2002 Hyundai Sonata Complaint Log

PROBLEM FILLING GAS TO THE GAS TANK. IT SHUTS OFF SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I PUT GAS. *TR

THE BATTERY IS OFTEN DRAINED AND CONTINUES TO DO SO ALL THE TIME I'VE RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET AND MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, POSSIBLY THE IGNITION SWITCH RELAY. MANY HAVE REPLACED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND PROBLEMS CONTINUE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY DRAINING AND DYING ALL THE TIME I HAVE PURCHASED A JUMP STARTER FOR MY CAR. I HAVE TO JUMP MY CAR EVERY TIME I USE IT. *TR

VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAME BEING SEVERELY RUSTED IN ON SPECIFIC AREA. FRAME FAILURE AT THAT POINT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE A WHEEL/SUSPENSION FAILURE, MOST LIKELY WHILE BEING PUT UNDER THE STRAIN OF TURNING/BRAKING. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DEFECT IF NEEDED. *TR

ON 11/3/08 I FILED ODI#10248441 REGARDING ROTTED RIGHT SIDE SUB-FRAME ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER ON 11/11/08 AS A 1 TIME "GOODWILL" REPLACEMENT. DURING REPLACEMENT OF SUB-FRAME DEALER DAMAGED AND REPLACED FLEXPIPE AND BOLTS. CAR WAS RETURNED AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE POWER STEERING FLUID. WE MONITORED AND REPLACED FLUID BUT STEERING WAS DIFFICULT AND MADE NOISE MOSTLY ON START-UP AND TURNING CORNERS. ON 12/1/08 WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED - WE LOST THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY AND IT WOULD NO LONGER HOLD FLUID. DEALER STATED THAT POWER STEERING RACK MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF OVER $1,000. WE ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR REPAIR STATING THAT CRACKED STEERING MOUNT IS RELATED TO ROT PROBLEM AND IS THE DEALERS RESPONSIBILITY. 12/3/08 WE OPENED A CASE WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS . BASED ON INFORMATION RESEARCHED ON THIS SITE AND OTHER RELATED SITES THE CRACKED POWER STEERING MOUNT IS COMMON AND RELATED TO ROT PROBLEM. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI. CAR ONLY HAS 41,400 MILES AND WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES, TIRES, HEAT SENSOR, AND SUB-FRAME IN ADDITION TO NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *TR

POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURED ABRUPTLY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

SUBFRAME RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. LUCKILY THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A REPAIR OF A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT REGARDING THE 1999-2004 SONATA IN HIGH SALT AREAS AND HYUNDAI IS APPARENTLY REPLACING THE FRAME OUT OF WARRANT (MINE WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ANYWAY). I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL TO PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT WHICH HAS CAUSED, IN SOME CASES, WHEEL SEPARATIONS. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE PART HAD A LARGE HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRAME. *TR

2002 HYUNDAI SONATA/4DR SEDAN/2.4L AU - RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. CAR WAS BEING CHECKED FOR A LEAK AND MECHANIC FOUND DAMAGE. CAR WAS TAKEN OFF THE ROAD UNTIL REPAIRED. NO INJURY OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY. *TR

