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: structure

110 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Structure, Nov 10, 2008

    ON NOV.6TH 2008. I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD,"BOOM". THE CAR STOPPED AND THE ENGINE DROPPED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN MY TIRE. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND CHECKED THE TIRES,THEY WEREN'T FLAT BUT MY RIGHT FRONT TIME LAID SLIGHTLY TITLED INWARD. I COULDN'T MOVE MY CAR. MY DAUGHTER,GRANDSON AND I WERE SHAKEN. THERE WAS RUST AND A BARING LYING IN THE ROAD. THEY CAME FROM MY CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. MY MECHANIC SAID THE RIGHT AXLE HAD BROKEN. AFTER HE CHECKED THE CAR,HE TOLD ME THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS CRACKED BADLY. HE SAID THAT'S WHY I HEARD THE BOOM AND THE DROP. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT HYUNDAI HAS A SAFETY ISSUES WITH THESE SUBFRAMES. THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE! THE POTENTIAL FOR GRAVE HARM IS IMMENSE. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR NOW. IT WILL HAVE TO TOWED TO A GARAGE. I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. ALL 3 OF US COULD'VE BEEN INJURED IF I HAD BEEN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I WANT CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. THE PUBLIC IS AT RISK AS WELL. THE SUBFRAME IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THANK YOU *TR

  2. Steering, Structure, Nov 8, 2008

    I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6 AND ON NOVEMBER 1, 2008 I WAS TRAVELING HOME WITH MY COUSIN WHEN WHILE NEGOTIATING A LEFT TURN MY STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND COMING FROM MY CAR. I NARROWLY ESCAPED AN ACCIDENT AS MY CAR BEGAN DANGEROUSLY CAREENING TOWARDS A DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS TURNING ONTO. FROM THAT POINT ON, MY STEERING WAS SEVERELY COMPROMISED AND I WAS REQUIRED TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST A FULL ROTATION TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO DRIVE IN A RELATIVELY STRAIGHT LINE. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS RESTING AT A STRANGE ANGLE, POINTING SLIGHTLY OUTWARDS TO THE RIGHT EVEN WHEN ALL OF THE OTHER WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT. MY UNCLE, A CAR MECHANIC, TOOK A LOOK AT THE CAR AND INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME HAD ROTTED AND THAT MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS ON THE VERGE OF COMING OFF AS THE CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTING OFF OF THE FRAME AND THAT THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE FIXED. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I CAME ACROSS MANY ONLINE ARTICLES HIGHLIGHTING PROBLEMS WITH 1999-2004 HYUNDAI SONATAS AND EVENTUALLY FOUND YOUR DEFECT PAGE THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO I AND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF EARLIER HYUNDAI SONATAS. I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS FAULTY MODELS THAT COULD HAVE SEVERELY INJURED MY PASSENGER AND I AND COULD EVENTUALLY PROVE TO BE FATAL TO OTHERS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR ABNORMALLY ROTTING SUB FRAMES. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND EFFORT AND HOPE YOU CAN ASSIST OTHERS AND I IN FINDING A SOLUTION TO THIS URGENT PROBLEM. *TR

  3. Structure, Nov 5, 2008

    THE CAR WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY IT IS A BOLT ON PART, BUT COST WELL OVER $1,000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS OF HEAVIER METAL AND HAD MORE DRAINAGE HOLES THAN THE ORIGINAL. *TR

  4. Structure, Nov 2, 2008

    SUBFRAME ON THE FRONT CHASIS WAS SEVERELY RUSTED THROUGH, ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THE WHEEL. DISCOVERED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. MECHANIC ADVISED DRIVING THE CAR DUE TO THE DANGEROUS CONDITION AND IMMINENT PROBABILITY OF LOSING THE WHEEL. *TR

  5. Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Oct 6, 2008

    RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BECAME DETACHED AND CAR SKIDDED TO A HALT ON BUSY ROAD. THE SAME THING HAPPENED 8 WEEKS AGO TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. I HAVE SINCE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL OF HYUNDAI. *TR

  6. Structure, Oct 1, 2008

    TIRES STARTED SQUEALING ABOUT 9/12; GOT WORSE, DRIVING VERY, VERY LOOSELY SO TOOK TO SHOP ON 9/25. SHOP SAID THERE WAS 'FRAME DAMAGE." TOWED TO FRAME SHOP SAME DAY. 9/29 FRAME SHOP ADVISED THE ENGINE CRADLE AND A-FRAME WERE NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY AND CAR WAS 99% FAILED. 9/30 RECEIVED INFORMATION VIA WEB BLOG REGARDING NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE IN A NARROW RANGE OF YEARS/MODELS FOR MFGR. CALLED HYUNDAI TO OPEN A CASE TO GET THEM TO REPAIR, ALTHOUGH VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THEY HAVE REPAIRED NUMEROUS OTHERS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

  7. Structure, Sep 21, 2008

    I AM UNABLE TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED DUE TO DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FAME IS ROTTED. MY CAR WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION IN APRIL. I DON'T FEEL I CAN SELL THE CAR . AND I AM STILL PAYING ON A CAR LOAN WHICH I OWE $2000.00. *TR

  8. Suspension, Structure, Sep 21, 2008

    I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, WHEN I DROVE OVER A POT HOLE AND THE FRONT END ON MY CAR IS NOW RESTING ON MY TIRES DUE TO SEVERE RUST IN THE FRAME. *TR

  9. Structure, Sep 21, 2008

    NOISE NOTED WHEN ATTEMPTING RIGHT TURN. DROVE & CAME TO STOP-HEARD LOUD NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT END - CAR PULLED RIGHT & TIRE POPPED OUT. CAR UNDRIVEABLE. AFTER EXAM BY MECHANIC, IT WAS NOTED THE RIGHT FRONT CAR FRAME HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN CAR CRASH - I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WITH THAT PARTICULAR DEFECT, HAD IT GONE OVER A POTHOLE ON THE INTERSTATE HWY @ HWY SPEED, IT COULD HAVE VERY LIKELY CAUSED A FATALITY ACCIDENT. *TR

  10. Structure, Sep 16, 2008

    SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT ON 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR

  11. Structure, Sep 11, 2008

    2000 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6 - SUBFRAME IS CRACKED AND RUSTED WITH LARGE HOLES IN IT. NO LONGER DRIVING IT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERN. READ ABOUT NHTSA INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE AND POSSIBLE RECALL. FOUND IT WHEN HAD OIL CHANGED - THE MECHANIC WAS SHOCKED AND SAID NOT TO DRIVE IT - TOO DANGEROUS. *TR

  12. Structure, Sep 10, 2008

    WHILE MY CAR WAS ON LIFT FOR UNRELATED REPAIR, MECHANIC SPOTTED SEVERE SUBFRAME ROT/CORROSION AND ADVISED ME TO MONITOR ITS ADVANCEMENT. THE SUBFRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH THE METAL IN A SIZE SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN A GOLF BALL AT THIS TIME (APPROX. 4 SQ. IN) ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

  13. Structure, Sep 5, 2008

    2000 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6 RUST AND CORROSION ON SUBFRAME (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL) FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS -WE RECENTLY BROUGHT OUR CAR INTO A LOCAL STRAUSS AUTO TO HAVE A BASIC CHECK UP BEFORE STATE INSPECTION. THEY SPOTTED THE RUST AND WARNED IT IS VERY SEVERE AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ASAP! - THEY ALSO STATED THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS ARE MOST LIKELY OCCURRING BECAUSE OF THE SUBFRAME NOT SUPPORTING THE CAR 100% -WE FEEL THIS IS TRULY A DEFECT BY HYUNDAI AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THEM! *TR

  14. Structure, Tires, Sep 3, 2008

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SHREDDED AND THE SUBFRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD START, BUT IT DID NOT MOVE. THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

  15. Structure, Aug 31, 2008

    I AM POSTING THIS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE FRONT SUB-FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND IS UNSAFE. I WAS DRIVING ON U.S RT 19 IN WV AND THE FRONT TIRE BECAME SO FAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT THAT THE INNER TREAD WORN COMPLETE THROUGH THE BELT RESULTING IN DEFLATION. *TR

