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: suspension
30 reports, newest first. Show all
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
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
Suspension, May 18, 2005
I HAVE HAD BALL JOINTS ON MY 2001 SANTA FE REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE 5/03. THE FIRST WAS 5/03 AT 44K AND THE DEALER REPLACED COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND WAS 9/04 AT 80K NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY HAD A PRIVATE MECHANIC COMPLETE, AND THE THIRD WAS 3/05 AT 100K AGAIN BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC. I HAVE CALLED HYUNDAI 3 TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRIES.
Suspension, Jun 28, 2003
RIGHT-REAR (I.E., PASSENGER SIDE REAR) TIRE WEARING ABNORMALLY. ROTATING TIRES HAS SPREAD THE PROBLEM TO ALL TIRES MOUNTED AT ANY TIME ON THE RIGHT-REAR. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO DAMAGE ANY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND RIGHT-REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS OKAY. *NLM
Suspension, Mar 26, 2002
A SQUEAKING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. NOW THE NOISE HAS WENT FROM A SQUEAKING TO A ROARING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM