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.
Of the 2000 reports, 20 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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: service brakes
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Oct 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA ON GOOD ROAD AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE LEFT THROUGH-LANE OF A MULTILANE STREET, I MADE A QUICK STOP (NOT AND EMERGENCY STOP) WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW. THE ROAD WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND DRY, AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT ABOUT 80 DEGREES F. UPON MAKING THIS STOP THE CAR PULLED UNUSUALLY SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT - IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR IN THE RIGHT LANE, I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. AFTER THIS STOP, THE FRONT TIRE(S) MADE UNUSUAL SQUEELING NOISES UPON TURNING, AND THE STEERING FELT UNUSUAL AND SHAKEY. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY (ABOUT A MILE) TO THE PLACE WE WERE VISITING IN LAS VEGAS AND THE NEXT MORNING TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FRAME CROSSMEMBER (FRONT SUBFRAME) HAD A CORROSION HOLE THROUGH THE FRONT SUBBFRAME AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) TIRE TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION AND SITTING AT AN ANGLE. THE DEALER'S ADVICE WAS THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND IT COULD FURTHER FAIL AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THEY ADVISED THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THIS THIS FRONT SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED. THIS IS A REPLACEABLE PIECE - WHICH WAS ORDERED, AND REPLACEMENT PLANNED. THE CAR WAS LEFT WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALER, AND NOT DRIVEN FURTHER. THIS SITUATION IS ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL TO NHTSA REFERENCE NUMBER 13V354000 FOR THE REAL SUSPENSION FOR SOME HYUNDAI VEHICLES THAT LED TO HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 113 APPROVED IN SEPT 2013. HYUNDAI RECORDS SHOW THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN ILLINOIS (ONE OF THE APPROVED 113-RECALL STATES) AND IT WAS DRIVEN THERE FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS OR SO. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12-01-029 DATED OCTOBER 2012 (SUPERSEDES BULLETIN 09-01-020-2) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS FRONT SUBFRAME PROBLEM, BUT, I AM TOLD, IT IS NOT AN APPROVED RECALL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 7, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND WHILE SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOMOTIVE CENTER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED A SHORT WHILE LATER. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF PADS AND ROTORS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 12, 2005
BOTH POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED AT THE SAME TIME IN MY TEENAGERS SONATA. FORTUNATELY MY SON WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 25 MPH AT THE TIME AND USED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. THE HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO SYSTEMS. IS THERE A NHTSA RECORD OF THIS OCCURRING PREVIOUSLY IN THE SONATA? *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 27, 2004
WHILE DRIVING WHEELS LOCKED AS IF THE CONSUMER WAS JAMMING THE BRAKES. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES,BUT VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN. THEN, VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Jan 24, 2003
BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPPED AND CAUSING A LOW BRAKE PEDEL AND A DANGEROUS SHIMMY IN THE WHEEL WHEN EVER I TRY TO STOP. THEY RESURFACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS ON 4/11/01 WITH 12,400 MILES. AT 29,000 MILES THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.FIRST THEY STATED IT WAS CAUSED BY MY DRIVING, THEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY GOING THRU PUDDLES. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY HEAT AND THEY DO NOT COVER HEAT RELATED PROBLEMS. THE ROTORS ARE COVERED FOR 5 YEARS, 60,000 MILES, BUT NOT FOR THE ABOVE REASONS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 14, 2002
BRAKES WILL SQUEAL VERY LOUDLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAD BRAKES CHECKED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY STOP, PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK. CONSUMER STATES UNABLE TO LOCK BRAKES, THE DEALER STATED THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 21, 2002
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND VEHICLE IS NOT WARMED UP, THEY SQUEAL, PROBLEM OCCURS FOR 1/2 MILE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND PROBLEM CAN'T BE DUPLICATED. *AK *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 8, 2002
VIOLENT VIBRATION OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REPLACED ROTORS TWICE. REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 29, 2001
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE WARPED, AND ARE GETTING WORSE WITH THE MORE MILES I DRIVE. I NOTED THE PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES. WHENEVER I BRAKE FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES QUITE BADLY. COINCIDENTALLY, 2 FRIENDS OWN THE 1999 SONATA. THEY, TOO, HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE HAS ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS BECAUSE THE SHIMMY WAS SO BAD HE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING TO PAY A TOLL. I TRULY BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ROTORS ON THE 1999/2000 SONATA'S ARE DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN AND PURPOSE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 17, 2000, crash
BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR, THE PEDAL PUMPED HARD FIVE TIMES AND THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO HOLD IN A PANIC SITUATION, THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED ME WAS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER TIME A CLOSE CALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE IT AND I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, THE DEALER SHIP SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, BUT I ACTUALLY WAS STANDING THERE WWHEN ANOTHE MAN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING , HE ONLY HAD 1500 MILES ON HIS CAR, A HYUNDAI, ALSO THE COUNTER MAN ASSISTANT SERVICE PERSON ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT ANOTHER MAN BROUGHT HIS CAR IN JUST PRIOR TO ME. GO FIGURE???*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Mar 14, 2000, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. ALSO, AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT THE HEAD RESTRAINT WHICH FLEW INTO THE REAR SEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK