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, Feb 10, 2010
SUNVISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, OBSTRUCTING VISION. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE "FASTEN SEAT BELT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS WORN BY AN OCCUPANT. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,443. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT FORM.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 25, 2010
PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE PADS ON A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AT 35000 MILES. MY WIFE HAD BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. REMOVED WHEELS AT HOME AND FOUND CALIPERS WERE DIGGING INTO ROTORS BECAUSE OF COMPLETE EROSION OF BRAKE PADS. CALLED DEALER HE SAID IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. NOT SURE WHY, HYUNDAI OFFERS NO EXPLANATION OR SUGGESTIONS EITHER. REPLACED PADS WITH NEW ONES, WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I WILL INSPECT EVERY 10000 MILES TO DETERMINE EXTENT OF FUTURE WEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS. FRONT PADS WERE AT 8/32 REAR PADS WERE 0/32.. PISTONS WERE CLEAN ON THE REAR AND APPEARED TO BE WORKING FINE, BOTH REAR PADS WERE GONE EQUALLY. *TR
Visibility, Jan 18, 2010
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN - COVERED BY WARRANTY AND REPLACED BY DEALER. *TR
Visibility, Dec 29, 2009
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR, MECHANISM THAT HOLDS IT UP HAS BROKEN, VISOR IMPEDES DRIVER'S VISION. *TR
Visibility, Dec 7, 2009
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA SUN VISOR WILL NOT HOLD THE DESIRED POSITION. SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10028945 FOR 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR
Power train, Nov 17, 2009
WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY A SERVICE FLAG WAS SENT TO DEALERSHIPS AND JUST "FLUSH" THE TRANSMISSION. 5 DAYS LATER AND 550 MILES FROM HOME, THE CAR BROKE DOWN, WAS TOWED AND ADVISED I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. STILL SITTING OUT OF STATE WAITING FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 28, 2009, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A 30FT MOUND/RAILROAD TRACK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, ENOUGH TO DEEM THE CAR A "TOTAL LOSS", YET NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I SUFFERED PHYSICAL INJURIES TO TOP HALF OF BY BODY BY LITERALLY SLAMMING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. HAD MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMAL INJURIES TO MY BODY. *TR
Air bags, Sep 30, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). UPON INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT MAKE REPAIRS, BECAUSE HE COULD NOT IDENTIFY A FAILURE. HOWEVER AFTER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG SENSORS MISCLASSIFIED AN ADULT AS A CHILD. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS RECONTACTED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 23, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE SPEED REDUCED WHILE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH ALSO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITHIN THE AIR BAG. THE SEATS WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND REPROGRAMMED ON TWO OCCASIONS WITH NO CHANGE IN THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT WOULD BE COSTLY TO REPLACE THE SEAT OR THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED MULTIPLE CASES EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK IF THE AIR BAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT A SERIOUS INJURY COULD OCCUR. THE CONTACT IS ALSO CONCERNED THAT ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Air bags, Aug 23, 2009
IT WAS PURCHASED MARCH 2008 FROM DAVE MENGAY IN RAINBOW CITY, ALABAMA. WITHIN WEEKS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS NOT GOING OFF WHEN ADULTS WERE SEATED. PER THE MANUAL, THIS LIGHT SHOULD ONLY BE ON WHEN PASSENGERS LESS THAN FIFTY POUNDS WERE SEATED IN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. FOR MY FIRST OIL CHANGE IN JUNE 2008, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA TO HAVE SERVICED AND TO CHECK THE PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT. AT THE TIME, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUES. I LATER CALLED BACK, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THAT MY SEAT MAY NEED TO BE SERVICED IN CALIFORNIA. AFTER MY MOVE TO ILLINOIS, I TOOK MY CAR TO BE SERVICED FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. THIS IS TRULY RIDICULOUS. THE AIRBAG IS ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT HAVE DECREASED ACCIDENT RELATED FATALITIES. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, MY PASSENGER MAY NOT BE PROTECTED DUE TO THE ISSUE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FOLLOW UP WITH MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER MANY TIMES WITH THIS ISSUE. JUST RECENTLY, A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS WORKING WITH THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WANTED TO TRY ONE LAST OPTION BEFORE SEEING WHAT ELSE COULD BE DONE. ON THE SAME DAY OF MY LAST SERVICE APPOINTMENT, THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED. I CONTACTED HER A FEW DAYS LATER. DESPITE HER PROMISES OF CALL BACKS, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ONE. I CALLED LAST SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009 TO INFORM THE MANAGERIAL STAFF THAT I WAS ABOUT TO WRITE TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WANTED TO GIVE THEM ONE MORE ATTEMPT TO HELP ME. THE SALES MANAGER, PROMISED TO CALL ME BACK ON MONDAY AFTER 2 PM. NOT ONLY DID HE NOT CALL ME BACK, BUT WHEN I CALLED HIM ON THE MONDAY, HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS WAITING ON A CALL BACK AND WOULD CALL ME BACK BY 9 PM WHICH HE DID NOT. NOW MY ESC LIGHT IS COMING ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED FOR THIS BUT IT STILL DOES IT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 4, 2009