I HAVE HAD TWO VALVE STEMS ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA GO BAD. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AT GURNEE HYUNDAI 10/23/07. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS 4 OR 5 MONTHS AGO AND THE MOST RECENT WAS ON 11/2/08. WE WERE TRAVELING IN VIRGINIA AND STOPPED FOR LUNCH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND WE WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE MOUNTAINS. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SONATA, WHEN IT BASICALLY JUST FELL APART. IT SOUNDED LIKE SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE TIRE RIM, BUT ALL 4 TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE DID LOOK TILTED OUT. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THAT SITE. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER INSPECTED IT AND STATED HE WAS SURE THAT THE CAR HAD GONE OFF THE ROAD AT SOME POINT BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS BROKEN, THAT TIRE WAS BENT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SCUFFED "SHINY". IT HAD NOT GONE OFF THE ROAD, SO MY MECHANIC TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED RIGHT THOUGH AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED (TO MY 16 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AT NIGHT) WAS THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SO RUSTED THAT IT CRUMBLED, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL AND BREAK THE AXLE AND BEND THE WHEEL! THANKFULLY, SHE HAD ONLY JUST DRIVEN ONTO THE ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY, SO SHE WASN'T GOING FAST AND THE LANE SHE ENTERED WAS CLEAR. I'D HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD SHE MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED! WHEN WE DISCOVERED ON LINE THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 1999-2002 SONATAS, WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER. HE SAID WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED (15 MILES) TO HIS SERVICE DEPT WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE A HYUNDAI REP TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE SAID HIS MANAGER HAD BEEN KNOWN TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT HE DOUBTED VERY MUCH THAT THEY'D PAY FOR THE AXLE, WHEEL, AND ANY OTHER DAMAGE INCURRED. AFTER READING ALL THESE OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS, I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO BOTHER GOING TO THE TROUBLE OF HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI. I DEFINITELY FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. (I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN JAN '05 WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY BY A REPUTABLE MECHANIC THESE PAST 3+ YEARS, AND IT NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT). *TR

TOOK MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION AND HE TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT MY SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT...HE COULD STICK HIS FINGERS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FRAME. HE SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND TO CALL OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. I DID AND THE SERVICE GUY THERE SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION. THAT THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE RUSTING OUT OF SONATA SUBFRAMES AS A PROBLEM AND UNDER "GOODWILL"....THEY WILL FIX IT FOR FREE, UNLESS THE CAR HAS BEEN WRECKED. TOLD HIM MY CAR WAS NOT WRECKED....IN FOR STATE INSPECTION ONLY. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY SONATA THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING VERY BAD....ESPECIALLY WHEN BREAKING ON A HILL. I THOUGHT MAYBE MY BRAKES WERE GOING BAD. NO!!! IT WAS MY RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED. I HAVE TO TAKE MY SONATA TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 5 DAYS SO THEY CAN ORDER A NEW SUBFRAME. THANKFULLY, NONE OF MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS.....WHY HASN'T THEIR BEEN A RECALL ON THIS FOR SONATAS???? IS HYUNDAI GOING TO WAIT FOR FATALITIES BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION??? OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THE ENGINE COULD FALL OFF AND/OR OUR TIRES COULD BREAK OFF WHILE DRIVING. AND WE DON'T DO ALOT OF CITY DRIVING....MAINLY HIGHWAY DRIVING AND MY 17-YEAR OLD SON HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS SONATA. I THANK GOD NOTHING HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE SONATA. PLEASE RESPOND TO ME ASAP. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL NOW!! I AM CONTACTING OTHER SONATA OWNERS WHO'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE ARE GETTING A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT TOGETHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE SUBFRAME BEING CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THEY RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

I HAD MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA IN TO REPAIR A POWER STEERING LINE THAT HAD RUSTED OUT AND WAS LEAKING WHEN THE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE CRADLE HAD A FIST SIZED HOLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CRADLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB

I OWN 2 ,2002 HYUNDAI SONATAS WITH 48,000 ON ONE AND 56,000 ON THE OTHER. THEY ARE BOTH DEVELOPING SEVERE RUST UNDER BOTH VEHICLES. THE WORST ONE APPEARS TO BE STARTING TO CRACK BY THE PASS. SIDE FRAME IN FRONT. WHERE THE AC LEAKS ONTO. THIS AREA IS PART OF THE WELDED FRAME WHICH WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE THIS BAD ON A 6 YEAR OLD CAR. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE OTHER PARTS THAT HAVE ROTTED AWAY SO BAD THAT THERE WAS NOT MUCH LEFT OF THEM. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE ALSO STARTING TO DEVELOP A FLAKING RUST ON THEM . I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ALSO SOON. I EVEN HAD THESE CARS RUSTPROOFED WHEN NEW. *TR

2002 HYUNDAI SONATA, SEVERE ROT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SUBFRAME. 58,000 MILES ON CAR. IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE SO WAS TOWED TO DEALER. WAS NOT IN ACCIDENT BUT HAD SEVERE ALIGNMENT ISSUES AND POWER STEERING HOSE BREAKAGE AS A RESULT OF THE ROT. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT SUBFRAME WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT ALL OTHER REPAIRS WERE MY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

AS I WRITE THIS LETTER, MY 2002 SONATA IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR OF SEVERE RUSTING AND DETACHMENT OF THE SUB FRAME. I WAS ADVISED A WEEK AGO BY THE MECHANIC PERFORMING AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THAT MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AXLE BOLT WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED REPAIR. HAVING THE EXTENDED HPP WARRANTY, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHOSE EYES WERE WIDE WITH ABSOLUTE TERROR WHEN HE TOLD ME HOW CLOSE TO DEATH I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD I NOT BROUGHT IT IN. HE ADVISED ME THAT IF I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR ANOTHER DAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL BE WITHOUT MY CAR FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS. MY DEALER IS OFFERING ME A 'DEALER RENTAL RATE' FOR A LOANER CAR OF $35 A DAY WHICH I BELIEVE IS ADDING INSULT TO INJURY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE SO THAT I MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE RENTAL CAR FOR MY INCONVENIENCE? *TR

ENGINE CRADLE / CROSS MEMBER RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER - SIDE [RIGHT SIDE] OF UNDERCARRIAGE [3 INCHES?] . APPARENT ENGINE LEAK FROM AIR CONDITIONER DESPITE REGULAR [HYUNDAI] MAINTENANCE. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER BRAND NEW. I ALWAYS HAVE MY VEHICLES SERVICED PER THE MANUFACTURER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. AS I WAS GETTING MY 90,000 MILE SERVICE WORK ON MY VEHICLE, THE SERVICE TECH NOTICED / STATED THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMING APART ( HOLES ) DUE TO RUST; PER THE SERVICE TECH, THE CRADLE NEEDS REPLACING AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE CRADLE ( CROSS-MEMBER); AND PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH I HAD TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP $2,200.00. *TR

WENT TO DEALER FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS TOLD MY SUBFRAME WAS ROTTING OUT. THE DEALER STATES THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SUBFRAME UNDER A " GOODWILL WARRANTY" WHEN ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFRAME OF THESE CARS I WAS TOLD NO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RUST HOLE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HOLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH HAS SEVERE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE RUST. IT WOULD NOT PASS VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED WELDING THE FRAME TO "BANDAGE" THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THE OTHER STORIES FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR AND BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, IT'S LIKE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. MY SON ALSO DRIVES MY CAR ON OCCASION. *TR

TOOK MY CAR TO SHOP TODAY BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING, HARD TO TURN ON CORNERS - THIS FIRST APPEARED YESTERDAY. I WAS HEARING ODD NOISES FROM UNDER THE CAR ON THE WAY TO THE SHOP. MECHANIC PUT CAR ON LIFT AND SHOWED ME HOW THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. THEY SUSPECT THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOVE AND WORKED THROUGH AS I HAVE BEEN A FANATIC ABOUT REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR - ALWAYS WITH THE SAME SHOP SO THEY KNOW ME AND THE VEHICLE. NOW I'M WAITING TO SEE IF HYUNDAI WILL COVER THIS. *TR

MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT , TOOK IT TO A SERVICE STATION TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY BROUGHT ME IN TO SEE THAT THE WHOLE FRAME UNDER THE CAR IS RUSTED. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD UP THE AXLE AND SUSPENSION WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE WHEEL WAS TILTED AND THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE WAS WORN ALL THE WAY DOWN . THERE WAS NOTHING THERE TO SUPPORT THE WHEEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT, A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

DURING AN ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION A LARGE HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE FRONT SUB FRAME. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED IT WAS CAUSED BY THE OUTFLOW OF WATER FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WHICH RAN OVER THAT AREA. *TR

NO CONCERN WITH INCIDENT. CONCERN WITH DEFECTS WITH FUEL TANKS AND FUEL TANK FUNCTIONS. *TR

THE DOOR HANDLE ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA CUT MY HAND WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ONCE WHEN I PUT MY ARM UP ON IT WHILE DRIVING. I EVENTUALLY FILED DOWN THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CHROME TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I REALIZE THAT THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED. *TR

THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PEELED AWAY AND CUT PASSENGER'S HANDS. IN 2009 THE HANDLES WERE "REPAIRED" BY A HYUNDAI DEALER, BUT BY 2013 THE CHROME PLATING WAS AGAIN BEGINNING TO PEEL AWAY AND CUT PASSENGER HANDS. HYUNDAI AMERICA AND THE DEALER BOTH CLAIM THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED, AND THERE IS ONLY A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. I BELIEVE IT IS IMPROPER TO CLAIM AN ISSUE SUBJECT TO A RECALL WOULD BE "FIXED" BY CREATING THE SAME HAZARD WITH THE SAME PARTS. THIS ISSUE IS REFERRED TO AS "HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 093" IN HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/OWNERS/SEARCHRESULTS?SEARCHTYPE=ID&TARGETCATEGORY=R&SEARCHCRITERIA.NHTSA_IDS=09V171000. *TR

PURCHASED A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA IN 2006. ON 6/25/2008 I RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEN INSPECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE IT WAS NOTED OF A SERVER RUST HOLE ON THE SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE RUST HOLE (WHILE ONLY ABOUT 1/4 TO 1/8 OF AN INCH ACROSS) STRETCHES ACROSS THE WHOLE BOTTOM OF THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE IF THE SUB-FRAME IS DAMAGED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT BY HYUNDAI DEALERS IN STATEN ISLAND AND NEW JERSEY FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. EVERY TIME WITH A CODE B1738,HIGH RESISTANCE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG,REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CAME BACK. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER RELATIONS,CASE #3292132 ABOUT THE ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM,THEIR REPLY WAS THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEBRIS UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. THEY ALSO SAID IF I WASN'T HAPPY WITH THEIR ANSWER I COULD TAKE THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. THE PERSON I WAS IN CONTACT WITH AT HYUNDAI WAS A MISTY 1800 633 5151 EXT. 329 2132. ON JULY 18 2007 HYUNDAI OF FREEHOLD CHARGED ME $211.86 TO MAKE REPAIRS (POOR CONNECTION UNDER DRIVERS SIDE SEAT)CODEB1378 AT THIS TIME MY CAR HAD 14,315 MILES ON IT. THEN ON MAY 08 2008 AT MILEAGE OF 18,895 I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM CODE B1378, AT THIS TIME THE DEALER RESET THE SRS AT NO CHARGE BUT WOULD DEDUCT THE $211.86 THEY CHARGED ME TOWARDS THE COST OF A NEW WIRE HARNESS IF NEEDED. EVEN THOUGH THIS CAR IS SIX YEARS OLD IT HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE ON IT,SO IT HASN'T BEEN ABUSED .I FEEL THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SRS SYSTEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. IF THE SRS SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING THIS MEANS THE AIR BAG WILL FAIL IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. ALL I WANT IS TO GET THIS FAILURE REPAIRED PROPERLY,BUT IT APPEARS HYUNDAI WILL NOT ADMIT TO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIR BAG WIRING. *TR

BROUGHT MY WIFE'S CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND SHE HAD COMPLAINED THERE WAS A FUNNY NOISE THAT HAD JUST STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. I WAS INFORMED WHEN WE WENT TO PICK IT UP THAT THE FRAME CLOSE TO THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS RUSTED WITH A HOLE AND LOOKED IT WAS CRACKING. MY WIFE IS A VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND WE TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT DUE TO ANY KIND IF IMPACT, BUT IT HAD JUST RUSTED AT THAT SPOT. *TR

A RUSTED RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME SEPARATION ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA CAUSED TIRE FAILURE AND A BLOWOUT. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME AND THE CAR RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN FOR REPAIR WHERE THE MECHANIC IS GOING TO TRY AND REPLACE THE FRAME IN THIS AREA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON HOT DAYS (90 DEGREE WEATHER), THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS LIT. HOWEVER, IN COOLER WEATHER, ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V178000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

DOORS LOCK REMOTE WONT UNLOCK CAR IF I USE THE KEY TO THE DOOR ALARM GOES OFF AND I CANT SHUT IT OFF. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAMES. THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE THAT RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FRAMES, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME DEFECT AND BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ THE SWAY BAR ENDS LINKS AND BUSHINGS WERE WORN. UUPDATED 01/09/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2007. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE HARNESS IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR ON HALLOWEEN 2007, MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I WOULD PUT THE WIPERS ON AND MY RADIO WOULD TURN ON. MY ALARM RANDOMLY GOES OFF AND I CAN'T DISCONNECT IT BECAUSE IT IS TIED IN WITH THE MAIN COMPUTER FOR THE VEHICLE ( I WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC). THE DOORS USED TO LOCK BY THEMSELVES, NOW THEY JUST DON'T WORK ALTOGETHER. THE RADIO CUTS OUT AND RANDOMLY TRIES TO PLAY A CD REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS ONE IN IT. FROM THE TIME I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE BACKLIGHT ON THE RADIO NEVER WORKED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, IT ALL OF A SUDDEN BEGAN WORKING AND WORKS TO THIS DAY. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM FOR THESE REASONS AMONG OTHERS, AND HE REFUSED TO FIX THEM BECAUSE HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW. *TR

ON 10/10/07 MY WIFE DROVE APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED HER 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA IN THE GARAGE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER SHE NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE HOUSE, AND RETURNED TO THE GARAGE TO INVESTIGATE. GAS WAS POURING FROM THE GAS TANK FILL DOOR ON THE CAR. THE GARAGE FLOOR HAD A 6' DIAMETER PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR. SHE OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR AND BACKED THE CAR OUT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY AND POSITIONED A CATCH PAN UNDER THE CAR. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 GALLON OF GAS WAS IN THE PAN AFTER SHE OPENED THE FILLER CAP TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 3/4 TANK OF GAS AT THE TIME. WE DELIVERED THE CAR THE DEALER THAT NIGHT FOR REPAIR. THEY RETURNED THE CAR ON 10/12 AFTER REPLACING A CANISTER AND VALVE ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, WITH THE FIRST TIME BEING APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS EARLIER, ALSO COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN A LIKELY EVENT WITH THE AMOUNT OF RAW GAS AND FUMES IN THE GARAGE HAD WE HAD A GAS WATER HEATER. IT IS NOW FOUR DAYS LATER AND WE STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE SMELL OF GASOLINE OUT OF THE HOUSE AND GARAGE. MY WIFE IS ALSO AFRAID TO PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. JUST TO ADD TO THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, THE SERVICE WRITER WAS RUDE TO MY WIFE WHEN SHE PICKED UP THE CAR, AND WE NOW HAVE A DENT IN THE LEFT REAR DOOR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST UNDER THE FRAME OF HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY OTHER VEHICLES WITH RUST UNDER THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WELDED THE RUSTED FRAME ONTO TO THE VEHICLE OVER A YEAR AGO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT SINCE HE DID SUCH A GOOD JOB WELDING THE FRAME BACK TOGETHER THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WORK ON IT. THEY ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE FRAME. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER FOR A GUARANTEE IN WRITING THAT THE FRAME WOULD NOT BREAK AGAIN. HE ALSO ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE FRAME WITH A NEW FRAME. THE VIN IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

ON 09/04/07 I BOUGHT A USED 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA AND ON 09/05/07 THE CAR LOST 1ST AND 4TH GEAR IT SEEMED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE GOING OUT , BUT WHEN I STARTED REVIEWING OTHER CONSUMER RELATED ISSUES I NOTICED OVER 900 CONSUMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HYUNDAI'S , BUT THE CAUSE ENDED UP BEING THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR. WHICH IN SOME CASES TOOK CONSUMERS UP TO 6 MONTHS TO LOCATE ONE. UNFORTUNATELY I FINANCED THE CAR AS IS WITH NO WARRANTY. *JB

