NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE WAS ALTERNATOR FAILURE DUE TO OIL LEAK FROM FRONT VALVE COVER. THIS IS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA 2008 WITH 3.3 LITERS V6. *TR *JS
ESC LIGHT ON ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE....NEED PUSH BUTTON AND TURN OFF ENGINE A COUPLE OF TIME. *TR
PEDAL TO THE METAL RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE CLOSE TO $1,000 TO REPAIR
DRIVING WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND E.S.C LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A SIMULTANEOUS INTERNAL ENGINE EXPLOSION RESULTED IN AN INSTANT FIRE AS WELL AS A ROD THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE DAMAGING BLOCK AND SETTING THE CAR ON FIRE FROM A RESULTING MASSIVE OIL LEAK. THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT NOR ANY INDICATION TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WERE ANY CONCERNS WITH MY CAR TILL IT WAS TOO LATE UNFORTUNATELY. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 50/55 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL LOOSELY RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY VISION. AS I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I GRABBED IT AND HELD IT UP WHILE DRIVING WITH ONE HAND UNTIL I COULD GET OFF AT THE NEXT OFF RAMP. LUCKILY, I HAD SOME DUCT TAPE IN THE TRUNK AND WAS ABLE TO TAPE IT UP. IF A WOMAN HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR FAILED TO CLOSE AND OPENED INDEPENDENTLY, OBSTRUCTING THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
MY CAR'S AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. MAYBE SOMETHING PROBLEM FOR AIR BAG FUNCTION. AIR BAG WILL BE NOT WORKING. I THINK THE AIR BAG IS VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION REGARDING SAFETY. HOW CAN I DO ? *TR
I AM #84 HAVING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE AND THE $300 REPAIR SO THE AIR BAG WILL WORK IN CASE OF A CRASH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE STARTING FROM THE REAR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
AIRBAG INDICATOR LITE UP AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. *JS
I RECENTLY REVIEWED HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 121 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V415000), WHICH DESCRIBES THAT 2007-2012 VERACRUZ MODELS MAY HAVE AN OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET. THE RECALL STATES THAT "IF A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF OIL DRIPS ONTO THE ALTERNATOR, THE ALTERNATOR CAN BE DAMAGED RESULTING IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM BECOMING INOPERATIVE." IT GOES ON TO STATE A RISK OF VEHICLE RUNNING ON BATTERY POWER, UNTIL BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS, AND THEN POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE SHUT OFF, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. IN JULY, I TOOK MY 2008 SONATA TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTED ON MY INVOICE THAT "LEFT AND FRONT VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING", AND THAT "THE FRONT IS LEAKING ON THE ALTERNATOR." THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME MECHANICAL ISSUE NOTED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 121, IT IS JUST HAPPENING ON A DIFFERENT HYUNDAI MODEL. IN MY OPINION, THE RISK OF DAMAGE TO THE ALTERNATOR ON MY SONATA (VIA THE CONFIRMED OIL LEAK ONTO IT) IS THE SAME AS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 121. I BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK ISSUE WITH MY SONATA SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI IN THE SAME MANNER AS HOW RECALL CAMPAIGN 121 IS ADDRESSING THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK ON THE VERACRUZ MODELS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAG). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I25 IN COLORADO NEAR DENVER. THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I SAW A BUS A COUPLE OF HUNDRED YARDS AWAY. THE BUS WAS EITHER STOPPED OR GOING VERY SLOWLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND MY 2008 SONATA WOULD NOT GO OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL. I TRIED CANCELING CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKING AND CAR REMAINED IN CRUISE CONTROL. AT THE LAST MOMENT, I TRIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS I CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE BUS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH. I NEARLY DIED. I COULDN'T BREATHE FOR 20 SECONDS. I HAVE FRACTURED RIBS AND FRACTURED BONES IN MY BACK. THE CAR IS TOTALED. IT LOOKS LIKE A SQUASHED ACCORDION. *TR
WIFE WAS TRAVELING TO WORK AT 0550 ON RT. 147, WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF CAR. SHE HIT THE DEER, WITH THE CRUISE SET FOR 65 MPH. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT FILED.WE HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI WITH OUR TERMS, BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM THEM. *TR
WAS DRIVING TO MARTINEZ AND HEARD A SLIGHT CLICKING SOUND BY THE TIME WE EXITED FREEWAY AT MARTINEZ EXIT THE SOUND BECAME VERY LOUD. WHEN WE STOPPED AT LIGHT CAR DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. HAD CAR TOWED TO WHEEL WORKS AND THE TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE HAD OIL EVERYWHERE AND NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE BACK PART OF THE ENGINE. MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED. IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO I TRIED STARTING MY CAR (WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNINGS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN) AND IT WOULD NOT START, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, THERE WAS NO SOUND (ALTHOUGH I DID HAVE POWER THROUGH THE BATTERY AS I HAD LIGHTS, THE LIGHTS WORKED, RADIO ETC) -- I CALLED MY FATHER AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TRY STARTING IT WHICH IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY AT THAT TIME. NOW THREE MONTHS LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING -- NO SOUND (EXCEPT RADIO, LIGHTS ETC -- NEW BATTERY NOT THAT) -- I TRIED REPEATING PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL AND DIDN'T WORK -- I TRIED MOVING BACK AND FORTH FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL AND TRIED STARTING THE CAR EACH TIME TO NO AVAIL. I STOPPED FOR A SHORT TIME AND CALLED MY FATHER AGAIN FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ADVICE WHICH HE HAD NONE AT THAT TIME. WHEN I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN IT FINALLY STARTED. I DROVE RIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE STARTER GOING BAD AND WOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $350 -- I LATER SPOKE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO MENTIONED THAT IF THE STARTER WERE GOING BAD THAT THERE WOULD BE A "CLICKING" NOISE WHEN I TRIED STARTING THE CAR WITH NO START. THIS WAS NOT HAPPENING. IT APPEARS BY BLOGS IN THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 SONATA YET ALL THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO DO IS CHARGE ME A LOT OF MONEY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON BY ITSELF WHEN THE IGNITION WAS PLACED IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,700.
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN I HEARD POP. SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED OVER. POPPED HOOD. SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE. CHECKED DIPSTICK AND NO OIL. NEVER HAD OIL LEAK. NO OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO OVERHEAT OR HOT ENGINE LIGHT. JUST A SMALL FIRE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ON GROUND. BOUGHT OIL THAT JUST LEAKED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING IN. NO WARNING. NO SIGNALS. NO ALERTS. BLOWN ENGINE. THEY WANT $5300 FOR A USED ENGINE. *JS
CARS VALVE COVER AND OR TIMING COVER LEAKS ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO BE "SOAKED WITH OIL "(DEALERS WORDS). AT ANY TIME THEREAFTER THE ALTERNATOR COULD FAIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSING INJURY. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR BUT IS REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR IN THE 07-12 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ UNDER RECALL WITH THE SAME ENGINE DESIGN AND THE SAME ALTERNATOR PLACEMENT. I HAVE 2 CARS AN 08 AND AN 07 SONATA THAT BOTH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY DOES HYUNDAI WANT TO RECALL THE VERACRUZ AND NOT THE HYUNDAI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR INSPECTION AND A CALL TO HYUNDAI ON 04-13-2014. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. *TR
ON 04/08/2014, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED; THEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR. ONCE WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION I PARKED THE CAR. LATER, WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR TO RETURN HOME, MY CAR'S IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT TURNING AND THE STEERING GOT LOCKED AS WELL. ON 04/09/2014, I TOWED MY SONATA CAR TO THE DEALER AT MOMENTUM HYUNDAI: 2775 AUTO MALL PKWY, FAIRFIELD, CA 94533 FOR SERVICE. I DESCRIBED THE ISSUES TO THE SERVICE AGENT AND I ASKED HIM IF MY ISSUE WAS A RECALL AND HE SAID "NO". THE DEALER CHARGED ME $736.40 FOR LABOR AND FOR THESE CAR PARTS: BODY & SWITCH ASS [FP NUMBER: 81910-3K010] CYLINDER ASSY-STR [FP NUMBER: 81920-3KA10] BOLT-SAFETY LOCK [FP NUMBER: 81919-31000] NOTE: ON 04/06/2014, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD LOCKED; BUT I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT AND THE IGNITION SWITCH FINALLY TURNED AND THE CAR STARTED. BUT ON 04/08/2014,I COULDNT SOLVE THE ISSUE MYSELF. THIS IS SCARY, ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND HAD MY FAMILY WITH ME. GM, AND TOYOTA HAVE RECALLED MILLIONS OF CARS BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE; AND I DONT KNOW WHAT HYUNDAY IS WAITING FOR TO DO THE SAME. I HOPE HYUNDAI IS NOT WAITING ON PEOPLE TO GET SEVERELY HURT TO RAISE A FLAG AND ANNOUNCE A RECALL ON THEIR MODELS. HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL ITS MODELS TO PREVENT THE LOSS OF LIVES. IF HYUNDAI DOES A RECALL OF ITS MODELS TO SOLVE THE ISSUE I HAVE EXPERIENCED, I WOULD APPRECIATE THEY REFUNDED MY MONEY. THANKS. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. SOME PIECE UP INSIDE BROKE OFF AND NOW SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN WHEN DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS NO BODY WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE CAR. THE LIGHT DOESNT FLASH OFF AND ON, IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. SEVERAL MECHANICS CANNOT CLEAR THE CODE OR FIGURE OUT WHY. IVE BEEN SENT TO CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I VE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE PUMPING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO FIXING IT, ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME BACK ON. IM NOT PUTTING MONEY INTO A BLACK HOLE FOR THE PROBLEM TO NEVER HAVE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. I FEEL UNSAFE NOT KNOWING THE REAL ISSUE. ITS NOT THE AIRBAG FUSE OR WIRING AS THAT HAS BEEN INSEPECTED AND TESTED. I HAVE ONE DEALERSHIP WHO WON'T EVEN LOOK AT MY CAR BECAUSE I THINK THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I HAVE NO DOCUMENTS TO ATTACH BECAUSE TECHNICALLY NOTHING HAPPENED TO MY CAR TO TRIGGER THIS LIGHT. IT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY. IT DOESNT MATTER IF THE CAR IS PARKED OR IN DRIVING MODE OR ANYTHING. ITS ALWAYS ON. I CAN'T PASS ANY STATE INSPECTIONS.
PASSENGER VISOR DROPPED DOWN, WOULD NOT STAY IN UP POSITION. BROKEN PLASTIC COMPONENT ON VISOR FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE. PURCHASED REPLACEMENT AT LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOT MENTION SERVICE BULLETIN NOW IN EFFECT. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE FLASH FREEZE ON FEBRUARY 21, 2014, MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR DUE TO SLICK ROADS. WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, IT SLID AND CRASHED HEAD ONTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE. PART OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT BROKE OFF AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. HER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HER CHEST AND MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN AND IT HURT HER TO BREATHE SO WAS SENT FOR X-RAYS. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BROKEN RIBS BUT MAY HAVE HAD INTERNAL BRUISING BECAUSE SHE NEEDED PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND A CHIPPED TOOTH. WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI AND TOLD HER WHAT HAPPENED, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I WAS MAILED OUT PAPERWORK TO FILL OUT. I COMPLETED ALL THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. THEY THEN INSPECTED THE CAR. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE ACCIDENT DID NOT MERIT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THEY CLOSED MY CASE WITHOUT ANY FURTHER CONVERSATION. I CALLED AFTER I RECEIVED THE LETTER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THIS WAS HYUNDAI'S FINAL DECISION AND THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO FOR ME. *JS...UPDATED 12/09/15 *BF
I CANT KEEP HEADLIGHTS WORKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE WIRES ARE MELTED SO ITS HARD TO EVEN CHANGE THE BULBS. ANYWAYS I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 4-6 BULBS SINCE FEB. BUT MOST OF THE TIME I GO WITHOUT LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE EVEN THOUGH IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR
REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FOUND LYING ON THE GROUND WITH PLASTIC EXTENSION THAT ACTIVATES DOOR LATCH BROKEN--HAD FALLEN INSIDE DOOR. THREE WEEKS LATER, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL FAILURE. PURCHASED REPLACEMENTS FROM LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER IN EACH CASE. THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A SYSTEMIC DESIGN FAILURE. OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO INABILITY OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE IN CASE OF OCCUPANT INCAPACITATION. *TR
DRIVER SIDE VISOR HAS BROKEN IN A MATTER WHERE IT WILL NOT STAY UP. IT CONSTANTLY FALLS DOWN INTO FIELD OF VIEW. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED ON THE 06-07 MODELS. IT NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO THE 08 MODELS ALSO. *TR
THE SUNVISOR CLIP TO HOLD IT UP FAILED. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF OWNERS AS THERE IS MUCH INFO ON THIS IN THE INTERNET. THEY ALREADY HAVE PUT A RECALL IN FOR THE 2006 AND 2007 MODELS FOR THE SAME THING BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE THIS YEAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD TICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,112.
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, DURING AN ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN SHE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, SHE SUFFERED A BROKEN VERTEBRAE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY ON NOVEMBER 24, 2013 AT AROUND 11 AM. I OPENED MY TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE KEY AND THE TRUNK OPENED UP SO FAST, THE HINGE TOPS ON BOTH SIDES THAT SUPPORT AND GUIDE THE TRUNK LID BROKE OFF AT THE TOP. JUST DISINTEGRATED. THESE ARE DEFECTIVELY MANUFACTURED PLASTIC CAPS/COVERS ON THE TWO HYDRAULIC HINGES. *TR
THE SIDEWALLS HAVE CRACKS IN THEM, ALL 4 TIRES. THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS (INSTALLED NOVEMBER 2011) AND HAVE 6000 MILES ON THEM. THE EXACT SAME TIRE THAT CAME ON THE CAR NEW, HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL CRACKING. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE 4 YEARS OLD AND ALL 4 HAD SIDEWALL DAMAGE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN DAMAGED AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROPERALLY INFLATED. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE NEVER DAMAGED OR UNDER INFLATED. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR HAS NEVER GONE MORE THAN 7 DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. IT'S USUALLY DRIVEN EVERY DAY OR EVERY OTHER DAY. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE VISOR HAS BEEN LOOSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS. NOW IT STAYS DOWN ALL THE TIME AND IS IN THE LINE OF SIGHT OF THE DRIVER TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. *TR
MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A FAULTY OCS SYSTEM. THIS SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO DISABLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHEN IT DETECTS A CHILD, BUT A RECALL WAS ISSUED BECAUSE THE SENSOR DISABLES THE AIRBAG EVEN FOR SOME ADULTS. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM TOO. I OFTEN NOTICE THAT THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS OVER 120 POUNDS SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.. SO I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE PACIFICO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN PHILADELPHIA, AFTER EXAMINING MY VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME, IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, THAT THE MECHANIC VERIFIED THAT THE SYSTEM OPERATED CORRECTLY, DESPITE MY INSISTENCE THAT THE AIRBAG WAS TURNED OFF FOR SOME ADULT PASSENGERS. AS THE PURPOSE OF THE RECALL WAS TO FIX THE SENSOR FOR EXACTLY THE PROBLEM MY CAR WAS EXHIBITING, I WAS WORRIED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CONDUCT THE PROPER TESTS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE AIRBAG ON MY CAR IS DISABLED FOR SOME ADULT PASSENGERS. AFTER HOURS OF CALLING THE HYUNDAI HOTLINE AND SPEAKING WITH CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVES, I WAS EVENTUALLY TOLD BY A CASE MANAGER THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM THE NECESSARY DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND I SHOULD BRING IN MY VEHICLE AGAIN. THIS IS QUITE DISTURBING--IF THE DEALERSHIP LIED TO ME ABOUT CONDUCTING THE SAFETY TESTS, THEY VERY WELL COULD HAVE LIED TO OTHER CUSTOMERS AS WELL. HOW MANY OTHER HYUNDAI CAR OWNERS ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH A FAULTY AIRBAG BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP LIED ABOUT CONDUCTING THIS SAFETY TEST? HOW MANY OTHER SAFETY RECALLS DID THEY VIOLATE? THE DEALERSHIP EXHIBITED WILLFUL NEGLECT IN COMPLYING WITH THIS SAFETY RECALL, AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SO THEY DO NOT CONTINUE TO DO SO. *TR
SEVERAL TIMES THE ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I NOTICED A LOT OF DRIVERS HAVE THEIR BRAKE LIGHTS GOING OFF. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS HAPPENING BUT I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE LIGHT WILL NOT STAY ON SO I CANCELLED. IT DID STAY ON ONCE FOR 3 DAYS ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT I GOT MY TIRES CHANGED AND BOTH LIGHTS WENT OFF. SINCE THEN THE ESC LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BUT AFTER IT SETS OR YOU PARK IT AND RESTART, THE LIGHT RESETS AND GOES OFF. *TR
REFUSAL OF HYUNDAI TO REVIEW LEVELS OF REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION ON VEHICLES OPERATED IN THE SALT BELT STATES BECAUSE OWNER REGISTERED IT IN CITY/STATE ADJOINING THIS RECALL. AFTER FURTHER REVIEWING THE SURVEY RESULTS, HYUNDAI HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL IN AFFECTED SALT BELT STATES ON 2006-2010 SONATA VEHICLES. I HAVE NOTIFIED MY LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER ABOUT THIS RECALL. THEIR REPLY WAS SINCE I LIVE IN THE SAME CITY BUT ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STATE LINE (KANSAS CITY, KS NOT KANSAS CITY, MO) MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED AND THEY WILL NOT REVIEW MY VEHICLE FOR FREE NOR WILL THEY REPLACE THE CORRODED CROSSMEMBER FOR FREE SINCE MY STATE DOES NOT BELONG TO THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH MY DRIVING PRIMARILY TAKES PLACE IN THIS AFFECTED AND INCLUDED STATE. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WON'T STAY UP. HANGS STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE LINE OF DRIVER'S VISION. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER STAYS IN UP POSITION, DROOPING DOWN INTO FIELD OF VIEW. IT APPEARS THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BUT ONLY FOR SOUTHERN AND WESTERN STATES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT IS EASY TO FIND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO ONLY SOUTHERN STATES AND LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES. *TR
OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, HOWEVER NO OIL WAS IN VEHICLE, TOOK TO SOUTHERN AUTO MART IN GEORGETOWN, SC THEY SAID IT WAS OKAY, THEY CHANGED MY OIL. TWO WEEKS LATER NO OIL, ENGINE IS NO GOOD. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT REMAIN IN ITS HOUSING, BLOCKING THE CONTACT'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (BOTH ALONG BUMPER AND IN THE BACK WINDOW) FAILED TO COME ON ALTHOUGH ALL FUSES AND BULBS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE. *JS
DRIVERS SEAT LUMBAR ADJUSTING CAM BROKE WHILE DRIVING, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS BROKEN AND THE LOWER BACK OF THE SEAT PUSHED IN ABRUPTLY. THIS WAS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH SPEED TOLL ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE METAL CAM WHICH WAS BROKEN OFF, WAS FOUND BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. THIS IS SUCH A SMALL PIECE OF METAL AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE STRONG ENOUGH FOR WHAT IS REQUIRED. MY DEFINITION OF THE CAM IS THE MECHANICAL PART THAT ACTUALLY MAKES THE ADJUSTMENT INSIDE OF THE SEAT AND ALSO SUPPORTS THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVERS LOWER BACK. SIMILAR TO A S CAM OF A BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
BOTH SUN VISORS NO LONGER STAY IN THE UP ( AGAINST THE HEADLINER ) POSITION, ONE IS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE THE OTHER HANGS DOWN AT 90 DEGREE ANGLE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY HYUNDAI'S FROM ABOUT 2005 AND UP, I BELIEVE THERE IS A RECALL ON 2006 OR 2007, OR VOLUNTARY ACTION BY HYUNDAI, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX 2008 AND IT IS THE IDENTICAL PART. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MANY MESSAGE BOARDS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. LIVING IN ARIZONA WITH CONSTANT SUN GLARE MAKES DRIVING THESE VEHICLES DANGEROUS. *TR
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR PARK AND FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH . *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER SON DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL, AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. HER SON HAD TO GET ASSISTANCE, TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, SO HE COULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE. HER SON WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY, AND WHILE DRIVING, IT BECAME APPARENT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT RESPONDING NORMALLY BY DISENGAGING WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES. HE IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO AN AUTO CENTER. THE AUTO CENTER DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED IT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BOWER/FAN SWITCH, WHICH WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE FAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2011. ON OR ABOUT JULY 2012, SHE AGAIN BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE BLOWER/FAN OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER OFFERED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY ONE WEEK. UPDATED 11/25/13
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V354000 (SUSPENSION). INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE CROSS MEMBER ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN APPLIED A WAX COATING TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
THE SUN VISORS ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA (68,865 CURRENT MILES) ARE EACH (PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES) DEFECTIVE. WE HAVE LIVED WITH THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR THE PAST YEAR, AND NOW, WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE ALSO GAVE WAY, HANGING LIMPLY, OBSTRUCTING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER AND CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS RESOLUTION. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE VISORS (OBSTRUCTION OF VISION WHILE DRIVING). *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE, THE DRIVER'S SUNVISOR DROPPED DOWN FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND PARTIALLY BLOCKED MY FORWARD VISION. SUBSEQUENTLY THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO REFUSED TO STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN I CONSULTED WITH THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT I WAS 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I THEN CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER AND WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT APPLY. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I COULD HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED AND APPLY TO THEM FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PARTS OR THE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE SINCE SEEN A HYUNDAI TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR 2008MY HYUNDAI SONATA SUNVISOR REPLACEMENT (SERVICE CAMPAIGN T97) DATED NOVEMBER 2009 WHICH STATES THAT IT APPLIES TO THE WESTERN,SC, AND SOUTHERN REGIONS ONLY. SINCE IT'S DESCRIPTION STATES "ON SOME 2008 SONATA VEHICLES, THE SUN VISOR MAY NOT STAY IN THE STORED (UP) POSITION. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE SERVICE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE SUN VISOR ASSEMBLIES." APPLICABLE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE, MARCH 6, 2007 TO JANUARY 10, 2008. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT JANUARY 02, 2008 THIS WOULD APPLY IF I LIVED IN ANY OF THOSE STATES (WHICH I DO NOT). SINCE THIS A NOT ONLY A DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY BUT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, I FAIL TO SEE WHY THIS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO ONLY THOSE REGIONS AND NOT TO ALL AREAS. AT THE VERY LEAST IT SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ISSUE EVEN PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
HIT SEVERAL RURAL MAIL BOXES AND CAME TO A HALT AGAINST TWO SMALL TREES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS OVER $7000.00 OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *JS