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
696 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Sep 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATES WHILE AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE MADE UNLESS THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 31,163 UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. UPDATED 10/03/08. *JB
Air bags, Sep 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT IS ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, WHEN HE TAKES THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE SERVICED UNLESS THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 1, 2008
LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE COMPONENTS HAD BEEN EXCESSIVELY RUSTED, PREVENTING THE PADS FROM RELEASING OUT OF THE DRUM. WHEEL WAS DANGEROUSLY OTHER HEATED. PAD AND DRUM WERE WORN AND REQUIRED PAD REPLACEMENT AND DRUM RESURFACING. *TR
Air bags, Aug 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO BRING IN A SMALL STATURE PERSON IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2008
MY 23 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TRAVELED WITH ME BEFORE SHE WAS RECENTLY MARRIED. SHE HAS MOVED TO GA BUT I WILL BE MOVING HER BACK HOME TO FL WHEN HER HUSBAND IS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM NEVER WORKED FOR HER NO MATTER HOW WE MADE HER SIT IN MY CAR. SHE IS 5'7" AND WEIGHS 130#. MY DEALER WILL NOT FIX MY AIR BAG SENSOR BECAUSE SHE IS NOT HERE WITH ME SO THEY CAN SEE THAT IT IS NOT WORKING. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE TO GA AND HAVE MY CAR FIXED THERE AFTER I SHOW A DEALER IN GA THAT SHE ACTIVATES THE DEACTIVATION OF THE AIRBAG. THIS WILL LEAVE HER AT RISK OF INJURY WHEN SHE COMES HOME TO SEE ME. I AM A FORMER CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TECHNICIAN INSTRUCTOR AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS. I WANT MY SYSTEM DISABLED SO MY AIR BAG WILL REMAIN ON. HOW CAN I GET MY CAR FIXED? LAURIE *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 27, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD GET 24 MILES PER GALLON IN THE CITY AND 34 MILES PER GALLON ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE BEGAN RECORDING HOW MANY MILES TO THE GALLON THE VEHICLE WAS GETTING BEGINNING IN MAY OF 2007. ACCORDING TO HER RECORDS, THE VEHICLE GETS 17 MILES IN THE CITY AND 25 MILES IN THE HIGHWAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,248 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2.
Air bags, Aug 25, 2008
REGARDING 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE PASSENGER AUTOMATIC AIR BAG SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. HYUNDAI CALLS THIS SYSTEM OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, THIS SYSTEM SHOULD TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IF THE PASSENGER IS A CHILD AND WEIGHTS LESS THAN 110 POUNDS (PER HYUNDAI HOTLINE). MY SON IS EIGHT YEARS OLD AND 75 POUNDS IN WEIGHT. WHEN HE SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT THE ADVANCE AIR BAG SYSTEM TURNS OFF THE AIR BAG ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME. I WENT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS THEY CONFIRMED MY CONCERN BUT THEY HAD MY SON SIT IN A 2008 SONATA AND IT DID THE SAME THING. THEY ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS NORMAL BUT THEY HAVE CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI REP. *TR
Air bags, Aug 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE FAILURE DID NOT EXIST. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. UPDATED 10/03/08. *JB
Air bags, Aug 19, 2008
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG NOT DETECTING AN ADULT PASSENGER AND "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" COMING ON. TOOK 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA TO DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2008 TO FIX PROBLEM- THEY REFUSED BECAUSE PROBLEM IS NOT CONSISTENT. AFTER RECEIVING RECALL LETTER, TOOK AUTO BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN THEY REFUSED TO HELP US, CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER (1888-327-4236) AGAIN NO HELP BECAUSE DEALERSHIP CANNOT CONFIRM PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
Air bags, Aug 15, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH; HOWEVER, TWO OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. THERE WAS NO MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE AIR BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER TIME. THE SECOND ACCIDENT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/22/08
