2007 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 696 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 30 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2013
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, 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 and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.
Campaign 13V354000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 21, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.
Campaign 09V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 15, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V122000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 10, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 393,308 MY 2006-2008 SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH FEATURES AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE OCS IS TO DISABLE THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR SMALL CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG IS DISABLED TO PREVENT INJURIES TO A CHILD THAT MAY RESULT FROM A RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG INFLATION DURING A CRASH.
MISCLASSIFICATION OF A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE OCS DOES NOT PROPERLY RECOGNIZE A PROPERLY SEATED ADULT OCCUPANT. AFTER VERIFICATION, DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY AND SHIP IT TO AN EVALUATION AND REPAIR FACILITY. THIS FACILITY WILL EVALUATE AND REPAIR OR REPROGRAM THE SEAT CUSHION AND OCS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 7, 2008
HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ALIGNED PROPERLY AND FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
HYUNDAI-KIA DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR SUPPLY TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. NONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE SOLD AS RETAIL. AS A RESULT, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
Campaign 08E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
103 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 17, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON EXITING A RAMP WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING IF HIS VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL# 09V122000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SWITCHES, BRAKE LIGHT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,336.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2009
2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. 11,500 MILES LEFT REAR WHEEL SEIZED UP WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE. MECHANIC SAID: BRAKE CALIPER WAS FROZEN CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR PREMATURELY CAUSING OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SO THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE BRAKES ON THE OTHER 3 WHEELS WERE FINE INDICATING A DEFECTIVE PART(S). NOW THE FRUSTRATING AND UNBELIEVABLE PART OF THE ISSUE: HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE BRAKE PADS ARE A WEAR ITEM. I ASKED HIM TO SHOW ME IN THE WARRANTY WHERE A DEFECTIVE CALIPER IS A WEAR PROBLEM WITH NO RESPONSE. THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE VECHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT THIS SAME THING HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE AND IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE POSTS ALSO REFLECT THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN THEIR REFUSAL TO ADMIT THAT A MECHANICAL DEFECT EXISTS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY OWN PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR THE REPAIR AND PLAN ON SAVING THE BILL AND PARTS FOR A RECALL THAT SHOULD OCCUR IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 6, 2009
LEFT REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP ON 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND DETERMINED THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS STUCK DUE TO CORROSION AND BRAKE DUST BUILDUP, CAUSING THE BRAKE TO BE APPLIED 100% OF THE TIME, THUS WEARING AWAY THE PAD AND CAUSING THE BACKING PLATE TO CONTACT THE ROTOR. DEALER SAID THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON SONATA IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED. PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS RESURFACED. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 6, 2009
REAR DISC BRAKE CALIPERS REMAIN CLOSED DUE TO CORROSION ON SLIDE??? RESULTING IN NEED OF REPAIR WORN PADS AND ROTORS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 5, 2009
2007 HYUNDAI LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD FAILED - DAMAGING ROTOR - OVER HEATING AND WARPING ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 27, 2009
