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, Feb 25, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY PULL. *JB THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT HIGH SPEEDS(DUE TO WARPED ROTORS), A TAP NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TIMING BELT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DIE AT THE SPEED OF 60 MPH. THE TIMING BELT, THE BROKEN COUNTER BALANCE, AND THE MISSING TIMING BELT TEETH WERE REPLACED. *SCC
Power train, Feb 19, 2003
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 10, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE WAS A NOISE DUE TO A FAULTY CALIPER. DEALER HAS INSPECTED ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS, CHANGE ROTORS PADS BUT UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Seats, Jan 9, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SEAT LATCH WHICH DOESN'T LOCK INTO POSITION WHEN IT IS RE-ADJUSTED, THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER MENTIONED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
Air bags, Jan 6, 2003, crash
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 5MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 30 MPH HIT HER, AND THE DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH DEALERSHIP STATED AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 5 MPH. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. *TT
Air bags, Dec 16, 2002, crash
2001 HYUNDAI SONATA PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DUE TO CONNECTOR MOUNTED UNDER SEAT HAD JIGGLED LOOSE
Equipment, Dec 3, 2002
CONSUMER STATES' THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT KEEPS FREEZING UP. CONSUMER SAYS THERE IS A TERRIBLE ODOR THAT GETS INTO THE MOUTH AND IRRITATES THE EYES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 14, 2002
THE ROTRS ON THE VEHICLE WARPED PREMATURELY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *MR *NLM
Power train, Oct 24, 2002
DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS PHANTOM NEUTRAL CONDITION WHICH HYUNDAI IS AWARE, NO REPAIR AT TIME. (9/24/02)DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 16, 2002
CONSUMER SAYS THAT HE AND HIS WIFE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING VERY LOUD. CONSUMER SAYS THERE WAS SOMEWHAT A KNOCKING OR SOMETHING LOOSE WITHIN. ALSO THE CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT TWO DAYS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. *SCC
Electrical system, Equipment, Sep 10, 2002
CAR HAS PROBLEM STARTING AND THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WILL GO OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE THE CAR IS OPERATING. *AK
Air bags, Aug 13, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. AIR BAG RECALL WAS DONE IN JUNE OF 2002.*AK
Air bags, Aug 12, 2002, crash
CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Air bags, Aug 8, 2002, crash
PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL 02V15, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELLING 35 MPH STRUCK CONSUMER HEAD ON, THE SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER STATES AT NO TIME SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE HAS THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC *TS
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
Visibility, Jun 6, 2002
WINDSHIELD KEEPS CRACKING IN SAME LOCATION, ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR, THEN, IT CURVES DOWN 8 INCHES TOWARD PASSENGER'S SEAT. WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES, AT THIS TIME IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT AGAIN.*AK
Air bags, May 23, 2002, crash
HAD REPORTED THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON TO MY DEALER. THEY "ADJUSTED WIRES" TO MAKE THE LIGHT GO OFF. THE ENTIRE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON PHONE CALL TO DEALER, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A "ONGOING" PROBLEM WITH SONATA'S.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, May 1, 2002
ENGINE MAKING LOUD TICKING NOISE/LOSES POWER/QUITS. REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS BY AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIPS (JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI-770-458-6811) FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761399
Air bags, Apr 15, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH AN DWITHOUT WARNING WA SINVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DAMAGE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.*AIK
Air bags, Apr 15, 2002
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND STAYING ON FOR A WHILE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
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
Power train, Mar 22, 2002
CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS TAKEN INTO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC KEPT IT FOR 38 DAYS. SINCE THEN TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT 3 MORE TIMES. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 13, 2002, crash
THE HOOD FLOW UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET GOING 55 MILE PER HOUR AND THE SAFTY LATCH BROKE AND DAMAGE $2100 TO THE CAR.