NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
MY 2002 HUNDAI SONATA BLK 4 DOOR AUTOMATIC. I STARTED TO GET IN THE CAR THURS MORNING 2/15/07 AT 4AM. THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WOULD NOT GO IN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE DID ADVICE TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. HE SAID IT WAS TIME FOR A REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN GOING TO HIM FOR SOME TIME. AND FIND HIM VERY REPUTABLE IN THE AREA. HOWEVER, THE TOW MAN ALSO COULD NOT PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR AT HIS SHOP THE KEY WENT IN. BATTERY WORKS GREAT. SO THE NEXT MORNING 2-16-07 THE IGNITION WOULD NOT GO IN AGAIN. I CALLED MY DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THERE. THEY SAID IT DIDN'T DO THAT FOR THEM THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. THEY TRIED THE KEY ALL DAY. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE TIME OF TESTING THE SITUATION THERE. THE CAR IS UNDER A POLICY OF WARRANTY FOR 60,000.00 MILES. HOWEVER, I COULD GIVE THEM $160.00 TO OPEN UP THE IGNITION TO THE TUMBLER. I FEEL THAT IF ITS UNDER WARRANTY THAT THEY SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THERE ONLY SUGGESTION WAS TO TOW IT AGAIN IF IT PERSISTS. I SAID WHAT IF I GET STRANDED, AND YES, I HAVE NO CELL PHONE. THEY SAID JUST CALL THE 800# ANWAYS FOR TOW. SO I WASN'T SATISFIED AT GRAPPONIES IN CONCORD NH. SO I ASKED AUTO FAIR IN MANCHESTER, THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I THINK THAT ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE TOW MAN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MYSELF. AND THAT WE HAVE TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS FOR THEM, THAT THEY WILL REPAIR AT NO COST AT THAT TIME. WHEN ITS' UNDER THE WARRANTY. MY FEELING IS THAT BOTH DEALERSHIPS THAT ARE LOCAL DON'T WANT TO EAT THE PART FOR INVENTORY, IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG W/THE CHIP IN THE TUMBLER. SO I GUESS I HAVE TO JUST CROSS MY FINGERS TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. GRAPPINE DID MAKE ME A NEW KEY FOR THE IGNITION. SO I'M A FRUSTRATED CONSUMER IN MANCHESTER, NH. *JB
THE METALLIC TAPE FINISH ON THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE IS PEELING OFF, CREATING SHARP EDGES. THIS HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL CUTS TO HAND AS IT SLIDES OVER THE RAZOR SHARP EDGE WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. *NM
1) ENGINE LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH 2) FAN KNOB FOR HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK ON 1 OR 2, IT WILL ONLY WORK ON 3 OR 4. THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND HAD REMAINED ON IN THE 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL 02V145000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE SEPARATE TIMES FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THE DEALER WANTED TO DO SOME EXTENSIVE WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE AIR BAGS, BUT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF HER OWNPPOCKET. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,283.*AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT LEFT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE ON 2/22/2004, WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AT 2 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE AIR BAG. ON 6/5/2006, A NHTSA RECALL LETTER # 02V145000 FOR THE AIR BAGS: SIDE/WINDOW WAS ISSUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND SALES/SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WAS HARD TO SHIFT. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE GAS SPILLED OUT WHILE PUMPING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ,WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR, AND THE TIMING BELT. THE MECHANIC MADE THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR AND THE TIMING BELT. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALERSHIP THEN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MODULE ASSY- TIMING AND ALARM SYSTEM WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE MODULE ASSY- TIMING AND ALARM SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THIS REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 74000 MILES. *AK
PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE PEELING AND LEAVING JAGGED EDGES THAT CUT THE HANDS. TWO PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED CUTS FROM THIS DOOR HANDLE. *NM
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FILED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LATEST COMPLAINT I HAVE IS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM. MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN THIS BROKE. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL GARAGES INCLUDING THE DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE HAS EVER REPLACED AN UPPER CONTROL ARM EXCEPT ON A VEHICLE THAT IS VERY OLD AND THEN VERY SELDOM. MY SON WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FELL SIDEWAYS. UPON LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM WE DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE. THIS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED ON A 2002 VEHICLE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH DUE TO A HAZE FORMING IN THE LENS COVER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.
