2008 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 425 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 19 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 14 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 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
425 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Equipment, Aug 26, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE SUN VISORS CONTINUE TO FALL DOWN OR SAG. I'VE HAD BOTH VISORS REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. LUCKILY, MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED AGAIN SINCE THEN, AND NOW MY SONATA IS OUT OF WARRANTY (I HAVE EXCEEDED 60K MILES). MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE VISOR TENSION ROD LOSES TENSION OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY FAILS RESULTING IN VISOR SAG. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT VISORS HAVEN'T BEEN RE-ENGINEERED, THIS ACCORDING TO A HYUNDAI REP. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO SEE THE HAZARD HERE -- THE VISOR CAN BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VIEW OR WORSE SCALP YOU IF IN AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DOES HYUNDAI DO? THEY CHECK YOUR WARRANTY STATUS AND REPLACE IT WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PART, OR WORSE, IF OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY OFFER TO SELL YOU A REPLACEMENT AT $85.00. REALLY!! THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY AS DOES APPARENTLY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION, WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA FOR FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A RECALL. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE? AND WHY ARE HYUNDAI CONSUMERS STUCK PAYING FOR A SAFETY DEFECT THAT IS UNAMBIGUOUSLY CLEAR? IF YOU DON?T BELIEVE ME, TALK TO ANY OWNER OF AN ?06, ?07, OR ?08 SONATA. THIS IS REALLY UPSETTING TO ME BECAUSE I THOUGHT HYUNDAI WAS DOING A GOOD JOB. NOW, I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS. ISSUE A RECALL ALREADY!! THE P/N FOR THE RIGHT SIDE VISOR IS 85202 0A750QDQQH BY HYUNDAI AMERICA. I DON'T HAVE THE OPTION TO SELECT THAT UNDER THE EQUIPMENT TAB SO I POSTED IT HERE. *TT
Visibility, Aug 9, 2011
SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. FALLS DOWN EXACTLY AT THE HEIGHT OF MY FOREHEAD SO THAT IF I GET IN A WRECK, MY FOREHEAD WILL EXACTLY HIT THE "EDGE" OF THE VISOR AND CRUSH MY FOREHEAD. SINCE THE DIRECTION OF IMPACT AGAINST THE VISOR IS EXACTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WIDTH OF THE VISOR, MAJOR FATALITY WOULD OCCUR. (THINK OF HITTING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE "SIDE" OF A PIECE OF CARDBOARD - NO HARM DONE. NOW THINK OF HITTING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE "EDGE" OR END OF THE CARDBOARD - MAJOR DAMAGE TO YOUR FOREHEAD. *TR
Air bags, Aug 9, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY WITH OR WITHOUT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE THEY WERE NO LONGER HONORING THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 3, 2011
THE ESC OFF LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA COMES ON AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A FEW MILES. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING. IF I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE CAR, THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS UNLIT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FUNCTION NORMALLY. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2006 AND 2007 SONATAS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V280000) THAT INVOLVED A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS FOR MY FAMILY. *KB
Visibility, Jul 28, 2011
DRIVER AND PASSENGER VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS VISION. *TR
Air bags, Jul 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE, AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER SIDE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air bags, Jul 23, 2011
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS HAS A "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP EVEN WHEN A GROWN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. I FEAR THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER IN ILLINOIS, AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE, SAYING IT WAS NOT COVERED BY A CERTAIN RECALL. *TR
Visibility, Jul 17, 2011
PASSENGER SIDE VISOR STARTED TO FALL DOWN OBSTRUCTING VISION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VISOR AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR IS DOING THE SAME THING OBSTRUCTING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Visibility, Jul 5, 2011
MOVED DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR TO BLOCK SUN AND NOW VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND HANGS STRAIGHT DOWN AND PARTIALLY BLOCKS DRIVER'S VIEW OF HIGHWAY AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH I FELL IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *KB
Visibility, Jun 19, 2011
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE SUN-VISOR BY PULLING IT DOWN, THE VISOR WOULD NOT MOVE, THEN MADE A POPPING SOUND. THE VISOR THEN SAGGED, AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. AFTER RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, ESPECIALLY IN STATES WITH HOT/HUMID CONDITIONS, SUCH AS WHERE I LIVE (IN MISSISSIPPI). THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN ANY POSITION EXCEPT STRAIGHT DOWN, AND IMPEDES VISIBILITY, AND BECOMES A HAZARD WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility, Jun 13, 2011
THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS A DANGER BECAUSE IT HANGS DOWN IN VIEW. ITS IN THE ARM WHERE SOMETHING IS BROKEN, NEEDS REPLACED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2011
PASSENGER VISOR PIVOT ARM FAILED TO RETRACT AFTER A FEW USES. VISOR HUNG DOWN SLIGHTLY AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. PASSENGER WOULD HIT THEIR HEAD GETTING INTO AND OUT OF THE CAR ON THE VISOR. THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVER SIDE VISOR PIVOT ARM FAILED TO RETRACT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AFTER FEW USES. DRIVER SIDE VISOR HANGS AT AN ANGLE THAT OCCLUDES DRIVER'S LINE OF VIEW, THUS A HAZARD FOR DRIVER SAFETY. ALSO IF A COLLISION WOULD OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD COLLIDE WITH HANGING VISOR THAT POINTS TOWARD FACE, CAUSING HEAD TRAUMA.
Visibility, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 24, 2011
DRIVER SIDE VISOR IMPAIRS VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY. THE VISOR HANGS DOWN IN DRIVERS VIEW AND STAYS THERE. WE HAVE HIT OUR HEAD ON THE VISOR MANY TIMES, WHICH HURTS AND CAUSES MORE DISTRACTION FROM DRIVING. WE HAVE NOT HAD LUCK IN FIXING IT AND DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPLACE IT DUE TO JOB LOSS AND HIGH MONTHLY PAYMENTS. WHEN I SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, I GET THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WHICH COMES ON RANDOMLY AND I AM WAY OVER THE LIMIT IN WEIGHT FOR IT TO HAPPEN. I HAVE SAT CORRECTLY AND STILL DO AS TOLD BY MY DEALER. (WHICH WAS TOLD TO ME WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT ON/OFF RANDOMLY). THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON RIGHT AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE EX. LETTING OFF EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND PLACING IN 1ST GEAR. THIS CONTINUES FOR SEVERAL WEEKS MAYBE A MONTH OR MORE, THEN WILL RANDOMLY GO AWAY. THIS IS A DANGER AS WE RELY ON OUR CAREFUL DRIVING AND THE ESC WHICH HAS SAVED US MANY TIMES IN OUR OTHER VEHICLE. THE PAINT STARTED WEARING A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR (WHICH WE BOUGHT OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR AND IT ONLY HAD 32 MILES ON IT) AND "WARRANTY" DOES NOT COVER IT. WE NOW HAVE A POLKA-DOTTED CAR. IT CONTINUES TO RUST AND PEEL AND MAKES US EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH OUR CARS LOOKS AS WE WERE SO PROUD TO HAVE BOUGHT OUR 1ST BRAND NEW CAR. THE PAYMENTS ARE PAINSTAKING BUT WE SAID, "IT HAS SUCH GREAT REVIEWS AND IT IS A SAFE CAR FOR US AND OUR SON, SO IT'S WORTH IT" BUT YOU CAN NOT PUT A PRICE ON SAFETY AND THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT ARE IMPAIRING A SAFE DRIVE ESPECIALLY WHEN MY HUSBAND HAS TO DRIVE 45 MINUTES TO WORK EVERYDAY-YES, ONE WAY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Equipment, May 21, 2011
OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA , AT AROUND 25000 MILES BEGAN TO HAVE INTENSE SCREECHING FROM REAR BRAKES. LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED US HYDRAULIC PISTON WAS STUCK/RUSTED OPEN AND WAS WEARING BRAKES TOTALLY DOWN. HE WAS ABLE TO GREASE AND DO PAINSTAKING REPAIRS TO PISTONS . HAD TO REPLACE SHOES/ROTORS. NEITHER VISOR WILL STAY UP THEY HAVE SAGGED TO THE POINT THAT WE HAVE ESCORTED TO INDUSTRIAL VELCRO TO KEEP THEM UP.THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 6, 2011
I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES DUE TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MYCARSTATS.COM. OFTEN WHEN I GET THE CAR SERVICED BY THE DEALER I HAVE MENTIONED THAT THEY SHOULD CHECK THE REAR BRAKES. THIS TIME WAS THE 45000 MILE SERVICE AND I BROUGHT A PRINTOUT OF THE 26 EXISTING COMPLAINTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT THEY ALWAYS CHECK AND CLEAN REAR BRAKES, CALIPERS, ROTORS, ETC TO PREVENT AN EARLY FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE CAR, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLS ME TO SAY THAT INDEED THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED REPLACING. I TOLD HIM I THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THESE SONATAS. HE SAID BRAKES ONLY HAD A 1 YEAR WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THERE WAS NO SOUND OR WARNING IN ADVANCE. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MYCARSTATS.COM WEBSITE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN TO KEEP ASKING. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. DRIVING IS MOSTLY HIGHWAY. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS YET? *TR
Visibility, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 14, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WAS PULLED DOWN, THE VISOR COULD NOT BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION. THE VISOR IS IN LINE OF SIGHT OF THE DRIVER. I REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. A WEEK AGO THE ESC OFF LIGHT TURNED ON AND NOW IT TURNS ON RANDOMLY BUT RESETS IT SELF WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF.