  16. Suspension, Structure, Tires, Aug 28, 2008

    ON AUGUST 25TH, 2007, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY. THERE WAS QUITE SOME TRAFFIC (STOP-AND-GO KIND OF THING) SO WE WEREN'T AT A HIGH SPEED. WHEN THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME HAD TO STOP SHORT, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL OF MY CAR SUNK, AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE LIKE METAL SCRATCHING AGAINST THE PAVEMENT . AFTER I FINALLY MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER DRIVER, AND CHECKING TO SEE IF MY WIFE WAS OK, I GOT OUT OF THE CAR JUST TO FIND OUT THAT MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS IN AN ALMOST HORIZONTAL POSITION. AFTER TOWING THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP, MY MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT THE AXLE AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE BECAUSE THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED, AND THEREFORE THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FOR THE AXLE AND THE CONTROL ARM TO SUSTAIN THE WEIGHT AND PRESSURE OF THE SUDDEN STOP. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I BELIEVE THAT MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED, OR TO CAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE AN INJURY. THE REPAIRS WERE COSTLY, BUT I HAD TO DO IT. I NEED THE CAR TO WORK, AND WE LIVE IN A PLACE WERE THE CAR IS AN EVERYDAY NECESSITY. THE CRADLE FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY AT A COST OF $2,897.22. WE ALSO INCURRED THE FOLLOWING EXPENSES DUE TO THE CRADLE FAILING WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY ON AUGUST 25TH, 2007: TOWING CHARGE OF $168.37, CAR RENTAL CHARGES OF $164.53. A WRITTEN ESTIMATE FROM A LOCAL BODY SHOP FOR $996.59 SHOULD BE ADDED TO COVER THE BODY DAMAGE SUSTAINED WHEN THE RIGHT SIDE AXLE AND RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM CRACKED, CAUSING THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHEEL TO BEND THE RIGHT SIDE BUMPER COVER. MY MECHANIC KEPT THE OLD CRADLE UP TO A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, WHEN AFTER DEALING WITH THE LOCAL DMV OFFICE AND EXPLAINING THE SITUATION THEY INFORMED US THAT "A DMV JUDGE WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THIS CASE". I DO STILL HAVE PICTURES OF THE RUSTED CRADLE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE FIST-SIZED HOLES IN IT. *TR

  17. Suspension, Structure, Aug 17, 2008

    RUSTED FRAME, UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

  18. Electrical system, Structure, Jul 31, 2008

    TWO BIG PROBLEMS, FIRST THE CURRENT THE ENTIRE FRAME ON THE RIDE SIDE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE BOTTOM FELL OUT OF THE CAR - BEFORE THIS HAPPENED THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND A FRAME IS HARD TO LOCATE BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS - A 2000 HYUNDAI SHOULDN'T COMPLETELY RUST FROM THE INSIDE - THERE IS NO RUST ON THE CAR AND IT WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE I AM IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMPANY TO SEE WHAT WILL BE DONE, JUDGING FROM PAS EXPERIENCES - NOTHING SECOND ISSUE: WE HAD MANY PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD GO DEAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE CAR ALARM WOULD GET STUCK AND YOU COULDN'T GET IN THE CAR OR START IT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO IN AND OUT (MOSTLY OUT NOW). *TR

  19. Structure, Jul 28, 2008

    TOOK MY 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA TO HAVE TIRES ALIGNED ON A FRIDAY MORNING AND WAS TOTAL THE FRAME WAS RUSTED BUT I HAD A BENT TIE ROD AND IT NEEDED FIXED FIRST. LEFT THE TIRE SHOP AND BEFORE GOING 10 MILES I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT AND I COULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE ELSE. WHEN I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED , MY RIGHT SIDE TIRE WAS BENT OUT I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE TO HAVE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TO HAVE THE TIE ROD FIXED, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME ON MONDAY TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE TIE ROD THAT IT WAS THE SUB FRAME THAT WAS RUSTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES, AND I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT. ON WEDNESDAY WHEN I CHECKED ON THE CAR I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE ORDERED, THAT IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A POLICY ADJUSTMENT, I THEN WANTED TO KNOW IF I COULD BE GIVEN A CAR SINCE THIS WAS NOTHING THAT I DID TO THE CAR AND I WAS WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. OF COURSE I WAS TOLD THAT, THAT WAS NOT POLICY AND NO LOANER CAR WOULD BE GIVEN. *TR

  20. Structure, Jul 24, 2008

    I OWN A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. I TOOK IT FOR AN INSPECTION ON JULY 24TH OF 2008. IT FAILED DUE TO THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER BEING RUSTED OUT. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUST. IT WAS A 'FIST-SIZED' RUST HOLE ON THE SUBFRAME. THE CAR HAS 61,800 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER. BOTH THE FIRST OWNER AND I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED TERRIBLE ACCIDENTS. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION TO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NHTSA ACTION # PE08029. THE HYUNDAI SHOULD TAKE THE ACTION FOR THIS SEVERE DEFECT. *TR

  21. Structure, Tires, Jul 20, 2008

    I CURRENTLY OWN A YEAR 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA V6 GLS. ON THE MORNING OF JULY 17TH, 2008 AT APPROX. 3:45 AM I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A NEWSPAPER ROUTE FOR A LOCAL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN OFF A MAIN STREET ONTO A SIDE STREET AS I MY STEERING WHEEL JEARKED TO THE RIGHT VERY QUICKLY, AND MY CAR OUT OF THE BLUE WENT OUT OF ALLIGNMENT, TO A DEGREE THAT IT WOULD APPEAR THAT I MUST HAVE CRASHED INTO SOMETHING. BUT I DID NOT. AS TIME WENT ON, MY TIRES BEGAN SHREADING THEMSELVES ONTO THE AREA SURROUNDING THE ACTUAL TWO FRONT TIRES. WHEN I WENT TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE TO GET A ALLIGNMENT AND TWO NEW FRONT TIRES, THEY LIFTED IT UP AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A PART CALLED THE "SUBFRAME" AND IT WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. AFTER READING VARIOUS REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, I DECIDED TO WRITE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE YET TO CONTACT HYUNDAI DIRECTLY AS IT IS THE WEEKEND, BUT MY INTENT IS TO INFORM THEM ON MONDAY MORNING. THE APPROX. MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE IS 122,000 MILES. *TR

  22. Structure, Jul 16, 2008

    HELLO. I OWN A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. I TOOK IT FOR AN INSPECTION IN APRIL OF 2008. IT FAILED DUE TO THE SUBFRAME BEING RUSTED. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUST. IT WAS A 'FIST-SIZED' RUST HOLE ON THE SUBFRAME. I BELIEVE IT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (NOT SURE). I GOT A QUOTE FOR $1400 FROM A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME. HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVES THEN MADE A 'GOOD WILL' GESTURE AND DECIDED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUBFRAME IN FULL. IT TOOK SIX WEEKS FOR THE SUBFRAME TO ARRIVE AT THE SHOP. ALSO, I WAS TOLD THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SUBFRAME TO FRAME OF THE CAR WERE RUSTED AS WELL, THEY ARE BEING REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 85,300 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I BELIEVE THE FIRST OWNER LIVED IN NEW YORK, I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED HOW THEIR TIRES WENT BALD QUICKLY AND SEEMED OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE IN THAT THE TIRES WORE UNEVENLY AND CAUSED THE CAR TO VEER SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS COULD BE AN EARLY SIGN OF THE WEAKENING OF THE SUBFRAME, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION IT. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION TO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NHTSA ACTION # PE08029. *TR

  23. Suspension, Structure, Jul 9, 2008

    WHEN I WAS AT THE GRADE SCHOOL PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER, THE CAR STARTED TO LURCH AND THEN STOPPED. I GOT OUT AND THE FRONT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS TWISTED TO THE SIDE. THE RIGHT AXLE HAD BLOWN OUT. I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING BACK TO ILLINOIS AT THE END OF MAY I HAD TO RENT A CAR DOLLY TO TOW THE CAR BEHIND THE U-HAUL. UPON TAKING IT TO OUR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP, HE CALLED US THE NEXT DAY TO SAY THAT THE FRONT RIGHT FRAME CRADLE HAD RUSTED IN HALF. WE WENT TO TAKE A LOOK AND YES IT WAS RUSTED THROUGH THE CRADLE WITH A SPOT THE SIZE OF AN ORANGE THE FRAME HAD BROKEN IN HALF. WE HAVE FINALLY GOTTEN TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY WILL FIX THE AXLE AND THE FRAME. BUT THE 2 FRONT TIRES ARE NOW NOT ANY GOOD 1 OF WHICH WAS NEW, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE EITHER OF THEM. THEY SAID THAT TIRE DEALER THAT PUT THE NEW ONE ON SHOULD OF NOTICED THE PROBLEM AND SO IT IS THEIR FAULT. ALSO WHEN THE TOW TRUCK WENT TO PULL THE CAR UP ON THE FLAT BED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE GAVE WAY AND BENT UNDER THE CAR IN THE PROCESS DOING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER, THIS ALSO HYUNDAI SAID THAT IT WAS THE FAULT OF THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIXED IT. AS OF TODAY JULY 9, 2008 I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING TO BE FIXED OR NOT. *TR

  24. Structure, Jul 7, 2008

    RUST HOLE IN SUB FRAME FOUND WHILE DOING AN OIL CHANGE. *TR

  25. Structure, Jul 1, 2008

    I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA AT 15 MILES/HR ON GOOD-CONDITION ROAD WHEN I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE AND FELT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE SINK TO THE GROUND. I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, AND THE FRONT AXLE WAS DISPLACED. THERE WAS SERIOUS CORROSION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME WHERE THE POINT OF BREAKING WAS. NO ONE WAS HURT SINCE THE SPEED WAS SLOW. BUT IT COULD BE VERY SERIOUS IF DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE FRAME / AXLE ARE ORIGINAL PARTS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. I FOUND SIMILAR REPORTS ONLINE (SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://WWW.MOTORAUTHORITY.COM/NEWS/INDUSTRY/HYUNDAI-SONATA-FRAMES-RUST-US-NHTSA-INVESTIGATES/ ). I THINK THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR