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: vehicle speed control
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 30, 2013
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPRX 30 MPH. THE CAR WOULD DE CELERATE. I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN PUT BACK ON TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE. ALSO AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR WOULD BANG INTO GEAR FROM PARK AND INTO REVERSE. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW OUT OF THE SHOWROOM WITH 10 MILES ON IT AND 6 MONTHS LATER A NEW TRANSMISSION. ( WELL WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME IT WAS BRAND NEW, I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT IT WAS A REBUILT) SHAME ON THE DEALER FOR LYING TO CUSTOMERS. THE CAR DID OK TILL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WILL DECELERATE AND I HAVE TO DO WHAT I STATED ABOVE. THEN CANT GET OUT OF PARK AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. A NEW BRAKE SWITCH WAS PUT IN AND THE CAR WAS FINE FOR 7 FULL DAYS AND ON THE 8TH DAY SAME THING. SO BACK WE GO TO THE DEALERS AND THEY ARE REALLY RUDE AND NOT HAPPY TO SEE ME AT ALL . ( I DON'T' WANT TO SEE THEM EITHER) I WAS TOLD SAME PROBLEM AND ANOTHER SWITCH HAS BEEN PUT IN THIS IS THE THIRD ONE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WE ARE NOT BEING NOTIFIED OF RECALLS. AND THE DEALERSHIP IS SO RUDE. WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. EVEN AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Apr 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REDUCE POWER WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY REPLACED THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER ASSEMBLY AND SPEED SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 *BF UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Sep 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THR VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SPEED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. *AK THE BRAKES HAD WORN AWAY, ONE BRAKE PAD WAS MISSING, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO SHIFT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND IT NESSASARY TO REPLACE THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR AND FOUND THAT THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR WAS FAULTY. *SC *JB
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Electric, Equipment, Jun 28, 2004, crash
I HEARD A REPETITIVE CLICKING SOUND AND TURNED MY RADIO OFF TO LISTEN. THE NOISE DIDN'T CHANGE WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND I RESUMED MY NORMAL SPEED OF 60 MPH. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR SLOWLY & GRADUALLY BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND WAS MOVING INTO THE SHOULDER AND MEDIAN BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES BUT THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING. I HAD NO STEERING OR BRAKES AND WAS HEADING TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT 60 MPH. I HIT THE END OF A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! WE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM W/IT HESITATING WHEN IT TRIED TO SWITCH GEARS & THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIX. AND THE DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT STAY IN THE TRACK AND SHUT PROPERLY.*AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35-40 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STALLED THEN SUDDENLY IT SPED FORWARD, EVEN AS CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. EVEN AFTER PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ON HI REV. THERE WAS ONE INJURY.*SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2002, crash
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES FOR A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WAS FORCE VEHICLE INTO AN INTERSECTION, AND GET INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN ONGONG VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACUERER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 13, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND WILL SLOWDOWN RAPIDLY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Oct 11, 2001
WHILE DRIVING RPMS GO UP HIGH, IDLE WILL NOT DROP. VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. CAR DRIVES OVER 40 WITHOUT FOOT ON GAS. HARD TIME BRAKING BECAUSE ENGINE IS TOO HIGH. HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE HAD CAR. DEALER ADJUSTED CABLE AND DIDN'T WORK. ALMOST WENT THRU DEALER WALL WHEN BRINGING IT IN FOR REPAIR. IS IN REPAIR SHOP AGAIN BECAUSE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. CAR IS UNSAFE AND HAD NEAR COLLISIONS.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 11, 2001, crash
VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY ,RESULTING IN A COLLISION, AND CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED THE DAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *SLC
Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2001
WHEN DRIVING AND WITH NO PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL START TO JERK, AND THEN IT WILL ACCELERATE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 1, 2001
WHILE DRIVING RPMS GO UP HIGH, IDLE WILL NOT DROP. BEEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2001
ON APRIL 28, 2001 I AND THREE OTHER PASSENGERS WERE RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A LONG GRADE AT 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR. TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE THE ROAD CURVES TO THE RIGHT AND AT THE BOTTOM THERE IS A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WHEN I CAME AROUND THE CURVE I SAW THAT THE LIGHT WAS GREEN AND PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO GET UP THE APPROACHING UPGRADE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN. TANSMISSION HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL ALTHOUGH THE SHIFTER STILL INDICATED THAT I WAS IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL. I HAD TO MANUALLY SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR. TWO DAYS LATER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND, AFTER THREE DAYS, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THEY WOULD MAKE NO REPAIRS. ON FRIDAY MAY 4, 2001 I WAS CONTACTED BY THE HYUNDAI REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHO TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THE MATTER WITH MY VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE VEHICLES "ADAPTIVE LEARNING" FEATURE THAT CAUSED THE SHIFT AND THAT WHAT I EXPERIENCED WAS PERFECTLY NORMAL. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE NEW CAR I OWN WAS DESIGNED TO SHIFT AND STAY IN NEUTRAL WHEN IT IS IN A SITUATION WHERE ACCELERATION IS NECESSARY. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTUER CONTINUE TO INSIST THAT THERE IS NOTHING THE MATTER WITH THE VEHICLE AND REFUSE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. ALSO, ONE WEEK BEFORE THE INCIDENT , MY WIFE AND I WERE ON THE SAME ROAD AND THE VEHICLE DID NEARLY THE SAME THING. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT AFTER ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO OF STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ITSELF BACK FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 19, 2001
CAR HESISTATES WHEN ACCELARATING, RPM LEVEL DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY. *AK