2007 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS W/17,000 MILES.CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED EITHER BY DEALER OR BY CAR-X EVERY 3,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASE AUG. OF 07. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT 17,286 MILES(TIRE ROTATION, OIL, LUBE, & FILTER) MECHANIC NOTICED LEFT REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE RIGHT DOWN TO THE METAL. UPON INSPECTION OF REMAINING 3 WHEELS HE FOUND THEY WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION PERTAINING TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE DAMAGED PARTS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE MY COMPLAINT OF ONLY 1 WHEEL HAVING A PROBLEM. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I CALLED HYUNDAI IN CALIF. AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY PROBLEM.SHE ASKED QUESTIONS AND WAS COURTEOUS BUT I COULD TELL SHE KNEW ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE .SHE CALLED ME BACK THE NEXT DAY (AUG.27TH) ,AND INFORMED ME SHE CALLED 2 OF THE DEALERSHIPS I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT AND THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED???? SHE THEN INFORMED ME THE SERVICE MGR. SAID I DID NOT HAVE A LEGITIMATE COMPLAINT AND COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM WAS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD THAT WHEEL LOCKED UP FROM THE DAMAGED BRAKE PAD IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I'M HOPING YOU CAN DO SOMETHING FOR ME IN THIS MATTER AS HYUNDAI WILL NOT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 14, 2009
I HAVE A HYUNDAI SONATA 07 WHICH HAS 27K MILES ON. FEW DAYS AGO I HEARD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPING AND WHEN GOING FROM A STOP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SONATAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE BREAK PADS ARE PUT IN AND LEFT WITH ALMOST NO ROOM IN THE HOLDERS (I'M NOT SURE WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE PART THAT HOLDS THE PADS). I'M ABOUT TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED AND I'LL SAVE THEM FOR YOU BUT I'VE HAD OTHER VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM AND NOBODY I ASKED HAD TO CHANGE THEIR BREAKS AFTER 27K MILES. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT IS WHY I'M WRITHING THIS COMPLAIN AND IT IS ISSUE DUE TO EITHER BAD PARTS OR BAD DESIGN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 2, 2009
MY 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO GRINDING NOISE OCCURRING AT APPROXIMATELY 25,450 MILES. THEY SAID I NEEDED A BRAKE JOB AND THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE WAS BAD AND ROTOR HAD TO BE RESURFACED. NO CHIRPING WARNING TONES HAD PRECEDED THE GRINDING NOISE. THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT, SAYING IT WAS NORMAL WEAR. I HAD A BRAKE CHECK DONE AT MY LAST OIL CHANGE (THE NEXT ONE WAS NOT DUE FOR ANOTHER MONTH TIME-WISE, LONGER THAN THAT MILEAGE-WISE) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS 40-60% OF GOOD WEAR LEFT ON ALL OF THE PADS. I ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE STEERING HAD BEEN FEELING LOOSE FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING BUT THAT STILL FEELS LOOSE. AND EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE JOB (DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE WAS THE MAIN CULPRIT), THE BRAKES ARE NOT AS FIRM AS THEY WERE ABOUT 8 DAYS BEFORE THE DEALER VISIT THAT WAS SCHEDULED. THEIR APPOINTMENT BOOK WAS FULL FOR THE FOUR DAYS PRECEDING MY APPOINTMENT. WE HAPPENED TO BE TALKING TO A SALESMAN AND HE MENTIONED THAT ALL OF THE 2007 SONATAS THEY HAD ON LEASE RETURNS HAD THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM. IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET, YOU WILL FIND MANY FRUSTRATED CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY WHILE THE CONSUMERS ARE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG AND THEIR CARS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I DID 4 MONTHS OF RESEARCHING BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS CAR, AND HAD I KNOWN THIS WOULD BE AN ISSUE, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Jul 29, 2009
REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT AT 25K MILES AND ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2009
REAR BRAKES ON 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA ACQUIRED HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL, ODOR, AND WHEELS WERE HOT TO THE TOUCH AT 19,800 MILES. DEALER REPLACED BRAKES PADS AND RESURFACED ROTOR. SEEMS TO BE PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE MECHANISMS CAUSING THE PADS TO FREEZE AGAINST THE ROTORS. DEALER MAINTAINS THE BRAKES NEED "ADJUSTING" EVERY 10,000 MILES TO AVOID THE PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 20, 2009
PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE CALIPER PADS DUE TO CORROSION ON CALIPER GUIDES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 16, 2009
REPLACING REAR BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS BECAUSE OF WORN PARTS ON VEHICLE WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 13, 2009
PURCHASED HYUNDAI SONATA RECENTLY AND HEARD HIGH PITCHED CHIRP/SQUEAL SOUND IN REAR AREA OF CAR. SEARCHED INTERNET TO SEE IF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED. LEARNED THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE MECHANISMS. BRAKES APPEAR TO BE MALFUNCTIONING UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND FREEZING BRAKE PADS AGAINST ROTORS. ROTORS WEAR OUT FROM PREMATURE WEAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI UNRESPONSIVE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS INDICATING ROAD SALT IS TO BLAME. THIS IS COSTING HUNDREDS OF AMERICANS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY CONCERNS OF POTENTIALLY FAILING BRAKES CAUSING ACCIDENTS. INVESTIGATION AND ACTION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT AND INITIATE A FORMAL RECALL FROM HYUNDAI. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 9, 2009
