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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2001
THIS IS THE FIFTH ATTEMP TO REPAIR THIS CAR AT THE DEALER NOW THAT LEFT OFF A CLIP AND ENGINE LIGHT IS ON FOR THE FIFTH TIME I HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS FOR PART. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 3, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ON ROUTE 202 IN RARITAN NJ, WITHOUT WARNING HOOD BLEW UP INTO THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGING THE HOOD. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 1, 2001
DEALERSHIP STATES BRAKES ARE NORMAL. THEY SAID ALL HYUNDAI CAR BRAKES MAKES NOISE; WORKED ON AIR BAG LIGHT - STATED IT WAS ON DUE TO SOMEONE GIVING A JUMP IN MY CAR, LIGHT CAME BACK ON 3 DAYS LATER; CHANGED A SWITCH WHICH WAS CAUSING NO ACCERALATION, CAR STILL NOT GETTING THE ACCERATION IT SHOULD. NOW I'M GETTING SOME HUMMING NOISE FROM THE DASHBOARD SOMEWHERE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 8 MONTH. IT IS A LEMON AND JACOBS TWIN CONTINUES TO PUT A BAND-AID ON A PATIENT BLEEDING TO DEATH.*AK
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2001
CAR HAS BEEN IN 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEY ORDER PARTS AND FIX IT AND WHEN WE GET IN BACK AFTER TWO DAYS THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN THEY HAD TO GIVE US LOANER CARS TWICE ALREADY
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
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 9, 2001
WITH LESS THAN 1300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO BUCK AND SURGE IN TRAFFIC AT 65MPH, AND THE TACHOMETER BEGAN SWINGING WILDLY FROM 0 TO 2500RPM. AFTER GETTING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY, WHERE IT STALLED AGAIN AND AGAIN, I CALLED HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW TO THE DEALER. THEY EXAMINED AND DROVE THE CAR, AND TOLD ME IT WASN'T ACTING UP FOR THEM, AND SUGGESTED I TAKE IT HOME WHILE THEY ORDERED AN EXHAUST PURGE VALVE PER A 2.4L ENGINE PROBLEM SERVICE BULLETIN FROM HYUNDAI. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY TOWARD HOME, IT BEGAN BUCKING AND THE TACHOMETER WAS SWINGING WILDLY AGAIN, SO I GOT OFF TO THE SIDE, WHERE IT REPEATEDLY STALLED, AND AGAIN I CALLED HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY RENTED A CAR FOR ME, AND OVER THE NEXT WEEK REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE, BUT THE CAR ALSO DIED ON THEM, SO THEY DID A MORE THOROUGH ANALYSIS, WHICH SHOWED A FAILED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED IGNITION SPARK FAILURE. AFTER REPLACING THAT, THEY CALLED ME TO COME GET THE CAR AND TAKE IT HOME. THIS TIME IT FAILED JUST AS I REACHED MY DRIVEWAY, AGAIN BUCKING AND STALLING WITH THE TACHOMETER SWINGING WILDLY UP AND DOWN. FOR A THIRD TIME, I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW TO THE DEALER, WHICH PROMISED A SEARCH TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, INVOLVEMENT OF THE DISTRICT MANAGER, AND AN ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN A DIFFERENT SENSOR MODEL IN CASE THE BATCH OF AVAILABLE SENSORS WAS "BAD". SUBSEQUENT PHONE CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT PRODUCED ANY ANSWER AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, DELAYS IN OBTAINING A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT PART, AND SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 18 INOPERABLE DAYS FOR MY NEW CAR. THIS FAILURE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE; A PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT "OTHER (HYUNDAI) VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM" ONE OF WHICH WAS THERE WHILE I WAS AT THE DEALER WAITING FOR MY SECOND RENTAL CAR. I REPEAT; THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE; SUCH SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN TRAFFIC CAN HAVE FATAL RESULTS! *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 9, 2001
THE MAIN PULLEY CAME DISCONNECTED AND FELL OFF ONTO THE STREET WITH NO WARING WHATSOEVER. LUCKILY I WAS PREPARING TO TURN LEFT AND WAS STOPPED IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. THERE WAS A BAD THUNK AND SHAKE AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. HAD I BEEN MOVING, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT STORY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT IS A BRAND NEW CAR, I JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED. EVERYTHING WAS FINE, I THOUGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO YOU.
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
Steering, Jul 7, 2001, crash
MY HUSBAND SWERVED SLIGHTLY TO MISS A COYOTE, THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE ROCKED BACK AND FORTH AND THEN ROLLED. IF IT WAS NOT FOR MY HUSBANDS EXTENSIVE DRIVERS TRAINING WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, I FEEL THIS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE ENDED TRAGICALLY. I ASKED MY HUSBAND IF HE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING HIS DODGE PICK-UP TRUCK OR MY CHEVY IMPALA IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, HE ANSWERED NO-WAY! I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY OF THIS. THERE WAS NO WARNING POSTED IN THE VEHICLE, NOR ON THEIR WEBSITE. WE HOPE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO PERHAPS COULD NOT CONTROL THE SUV IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS. THANK YOU, I HAVE NEVER COMPLAINED BEFORE BUT I FELT THIS NECESSARY IN CASE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER FOR THIS VEHICLE AS IT WAS TOWED AWAY AND TOTALED. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED IT, I HOPE WE CAN RE-COUP OUR DOWN-PAYMENT! THANK YOU AGAIN,[XXX], [XXX], CA [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Jul 6, 2001, crash
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WAS STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT HEAD-ON FIRST. UPON IMPACT, NONE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jun 25, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DURING NORMAL OPERATION VEHICLE FAILS TO START, PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, AND FAILED TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN VEHICLE BEGAN HAVINB PROBLEMS WITH NO POWER, STALLING, AND MAKING NOISES, DEALER REPLACED THE PURGE CONTROL VALVE, HOWEVER PROBLEM TILL CONTINUES. BRAKES FEEL LOW TO THE FLOOR. CENTER AC VENTS AND RIGHT PASSENGER VENT BROKE, DEALER REPLACED. DEALER ADJUSTED DRIVE BELTS DUE TO BEING NOISY. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 21, 2001
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD HAVE A COKING SOUND LIKE IT WANTED TO CUT OFF. WITH NO PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ALSO, AFTER CUTTING OFF, VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP. *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
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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
Power train, Mar 19, 2001
FLOOR SHIFT LEVER WOULD JUMP OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. IT WOULD FAIL TO REMAIN IN CORRECT GEAR. SOMETIMES CAN SLIGHTLY PUSH, AND WOULD JUMP OUT OF GEAR. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT FLOOR SHIFT LEVER WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 900 MILES. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 31, 2000
ENGINE FAILED AT 1633 MILES GOING 65 MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO HYNDAI SERVICE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE SLEEVES IN EARLY PRODUCTION ENGINES. SLEEVES COME LOOSE CAUSING PISTONS TO SMASH SPARK PLUGS. NEW ENGINE INSTALLED, BUT DID NOT RUN PROPERLY. HYUNDAI SERVICE ORDERING SECOND NEW ENGINE. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED QUICKLY DUE TO ANOTHER 2001 SANTA FE WITH 3900 MILES IN SHOP WITH SAME PROBLEM. PEOPLES HYUNDAI IN FOLSOM, CA WERE VERY HELPFUL.*AK