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
219 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Jul 31, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED UPON ADJUSTING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V105000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE AIR BAG; SIDE/WINDOW HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 10, 2006
I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. SINCE ITS 80,000 MILES MARK THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FIXING THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS DEFECT CAUSES MY CAR TO STALL IN ONGOING TRAFFIC AND CAUSED IT TO COME TO A ROLL AND STOP. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WHOLE MONTHS WHERE IT HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN AND NOW HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2006
MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND AS SOON AS I HIT THE 60,000 MILE MARK (THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY ENDED AT THIS POINT), THE CAR CONSTANTLY HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. THE AIRBAGS WERE FIXED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE BRAKES HAD A LOUD SQUEAK AND DEALER REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME). THE SIDE FRONT WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN FIXED TWICE AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR IS BROKEN AND I HAD TO PUT TAPE ON IT SO THAT IT WILL STAY UP. THE TIMING BELT WENT OUT AFTER THE WARRANTY. SOME KIND OF COIL BROKE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS TURNING ON. I STOPPED TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THE CAR BROKE DOWN, HAD IT TOWED, DEALER IN LAUREL, MD CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT, CHARGED ME $768, PICKED UP CAR, SAME PROBLEM, ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AND TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. DEALER SAID THERE WAS YET ANOTHER PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND THEY CHARGED ME OVER $500. STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS CHARGED $45 FOR THE REPAIR. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I JUST SPENT $435 ON ANOTHER REPAIR. NOW, AFTER EACH REPAIR, I JUST WAIT FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON AGAIN FOR THE NEXT EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND YET I'M STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. ABSOLUTE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER HAD. *JB
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FINAL TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A ROTOR IN THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR THAT WAS DENTED. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ALSO, A PUDDLE WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A RUPTURE IN THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE LINE WAS REPLACED.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 13, 2006
I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 60, TOWARDS LEXINGTON VA. THIS IS A NARROW FOUR LANE, DIVIDED BY A GRASSY MEDIAN, THERE ARE VERY FEW PLACES TO PULL OVER. AS I WAS DRIVING UPHILL, AT ABOUT 55 MPH, MY HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, AND WRAPPED AROUND THE ROOF OF THE CAR. I WAS PASSING A LOG TRUCK WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND THERE WASN'T ANYWHERE TO PULL OVER, SO I DROVE LOOKING THROUGH THE CURVE UNDER THE HOOD, AND USED ALL OF MY MIRRORS UNTIL I COULD GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. MY 13 YR. OLD SON WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND WE WERE BOTH COMPLETELY IN SHOCK. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR, APPROXIMATELY $4000.00. THE OTHER COMPLAINT I HAVE IS I HAD TO WAIT 8 WEEKS FOR HYUNDAI TO GET A HOOD FOR MY CARS, MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. THEY SAID, THE HOODS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET MY HOOD. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE WITH MY INSURANCE, I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD PAY FOR ALL OF THE EXPENSES, THAT EVERYONE INCURRED FROM THIS DEFECT. NOT JUST THE RISE IN INSURANCE PREMIUMS, BUT ALSO, THE RENTAL CARS. *JB
Power train, Dec 22, 2005
THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON CAUSING A DOWN SHIFTING AFTER A BANGING IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. IT WAS A SENSOR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RUNNING GEAR. WITHOUT IT THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE. THAT IS PART OF THE RUNNING GEAR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY 231.00. IF I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE RUNNING GEAR. *JB
Air bags, Aug 14, 2005
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON WITHOUT REASON WHILE DRIVING. AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL CAR IS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER. EVEN WHEN RESET, AIRBAG SOMETIMES GOES BACK ON WITHIN SEVERAL WEEKS OF BEING FIXED. CAR HAS BEEN IN TO DEALER 9 TIMES IN 3 YEARS FOR AIR BAG RELATED PROBLEMS. THE LAST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN THE DEALER SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $464 FOR A NEW PPD SENSOR. WE ARE NOT WILLING TO INCUR THIS COST WITH THE HISTORY OF FOLLOW-UP FAILURE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Aug 1, 2005
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY. CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILED THREE SEPARATE TIMES IN THIS VEHICLE. ONCE AT 32,000 MILES. NEARLY LOST CONTROL AROUND A 90 DEGREE BEND. SECOND TIME OCCURRED JUNE 9TH, 2005 AT 83,000 MILES AFTER TURNING OFF A HIGHWAY. THIRD TIME IT OCCURRED WAS JULY 15TH, 2005. I WAS IDLING AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN DRIVE TO PROCEED FORWARD. I HAD IT TOWED TWICE IN THREE DAYS TO DEALER. EACH TIME, THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE LAST TWO TIMES THE CRANK BLADE WAS ALSO REPLACED. NONE OF THE TIMES DID I EXPECT THERE TO BE ANY PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NOW I AM WORRIED A LOT. THE SECOND TIME, I COULD TELL IT WAS HAPPENING SINCE THE RPM NEEDLE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THEN IT SHUT OFF.
Visibility, Jun 24, 2005
THE CAR IS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GL. MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP. THE CABLE HAS ISSUES WITH BINDING TO THE ASSEMBLY HOUSING AND PUTS STRESS ON THE MOTOR AS WELL. THE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP / CLOSED POSITION.
Air bags, May 26, 2005
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. *AK THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 01V347000). *NM
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 21, 2005
THE CONSUME SMELLED GAS. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FUEL REGULATOR WAS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. *NM
Air bags, Apr 15, 2005
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD, 3RD OCCURRENCE. DEALER TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATED PASSENGER AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT (NOT RELATED TO PREVIOUS LIGHTS). OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE BY 2,269 MILES. I BELIEVE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER THIS DEFECT. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IF NOT CORRECTED AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY. DEALER WILL NOT DISABLE THE SYSTEM OR TELL ME HOW TO DO SO. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT.*AK
Power train, Mar 2, 2005
WE PURCHASED A 2001 SONATA. WE HAD IT THREE WEEKS AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW,JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT(50000.) WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE SENSORS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CRAZY. THIS CAR GIVES US MORE TROUBLE THAN OUR OTHER CARS THAT HAVE DOUBLE THE MILES. I AM SURE THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SUCH PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THAT IS WHY YOU RAISED THE MILEAGE ALLOWANCE ON THE NEWER ONES. I WILL NEVER BUY ONE OF THESE CARS AGAIN!*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Feb 15, 2005
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER RESET BOTH SYSTEMS ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS ,BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2005
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6. AS I WAS COASTING DOWN THE EXIT RAMP OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, APPROACH A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS ABLE TO STOP ONLY BY APPLYING THE BRAKE WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE, BARELY AVOIDING A COLLISION WITH CARS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. I THEN SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE BEGAN ALTERNATELY REVVING UP TO BEYOND 3,000 RPM AND BACK DOWN TO IDLE REPEATEDLY. THIS STOPPED AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. IT HAPPENED TWICE MORE AT SUCCEEDING STOP LIGHTS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY REPAIRED IT BY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH-INHIBITOR (PART NO. 42700-39050). ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT COVERED BY SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 03-40-013. WHILE I MANAGED TO AVERT AN ACCIDENT, THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A MANDATORY RECALL. *JB
Power train, Jan 18, 2005
MY SANTA FE LX-AWD REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHICH ALSO COULD BE DEFINED AS REAR AXLE WAS TOTALLY FAILED AND ALL THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID IS LEAKING AND THE WHOLE THING NEED TO BE REPLACE. MY CAR IS 87K MILE WHILE HYUNDAI SERVICES DEALER STATED THAT THIS PART IS COVERED UNDER THE 5/60K BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I STILL BELIEVED THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY; WHICH IT IS 10/100K MILES. WHEN I GO INTO MOST WEBSITES TO SHOP FOR THIS PART THEY MOSTLY RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN PARTS. THE DEALER EXPECTED ME TO PAY NEARLY $2400 FOR JUST THIS PART TO BE FIX. THIS IS NOT INCLUDED LABOR YET. THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS PART AND OF COURSE NOT TO MENTION ABOUT LABOR....I SERIOUSLY FEEL THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN 10/100K WARRANTY INSTEAD OF 6/60K WARRANTY. SINCE THIS IS PART OF A TRANSMISSION TURNING THE TRANSAXLE TO THE REAR BECAUSE OF MY CAR IS AWD! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY BUT THE PART IS RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE FOR ANYONE TO AFFORD TO PAY ANOTHER $3K TO FIX IT. I FEEL TO POINT THAT I RATHER SAVE MY $3K RIGHT NOW AND BUY A USE ACCORD/CAMRY TO DRIVE. I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT HERE IS TO ASK NHTSA TO HELP ME VERIFY THE CONDITION OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL/REAR AXLE ON MY 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LX AWD TO SEE IF THE PART SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER OR UNDER POWER TRAIN. AS YOU CAN SEE YOUR PART SELECTION IS ALSO STATED POWER TRAIN: REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. I WAS HOPING FOR A RECALL THEN THAT WOULD BE GREAT OR CHECK AT THE PRICE POINT OF THE PART. IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE ($2400) JUST THIS PART ALONE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 14, 2005
