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.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Aug 31, 2004
IN THREE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS IN MY CAR, THE WINDOWS WHEN PUT DOWN HAVE BEEN STUCK AND NOT ABLE TO TO REMAIN IN THE UP STATUS. THE FIRST WINDOW (DRIVERS SIDE DOOR) HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO AND WAS FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND BACK WINDOWS HAVE HAPPENED WITH IN 3 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. THE BELT IN THE WINDOW IS WRAPPING AROUND THE ROTOR AND CAUSING PROBLEMS.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 22, 2004
DEFECTIVE SENSOR FOR THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP DEAD. OTHER YEARS AND MODELS WERE RECALLED. *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
Service brakes, Air, May 17, 2004
MY BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING LOUDLY AND GRINDING TERRIBLY HOWEVER EVERY TIME I GO TO THE DEALEAR FOR THIS THEY CAN NEVER SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I KEEP TAKING IN TO COVER MYSELF FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT IF MY FRONT END FALLS TO THE GROUND AS THE VEHICLE SOUNDS AS IF THOUGH IT WILL I CAN HAVE DOCUMENTS FROM THE DEALER THAT NEVER SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHAT OTHER STEPS CAN I TAKE IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT'S NORMAL FOR A HYUNDAI I LOVE MY CAR OTHER THAN THAT I'M PAYING FOR A 2001 IT SHOULD NOT SOUND AS IF I'M DRIVING A HOOPTIE EVERYTIME I PULL UP TO A STOP SIGN. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 3, 2004, crash
2001 SONATA/HYUNDAI JUMPS FORWARD WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE. HIT A CAR LAST WEEK TWICE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, SO THEY CANT FIX IT. DANGEROUS VEHICLE. ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE VEHI CLE, BUT THEY CAN'T FIX IT. WHAT SHALL I DO??? HELP...MARIE PIERCE THANKS. *AK
Air bags, Mar 30, 2004
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CURRENTLY, IT STAYS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. *AK
Service brakes, Air, Mar 30, 2004, crash
MY CONFIRMATION # IS 10064158 MY PHONE # DID NOT COME OUT ON THE FORM IT IS 1- 413- 9673813 AND THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 30, 2004, crash
'M ASKING FOR A LETTER STATING THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED NO MATTER IF ONE, TWO, THREE,OR ALL FOUR WHEELS GO THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE. IT DOES NOT SAY IT IN THE MANUAL. THE REASON I'M ASKING IS MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ,WHICH THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES PASSED THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS THEN ACTIVATED. THE ROAD WAS DRY EXCEPT FOR THIS SMALL PUDDLE.MY SON TRAVELING BEHIND ANOTHER CAR , WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM WAS TAKING A RIGHT. MY SON THEN PROCEEDED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT HE COULD NOT STOP. A SMALL PUDDLE FROM MELTING SNOW AND ICE HAD ACCUMMILATED THE NIGHT BEFORE,CAUSED ME TO SLIDE. FEARING THAT HE MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM , HE TRIED TO GO OVER THE CURB. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. MY SON SLID INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR ANYWAY. THE PUDDLE CAUSED HIM TO KEEP MOVING AND THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM CREATED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES SO HE COULD NOT PRESS THEM DOWN ALL THE WAY. THE NEXT DAY I WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE ON PURPOSE TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME AND IT DID. IT CAUSES YOU NOT TO HAVE FULL CONTROL. YOU DON"T EXPECT IT WHEN THE REST OF THE ROAD IS DRY. I'M LOOKING FOR A LETTER STATING THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED NO MATTER IF ONE, TWO, THREE ,OR FOUR WHEELS PASS THROUGH A PUDDLE. IT IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE MANUAL THANK YOU. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 28, 2004
ENGINE MISSES AND BACKFIRES THROUGH THE INTAKE. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS IN PARK, OR IF YOU ARE DRIVING IT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONED. I WAS SITTING AT A SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATOR WENT UP TO 4200 RPM BY ITSELF WITH NO FOOT ON THE PEDAL. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT, I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD TO TAKE IT OUT OF DRIVE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE ENGINES RPMS CHANGE A LOT NOW AND WILL NOT IDLE RIGHT AT ALL; THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THESE ENGINE PROBLEMS; AND SHOULD NOT BE ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD A PENNSYLVANIA CERTIFIED INSPECTION MECHANIC LOOK AT AND DRIVE THE CAR; AND HE SAID THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE; AND IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DUE FOR STATE INSPECTION THAT IT WOULD HAVE NOT PASSED; BUT FAILED AND WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO DRIVE. *JB
Exterior lighting, Dec 17, 2003
THE LOW BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE VERY LITTLE ILLUMINATION. HEADLIGHTS SHINE DOWNWARD. *AK
Seat belts, Nov 17, 2003
THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HAS A 4" LONG PIECE TORN OUT OF IT AT MID DOOR LEVEL AND THE DOOR FRAME HAS AN ABRASION APPROXIMATELY 6" LONG AT MID DOOR LEVEL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT CAUSED THE ABRASION AND THE TORN WEATHER STRIPPING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COST TO REPLACE THE WEATHER STRIPPING WOULD BE $98.00. I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS DEFECTIVE, IN THAT IT DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT INTO THE SEAT BELT HOLDER AFTER THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT IS DISENGAGED. *LA
Air bags, Oct 20, 2003, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Air bags, Oct 15, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE CONSUMER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES . THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS COLLISION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 26, 2003
THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE CAME UNLATCHED AND FLEW UP WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE HOOD HAD NOT BEEN OPENED IN SEVERAL WEEKS, THE LAST TIME BEING WHEN THE CAR WAS INSPECTED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Aug 29, 2003
I BOUGHT MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH WINDOW MOTORS, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, TIMING BELT AND ALL TIRES. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A BRAND NEW CAR WOULD BE TROUBLE-FREE (THAT'S WHY I CHOSE HYUNDAI, BECAUSE OF THE GREAT WARRANTY) HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT IS NOT THE CASE. MY CAR RECENTLY BROKE DOWN ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, HAD TO BE TOWED AND WAS IN FOR REPAIR FOR A WEEK (TIMING BELT), WHICH WAS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE FOR ME. I AM NOW LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE TRADE-IN FOR MY HYUNDAI AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ONE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.*AK
Visibility, Jul 18, 2003
SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN JANUARY 2003, I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN 3 DIFFERENT DATES FOR SERVICE TO THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS. THE WINDOWS EACH HAVE FAILED AT DIFFERENT DATES. THE WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN AND THEN WILL FAIL TO RAISE/CLOSE. *JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 9, 2003
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED A SENSOR THREE TIMES.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 16, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 30, 2003
FRONT BRAKE VIBRATION. ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED 5 TIMES AND REPLACED ONCE . VIBRATION REOCCURS EVERY 7-10000 MILES
Power train, Apr 11, 2003
THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS JUMPING OUT OF GEARS, THE DEALER REPLACED A MODULE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 11, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS WHICH WERE WARPED. *JB
Air bags, Mar 10, 2003
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON. *JB SCC
Structure, Mar 6, 2003
EXCESSIVE DUST ENTERED THE TRUNK THROUGH A VENT AND SEEPED THROUGH THE PASSENGER CABIN.*JB....*AK