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: structure
110 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Oct 10, 2007
NOTICED AT LAST OIL CHANGE, POTENTIAL STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF FRONT SUB FRAME/ENGINE CRADLE DUE TO RUST OUT CAUSED BY DESIGN THAT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER AND BE TRAPPED IN SUB FRAME. CARS IN "SNOW BELT" AREAS (OHIO) ARE AFFECTED BY ROAD SALT. SUB FRAME HAS 2.5" RUST HOLE AND SURROUNDING AREA SHOWS FATIGUE AND CRACKING. CAR APPEARS TO BE ONE "CHUCK HOLE" AWAY FROM FAILURE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Sep 30, 2007
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A NEWLY PAVED ACCESS ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, THE CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE OF MY ROTTED/RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD THE CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND BRAKE WORK AND NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED WITH THE RUSTED SUBFRAME. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SEIZED UP AS THE WHEEL SLAMMED INTO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND THE CAR CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP AND WAS IMMOBILIZED. THE CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP AND I AM CONTACTING HYUNDAI DIRECTLY REGARDING THE UNLIKELY FACT THAT MANY DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL BE INCREASING DRAMATICALLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS THE HYUNDAI SONATA'S 1999-2001 CONTINUE TO AGE. I HAVE NOTED AT LEAST A DOZEN INSTANCES OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND ALMOST ALL INSTANCES APPEAR TO BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Structure, Sep 12, 2007
I HAVE A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH I PURCHASED USED IN 2003 FROM KOEPPEL HYUNDA IDEALER IN LONG ISLAND CITY NEW YORK. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AT ALL. THIS WEEK I BEGAN TO NOTICE SOMETHING NOT FEELING RIGHT IN THE FRONT END, SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT I HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN THAT. IT SEEMS THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME OF THE CAR IS RUSTED AND ROTTING AWAY. HE TRIED TO LOCATE A USED FRAME FROM A JUNKYARD,(BECAUSE THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRENTY), BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET ONE. EACH PERSON HE SPOKE TO AT VARIOUS JUNK YARDS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE NEEDED , BUT INFORMED HIM THAT A USED SUBFRAME FOR THE SONATA WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO COME BY BECAUSE ON ALL THE SONATAS THAT WERE JUNKED, THE SUBFRAMES WERE ROTTED THROUGH FROM RUST. I'M BETTING THAT SOME OF THESE CARS WERE JUNKED FOR THAT VERY REASON. APPARENTLY THERE'S A PROBLEM HERE, BUT HYUNDAI IS UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. WHEN I CALL THEY TELL ME THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. HARD TO BELIEVE. I WAS TOLD A NEW FRAME WOULD COST ME1300 DOLLARS. THE ONLY THING THE MECHANIC CAN OFFER TO DO FOR ME IS TO WELD STEEL TO THE PARTS OF THE FRAME THAT ARE STILL SOLID AND TRY TO REINFORCE THE FRAME. AT THIS POINT I AM VERY FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE I WORK AT NIGHT AND NEED A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH. I HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR A RENTAL FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS AND IT'S GETTING EXPENSIVE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.
Structure, Sep 5, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT HE CALL THE HYUNDAI DEALER. HYUNDAI HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Aug 30, 2007
CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT ,AND HAS HAD 1 OWNER.VECHICLE IS HOUSED IN CENTRAL N.J. ,VECHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AS TO HYUNDAI'S SERVICE MANUAL RECOMENDATIONS.ALSO VECHICLE HAS RECENTLY BEEN SERVICED JUST BEFORE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY EXPIRED FOR DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SERVOS (CAR WAS ON LIFT AT TIME OF SERVICE ).ALSO THIS VECHICLE STILL HAS ORGINAL EXHAUST SYSTEM INCLUDING MUFFLER.ON AUGUST30,2007 MY SELF MY CHILD AND MY NEPHEWS WERE DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT 65 MPH AT APPROXIMATLY 9 PM WHEN THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN TRAFFIC LANE WITH VECHICLES APPROACHING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED AND SWERVING AROUND ME THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY I WAS TRAPPED IN CAR WITH CHILDREN WE CALLED 911 AND THE STATE POLICE HAD TO PUSH VECHICLE TO A SAFE ZONE WHERE WE WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK.UPONFURTHER INSPECTION OF VECHICLE IT WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY A SEVERLY ROTTED SUBFRAME WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION TO DROP CAUSING THE AXLE TO BE TORN THROUGH TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BREAK AWAY FROM ROTTED SUBFRAME ALSO(AS STATED EARLIER THE VECHICLE WAS NEVER INVLOVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS NO BODY OR UNDERCARRRIAGE RUST INCLUDING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS STRUCTUAL PROBLEM AS SUBFRAME CARRIES ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN (MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION AND ALL STERING COMPONENTS).AT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY HYUNDAI TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION WE WERE TOLD ITS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY WE WERE NERER MADE AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM AT TIME OF SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALER. STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM A SUPERVISOR FROM HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Jan 11, 2007
FRAME OF 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS FOUND DURING OIL CHANGE TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WENT TO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD TO CONTACT HYUNDAI CORP. AFTER 2 WEEK PERIOD WE WERE TOLD HYUNDAI WOULD DO NOTHING TO CORRECT PROBLEM. WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND AFTER 3 DAYS WERE AGAIN TOLD NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO FIX PROBLEM. THE CAR ONLY HAD 88,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND STILL HAD ORIGINAL MUFFLER. DOES FRAME USUALLY RUST OUT BEFORE MUFFLER? EVENTUALLY BECAUSE OF NEED FOR VEHICLE WERE FORCED TO HAVE VEHICLE FIXED OUT OF POCKET. REPAIR SHOP TOLD US THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL HYUNDAI SONATAS OVER THE LAST YEAR WITH RUST ALL IN THE SAME SPOT ON THE FRAME AND THAT SOME COULDN'T EVEN MAKE IT TO THE SHOP WITHOUT A TOW. WE PAID TO HAVE A REFURBISHED FRAME PUT ON THE CAR, AT THE COST OF $1150, NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MONTHS IT TOOK TO GET IT FIXED. WE HAD PICTURES TAKEN OF THE FRAME ON THE CAR AND AS IT CAME OFF. *JB
Structure, Oct 9, 2006
THE ALIGNMENT APPEARED TO BE OFF ON MY 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. ON OCT. 1, 2006, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL FIRESTONE STATION. THE MANAGER SHOWED ME THE CAUSE OF THE MIS-ALIGNMENT: THE ORIGINAL ENGINE CRADLE HAD NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A RUSTED OUT HOLE IN THE ENGINE CRADLE THAT MY HAND COULD HAVE FIT THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER. DUE TO THE PRICE OF THE REPAIRS COMPARED TO THE VALUE OF THE CAR, I ELECTED TO FORGO REPAIRS. THE CAR WILL BE SOLD TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR PARTS. THE CAR HAD BEEN AT A HYUNDAI DEALER FOR REPAIRS IN OHIO IN MARCH AND MAY 2006. AT NEITHER TIME WAS RUST IDENTIFIED AS A THREAT TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, THE DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES OCCURRED.
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
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
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