THE INSULATED PIECE OF TUBING THAT COVERS A SMALL PORTION OF THE POWER STEERING LINE SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A BREATHABLE TYPE OF PRODUCT. MY POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING AND IT IS NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE. THAT PORTION OF INSULATION ON THE POWER STEERING LINE RETAINS MOISTURE, THEREFORE IT CAUSES THAT PORTION OF THE POWER STEERING LINE TO RUST AND THE FLUID LEAKS OUT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR HAS ONLY 59,200 MILES ON IT. EVERY TWO DAYS I PUT IN POWER STEERING FLUID UNTIL I GET AN ANSWER IN REFERENCE TO THE WARRANTY. THIS LINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE DOOR HANDLES ARE PEELING (SILVER COATING) AND IT HAS CAUSED SEVERE CUTS TO ANYONE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, BOTH ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FRONT SIDE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIMING BELT; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

IN A RECENT VISIT TO HYUNDAI DEALER RELATED TO ANOTHER MATTER I LEARNED THAT MY 2002 SONATA WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE YET TO GET THIS FIXED DUE TO THE PRICE (EST. $2500) AND YET AT THE SAME TIME I REALIZE THE SITUATION WILL ONLY GET WORSE. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET WHERE YOUR AGENCY IS INVESTIGATED THIS MATTER AND ALSO ON THE INTERNET I LEARNED OF MANY OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD ACCIDENTS DUE ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE. THE SUSPENSION GIVES WAY AND WHEELS FALL OFF, ETC. IN MY OPINION HYUNDAI USED INFERIOR METAL IN THEIR ENGINE CRADLE AND INCORRECTLY DESIGNED THE ENGINE CRADLE SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS AND OWNED MANY MAKES AND MODELS OF VEHICLES BUT NEVER HAVE I BEEN FACED WITH SUCH A SITUATION. I REALIZE MANY PARTS HAVE A LIMITED LIFE SPAN BUT THE ENGINE CRADLE SHOULD HAVE AN EXTENDED LIFE. MY WIFE HAS A 1999 SUBARU WITH MORE MILES THAN OUR SONATA AND WHICH HAS BEEN DRIVEN ON THE SAME ROAD CONDITIONS WITH LESS CARE THAN WE HAVE GIVEN THE SONATA AND YET HER CAR DOES NOT HAVE SUCH AN OBVIOUS AND COMMON SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS IMPORTANT MATTER. I TRUST THAT YOU WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO REQUIRE HYUNDAI TO CORRECT THIS MATTER BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE PUT IN JEOPARDY AND LOST DUE TO THEIR OVERSIGHT. *TR

MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA THE FINISH IS PEELING OFF THE DOOR HANDLES AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CUT AS IT PEELS IT IS VERY SHARP. *JB

ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED CAUSING AN SAFE SITUATION SHOULD IT FAIL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES DUE TO OVERHEATING. DURING EACH VISIT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN AUGUST WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THERE IS FAILURE WITH THE HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUE TO RECUR WITHIN A YEAR OF HAVING IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO BE LIABLE OR MAKE PARTIAL PAYMENTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CHROME HANDLES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CRACKS, PEELING AND SHARP EDGES AS A RESULT OF CONTINUOUS USE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V171000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES;DOORS;LATCH). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. THE OTHER TWO DOOR HANDLES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE AND THE TECHNICIAN AFFIXED CHROME TAPE ON THE HANDLES, POSSIBLY TO AVOID THE CONSEQUENCE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED WITH THE TAPE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 9/23/09 *CN UPDATED 09/28/09.*JB

AIRBAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND REMAINING ON AT CERTAIN TIMES. CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN MARCH 2007. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND WAS NOT COVERED SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG HAD NOT EVER DEPLOYED SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO NAPLETON HYUNDAI IN WEST PALM BEACH, FL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006 WITH THE SAME AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM AND WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECH. THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG. *TR