Air bags, Aug 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT RANDOMLY TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT AFFECT THE AIR BAG. THERE WAS ONLY A MALFUNCTIONING LIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE AIR BAGS ON HER VEHICLE, WHICH DESCRIBED THE FAILURES SHE WAS EXPERIENCING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR HER VEHICLE UNLESS THE LIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING AT THE TIME. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Air bags, Jul 28, 2008, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY CAR OF OVER TEN THOUSAND, THE CRASH HAPPENED AT A 50 MILE AN HOUR RATE OF SPEED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE. THE ACCIDENT WAS A FIVE CAR PILE UP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. HYUNDAI IS SAYING THERE IS NO DEFECT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2008
I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MAY 27, 2007, IN FLORIDA. AS MY MOTHER AND I WERE IN THE CAR ONE DAY SHE NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON, EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER, IN FLORIDA, AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. I WAS WITH MY MOTHER AGAIN AFTER THAT AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER IN FLORIDA, AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY AGAIN FOUND NO PROBLEMS & THEY TOLD ME THAT DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH MY MOTHER WEIGHS THE SYSTEM MAY NOT REGISTER THAT AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. MY MOTHER WEIGHS ABOUT 130LBS. IN LATE NOVEMBER I WAS MOVING TO VIRGINIA. BEFORE I LEFT FLORIDA, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE 1ST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM AGAIN. AND THEY TOO TOLD ME THAT MY MOTHER'S WEIGHT WAS THE PROBLEM. I WAS VERY ANNOYED, BUT I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE THE TIME TO FOLLOW UP ON THE SITUATION, ESPECIALLY SINCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TO A NEW STATE. I AM NOW SETTLED IN VIRGINIA AND LAST WEEK I RECEIVED HYUNDAI'S MOTOR VEHICLE RECALL ON THE 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE VEHICLES. HOW FUNNY, THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD IN FLORIDA. SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK THAT THEY RECEIVED FROM HYUNDAI, THEY NEED THE PASSENGER WITH THE PROBLEM TO COME TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT THEY COULD TEST THE SYSTEM. THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT FOR ME SEEING AS HOW MY MOTHER LIVES IN FLORIDA. THEY TOLD ME IF I WASN'T SATISFIED THEN I COULD CALL THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. I DID AND THEY ARE TELLING ME TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE ANOTHER PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON AGAIN. THAT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF WE KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE WHY WOULD WE WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE POSSIBLY GETTING HURT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Jul 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, ESPECIALLY WHEN HIS 5'5, 125 LBS. WIFE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), BUT WAS INFORMED THAT NO REPAIRS WERE NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY (ACCORDING TO THEIR NOTES) AT THE TIME AND REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,278 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB
Power train, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 18, 2008
ON JUNE 2, 2008 THE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHT ON THE DASH INDICATED THE ESC WAS NOT ENGAGED. IT WENT OFF AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED. THE LIGHT CAME ON 2 MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT 4 DAYS. ON JUNE 6, I WAS MAKING A "Y" TURN ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF DRIVE. HAVING READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL PREVIOUSLY, I POPPED THE BUTTON ON TOP OF THE SHIFT CONSOLE AND PUSHED THE BUTTON WITH MY KNIFE. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO REVERSE, BUT THE SHIFT LOCKED DOWN AGAIN KEEPING ME FROM GOING INTO DRIVE. I HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY DEALER ON JUNE 16. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND STICKING CAUSING THE PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE ONLY 8,456 MILES ON THE CAR, WARRANTY COVERED THE REPAIR. *TR
Seat belts, Jun 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THEY DO NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE SEAT BELT HARNESS. THE FAILURE IS AN OCCASIONAL OCCURRENCE THAT BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,590.
Air bags, May 29, 2008
IN THE 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA THERE IS AN INDICATOR LIGHT WHICH LIGHTS UP WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, THIS LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO BE OFF WHEN A PERSON IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. OFTEN, THE LIGHT REMAINS ON, INDICATING THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED, WHEN A 130 LB ADULT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. NO AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT CAUSES THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BOTH THE LOCAL SERVICE DESK AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE. BOTH HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHILE THE DISABLED LIGHT IS LIT. HOWEVER, NEITHER KNOWS HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR IS WILLING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE HAVING A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE WITH THE FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MAY BE DISABLED DURING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 11, 2008
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA (V6 - LIMITED - AUTO TRANSMISSION) HAS FAILED TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. BOTH TIMES, FAILURE BEGAN WITH AUTOMATIC DEACTIVATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (AS INDICATED BY A LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL), FOLLOWED SEVERAL DAYS LATER BY FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT THE CAR TO/FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE (OR PARK). WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT BUT SUDDENLY NEEDED TO REVERSE MY DIRECTION TO AVOID BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT DID NOT YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY. WITH NO WARNING, I SUDDENLY FOUND THAT THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE INTO REVERSE BECAUSE THE SHIFT INTERLOCK (CONTROLLED BY THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH) WOULD NOT ALLOW THE LEVER TO MOVE. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND WAS NEARLY HIT BY A TRUCK BECAUSE I COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE! LUCKILY, I REMEMBERED HOW TO REMOVE THE SMALL COVER OVER THE MANUAL DISENGAGEMENT POINT AND WAS ABLE TO USE A LEATHERMAN TOOL TO DEACTIVATE THE SHIFT LOCK SYSTEM AND PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC SITUATION IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY THE TRUCK OR IF THIS HAD HAPPENED NEAR A RAILROAD CROSSING OR AS I WAS BOARDING A FERRY BOAT ON PUGET SOUND. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI AUTOMOBILES AS I FOUND BY RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON THE WEB. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL! THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS WILL DO LITTLE GOOD IF I AM KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED THE NEXT TIME FAILURE OCCURS. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN SOMEONE WHO 125 POUNDS WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NOT REGISTER THAT THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 05/13/08. *LJ AN EXHAUST SHIELD HAD TO BE ORDERED DUE TO A RATTLE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK DID NOT OPEN FROM THE SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. UPDATED 05/13/08. *JB
Air bags, Apr 9, 2008
2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE MY WIFE IS SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS MEANS THAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVATED & IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. WE HAVE HAD THE FRONT CUSHION REPLACED IN NOV 2007 BUT THE PROBLEM HAVE RETURNED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WE HAVE PHOTO'S OF THE LIGHT ON & PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. COMPANY SO FAR IS SENDING ME TO THE DEALER BUT UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON WHILE WE ARE THERE THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 8, 2008
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED/LOCKED WITH 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 12, 2008
BRAKES BURNED INTO ROTOR ON DRIVERSIDE REAR ONLY,HYUNDAI REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT AS A DEFAULT,HAD BRAKES FIXED AT ANOTHER SHOP AND TAKING HYUNDAI TO COURT. *TR
Suspension, Seats, Mar 7, 2008
OWN 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA SE WITH ONLY 5000 MILES. HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1. REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE 2. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. ONE SEAT RUNNER WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2008
ON 3/3/08 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO JONES CHAPEL ROAD AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE CAR FULL THROTTLED ON IT'S OWN. I TRIED MASHING THE BRAKES AND IT ONLY SLOWED MY CAR BY 10 MILES AN HOUR OR SO. I FINALLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL(THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY HIGH) AND SHUT MY CAR OFF. I HAD ROADSIDE TOW IT AND IT IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE FLOOR BOARD AND MY CAR FLOOR MAT IS SECURED BY A PEG. WHEN THE CAR TOOK OFF IT LITERALLY JERKED MINE AND MY DAUGHTER'S HEADS BACK. *TR
Air bags, Feb 26, 2008
2007 HYUNDAI SONATA FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT FAILS TO SHUT OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS SITTING THERE. PROBLEM RELUCTANTLY RESOLVED AND THE SEAT WAS REPORTEDLY REPLACED. THE CONDITION HAS RETURNED WITH THE NEW SEAT. WIFE WEIGHS 125 POUNDS. I HAVE PHOTO'S OF LIGHT ON FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. *TR