2001 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 219 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 28 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 21 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
Representative owner complaints: structure
69 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Oct 24, 2008
2001 HYUNDAI SONATA- RUST IS ON THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND WE WERE TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE WHEELS WILL BECOME DETACHED AT ANY BUMP ALONG THE ROAD. THE STEERING IS ALSO JERKY AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT STRAIGHT ANYMORE AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES ARE POINTING INWARD AND WEARING VERY FAST ON THE INNER MOST PART OF THE TIRES. IS THERE SOME TYPE OF RECALL OR INVESTIGATION GOING ON FOR THIS MATTER? ARE THERE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME MODEL OF CAR AS MINE? IS THERE ANY COMPENSATION THAT IS DUE TO ME? WE HAVE HEARD FROM A FRIEND THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THIS MATTER (NHTSA NUMBER PE08029) PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ASAP. THANK YOU. *TR
Structure, Oct 14, 2008
DROVE OVER A CRACK IN THE ROAD, FELT AND HEARD SNAPPING, TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD RIGHT SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT SO BAD THAT IT SNAPPED. *TR
Structure, Sep 23, 2008
2001 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 82,000 MILE SUB FRAME (CRADLE) RUSTED THRU CAUSING CONTROL ARMS TO PUSH THRU CRADLE. CAR WAS ALL OVER AND OFF THE THE ROAD. *TR
Structure, Sep 23, 2008
2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS - THE VEHICLE SPRANG A LEAK UNDERNEATH OF STEERING FLUID. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC HE PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT, FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE SUBFRAME BEING SO WEAK AND RUSTED THAT WE CAN'T DRIVE IT. MY MECHANIC CALLED A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO SAID THE WHOLE PROBLEM WAS COVERED (INCL STEERING LEAK CAUSED BY BENDING SUBFRAME). I THEN TOWED IT TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY CALLED TO TELL ME I NEEDED TO PREBUY OVER $2000, SUBFRAME NOT COVERED. HAMPTON HYUNDAI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 177 LAFAYETTE ROAD. I FOUND TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS WHO SAY BOTH PROBLEMS SHOULD BE COVERED. I AM ORIGINAL AND PRESENT OWNER, UNDER 93,000 MILES. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Sep 17, 2008
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA A CAR I BOUGHT NEW IN FLORIDA AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN FLORIDA. MY ENGINE CARRIAGE RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR AND THE ENTIRE WHEEL CAME OFF SENDING ME INTO TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP I AM WAITING TO HEAR IF HYUNDAI WILL REPAIR THE HUGE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. NOT TO MENTION I WAS ALMOST KILLED DUE TO THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS NOW. LIVES ARE AT RISK. IT IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
Structure, Sep 6, 2008, crash
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, MY RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF, SEPARATING MY WHEEL / IT COLLAPSED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THIS AND SHOWED ME HOW SEVERE THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. IT BROKE OFF, HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT. PLEASE HELP. IS THIS A RECALL THAT I DIDN'T GET? *TR
Suspension, Structure, Aug 29, 2008
MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA'S SUBFRAME RUSTED TO THE POINT OF WHERE THERE WERE 7 IN" HOLES COMPLETELY THROUGH- THIS CAUSED THE LOWER SWING ARM TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION FAILED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE DAMAGED. DEALER DID NOT REPLACE TIRES, DID NOT PAY FOR TOWING OR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION- GARY ROME HYUNDAI, HOLYOKE MA. *TR
Structure, Aug 13, 2008
IN 2007 A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE CAR AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A 1-2 INCH ROTTED HOLE THE RIGHT SIDE SUBFRAME. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS, SO HE WELDED ON A NEW PIECE OF METAL FOR SUPPORT. TODAY (8/13/08) ANOTHER OIL CHANGE WAS BEING DONE AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE IS NOW A 2-3 INCH HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE SUBFRAME THAT WASN'T VISIBLE A YEAR AGO. MECHANIC HIGHLY RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE FRONT SUBFRAME. REF PE08029. *TR
Steering, Structure, Aug 10, 2008
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2008, I BROUGHT IN MY 2001 GLS V6 HYUNDAI SONATA TO BALISE HYUNDAI OF CAPE COD IN HYANNIS, MA. MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 166,500 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. I WAS LOOKING TO GET A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. DURING THEIR DIAGNOSTICS, WITH THE CAR ON A LIFT, THEY NOTICED TWO THINGS. ONE, A POWER STEERING LEAK WAS OCCURRING MOST LIKELY BECAUSE OF A CORRODED POWER STEERING LINE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. TWO, IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE SUSPECTED HOSE FAILURE, THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON TWO SIDES OF THE PIECE. THE MAIN HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME IS FIST-SIZE OR LARGER AND THE SECOND IS NOT GOOD. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME ISSUE WAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND WARNED ME OF WHAT COULD HAPPENED SHOULD IT FAIL. THEY ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES THAT REPLACING IT COULD BRING. THEY TOLD THAT THEY WERE HIGHLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ME DRIVING OFF THE LOT WITH THE CAR WITH THE SUBFRAME IN THAT CONDITION BECAUSE IT COULD GO AT ANY TIME. WHEN THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS TO MY CAR, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY MIGHT DO THE SERVICE ON THE SUBFRAME FOR FREE. THEY HAD TO GET APPROVAL FROM A REGIONAL REP OR SUCH PERSON. HOWEVER, AS OF TODAY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER. TODAY, I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH INTO REPLACING THE SUBFRAME AND FINDING THE PART. WHEN I DID A YAHOO! SEARCH FOR "SONATA SUBFRAME", I CAME ACROSS THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. I, THANKFULLY, HAVE NOT HAD A FAILURE OR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION, YET. *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2008