2007 HYUNDAI SONATA - 4 CYLINDER REAR BRAKES NOTICED SMELL & HEAT COMING FROM REAR WHEELS AFTER CAR WAS STOPPED. HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT FUEL MILEAGE HAS BEEN POOR FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. SUSPECTED PARK BRAKE STICKING, BUT TOOK TO DEALER TO INVESTIGATE. THEIR INVESTIGATION CAME BACK THAT REAR BRAKES WERE STICKING AND REAR BRAKE PADS WORN OUT AFTER 27,000 MILES. RECOMMENDED I HAVE THE REAR PADS & ROTORS REPLACED, AND SHOULD HAVE A "BRAKE SERVICE" DONE WHERE THEY DISASSEMBLE THE BRAKES, CLEAN AND REASSEMBLE. BRAKE SERVICE WAS DONE AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. REFUSED NEW ROTORS BASED ON A 2ND OPINION THAT THEY WERE FINE. I ASKED SERVICE MANAGER WHY THIS WOULD BE NECESSARY WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE CAR. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2004 MAZDA6 WITH REAR DISC BRAKES. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND TRADED IT WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT, HAVING SPEND $0 ON THE BRAKES. HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT ALL HYUNDAI SONATAS EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AND UNLESS ANNUAL BRAKE SERVICE IS PERFORMED, I WILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES STICKING. I VIEW THIS AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HYUNDAI CHARGES ME FOR THE BRAKE SERVICE, AND SINCE I DID NOT HAVE IT DONE DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, MY REAR BRAKES WERE STICKING ON , CAUSING MY POOR MILEAGE AND A REAR BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. NONE OF THIS WORK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND I AM NOW OUT APPROX $500 FOR WORK PERFORMED ON MY CAR, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT I WILL NOW NEED TO SPEND MONEY EACH YEAR TO HAVE A "BRAKE SERVICE" PERFORMED. A QUICK CHECK ON MESSAGE BOARDS ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE SEEING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY HYUNDAI IN THE FORM OF A RECALL. I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY I HAVE SPENT, AND AN IMPROVED DESIGN SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED (SUCH AS ON MY MAZDA). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 26, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR OF THE DISC PADS. THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC, UNTIL HE CONDUCTED RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME FAILURE. HE WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THIS INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK WITH INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET RETURNED HIS CALL. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A WHILE AND THE BRAKES HAVE A STRANGE ODOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21,000. UPDATED 07/28/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STTED THE PADS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AND LUBRICATED. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 12, 2009
REAR BRAKES CEASED (LEFT SIDE) WHICH CAUSES PAD TO WEAR OUT AND NEED REPLACEMENT AT 22,000 MILES!! NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY....CHARGED ME $173.95 +TAX TO REPAIR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 10, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE ROTORS WERE CAKED WITH RUST. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT PREMATURELY. THE PADS WERE SO CORRODED THAT THEY WERE GRINDING INTO THE ROTOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 16,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 9, 2009
BRAKES FAILING ON 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 9, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE BRAKES NEVER OPERATED CORRECTLY ON HER VEHICLE. SHE FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE STICKING AND DRAGGING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE PAD FAILED AND THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING METAL-ON-METAL. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS WERE NEAR FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS DUE TO SNOW MELTING SALTS THAT WERE RUSTING THE METAL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $500 TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 22,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 1, 2009
MY HUSBAND NOTICE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND GOING OFF AS WE WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 20,000 MILES. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES FOR BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE WE DIDN'T NOTICE IT HAPPENING UNTIL WE WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FOR AT LEAST A HALF HOUR, I WASN'T SURPRISED THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE TEST DRIVING IT AT SLOWER SPEEDS IN TOWN. SINCE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR THE DEALERS, AND THE ABS LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIDN'T COME ON WHEN IT HAPPENED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 66,000 MILES, BOTH THE PASSENGER ABS LIGHT AND THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT HAVE COME ON AND WON'T GO OUT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT WAS FLASHING WHEN MY HUSBAND HAD HIS SEATBELT ON AND BUCKLED. I AM BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS WILL BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY BUT AM SURE THEY WILL SAY IT'S NOT COVERED AND WILL COST ME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 1, 2009