HYUNDAI SONATA 2002 OUTSIDE AND INSIDE PAINTED DOOR HANDLE PEELING CAUSING INJURY TO HANDS. INJURY MORE CAUSE BY INSIDE DOOR HANDLES DUE TO SLIVER PAINTED DOOR HANDLES. BECOMES VERY SHARP ONCE PEELING. *NM
DURING VEHICLE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SIGNIFICANT CORROSION WAS OBSERVED IN ENGINE CRADLE. THIS CORROSION PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT BECAUSE ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH A 2.7 LTR. 6 CYL. ENGINE,WHEN I GOT OFF AT MY EXIT I TOOK A RIGHT TURN WITH NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I WENT TO TAKE AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN I TOTALLY LOST MY POWER STEERING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD I FOUND THAT THE METAL LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BURST. THIS IS ONLY A 4 YEAR OLD CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO GARVEY HYUNDAI WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LINE. SO I CHECKED MY WIFE'S CAR WHICH IS IDENTICAL EXCEPT THE COLOR AND FOUND THAT HER LINE IS IN THE SAME RUSTED CONDITION BUT HAD NOT YET BURST SO SHE CALLED LIA HYUNDAI BY OUR HOUSE ,TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED TO MINE AND THAT HERS IS IN THE SAME CORRODED CONDITION AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL IT ALSO BURST EVEN IF IT IS CORRODED. I FEEL THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS SHE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STEER THE CAR IF IT DOES BURST AND WHEN MINE BURST IT SPRAYED ALL OVER UNDER THE CAR, GETTING ON THE CONVERTER, MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PART BUT THE LINE RUNS ALONG THE FRAME AND WHERE IT ROTTED THEY HAVE A PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE TO PROTECT THE LINE BUT IT ALSO CAUSED IT TO PREMATURELY ROT THE METAL LINE UNDER THE RUBBER HOSE SO THE LINE BURST. DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND BOTH ARE IDENTICAL CARS ROTTING THE SAME WAY, I FEEL THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO OTHERS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN AND IF SOMEONE CAN'T STEER THE CAR AFTER IT BLOWS THEY COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE COULD START DUE TO IT GETTING ON THE EXHAUST. I WOULD LIKE TO GET A RESPONSE SOON AS MY WIFE IS CONCERNED ABOUT IT HAPPENING TO HER. THANK YOU. *JB
WHILE DRIVING TO MARYLAND TO VISIT MY DAUGHTER, THE RIGHT FRONT END OF MY CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE SO HARD THAT I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND AS SOON AS I COULD I PULLED OVER TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FLAT HOWEVER, THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. IT WAS VIBRATING SO HARD MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT CAME OPEN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP IN MARYLAND ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY TIRES HAD DEAD SPOTS IN THEM AND I SHOULD RETURN THEM TO THE STORE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THESE TIRES FOR SIX MONTHS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I WENT TO THE STORE WHERE I PURCHASED THE TIRES. THEY EXAMINED THEM AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. I HAD THE CAR COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT BY THE DEALER BEFORE I TOOK THIS TRIP. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE VIBRATION CONTINUES BUT IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN DRIVING A HIGHER RATES OF SPEED. I AM WORRIED NOW ABOUT TAKING THE CAR ON TRIPS. BELIEVE ME, YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A SUDDEN BREAKDOWN OR CONTROL LOSS ON THE DC BELTWAY. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD I ONLY HAVE 29500 MILES ON IT. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE CAR. *JB
I HAVE AN 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. MY COMPLETE SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT A FEW YEARS AGO. THE CAR WAS ONLY 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME. THE COMPLETE SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED ON A HUSH HUSH BASES. I HAVE THE PICS TO PROVE IT. NEVER WILL I BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI OR KIA NEVER. MY GOD MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. BUT WHAT DO THEY CARE IT'S NOT THEIR FAMILY. *TR
POWER STEERING LINE RUSTED OUT AND BLEW. UNDER A PROTECTIVE RUBBER SLEEVE. IT BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. *NM
THE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR HAS STOPPED BUCKLING. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE WARRANTY I HAVE DOES NOT COVER ANYTHING EXCEPT 'MAJOR' PROBLEMS. *NM
VALVE STEMS HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM TIRE BY SHIFTING HUB CAPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AFTER TIRES WERE RECENTLY REPLACED. ONCE WHILE THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND ONCE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. *NM
IN 2004, AT APPROX 45K MILES, VEHICLE DEVELOPED CREAKING NOISE IN DRIVER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION. DEALER REPAIRED FOR "LOOSE TRANVERSE CROSS MEMBER". PROBLEM RE-DEVELOPED AFTER 3 MONTHS. SEPARATE DEALER REPAIRED FOR "WORN BUSHINGS". PROBLEM RE-DEVELOPED AFTER ONE WEEK AND HAS WORSENED TO A CLUNKING NOISE AT LOW SPEED. HESITANT TO RETURN TO DEALER UNTIL PROPERLY DIAGNOSED DUE TO CONSISTENT REPAIR DELAYS RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE LOSS OF VEHICLE USE. (CURRENT TOTAL 7 DAYS FOR THIS PROBLEM). *NM
THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF ALL 4 DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLIES OF MY 39 MONTH OLD HYUNDAI SONATA. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO COVER THE OBVIOUS FAILURE. *JB
2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACE FREQUENTLY SINCE PURCHASE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD FOR DRIVER TO SEE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE WIPER FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN A BAD SNOWSTORM. THE LEFT WIPER OVERSHOT THE WINDSHIELD AND HUNG OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT WIPER CONTINUED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MANUALLY BROUGHT THE WIPER BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. ONCE SHE RESUMED DRIVING THE WIPER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE WIPER SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY TO PREVENT MOTOR BURN OUT. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL GAS TANK THE PUMP CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF AFTER PUMPING ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE. WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM FILLING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE MADE NO ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE VEHICLE AT SEVERAL SERVICE STATIONS WITH THE SAME RESULTS. *NM
SUBJECT:2002 HYUNDAI SONATA.I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS ONES THE AIRBAG LIGHT THE OTHER IS ENGINE LIGHT ON.THESE COULD LEAD TO A SERIOS INJURY ACCIDENT, IF AIRBAGS DONT WORK OR IF I CANT STOP CAR BECAUSE ENGINE DIES!I KNOW SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH HERS.MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED,BUT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX BOTH PROBLEMS!ANYWAY MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE LIGHT THAT STAYS ON,THE CAR DIES WHENEVER IT WANTS.I THINK THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND THEY DONT WANT TO FIX .PLEASE LOOK INTO IT FOR ALL SONATA OWNERS,THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FIX!THANK YOU!
TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING SEMI TO ALMOST REAR END MY VEHICLE DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM ALTHOUGH IT IS WARRANTED. SIMILAR FAILURES WILL CAUSE DEATHS. I HAVE NOTIFIED AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE THROUGH HYUNDIA'S CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT TO NO AVAIL. THERE WILL NO DOUBT BE A DEATH CAUSED BY THIS MALFUNCTION IN THE POWERTRAIN.*JB
BACK MIDDLE SEAT BELT FAILURE. *JB
ON JULY 26TH, 2005, I WAS MEETING A CO-WORKER FOR LUNCH WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE FRONT FACIA COVERING THE BUMPER ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS BUBBLING AND STARTING TO PEEL. AFTER WORK THAT SAME DAY, I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE SALESPERSON WHO SOLD ME THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I SPOKE THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HAD HIM WALK OUT TO INSPECT THE FACIA. HIS FIRST QUESTION TO ME WAS WHETHER I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAINTED. I TOLD HIM I HAD NOT! HE THEN ASKED ME IF I HAVE EVER BROUGHT MY CAR TO A TOUCHLESS CAR WASH, WHICH I HAVE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS HERE IN TOWN. HE THEN STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE 7500 PSI CAUSED BY THE HIGH PRESSURE WATER THAT THEY WERE NOT AT FAULT AND THAT IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I ASKED WHY THIS WAS NOT OCCURRING ON THE BODY OF THE CAR OR ON THE REAR FACIA, AND HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW. DISSATISFIED WITH THIS RESPONSE, I CALLED HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA AT 800-633-5151 THAT EVENING (8/5/05) AND SPOKE WITH A GENTLEMAN. AFTER TELLING HIM OF THE SITUATION, HE THEN STATED THAT I SHOULD TRY TO GET THE CAR FIXED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP! ON MONDAY, AUGUST 8TH, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE, WHO STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT GOING TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE BBB AUTO LINE DATED AUGUST 30TH, STATING THAT MY VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING WITH THEIR PROGRAM. MY VEHICLE HAD 27,500 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. APPARENTLY, THE BBB AUTO LINE AGREEMENT WITH HYUNDAI IS TO ONLY ACCEPT CLAIMS WITHIN TWO YEARS OR 24,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST (SEE DOCUMENT HYUNDAI-NY 8/2000). HYUNDAI WARRANTY EXPRESSLY STATES WARRANTY AGAINST PAINT DEFECTS FOR 3 YEARS, 36,000 MILES. I HAVE SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AS OF 9/7/2005. *JB
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FUEL CUT VALVE RECALL. SINCE NEW FUEL CUT VALVE WAS INSTALLED VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER REFUELING. DEALER REPLACED NEW FUEL CUT VALVE, PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE FAILURE. FAILURE HAS OCCURRED WITH THE CONSUMER AFTER EVERY REFUEL WITH NO EXCEPTIONS. *NM
POWER STEERING LOSS DURING OPERATION CAUSED BY POWER STEERING LINE FAILUE. POWER STEERING LINE FAILED DUE TO OXIDATION. OXIDATION WAS CAUSED BY DESIGN FLAW THAT TRAPS WATER DRAINING FROM AIRCONDITIONER EVAPORATOR IN RUBBER TUBE DESIGNED TO PROTECT POWER STEERING LINE FROM ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE.
DT: CONTACT STATED THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE RIGHT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS BEING REPLACED. *AK
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH IN WHICH THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SMASHED FROM THE LEFT FRONT FENDER SHOVING THE HOOD AND FRONT END SO FAR TO THE RIGHT AND IN THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I WAS INJURED BY THE DOOR POST. IT WAS A 2002 HUNDAI SONATA..WE ARE AFRAID THAT IT MAY BE A CHILD INVOLVED NEXT TIME THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE SIDE AND FRONT AIRBAGS ON THE SONATA..PLEASE BRING THIS TO SOMEONES ATTENTION TKS LRW
DT: CALLER GOT INTO CAR, PULLED IT OUT OF GARAGE AND GOT OUT OF IT. WHEN SHE GOT BACK INTO VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN GEAR IT MADE A SCREAMING NOISE AND ACCELERATED. SHE HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY GOING UP A HILL INSTEAD VEHICLE HIT A HOUSE THREE DOORS AWAY. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INSURANCE CLAIMED THAT DEALER SAID THERE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
RE. DOOR HANDLES: ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES HAVE SILVER PAINT PEELING. CAR IS 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. AM TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK FOR ESTIMATE TO REPLACE HANDLES. PAINT JOB OF SONATA IS PERFECT EXCEPT FOR ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES. *TR
I HAVE A HYUNDAI SONATA 2002. THE 'AIRBAG' LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSTANTLY FOR OVER 4 YEARS. JUST RECENTLY I WANT TO SELL THE CAR AND STARTED TO LOOK UP HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, SINCE I COULD NEVER AFFORD IT BEFORE. I FOUND OUT THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER HYUNDAI SONATA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT THE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK AS LONG AS THIS LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A DEFECT FROM HYUNDAI AND SHOULD NOT BE THE BURDEN OF THE CONSUMER. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL OF ITS VEHICLES YEARS 2000 - 2008 WHETHER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED OR NOT. IT IS A TRAVESTY!! *TR
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE TIMING BELT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE CAR 4 YEARS WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR THERE WAS A STRONG GAS SMELL AND STILL DOES WHEN WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP. THEY COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. KNOW I FIND THIS SO NOW I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I'M TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF IT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAGS AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *AK
PAINT IS FLAKING OFF OF ALL THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2001 SONATA GOLD COLOR. WHEN IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING ON ONE DOOR, MY DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM. NOW THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON ALL OF THEM, IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT IT IS A DEFECT. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND COULD THEY GET IT RESOLVED?
