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
278 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2002
CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. RECALL#01V34700 AIR BAG LIGHT SRS. CITY MOTORS 700 EAST HWY20 MICHIGAN CITY, IN 46360. MR
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
Power train, Oct 9, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD IT REPLACED 3 TIMES. MR
Air bags, Oct 2, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIR BAG COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS SERVICED THREE TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2002
WHEN SLOWING VEHICLE DOWN VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS REPAIRED FIVE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Suspension, Jul 20, 2002
THIS CAR WAS WRECKED PRIOR TO PURCHASE I WAS JUST TOLD THIS AFTER HAVING REPORTED THAT THE CAR HAS PULLED TO THE RIGHT SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THEY DID REPAIRS TO REAR WHEELS, FRONT END ALIGNMENT, CAR CONTINUES TO PULL AND HARD TO KEEP ON ROAD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, I WAS NOT INFORMED I PURCHASED A PREVIOUSLY WRECKED CAR OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. DON'T REALLY KNOW WHERE TO GO OR WHAT TO DO BUT THE CAR IS DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. I NEED SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PROCEED. JUST HAD A 30,000 SERVICE AND ASKED WHY CAR CAN'T BE FIXED WAS TOLD IT HAS BEEN WRECKED AND FRAME IS BENT, IT CANNOT BE FIXED. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT I SHOULD DO. THANK YOU WANDA KING. *AK
Air bags, Jul 16, 2002
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Seat belts, Jul 16, 2002
REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL NO LONGER RETRACT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2002
AFTER RECALL 01V347000 REPAIRS WERE DONE, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN.*AK
Air bags, Jul 10, 2002
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY SINCE MARCH 2002. DEALERSHIP WORKED ON VEHICLE 3 TIMES ,AND THEN INFORMED OWNER THAT RECALL 02V105002 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED IN JUNE 2002. ON JULY 6TH, AIR BAG LIGHT AGAIN BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. DEALERSHIP WAS TAKING TIME TO DETERMINE CAUSE AND REMEDY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
Air bags, Jul 3, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION. CONSUMER STATES NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. TWO DAYS LATER CONSUMER RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER ON THE SIDE AIRBAGS. *JB THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *YH
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
Air bags, Jun 19, 2002, crash
DURING A VEHICLE CRASH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
Air bags, Jun 14, 2002
AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ALL DAY. CONTACTED DEALER. FOUND NOTHING WRONG.*AKI
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
Air bags, Jun 3, 2002
CONSUMER STATES AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR THE FIFTH TIME. DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TT
Suspension, Jun 1, 2002
FROM 10 MPH TO STOP VERY BAD SCREACHING SOUND COMMING FROM REAR OF CAR. DEALER SAY'S NORMAL BUT DOES IT EVERY TIME YOU STOP JUST CAN'T BE . JUST CAN'T. *AK
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
Vehicle speed control, May 22, 2002
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESTIATES AND THEN ACCELERATES.*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
Power train, May 13, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON ACCELERATION, VEHICLE REMAINS IN DRIVE, BUT DOES NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO NETURAL, AT TIMES BECOMING STUCK IN BETWEEN GEARS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK. CONSUMER STATED WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING TO SHIFT FROM LOW TO HIGH IT SITS IN BETWEEN GEARS AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, DEALER STATED THERE IS NO PROBLEM.*JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 19, 2002
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WOULD STALLS OR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON THREE OCCASION AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRING. NLM
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
Seat belts, Feb 8, 2002, crash
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHILETRAVELING 40MPH, AND SAFETY BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. CONSUMER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY.*AK