A CHIRPING NOISE AND BURNING SMELL IN MY 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA SENT ME TO MY HYUNDAI DEALER. $400 LATER THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE RUSTY AND SEIZING UP. INVOICE SAID, "20442 LR PADS SEPARATING LOCKED IN SLIDES RESURFACED REAR ROTORS, REPLACED PADS, ADJUSTED PARK BRAKE, AND SERVICED FRONT BRAKES." MANAGER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE WINTER SALT ON OUR NH ROADS AND THAT HE'D BEEN SEEING A LOT OF THESE BRAKE ISSUES AND HAD BEEN COMPLAINING TO HYUNDAI WITH NO RESULTS. MANAGER SAID I NEED TO HAVE THE RUST REMOVED FROM THE BRAKES EVERY 15,000 MILES. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT OTHER FOLKS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I SEE THE SAME COMPLAINT HERE IN YOUR DATABASE. SEE HTTP://HYUNDAIFORUM.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=6314. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 3, 2009
2007 SONATA W/ 34000 HIGHWAY MILES. CAR WAS MAKING A HIGH PITCHED SOUND FROM THE BACK LEFT, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK WHEEL WAS BECOMING VERY HOT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER, NAPLETON HYUNDAI BASICALLY SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE, I JUST NEED TO PAY FOR A WHOLE NEW SET OF BACK BRAKES. KNOWING THE HEAT WAS FROM THE PADS NOT RELEASING, I REFUSED THE WORK AND INVESTIGATED MYSELF. LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE, I FOUND THAT THE PADS ARE TOO TIGHT IN THE CALIPERS, AND ALSO ARE CORRODED. THE HEAT ISSUE ONLY MAKES THEM FIT TIGHTER. THE PAD GUIDES NEEDED TO BE LIGHTLY FILED AND COATED WITH ANTI-SEIZE TO FIT AND SLIDE PROPERLY. I GOOGLED THIS AND SCANNED THE HYUNDAI FORUMS, AND THE INTERNET IS LITTERED WITH SONATAS AND OTHER HYUNDAIS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HYUNDAI WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE, PREFERRING TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR NEW BRAKES AND REGULAR BRAKE "LUBE" SERVICE. HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS ALSO DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLAW. SOONER OR LATER THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE AN OVERHEATED WHEEL/TIRE TO FAIL, OR A WHEEL TO LOCK UP UNDER SLIPPERY ROADS, AND SOMEONE WILL BE OUT MORE THAN JUST REPAIR MONEY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 1, 2009
22,000 MILES ON MY HYUNDAI SONATA AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE CALIPER STUCK. THE STUCK CALIPER LEFT THE PAD AGAINST THE ROTOR. BOTH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ROTOR AND BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $400 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH ONLY 22,000 MILES HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM LIKE THIS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 16, 2009
I HAVE 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 21,000 MILES. BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING AND BRAKING. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED 3 TIMES WITHIN 46,000 MILES ON MY PREVIOUS 2003 HYUNDAI ACCENT. I BELIEVE THE BRAKES ARE IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED WITH METALS WHICH CORRODE PREMATURELY IN SALT/SNOW. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 24, 2008
I BROUGHT MY 2007 SONATA INTO THE DEALER TO GET IT INSPECTED THE FIRST YEAR WITH 17,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE A NOISE FROM THE WHEELS LOOKED AT AND IT HAD TO HAVE NEW BRAKES. I WAS ASTONISHED THAT AFTER 17,000 MILES I NEEDED A $600 PLUS BRAKE JOB, BUT THE WARRANTY COVERED IT. FIVE MONTHS LATER THE NOISE CAME BACK AND I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN, AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY BRAKES TAKEN APART, CLEANED OUT AND LUBED ($150) OR I WOULD NEED NEW BRAKES AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS. I WAS APPALLED AND ASKED THE MECHANIC HOW A NEW CAR COULD POSSIBLY NEED NEW BRAKES ONCE A YEAR? I HAVE NEVER REPLACED BRAKES ON ANY OF MY CARS BEFORE AT LEAST 70,000 MILES, SO I KNOW AS THE SOLE DRIVER OF THE CAR THAT I'M NOT CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR BY MY DRIVING. HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE NEW HYUNDAI BRAKES ARE GREAT EXCEPT IN THE NORTHEAST WHERE THEY CORRODE VERY QUICKLY FROM THE SALT, AND THAT IF I DON'T HAVE THEM CLEANED AND LUBED ($150) AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR I WILL NEED TO HAVE THEM REPLACED EVERY YEAR. I DID PAY TO HAVE THEM CLEANED AND LUBED, BUT THIS IS CRAZY. THEY OBVIOUSLY ARE SELLING CARS WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES IF THEY WILL ONLY LAST FOR ONE YEAR. I THEN ASKED AROUND TO THE 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHO I KNEW WHO ALSO HAD NEWER HYUNDAI'S (3 SONATA'S AND ONE ELANTRA) AND THEY SAID THEY ALSO HAD TO HAVE THEIR BRAKES REPLACED BEFORE 20,000 MILES. SINCE THE BRAKES ARE ONLY UNDER WARRANTY UP TO 25,000 MILES I AM NOW LOOKING AT HAVING TO PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR TO KEEP THE CAR WITH BRAKES, SO I'M THINKING I SHOULD TAKE THE LOSS AND TRADE IT IN. *TR