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS MAKING A RUBBING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE BEARING NEEDED REPLACED.*AK
MY HYUNDAY SONATA HAD AN ACCIDENT, HIITING A PARKED SUV AND THE SONATA WAS TOTALLED BUT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY (INFLATE). *AK
DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF CORRODED FRONT/REAR BRAKE ROTORS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED A DRUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE REAR. THE NEXT OCCURRENCE A DRUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD WITH A GRINDING SOUND. *TC THE WAS A LOT OF CORROSION AND DIRT COLLECTED ON THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY DUE TO SALT AND SAND APPLIED TO THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. *SC *JB
I REPLACED MY TIRES WITH THE CORRECT TYPE CALLED FOR MY CAR, 205/65R15 H94 BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A AND NOW I KEEP GETTING FLAT TIRES FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED HUD CAPS SHIFTING ON MY WEEHLS AND PRESSING ON THE VALVE STEM. SO FAR THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT I AM AFFRAID OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I AM AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND IT HAPPENES. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES, BUT HOW SO IF THEY ARE THE CORRECT TIRES FOR MY CAR. THE DEALER WILL JNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT ALL!*AK
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA LX. THE BRAKE LINE WAS ATTACHED TO WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ATTACHED AND IT RUBBED AGAINST THE CV BOOT, CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE AND THE CV BOOT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT BROUGHT CAR LAST OCTOBER TO DEALER BECAUSE THE CV BOOT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, THE BRAKE LINE AND THE CV BOOT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A GARAGE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE BRAKE LINE CAME LOOSE FROM WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE WITH A TEMPORARY ONE IN ORDER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DELAER CLAIMED THAT WHOEVERR REPLACED IT INSTALLED IN IMPROPERLY. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CV BOOT. SHE REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE OUT OF POCKET. HER HUSBAND FELT THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SECURELY FASTENED EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE FAILURE. TWO BOOTS AND ONE BRAKE LINE WERE REPLACED. *AK *NM
BF GOODRICH TIRES (20565H15) ON A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. AFTER LESS THAN 50 MILES FRONT LEFT TIRE WENT FLAG DUE TO A SEVERED VALVE STEM. STEM WAS SEVERED BY HUB CAP MOVEMENT. REMOUNTED TIRE, AND TIRE LEAKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. REMOVED ALL HUB CAPS FOR NOW. HYUNDAI BLAMING TIRE MANUFACTURER, BUT SIZE IS RECOMMENDED SIZE AS STATED ON AUTO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE WHO CHANGES TIRE BRANDS ON THIS MODEL. TIRE DEALERS SHOUL DBE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS NEEDLESSLY INJURED.*AK
FACTORY INSTALLED HUB CAPS TURN ON WHEELS WITH ACCELERATION AND BRAKING, CAUSING PRESSURE ON TIRE VALVE STEMS. THIS LEADS TO PIERCING OF TIRE VALVE STEM AND RAPID DEFLATION OF TIRE. HUB CAPS HAVE JAGGED EDGES ON HUB CAP WHERE CONTACT IS MADE WITH TIRE VALVE STEM. THERE IS NO MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE HUB CAPS FROM MOVING.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS HAVING TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH HER VEHICLE AND DOES NOT WANT IT ANYMORE. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS GOING BAD. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 300 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THEN AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED. SHE DROVE IT A WHILE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN SHE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS TOLD THE O2 SENSOR WAS BAD. THIS ALSO WAS REPAIRED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE SERVICE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V145000. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS MAY BE TOO SENSITIVE TO SOME LATERAL ACCELERATIONS THAT ARE NOT CAUSED BY SIDE IMPACTS TO THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS FORCEFULLY SLAMMING A DOOR CLOSED. *TC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE ALREADY FILED ONE COMPLAINT ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SENSORS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 9 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS ONE. NOW IT IS A CAM SENSOR AND I BELIEVE A SPEED SENSOR. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. IT HAS ROUGHLY 78,000 MILES. YOU CAN ONLY GET PARTS AT A DEALERSHIP. THE PARTS ARE NOT ONLY OVERPRICED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO DO ANYTHING. YOU CAN UNHOOK THE BATTERY AND THE LIGHT WILL STAY OFF FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIX IT AND THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IN A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME THAN UNHOOKING THE BATTERY. I HAVE SPOKE WITH HYUNDAI WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED AND ALL YOU GET IS WE'LL FIX IT UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS UP THEN YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK. I CAN'T KEEP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF LONG ENOUGH TO EVEN SELL IT. *JB
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026