2000 Hyundai Sonata

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Structure is the leading concern among 278 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 278

Of the 2000 reports, 20 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.

Primary concernStructure110 reports · 40% of complaints
Owner complaints278Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Structure110
  2. Suspension63
  3. Air bags43
  4. Electrical system36
  5. Engine and engine cooling31
  6. Power train19
  7. Service brakes12
  8. Hydraulic10

Recalls and investigations

  1. SuspensionApr 16, 2009

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.

    IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 09V124000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, side/windowApr 9, 2002

    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.

    NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 02V105000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bagsNov 6, 2001

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).

    THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

    DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 01V347000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Electrical system, wiringSep 11, 2000

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

    THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

    Campaign 00V259001 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: electrical system

36 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Jun 17, 2003

    I HAD MY BEARINGS REPLACED, MY REAR HUB BEARINGS. NOW IT IS MAKING TO SAME NOISE AND THEY NOW SAY IT IS NOT THE BEARINGS-THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS! MY CAR IDLE SOUNDS LIKE IS GOING TO STALL ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM STOPPED. THE CAR PULLS AROUND 5,20 AND 50 MPH LIKE IT JUST CANNOT GET GAS OR THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD. I BROUGHT IT IN 2XS. THEY SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS AND CANNOT GET ANYTHING ON THE DIAG MACHINES. NOW I AM PASSED 60,000 MILES. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS (GIVING ME NO LENDER OR RENTAL) THEY FOUND A PROBLEM AT THE LAST MINUTE. OIL LEAKED FROM THE VALVES INTO THE SPARK PLUG WIRES INTO THE COIL PACK AND THAT IS THE CAR PULLING PROBLEM. THEY SAY I HAVE TO PAY $600 TO FIX IT. THIS WAS ON JUNE 6,2003. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE IDLE WHICH WAS NOT FIXED AND BROUGHT IT IN FOR THIS ENGINE HESITATION 2XS. BOTH TIMES THEY DID NOT AND COULDNOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE THE RECEIPTS THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX NOR REPEAT THESE PROBLEMS, BUT THEY ARE NOTED. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS!!!! THIS IS NOT DAILY UPKEEP!! THIS MUST BE DEFECT!! I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR! I NEED TO BE CONTACTED ON THIS MATTER FOR HYUNDAI TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS! I AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME ON THIS MATTER. THESE PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED NOW AND I CANNOT AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE PARTS OR LABOR! I ALSO HAVE HAD MY FRONT DRIVER WINDOW REGULATOR FIXED 4 TIMES, MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE REGULATOR FIXED ONCE, MY REAR REGULATOR FIXED ONCE. I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY FOR MY CAR AND A NEW HEADLIGHT IN THE FIRST YEAR(HYUNDAI SAID I HAD TO SUBMIT PAPERWORK TO SEE IF THEY WOULD VOTE TO REPAY ME FOR MY COST OF THE BATTERY). I HAD MY AIR BAG LIGHT GOING OFF(WHICH NOW I NEVER TRUST FOR IT TO GO OFF WHEN NEEDED OR EVEN GO OFF WHEN NOT ). MY PAINT IS CHIPPING EVERYWHERE! MY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW LEAKS ALL OVER MY CARPET INSIDE FLOOR. AND MANY MORE PROBLEMS! *JB THANK YOU, DARLENE LIDDANE DLIDDANE@EARTHLINK.NET 941-637-0802

  2. Electrical system, Jan 24, 2003

    WHEN CONSUMER SHUT VEHICLE OFF, THERE EMITTED A LONG GRUNTING NOISE. APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *JG

  3. Electrical system, Nov 8, 2002, fire

    THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE FLAMES ORIGINATED FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TS *JB

  4. Suspension, Electrical system, Visibility, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2002

    THE PAINT ON THE CAR HAS COME OFF GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH. THE FRONT END SQUEAKS. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR STOPPED WORKING. THE RADIO TURNS OFF/ON AT RANDOM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON/OFF AT RANDOM. DT

  5. Power train, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Oct 9, 2002

    THERE WAS AN ERRATIC OPERATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS APPLIED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED, THE DOOR(S) CLOSED BY THEMSELVES, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN PASS THE 40 MPH MARK, THE TRANSMISSION OPERATED AS IF WERE CATCHING UP. SCC

  6. Electrical system, Jul 2, 2002, fire

    VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE WHEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. VEHICLE AND GARAGE BURNED TO THE GROUND. INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED CAUSE WAS IGNITION COIL THAT IS LOCATED RIGHT BELOW TRANSMISSION FLUID SPOUT. REPORTED BY INSURANCE AGENT.*AK

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Air bags, May 29, 2002

    VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS - MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO TAKE STEPS IN ENSURING MY SAFETY AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *AK

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 7, 2002

    VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAILING. CONSUMER HAD ONE HEADLIGHT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AKVEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. LEAVING THE DRIVER IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *JG

  9. Electrical system, Aug 21, 2001

    THE CONSUMER STATES THE DEALER SOLD HIM A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE THAT WAS ON RECALL (00V-259)WITHOUT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT AFTER HE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL, IT TOOK THE DEALER THREE DAYS TO FIX IT.*YH

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Structure, Seats, Feb 12, 2001

    VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES FOR STALLING, RECALL ON STALLING PERFORMED NOVEMBER 2000. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMNITTENTLY AT STOP SIGN, RED LIGHTS, LOW SPEED DRIVING, WHILE BACKING OUT AND ON HIGHWAYS, DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL, EVEN WITH RECALL 00V259001 REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS NOT FIXED, DEALER HAS ALSO REPLACED THE AIR FLOW SENSOR CONNECTION, PURGE VALVE (ON 6 OCCASIONS), TPS SENSOR AND EXTENSION, AND OTHER SENSOR ASSEMBLIES. LUMBAR SUPPORT WOULD NOT HOLD, DEALER REPLACED. TRUNK WOULD NOT STAY OPEN ON INCLINE. *SLC

  11. Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 28, 2000

    CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND NOTICED THAT AIRBAG MODULE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE SHUTOFF. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THERE WAS A WIRE CROSSED. VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. *AK