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, Feb 8, 2002, crash
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHILE TRAVELING 40MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2002
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
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
Exterior lighting, Jan 16, 2002
HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM SEVERELY WHENEVER AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CAME ON, DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*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
Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2001
WHILE USING THE "FLASH TO PASS" FEATURE ON THE TURN,LIGHT STALK,THE STALK BROKE OFF IN MY HAND.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2001
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND THEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT/ AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
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
Visibility, Jul 14, 2001
THE BACK WINDOW WAS LEFT DOWN WHEN WE PARKED. MY SON, 6 YEARS OLD, WENT TO PUT IT UP. SOMEHOW HE STUCK HIS HEAD IN THROUGH THE OPENING AND ACCIDENTALLY CONTINUED TO PUT UP THE ELECTRIC WINDOW. THE WINDOW CAUGHT HIM IN THE MOUTH, WITH HIS HEAD ON ONE SIDE OF THE WINDOW AND HIS CHIN ON THE OTHER. HE WAS STUCK. I TURNED OFF THE KEY. I THEN TURNED THE KEY BACK ON AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO LOWER THE WINDOW. I'M NOT SURE IF HE WAS PUSHING THE WRONG BUTTON, BUT IT WENT UP MORE. WE THEN MANAGED TO LOWER THE WINDOW. HE WAS BLEEDING ON THE SIDES OF HIS MOUTH. NOTHING STOPPED THE WINDOW FROM GOING UP EVEN WITH HIS HEAD IN THERE. WE WERE LUCKY NOTHING MORE SERIOUS HAPPENED. IF HE HAD BEEN SMALLER CHILD OR IF HIS NECK HAD BEEN IN THERE, THIS MIGHT HAVE HAD A TRAGIC ENDING. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, May 21, 2001, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED 25-30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH FONTAL DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2001
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 00V259001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 039. DEALER LCORRECTED RECALL PROBLEMS. BUT, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUT OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Steering, May 1, 2001
WHILE STARTING ENGINE HEARD NOISE. OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK POWER STEERING FLUIDS LEAKING DUE TO RACK AND PINION FAILURE. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 16, 2001
RECALL 00 V 259 001/ENGINE STALLING: ENGINE STALLING AT LOW SPEED OF 5-20 MPH WHILE APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS RESTARTED AFTER EACH INCIDENT. WAITING ON DEALER APPOINTMENT. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK
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
Power train, Air bags, Jan 28, 2001
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. THE DISTRICT MANGER, JEFF WESTLAND OUT OF N.J., (609) 395-7308 STATED THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF A DEFECT IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT (LATE 1999'S & EARLY 2000'S THAT ROLLED OFF THE ASSEMBLY) WHICH MAKES THE LIGHT COME ON IF A PERSON MOVES AROUND IN THE SEAT, EXCESSIVE WEIGHT OF A PASSENGER, OR PUTTING ANY OBJECT UNDER THE SEAT. WHAT I FIND OUTRAGEOUS ABOUT THIS, IS THE LAST TWO TIMES I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN, I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON. WHEN I SPOKE WITH MR. WESTLAND, HE WANTED ME TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AT THE DEALSHIP, FIRST TEAM, SO THEY COULD GO OVER IT BUMPER TO BUMPER. ON JANUARY 8, 2001 I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WHICH WAS ON AGAIN. ON THAT EVENING, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALSHIP, ASKING IF I COULD COME INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING TO DRIVE WITH ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF WORK. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN ON . I PICKED UP THE CAR THAT EVENING SINCE, "NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT" AND WOULD BE UNABLE TO TEST DRIVE IT WITH A MECHANIC. . I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT BEEN ON THE LAST SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT HAS BEEN. THE TRANSMISSION SPORATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL SURFACE AT A CONSTANT SPEED. IT ALSO HESITATES SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP. IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY OF THE INVOICES STATING THE REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO THESE TWO PROBLEMS, PLEASE CONTACT ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 21, 2000
WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN DOWN POSITION, VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, AND ACCELERATED UP TO SPEEDS OF 70 MPH. CONSUMER FELT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. *AK THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURED. *YH
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
Visibility, Nov 17, 2000, crash
WINDOW COMES OFF TRACK, MUST USE 2 HANDS TO CLOSE WINDOW, 1 HAND ON BUTTON, 1 HAND TO GUIDE WINDOW UP, IF I AM LUCKY ENOUGH FOR IT NOT TO COME OFF TRACK, WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY ON ITS OWN,WINDOW HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FOURTH TIME AS OF 11/15/2000. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 1, 2000
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN LOW IN A GEAR, SOUNDS AS IF IT IS A VIBRATION PROBLEM RELATED TO MAP SENSOR AS RECALLED ON THE 2.6L SONATA AND THE ELANTRA MODELS. *AK
Air bags, Oct 10, 2000
AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER. AIR BAGS ARE INOPERABLE, AND (AS A RESULT) POSE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.ARD
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
Steering, Sep 15, 2000
RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 7,000 MILES AND CAUSING A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT END.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 25, 2000
ENGINE LOSSES POWER AND SOMETIMES STOPS. DIFFICULTY TURNING ON POWER
Power train, Aug 16, 2000
IF ACCELERATED UP TO 45MPH SPEED SLOWED DOWN, AND CONSUMER HAD TO RELEASE THE SPEED, TRANSMISSION WAS STALLING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Air bags, Aug 8, 2000
I BOUGHT A HYUNDAI SONATA IN DECEMBER. I JUST GOT MY CAR OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE THIRD TIME. AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS ACTIVATING ON OUR CAR AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. WE CHECKED INTO THE LEMON LAW AND UNDERSTOOD THAT WE FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY. THE DEALERSHIP AGREES, BUT NOW WILL NOT REFUND OUR MONEY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THAT CAR. THERE ARE DUEL FRONT AIR BAGS, ALONG WITH SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS. ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES WE HAD IT SERVICED, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT, SINCE THE DEALER WILL NOT COOPERATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ON THIS MATTER.*AK