW SAFETY ISSUE OR THE HYUNDAI DEALER IS NEGLIGENT AND DID NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE APPROPRIATELY. NOTHING YET HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. HYUNDAI DEALER IS TELLING ME RECALL REMEDY IS BEYOND WARRANTY WINDOW AND I HAVE TO BURDEN THE COST I FEEL, FROM A LIABILITY STANDPOINT, HYUNDAI NEEDS TO GET THIS RIGHT AT THEIR COST FOR THEIR ILL REPAIR OR POSSIBLY NEW SAFETY ISSUE TO VEHICLE AB SAFETY EQUIPMENT . THANK YOU *TR
2000 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH A DEFECTIVE SUB FRAME. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EXPENSES ON THE REPAIR OF THE SUB-FRAME. HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO PUT OUT A RECALL ON THEM AND GET THEM FIXED DUE TO CONCERNS WITH THE SUB-FRAME.*KB THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED HIM TO SLIDE TO AN IMMEDIATE HALT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED FRAME WHICH RUSTED AND ROTTED SO BADLY THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD FALLEN OFF THE FRAME, THE AXLE RIPPED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE WHEEL HAD SLAMMED INTO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND QUARTER PANEL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE PRIOR TO THE FRAME DAMAGE, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE WHICH WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF TIRE. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEAR THE ENGINE WAS CORRODED. HE TOUCHED THE SUB FRAME AND HIS HAND WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HE LIVED IN A RUST BELT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY ONE BOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY TAKING A SUB FRAME FROM A SALVAGED VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,959 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,949. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY PAY FOR THE PART, NOT THE LABOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DRAGGED, AND WHEN GETTING OFF THE GAS IT SLOWED DOWN REALLY HARD AND STARTED JERKING Y BADLY. TOOK IT TO A SHOP, AND THE COMPUTER READ THAT AIR WAS GETTING IN THE GAS, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THEY SAID IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF THINGS, BUT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. FINALLY, I TOOK THE CAR TO GET FIXED, AND THE MECHANIC WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WHAT DO I DO. *AK
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE DROVE THE 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 56715 FAILURE MILEAGE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SWITCHED INTO THE NEXT GEAR SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 HYUNDAI SONOTA WITH 85000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 45 MPH ON A ICY ROAD ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND IT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT END, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPOLY. THE PASSENGER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED AWAY. *AK
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED HAS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING RECALL 014347000, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT WHILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE WAS A CRASH. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB
HYUNDAI SONATA 2001 SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. I WAS WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN AIR BAG DEPLOYED AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE AT A STOP, THEREFORE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DAMAGE TO DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, HEADACHE, AND LEFT SHOULDER SORE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. TOOK CAR INTO BE INSPECTED BY HYUNDAI. THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT WITHOUT A DEPOSIT. (WHICH WILL NOT BE REFUNDED) IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A DEFECT WITHIN THE CAR, AND NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES THE CAR HAS, AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOYED, UNLESS THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN LATE DECEMBER THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND STAYED ON. SHE TOOK THE 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WARRANTY RAN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED FAULT CODE B1382, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG RESISTANCE WAS HIGH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE AIRBAG WITHOUT COST. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE COST OF THE AIRBAGS, BUT THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER.. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL 01V247000 ON LINE FOR AIRBAGS FOR HER VEHICLE WITH CAMPAIGN# 01V347000, FOR FRONTAL AIRBAGS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE AIRBAG. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5600 ,AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55643.*AK UPDATED 03/30/07.*JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS ERRATICALLY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE INPUT SPEED SENSOR OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT, OR DROP OUT OF GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOLD IT IS THE INPUT SPEED SENSOR. COMMON FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED UPON ADJUSTING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V105000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE AIR BAG; SIDE/WINDOW HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT WAS ADJUSTED. THIS ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG ONLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONNECTOR WAS REPAIRED. THEY ALSO DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE PERMANENT AND THE PROBLEM MAY REOCCUR.
MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND AS SOON AS I HIT THE 60,000 MILE MARK (THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY ENDED AT THIS POINT), THE CAR CONSTANTLY HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. THE AIRBAGS WERE FIXED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE BRAKES HAD A LOUD SQUEAK AND DEALER REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME). THE SIDE FRONT WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN FIXED TWICE AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR IS BROKEN AND I HAD TO PUT TAPE ON IT SO THAT IT WILL STAY UP. THE TIMING BELT WENT OUT AFTER THE WARRANTY. SOME KIND OF COIL BROKE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS TURNING ON. I STOPPED TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THE CAR BROKE DOWN, HAD IT TOWED, DEALER IN LAUREL, MD CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT, CHARGED ME $768, PICKED UP CAR, SAME PROBLEM, ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AND TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. DEALER SAID THERE WAS YET ANOTHER PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND THEY CHARGED ME OVER $500. STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS CHARGED $45 FOR THE REPAIR. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I JUST SPENT $435 ON ANOTHER REPAIR. NOW, AFTER EACH REPAIR, I JUST WAIT FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON AGAIN FOR THE NEXT EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND YET I'M STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. ABSOLUTE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER HAD. *JB
I GOT MY CAR IN 2002 IT IS A 2001 SONOTA. WHEN YOU PUSH THE GAS TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC THIS CAR DOESN'T WANT TO GO! I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL CAR ACCIDENTS WHEN I TELL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG! ALSO IF YOU LOOK AT THE COMPLAINTS YOU WILL SEE THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IN ITS SELF. *NM
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY. CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILED THREE SEPARATE TIMES IN THIS VEHICLE. ONCE AT 32,000 MILES. NEARLY LOST CONTROL AROUND A 90 DEGREE BEND. SECOND TIME OCCURRED JUNE 9TH, 2005 AT 83,000 MILES AFTER TURNING OFF A HIGHWAY. THIRD TIME IT OCCURRED WAS JULY 15TH, 2005. I WAS IDLING AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN DRIVE TO PROCEED FORWARD. I HAD IT TOWED TWICE IN THREE DAYS TO DEALER. EACH TIME, THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE LAST TWO TIMES THE CRANK BLADE WAS ALSO REPLACED. NONE OF THE TIMES DID I EXPECT THERE TO BE ANY PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NOW I AM WORRIED A LOT. THE SECOND TIME, I COULD TELL IT WAS HAPPENING SINCE THE RPM NEEDLE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THEN IT SHUT OFF.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FINAL TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A ROTOR IN THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR THAT WAS DENTED. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ALSO, A PUDDLE WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A RUPTURE IN THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE LINE WAS REPLACED.
THE CAR IS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GL. MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP. THE CABLE HAS ISSUES WITH BINDING TO THE ASSEMBLY HOUSING AND PUTS STRESS ON THE MOTOR AS WELL. THE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP / CLOSED POSITION.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS OFF. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG (RECALL#02V105000) AND THE AIRBAGS (RECALL#01V347000) HOWEVER; THE DEALER STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AS OF JULY 26, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,203.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. SINCE ITS 80,000 MILES MARK THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FIXING THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS DEFECT CAUSES MY CAR TO STALL IN ONGOING TRAFFIC AND CAUSED IT TO COME TO A ROLL AND STOP. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WHOLE MONTHS WHERE IT HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN AND NOW HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. *NM
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD, 3RD OCCURRENCE. DEALER TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATED PASSENGER AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT (NOT RELATED TO PREVIOUS LIGHTS). OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE BY 2,269 MILES. I BELIEVE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER THIS DEFECT. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IF NOT CORRECTED AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY. DEALER WILL NOT DISABLE THE SYSTEM OR TELL ME HOW TO DO SO. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT.*AK
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. *AK THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 01V347000). *NM
THE CONSUME SMELLED GAS. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FUEL REGULATOR WAS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. *NM
WE PURCHASED A 2001 SONATA. WE HAD IT THREE WEEKS AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW,JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT(50000.) WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE SENSORS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CRAZY. THIS CAR GIVES US MORE TROUBLE THAN OUR OTHER CARS THAT HAVE DOUBLE THE MILES. I AM SURE THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SUCH PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THAT IS WHY YOU RAISED THE MILEAGE ALLOWANCE ON THE NEWER ONES. I WILL NEVER BUY ONE OF THESE CARS AGAIN!*AK
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6. AS I WAS COASTING DOWN THE EXIT RAMP OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, APPROACH A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS ABLE TO STOP ONLY BY APPLYING THE BRAKE WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE, BARELY AVOIDING A COLLISION WITH CARS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. I THEN SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE BEGAN ALTERNATELY REVVING UP TO BEYOND 3,000 RPM AND BACK DOWN TO IDLE REPEATEDLY. THIS STOPPED AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. IT HAPPENED TWICE MORE AT SUCCEEDING STOP LIGHTS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY REPAIRED IT BY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH-INHIBITOR (PART NO. 42700-39050). ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT COVERED BY SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 03-40-013. WHILE I MANAGED TO AVERT AN ACCIDENT, THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A MANDATORY RECALL. *JB
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. LESS THAN 4000 MILES AGO, I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT A "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CONDITION, WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT AT THE MILEAGE THE CAR WAS AT I NEEDED ROUTINE SERVICE ON THE TRANSMISSION UNDER TERMS OF THE WARRANTY. THIS WAS DONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY SERPENTINE BELT AND SPARK PLUGS WERE DUE TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT REMINDED THAT MY TIMING BELT HAD TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE 60000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND THAT SINCE I NOW HAD 60255 MILES ON THE CAR, AND HAD NOT HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED, THE 100000 MILE WARRANTY WAS VOID AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY DAMAGE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR WAS MORE THAN $5000 AND HYUNDAI WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THAT COST. HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AFTER ONE WEEK, STILL HAS NOT ANSWERED MY PHONE CALLS. *JB
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30/35 MPH APPROACHING AND INTERSECTION WHERE THE LIGHT WAS RED I APPLIED THE BRAKES I DID NOT STOP AND WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A ONGOING VEHICLE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NO INJURIES IN OTHER CAR, I WAS INJURED, CAR IS TOTALED. WHY WON'T THE CAR STOP? HELP, I GOT A TICKET, THE CAR FAILED ME I DIDN'T FAIL. *JB
RECEIVED RECALL FOR SONATA AIRBAG. AFTER REPAIRS, LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN, DEALER REFUSE TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *BF THERE WERE CONTINUOUS AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. RECALL#01V347000. *SC
RECALL 02V105000, AFTER IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE DEFECT RECURRED. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM, (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS, AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.*AK CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN THE SERVICES RENDERED AND THE HARSH TREATMENT RECEIVED. *TC
IN THREE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS IN MY CAR, THE WINDOWS WHEN PUT DOWN HAVE BEEN STUCK AND NOT ABLE TO TO REMAIN IN THE UP STATUS. THE FIRST WINDOW (DRIVERS SIDE DOOR) HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO AND WAS FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND BACK WINDOWS HAVE HAPPENED WITH IN 3 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. THE BELT IN THE WINDOW IS WRAPPING AROUND THE ROTOR AND CAUSING PROBLEMS.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE JUST DIED. THE VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP, THEN LATER DROVE NORMALLY. LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF, AND IT BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER $135.00 FOR CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK ON 8/24/04, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD GRINDING METAL SOUND, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS THE TRANS AXLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY WERE GUESSING JUST TO GET HER OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING, THR VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SPEED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. *AK THE BRAKES HAD WORN AWAY, ONE BRAKE PAD WAS MISSING, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO SHIFT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND IT NESSASARY TO REPLACE THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR AND FOUND THAT THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR WAS FAULTY. *SC *JB
DEFECTIVE SENSOR FOR THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP DEAD. OTHER YEARS AND MODELS WERE RECALLED. *JB
I HEARD A REPETITIVE CLICKING SOUND AND TURNED MY RADIO OFF TO LISTEN. THE NOISE DIDN'T CHANGE WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND I RESUMED MY NORMAL SPEED OF 60 MPH. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR SLOWLY & GRADUALLY BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND WAS MOVING INTO THE SHOULDER AND MEDIAN BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES BUT THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING. I HAD NO STEERING OR BRAKES AND WAS HEADING TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT 60 MPH. I HIT THE END OF A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! WE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM W/IT HESITATING WHEN IT TRIED TO SWITCH GEARS & THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIX. AND THE DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT STAY IN THE TRACK AND SHUT PROPERLY.*AK
3 OF 4 WINDOW MECHANISMS HAVE FAILED IN THE DOWN POSITION DO NOT ALLOW THE WINDOWS TO BE ROLLED UP. FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MECHANISM FAILED IN APRIL 2004 AND WAS REPAIRED. THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED IN JULY AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED IN OCTOBER. IT APPEARS THE WINDOW MECHANISM CORDING IS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND ARE SECURED TEMPORARILY IN THE UP POSITION. THE OLD PARTS STILL IN TACT. *JB
2001 SONATA/HYUNDAI JUMPS FORWARD WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE. HIT A CAR LAST WEEK TWICE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, SO THEY CANT FIX IT. DANGEROUS VEHICLE. ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE VEHI CLE, BUT THEY CAN'T FIX IT. WHAT SHALL I DO??? HELP...MARIE PIERCE THANKS. *AK
ENGINE MISSES AND BACKFIRES THROUGH THE INTAKE. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS IN PARK, OR IF YOU ARE DRIVING IT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONED. I WAS SITTING AT A SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATOR WENT UP TO 4200 RPM BY ITSELF WITH NO FOOT ON THE PEDAL. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT, I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD TO TAKE IT OUT OF DRIVE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE ENGINES RPMS CHANGE A LOT NOW AND WILL NOT IDLE RIGHT AT ALL; THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THESE ENGINE PROBLEMS; AND SHOULD NOT BE ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD A PENNSYLVANIA CERTIFIED INSPECTION MECHANIC LOOK AT AND DRIVE THE CAR; AND HE SAID THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE; AND IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DUE FOR STATE INSPECTION THAT IT WOULD HAVE NOT PASSED; BUT FAILED AND WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO DRIVE. *JB
MY CONFIRMATION # IS 10064158 MY PHONE # DID NOT COME OUT ON THE FORM IT IS 1- 413- 9673813 AND THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE.*AK
'M ASKING FOR A LETTER STATING THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED NO MATTER IF ONE, TWO, THREE,OR ALL FOUR WHEELS GO THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE. IT DOES NOT SAY IT IN THE MANUAL. THE REASON I'M ASKING IS MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ,WHICH THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES PASSED THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS THEN ACTIVATED. THE ROAD WAS DRY EXCEPT FOR THIS SMALL PUDDLE.MY SON TRAVELING BEHIND ANOTHER CAR , WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM WAS TAKING A RIGHT. MY SON THEN PROCEEDED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT HE COULD NOT STOP. A SMALL PUDDLE FROM MELTING SNOW AND ICE HAD ACCUMMILATED THE NIGHT BEFORE,CAUSED ME TO SLIDE. FEARING THAT HE MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM , HE TRIED TO GO OVER THE CURB. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. MY SON SLID INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR ANYWAY. THE PUDDLE CAUSED HIM TO KEEP MOVING AND THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM CREATED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES SO HE COULD NOT PRESS THEM DOWN ALL THE WAY. THE NEXT DAY I WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE ON PURPOSE TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME AND IT DID. IT CAUSES YOU NOT TO HAVE FULL CONTROL. YOU DON"T EXPECT IT WHEN THE REST OF THE ROAD IS DRY. I'M LOOKING FOR A LETTER STATING THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED NO MATTER IF ONE, TWO, THREE ,OR FOUR WHEELS PASS THROUGH A PUDDLE. IT IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE MANUAL THANK YOU. *AK
LOWER OXYGEN SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO STAY ON. I HAVE BEEN RETURNING TO THE SUNTRUP DEALERSHIP IN MISSOURI EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. AND THE PROBLEM IS ALWAYS THE OXYGEN SENSORS. I HAVE A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS OVER AND OVER. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE CAR FOR $1,300.00 AND I FIND OUT ON MY LAST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WARRANTY COMPANY FILED BANKRUPTCY. SO NOW I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY CAR AND I HAVE LOST MONEY FOR NO REASON.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD REPAIRS DUE TO A RECALL PREVIOUSLY BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE CONSUMER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES . THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS COLLISION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
I BOUGHT MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH WINDOW MOTORS, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, TIMING BELT AND ALL TIRES. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A BRAND NEW CAR WOULD BE TROUBLE-FREE (THAT'S WHY I CHOSE HYUNDAI, BECAUSE OF THE GREAT WARRANTY) HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT IS NOT THE CASE. MY CAR RECENTLY BROKE DOWN ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, HAD TO BE TOWED AND WAS IN FOR REPAIR FOR A WEEK (TIMING BELT), WHICH WAS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE FOR ME. I AM NOW LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE TRADE-IN FOR MY HYUNDAI AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ONE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.*AK
SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN JANUARY 2003, I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN 3 DIFFERENT DATES FOR SERVICE TO THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS. THE WINDOWS EACH HAVE FAILED AT DIFFERENT DATES. THE WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN AND THEN WILL FAIL TO RAISE/CLOSE. *JB
THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE CAME UNLATCHED AND FLEW UP WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE HOOD HAD NOT BEEN OPENED IN SEVERAL WEEKS, THE LAST TIME BEING WHEN THE CAR WAS INSPECTED.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026