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. LESS THAN 4000 MILES AGO, I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT A "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CONDITION, WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT AT THE MILEAGE THE CAR WAS AT I NEEDED ROUTINE SERVICE ON THE TRANSMISSION UNDER TERMS OF THE WARRANTY. THIS WAS DONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY SERPENTINE BELT AND SPARK PLUGS WERE DUE TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT REMINDED THAT MY TIMING BELT HAD TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE 60000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND THAT SINCE I NOW HAD 60255 MILES ON THE CAR, AND HAD NOT HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED, THE 100000 MILE WARRANTY WAS VOID AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY DAMAGE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR WAS MORE THAN $5000 AND HYUNDAI WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THAT COST. HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AFTER ONE WEEK, STILL HAS NOT ANSWERED MY PHONE CALLS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 4, 2005
LOWER OXYGEN SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO STAY ON. I HAVE BEEN RETURNING TO THE SUNTRUP DEALERSHIP IN MISSOURI EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. AND THE PROBLEM IS ALWAYS THE OXYGEN SENSORS. I HAVE A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS OVER AND OVER. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE CAR FOR $1,300.00 AND I FIND OUT ON MY LAST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WARRANTY COMPANY FILED BANKRUPTCY. SO NOW I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY CAR AND I HAVE LOST MONEY FOR NO REASON.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 18, 2004, crash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30/35 MPH APPROACHING AND INTERSECTION WHERE THE LIGHT WAS RED I APPLIED THE BRAKES I DID NOT STOP AND WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A ONGOING VEHICLE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NO INJURIES IN OTHER CAR, I WAS INJURED, CAR IS TOTALED. WHY WON'T THE CAR STOP? HELP, I GOT A TICKET, THE CAR FAILED ME I DIDN'T FAIL. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2004, fire
MY HYUNDAI SATA FE, 2001, WAS PARKED AND UNATTENDED WHEN THE CAR IGNITED INTO FLAMES. A WITNESS SAW THE FIRE BEGIN IN THE HOOD OF THE CAR. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT REPORT, THERE WAS NO CRIME OR ARSON. INSTEAD IT CLEARLY SAYS THAT THE CAUSE OF IGNITION WAS ACCIDENTAL, AND THE EQUIPMENT OR HEAT SOURCE FAILED. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE ENGINE DUE TO MANUFACTURER. THIS WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HYUNDAI. HYUNDAI DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FOR THE MALFUNCTION IN THE ENGINE. GEICO'S CLAIM DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED ME THAT MY CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE INVESTIGATOR CLEARLY STATED THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS NOT DUE TO MY ACTIONS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT IN THE CAR OR I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR BURNED IN THE FIRE. HYUNDAI DID NOT WANT TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. I STILL HAVE A LOAN OUT ON THE CAR. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER 60,000 MILES AND I HAD FULL WARRANTY. GEICO HAS SETTLED FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY. ALL I WANTED WAS ANOTHER CAR. I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH A USED CAR TO REPLACE THE CAR WHICH WENT UP IN FLAMES DUE TO HYUNDAI'S POOR MANUFACTURING. DAMAGE RESULTING I HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. DURING THAT TIME, I WAS UNABLE TO COMMUTE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I AM PAYING INSURANCE FOR THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH GEICO CONSIDERED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. ALL I WANT IS A REPLACEMENT OF MY CAR. *AK
Visibility, Nov 7, 2004
3 OF 4 WINDOW MECHANISMS HAVE FAILED IN THE DOWN POSITION DO NOT ALLOW THE WINDOWS TO BE ROLLED UP. FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MECHANISM FAILED IN APRIL 2004 AND WAS REPAIRED. THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED IN JULY AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED IN OCTOBER. IT APPEARS THE WINDOW MECHANISM CORDING IS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND ARE SECURED TEMPORARILY IN THE UP POSITION. THE OLD PARTS STILL IN TACT. *JB
Air bags, Nov 3, 2004
RECEIVED RECALL FOR SONATA AIRBAG. AFTER REPAIRS, LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN, DEALER REFUSE TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *BF THERE WERE CONTINUOUS AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. RECALL#01V347000. *SC
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 27, 2004
RECALL 02V105000, AFTER IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE DEFECT RECURRED. 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.*AK CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN THE SERVICES RENDERED AND THE HARSH TREATMENT RECEIVED. *TC
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 28, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE JUST DIED. THE VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP, THEN LATER DROVE NORMALLY. LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF, AND IT BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER $135.00 FOR CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK ON 8/24/04, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD GRINDING METAL SOUND, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS THE TRANS AXLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY WERE GUESSING JUST TO GET HER OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *SC *JB