TOOK AUTOMOBILE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. MECHANIC DISCOVERED MAJOR RUSTING ON SUBFRAME AND ENGINE CRADLE. RUSTED THROUGH AND HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Structure, Aug 2, 2008
WENT TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED ON MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA AND ATTENDANT TOLD ME MY FRAME WAS BADLY ROTTING. HE ASKED HOW LONG I WAS GOING TO KEEP CAR BECAUSE IT COULD BECOME A BIG PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Jul 19, 2008
WHILE CHANGING THE OIL A LARGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONNECT TO WAS FOUND. IT IS ALL RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BY THE MECHANIC. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET A NEW PART FROM THE JUNK YARD AND THE THREE REPLACEMENTS THEY FOUND WERE RUSTED IN THE SAME PLACE. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS AROUND $1500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NOT AT THIS TIME. *TR
Structure, Jul 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND A BASEBALL SIZE HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME WAS DISCOVERED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIE ROD TO DISLODGE. THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED TWO MORE HOLES IN OTHER AREAS OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Structure, Jun 3, 2008
PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND CREATED A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM. MY MECHANICS NOTICED IT DOING SOME WORK ON MY CAR. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED AND SOMETHING DONE BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED WHEN THESE FRAMES BREAK. I WAS LUCKY IT WAS DISCOVERED, BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR THIS... AND CAN NOT BE SEEN EXCEPT IF CAR IS ON A LIFT. *TR
Structure, May 5, 2008, crash
WHILE ROUNDING A GRADUAL CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL AND WENT OFF ROAD. EXAMINATION OF VEHICLE SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT REVEALED LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSED BY SEVERELY RUSTED RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) FRONT SUBFRAME AND APPROXIMATELY 8 INCH HOLE AND BENDING/CRACKING OF SUCH DUE TO THE RUST, THIS ON A VEHICLE WHICH IS OTHERWISE PRISTINE (THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE). I URGE NHTSA TO REQUIRE HYUNDAI TO ADDRESS WHAT I HAVE NOW LEARNED IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL IN QUESTION, ESPECIALLY BEFORE ANY OTHER LIVES ARE PUT IN JEOPARDY OR LOST DUE TO WHAT IS CLEARLY AND OBVIOUSLY A GROSS MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT. NOTE THAT I CONSIDER THE SITUATION TO CONSTITUTE NO LESS THAN AN EMERGENCY AND THAT UNTIL CERTAIN MODEL YEARS OF THE HYUNDAI SONATA ARE UPDATED WITH A REVISED/NEW SUBFRAME THEY SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND INDEED ARE NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. AT PRESENT MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ROAD WORTHY DUE TO THE RUSTED SUBFRAME AND AS IT IS 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY (WARRANTY PERTAINING TO RUST THROUGH) I FORESEE THAT I WILL HAVE TO BEAR THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR (SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT) MYSELF. *TR
Structure, Mar 31, 2008
MY 2001 SONATA ENGINE CRADLE IS SERIOUSLY RUSTED OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE AFT, A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BE ISSUED. I FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINT ONLINE FOR THE SAME AUTO. *TR
Structure, Tires, Nov 8, 2007
2000 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH A DEFECTIVE SUB FRAME. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EXPENSES ON THE REPAIR OF THE SUB-FRAME. HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO PUT OUT A RECALL ON THEM AND GET THEM FIXED DUE TO CONCERNS WITH THE SUB-FRAME.*KB THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED HIM TO SLIDE TO AN IMMEDIATE HALT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED FRAME WHICH RUSTED AND ROTTED SO BADLY THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD FALLEN OFF THE FRAME, THE AXLE RIPPED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE WHEEL HAD SLAMMED INTO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND QUARTER PANEL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE PRIOR TO THE FRAME DAMAGE, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE WHICH WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF TIRE. *JB
Structure, Sep 14, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEAR THE ENGINE WAS CORRODED. HE TOUCHED THE SUB FRAME AND HIS HAND WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HE LIVED IN A RUST BELT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY ONE BOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY TAKING A SUB FRAME FROM A SALVAGED VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,959 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,949. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2003
EXCESSIVE DUST ENTERED THE TRUNK THROUGH A VENT AND SEEPED THROUGH THE PASSENGER CABIN.*JB....*AK