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH ONLY 12,600 MILES, WHILE DRIVING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN HEARD LOUD NOISE FROM BACK OF CAR WHILE TAKING A TURN. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS DUE TO RUST ON THE ROTOR. DIDN'T HAVE THEM DO THE WORK AS THE COST WAS LARGE. BROUGHT TO OUR OWN MECHANIC WHO SHOWED US THE LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD WAS DOWN TO METAL BUT THE RIGHT WAS NORMAL SMALL WEAR. HE CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER AS THIS DIDN'T SEEM NORMAL TO HIM EITHER. WARRANTY ONLY COVERS UP TO 12,000 MILES SO WE WERE OUT OF LUCK. HYUNDAI GOES ON IN EVERY COMMERCIAL ABOUT SAFETY AND WHEN I THINK OF A CAR BRAKES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THERE IS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 2, 2009
REAR BRAKE SQUEALING AND GETTING HOT. REAR BRAKES ON 2008 HAVE PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO BRAKE PADS HANGING UP ON THE SLIDES. HAD TO REPLACED THE OLD PADS WITH NEW PAD @ 16K MILES. *TR
Air bags, Jul 27, 2009
44 TIMES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT HAS STAYED ON WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT(6-17-08/7-22-09) HYUNDAI CO. HAS REPAIRED ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AUG, 08, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I MUST TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE VEH.. TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR
Suspension, Air bags, Jul 26, 2009
WE HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA AND WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME DEFECTS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT UNLESS YOU SIT COMPLETELY STILL IN THE SEAT IT WILL NOT COME ON. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN BUT SHORTLY AFTER WE GOT IT BACK IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THERE IS A NOISE UNDER THE FRONT END AND EVERY TIME IT HITS BUMPS IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS BROKE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 10, 2009
NEED TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES ON NEWER CAR 29,721 MILES. *TR
Visibility, Jul 9, 2009
MY HYUNDAI SONOTA'S DRIVER'S SIDE CAR VISOR IS BROKEN AND DOES NOT STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS BLOCKS THE VIEW WHILE LOOKING FORWARD OR CREATES A BLIND SPOT TO THE LEFT WHEN VISOR IS TURNED DOWN TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WINDSHIELD/ROAD. I'VE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IT HAS 36K MILES (BOUGHT IT WHEN IT HAD 16KMILES). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 3, 2009
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA PURCHASED AT DUNCAN HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN DUNCAN,B. L BOUGHT THE SONATA WITH 40,000 KM. AND L PAID HYUNDAI ABOUT $100.00 FOR A 65. INSPECTION. THE BRAKES WERE 75%. SO L ASKED THE DEALERSHIP OWNER,TO EXPLAIN THE 65. INSPECTION AND L ASKED ABOUT THE BRAKES BEING 75%. HE SAID 75% WAS JUST FINE.BUT WHEN L TOOK THE SONATA INTO THE SHOP FOR SQUEALING,GRINDING REAR BRAKES, THE MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS WINTER DIRT AND GRIME. L WAS CHARGED 301.00 FOR NEW REAR BRAKE PADS. LT,S FRIDAY JULY 3. THE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL SQUEALING! LS THERE A RECALL? *TR
Visibility, Jun 26, 2009
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA: DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN, BLOCKS VISION, OR HITS DRIVER IN HEAD. MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 26, 2009
I PURCHASED MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA IN FEBRUARY, 2008 BRAND NEW. SINCE DAY ONE, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE CAR OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY DID REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH ONCE, BUT THIS IS STILL OCCURRING DAILY AND IT IS FRUSTRATING. OFTEN TIMES IT TAKES 5 OR 6 TRIES WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR MY VEHICLE TO GET OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. YESTERDAY MORNING, I WAS STUCK AT A DRIVE UP WINDOW BECAUSE I HAD THE CAR IN PARK AND COULD NOT GET IT OUT AGAIN - TOOK ABOUT 5 TRIES TO GET IT INTO DRIVE.*TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 16, 2009, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK AJAR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ANOTHER MOTORIST ALERTED HIM THAT THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES IN THE TRUNK WERE ON FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND RESUME DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN THIRD GEAR, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 10, 2009
REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE JUST HALF WORN. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Jun 10, 2009
GRINDING OF REAR BRAKES BEGINNING AT 37,000 MILES. CAR IS DRIVEN ALL HIGHWAY MILES. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE AND MECHANIC WAS SHOCKED TO SEE PADS WERE GONE AND ROTORS WORN BEYOND REPAIR. HE SAID FRONT BRAKES SHOULD USUALLY GO FIRST. HYUNDAI CLAIMED PADS SHOULD BE REMOVED AND CLEANED EVERY 15,000 MILES. ASSUMING A CUSTOMER WAS DENYING THE BRAKE PROBLEM DUE TO THE LOW MILES THE LOSS OF BRAKES COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. BRAKES AND ROTORS WILL BE CLOSE TO $400 FOR REPAIR. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, HIS CHILD WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD, STRUCK A UTILITY BOX, AND DROVE OVER A BICYCLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE UTILITY BOX, THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS ALMOST TORN OFF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER SENT A PACKET WITH PAPERWORK ASKING FOR THE VEHICLE DESCRIPTION, INSURANCE REPORTS, AND PICTURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE COLLISION CENTER BEING REPAIRED. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 19,000. UPDATED 06/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB