There are 2 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Sonatain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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
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
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026