Visibility, Apr 1, 2011
I OWN A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN I WAS GETTING IN TO MY CAR, THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE POPPED AND BROKE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. NOT ONLY DOES IT OBSTRUCT MY VIEW IN THE WINDSHIELD BUT IT ALSO BLOCKS A PORTION OF MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED ONCE BEFORE AND IT BROKE AGAIN ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THE PART IS EXPENSIVE, DIFFICULT TO FIND, AND EVEN THE DEALERS HAVE TO PLACE A BACK ORDER ON THE PART. NO MATTER WHAT OTHER OPTIONS I TRY TO USE, THEY ALL FAIL SO I AM RELUCTANT TO TRY ANYTHING ELSE AT THE RISK OF IT FALLING, HITTING ME IN THE HEAD, AND CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 29, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES IT PRODUCED A GRINDING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Air bags, Mar 22, 2011
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA RED AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. PROBLEM BEGAN ON 11/28/10 AT APPROX. 61000 RECORDED MILES. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR (NEW). LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON AT 68,000 MILES AND WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. DEALER WANTS $124.00 TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKES AND PADS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,279 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 04/05/11
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Wheels, Feb 11, 2011
TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR ANNUAL STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TO HAVE "CHIRPING" NOISE FROM BRAKES CHECKED. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE AT 3/32"; MIN ALLOWED IS 2/32". FRONT PADS OK AT +7/32". REPLACED REAR PADS, MACHINED ROTORS. MILEAGE WAS 23,226; CAR PURCHASED FEB2008 AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AT DEALER. DEALER SA ADVISED THAT PAD WEAR WAS NORMAL AND THAT 'ON THIS MODEL THE REAR BRAKES ALWAYS WEAR FASTER'. WHEN THIS WAS DISPUTED THE SA SAID THAT CORROSION ON CALIPER DID NOT ALLOW PADS TO WITHDRAW AND THAT CONSTANT CONTACT WORE OUT THE PADS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE SA SAID THAT BRAKES ARE ONLY COVERED FOR 12 MONTHS. SUBSEQUENTLY NOTED THAT ON SIDE OF CAR WITH STICKING CALIPER THAT THE PAINT ON BOTH STEEL WHEELS HAS PEELED AND WHEELS HAVE RUSTED. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED, FRONT-TO-BACK, SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NEW. POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM DRAGGING PADS OVERHEATED WHEELS AND DAMAGED PAINT. ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE HEAT TO WHEEL BEARINGS. WILL HAVE THIS CHECKED AT NEXT SERVICE, OR SOONER. THIS PREMATURE REAR PAD WEAR IS NOT NORMAL FOR HYUNDAI. ALSO, PRESENTLY DRIVING A 2001 ELANTRA THAT WENT 60K+ BEFORE NEEDING BRAKES. NEVER OWNED ANY CAR THAT HAD REAR BRAKES WEAR BEFORE FRONT. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGISTERED INDICATES THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MATERIAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS CORRECTING BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 5, 2011
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN HINDERING VISIBILITY. THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP EVEN AFTER TRYING TO FORCE IT. LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHERE REGULAR USE OF VISOR WEARS OUT THE SPRING/ASSEMBLY. *TR
Visibility, Feb 4, 2011
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S EYES. *TR
Visibility, Equipment, Feb 1, 2011
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. AT 20,000 MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR STARTED TO SAG, AND NOT RETURN TO ITS FULL UPRIGHT FOLDED POSITION. AT 40,000 MILES IT FULLY FAILED, IN THE FULLY DOWN POSITION IT BLOCKS A TALL PERSONS FIELD OF VISION. I RESORTED TO SEWING VELCRO TO TO THE VISOR AND CEILING TO HOLD THE VISOR IN PLACE. NOW AT 60,000 MILES THE PASSENGER VISOR IS STARTING TO DROOP, AND NOT RETURN TO THE FULL UPRIGHT POSITION. THE PASSENGER VISOR IS USED A FRACTION OF THE AMOUNT OF THE DRIVER VISOR; THEREFORE IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM LATER. IT APPEARS THAT INFERIOR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN USED. ONLINE FORMUMS INDICATE THIS PROBLEM GOING BACK TO 2006 MODELS. *LN
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 21, 2011
NO FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BEFORE FAILURE. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AT JUST UNDER 45,600 MILES EXPECTING TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACE. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE MADE OF DEFECTIVE METAL WHICH CORRODED AND PITTED BADLY. IT DESTROYED THE OUTER PART OF THE BRAKE PADS SO THEY DID NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR. LESS THAN ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE PAD WAS PROVIDING BRAKING ABILITY. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE REAR WHEELS AS WELL AS ALL BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THE BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT IS EXPECTED MAINTENANCE. THE REAR WHEEL ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR