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, Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2016
THE PASSENGER SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, AT ALL. THE DRIVER SIDE WILL SUDDENLY FALL AND IT'S VERY UNPLEASANT TO SUDDENLY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THEY ARE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE ($200.00) AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS QUITE COMMON WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE APPROX. 6 MONTHS AND IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES. IT REALLY IS STARTLING. I'M REALLY GLAD I WASN'T ON A FREEWAY. *TR
Structure, Nov 29, 2016
EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE SHEARING OFF. LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF ON 4/24/2016. RIGHT FRONT DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF TODAY 11/29/2016. HANDLES BOTH CAME OFF WHEN I PULLED ON THEM TO OPEN THE DOOR. NO UNUSUAL FORCE INVOLVED. HANDLES ARE COMPLETELY PLASTIC. SHEAR POINT IS NARROW PIECE WHICH CONNECTS HANDLE TO INTERIOR CONNECTOR TO DOOR LATCH. I HAVE NEVER BEFORE HEARD OF CAR DOOR HANDLES FAILING.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 29, 2016
I HIT A MINOR BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN IN FRONT OF MY FACE - BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD. I PUSHED IT BACK UP INTO ITS NORMAL "RESTING" LOCATION. UPON HITTING ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD IT SWUNG DOWN AGAIN IN FRONT OF MY FACE. THIS IS THE SECOND SUN VISOR IN THIS VEHICLE TO DO THIS. THIS ONE STARTED FAILING AROUND 10/1/2016, AND IS STILL DOING SO.
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCHES ON THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Air bags, Nov 2, 2016
THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOESN'T GO OFF, IT STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. I CALL HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ME!
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 27, 2016
ENGINE CONTROL MODULE(ECM) FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, REQUIRING EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. MAY HAVE ALSO CAUSED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BRAKE SWITCH, CONDENSER FAN, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 19, 2016
CAR WAS PART OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL AND SEAT WAS REPLACED YEARS AGO. PROBLEM WAS NEVER FULLY FIXED AS SENSOR STILL FAILED TO RECOGNIZE PASSENGERS AT TIMES. NOW DASH BOARD AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR CONSTANTLY FLASHES WITH NO PASSENGER.
Air bags, Aug 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLES INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SET SENSOR HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2016
I FIRST NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA ON FRIDAY 08-05-16 WHEN I EXITED A HIGHWAY AND MY SEAT BELT AND BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO ALTERNATE FLASHING. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MECHANIC A FEW DAYS LATER (THEY ARE CLOSED ON WEEKENDS). WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVER THAT WEEKEND THOSE SAME TWO INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD CONTINUE TO ALTERNATE FLASHING WHEN DRIVEN BELOW 40 MPH. ON 08-09-16, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO THE MECHANIC, NUMEROUS OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASH BEGAN TO TURN ON ONE BY ONE. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING AND ULTIMATELY LOST POWER. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. HE STEAM CLEANED THE ENGINE AND THEN FOUND AN OIL LEAK FROM THE "FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET" WAS THE CAUSE. HE REPLACED IT. I'M AWARE OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WE ALSO OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM TO THAT VEHICLE ONE YEAR AGO, WHEN THE VERACRUZ WAS 8 YEARS OLD. THIS HAPPENED TO MY SONATA AT THE SAME "AGE", 8 YEARS OLD. THE VERACRUZ DAMAGE WAS COVERED BY A HYUNDAI RECALL. I BELIEVE THE 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN HYUNDAI'S RECALL.
Air bags, Aug 22, 2016
B1448 ISSUE SHOWING OCS MAT DEFECT. RED DASH LIGHT SAYING "AIR BAG" CAME ON @104000 MILES AND REMAINS ON. LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING WITH NO OCCUPANT IN PASSENGER SEAT. NO ACCIDENTS OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS. DEALER INDICATES NO ACTIVE RECALL HOWEVER NHTSA SHOWS "HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 083. 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. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY BUT SINCE DEALER WILL CHECK VIN FOR ACTIVE RECALLS, EXPECT THEM TO DENY RECALL SERVICE AND TRY TO MAKE ME PAY FOR REPAIR. HAD A NOTICE BACK IN 2019 SAYING TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK WHICH I DID AND WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A SCAN, THEY HAD SOMEONE SIT IN THE SEAT TO VERIFY LIGHT EXTINGUISHED BUT DID NO REPAIR. MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (WEIGHING 85 POUNDS)WOULD SIT IN SEAT AND "AIRBAG OFF LIGHT" WOULD REMAIN ON WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE EXTINGUISHED AND PROVIDED AIR BAG PROTECTION. THEY TOLD ME THE THRESHOLD WAS ABOVE MY DAUGHTER'S WEIGHT BUT WOULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE WEIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. I DISAGREED WITH THEIR ASSESSMENT AND LET THEM KNOW. HOWEVER, THE DASH AIRBAG LIGHT MOI WAS NOT LIGHTING AT THAT TIME BUT NOW IS ON. I BELIEVE THE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND COMPUTER IS TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANYONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2016
PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WONT STAY UP.I HEARD , THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON SOME MODELS. THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK. THANKS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 24, 2016
ON JULY 19, 2016 AT OR ABOUT 1500 HOURS, I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE TO GET SOME FOOD, ON THE WAY OUT MY APARTMENT COMPLEX, I BELIEVE MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2008 ALLOWED ME TO GO ABOUT TWO BLOCKS DOWN FROM WHERE I LIVE TO SHUT OFF IN THE STREET RIGHT BEFORE I APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN. I ALSO REMEMBER HEARING TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF, WHILE DRIVING I HEARD THIS KNOCKING SOUND IN MY ENGINE, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEW STARTER THAT WAS REPLACED BUT THEN A DAY OR TWO LATER IT STOP MAKING THAT KNOCKING NOISE. I CALLED AROUND TO FIND ANSWERS NO ONE HAD A CLUE TO WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THIS VEHICLE. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING JUST FINE UNTIL JULY 16, 2016. I HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 17, 2009 AND I CAN'T NOT BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE HAS A MAJOR ISSUE LIKE THIS AT POINT AND TIME. I COULD DEAL WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES BUT ON THIS FLIP SIDED COIN; NOT HAVING A VEHICLE TO CRANK OR ONE THAT JUST SHUTS OFF WITH OUT ANY ENGINE LIGHTS OR WARNING IS A COMPLETE MYSTERY FOR ME, BUT I THINK IT IS TIME HYUNDAI GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS TO THIS PROBLEM... LETS ALSO BE CLEAR THERE WAS OIL AND GAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME OF VEHICLE IN MOTION SHUT OFF.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2016
SUN VISORS DO NOT STAY UP. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, PARKED, ALL THE TIME. VERY UN
Air bags, Jun 24, 2016
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BRIEFLY AFTER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE PROBLEM RETURNED.
Engine, Jun 8, 2016
UPON STARTING THE CAR, I HEARD A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE FROM THE ENGINE THAT INCREASED IN VOLUME AND INTENSITY AS I ACCELERATED (IN TOWN), AND THEN I OBSERVED TWO PUFFS OF SMOKE OR STEAM ARISE FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AT A NEARBY MECHANIC, WHO OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL. THE WHINE, WHICH GRADUALLY WENT AWAY, MAY HAVE BEEN OIL GETTING ONTO THE ALTERNATOR BELT. FORTUNATELY, WE SEEM TO HAVE CAUGHT THIS IN TIME, AS THE ALTERNATOR DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DAMAGED, BUT IT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN, AS THE EDGE OF THE VALVE COVER HANGS DIRECTLY OVER THE ALTERNATOR IN THE 3.3L V6 ENGINE. THE LEAK MAY HAVE BEEN MORE OF A "SWEAT" FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME; ONLY THE WHINE ALERTED ME TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG, AND MAY HAVE BEEN A SIGN THE LEAK WAS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET. WHAT IS FRUSTRATING IS THAT HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, ON THE VERY SAME ENGINE I BELIEVE, FOR THEIR VERA CRUZ MODELS, BUT NOT THEIR SONATAS FOR THE SAME YEARS. THEY SHOULD RECALL THE SONATAS WITH THIS ENGINE AS WELL, AS THE ALTERNATOR CAN BE DESTROYED IF THIS ISN'T CAUGHT AND FIXED.
Exterior lighting, Jun 1, 2016
ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT TURNING ON WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. ON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ISSUE MENTIONED ON HYUNDAI'S WEBSITE AND THEY RECALLED A LOT OF VEHICLES IN LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. WHEN I CHECKED ABOUT THE CAR'S ELIGIBILITY ON HYUNDAI'S WEBSITE, I FOUND MY CAR AS ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR FREE OF COST. AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER FOR FIXING OF THE ISSUE, THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THEN I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE HELPDESK WITH THE DETAILS. ALSO, I CONTACTED THEM ON THE HELPLINE NUMBER. AS PER THEM, MY VEHICLE WAS ALREADY RECALLED A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK AND THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED WITH A HIGH QUALITY PART WHICH SHOULD NOT CREATE ANY MORE PROBLEMS AND I'LL HAVE TO BEAR THE INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT COST. I WOULD LIKE THE COMPANY/DEALER TO GET THIS FIXED ASAP SINCE THE PART HAS AGAIN STARTED CREATING PROBLEMS IN JUST 2 YEARS AND I AM WORRIED WITH THE FURTHER PROBLEM IT MAY CAUSE TO MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE TODAY MORNING WHILE COMMUTING TO OFFICE.
Air bags, May 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER IT DID NOT GET DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 25, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE RADIO SHUT OFF. NEXT MOST OF THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON , THE ENGINE WOULD NOT MAKE POWER/ACCELERATE, AND THE BRAKING SEEMED WEAK/JERKY. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AS SOON AS I COULD. NOW ALL DASH LIGHTS WERE ON/BLINKING AND THE RADIO, SUNROOF, WINDOWS ETC WOULD NOT WORK. THINKING IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE I LEFT IT RUNNING TO INVESTIGATE. NEXT THING I KNOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING EVEN THOUGH THE GAUGE ISN'T SHOWING IT. STEAM EVERYWHERE AND THE OVERFLOW POPPED THE CAP OFF. SHUT THE CAR OFF. ONCE THE CAR COOLED I WAS ABLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. OIL HAS BEEN DRIPPING ON TO THE ALTERNATOR FROM A LEAK IN THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THIS KILLED THE ALTERNATOR WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE CONTROL/BRAKING/ACCELERATION ISSUES ONE IT WAS ON BATTERY ONLY. I'M ASSUMING THE FAN WAS NOT COOLING EITHER WHICH RESULTED IN THE OVERHEATING.
Structure, Apr 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V354000 (SUSPENSION). INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE CROSS MEMBER ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN APPLIED A WAX COATING TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 11, 2016
I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF AND USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE TRUNK FLEW UP SO QUICKLY THAT THE HYDRAULIC HINGE SUPPORT, THAT PROPS IT OPEN, BROKE OFF AT THE TOP. THE ABS & ESC LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING THOSE 2 WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH OFF, THEN BACK ON A FEW SECONDS LATER. WHEN THAT HAPPENS MY BRAKES DON'T WORK CORRECTLY, AND MAKE A RUBBING SOUND THAT I CAN FEEL THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE AUTOMOTIVE INSTRUCTOR AT THE COLLEGE I WORK AT LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND IT'S THE CALIPERS STICKING. THE DASHBOARD SRS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE PASSENGER SAFETY BELT LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE TPMS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR IS THE MOST RECENT WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. SEEMS LIKE HYUNDAI PRODUCED NOTHING BUT LEMONS FOR QUITE A STRETCH AND NOT MUCH IS BEING DONE TO HELP THE CONSUMER'
Structure, Engine, Apr 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND FAILED TO OPEN USING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO WORK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY OVER. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START RANDOMLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Mar 11, 2016
I BOUGHT A USED 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH APPROX 50,000 MILES ON IT IN 2012. SINCE PURCHASING IS ALL IT HAS BEEN WAS ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED THIS WEEK (WHICH IS ANOTHER STORY) AND SINCE MY INSPECTION WAS DUE I ASKED THEM TO INSPECT THE CAR ALSO AT A CERTIFIED DEALER. AND AGAIN MY CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE AS LAST YEAR. CALIPER SEIZED AND NEEDS NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS AGAIN. I HAD A MECHANIC DO THE WORK LAST TIME SINCE IT WAS APPROX $200 CHEAPER THAN THE DEALER AND I GUESS PLAN ON IT AGAIN AT $500.00. IM THINKING IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO GET RID OF THIS AWFUL CAR PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING AGAIN OR ANYTHING ELSE. WOULDN'T RECOMMEND A HYUNDAI TO MY WORST ENEMY. I AM A GRANDPARENT AND WOULD HATE FOR THE CALIPERS TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING WITH MY GRANDSON, THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS A CONCERN
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 7, 2016
THE ESC OFF DOES NOT TURN OFF EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE ESC SWITCH. BOTH ESC AND ESC OFF TURNS ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED ON AND STAYS FOR A FEW SECONDS. POST THAT THE ESC LIGHT GOES OFF. BUT AFTER FEW MINUTES ESC OFF LIGHT TURNS ON. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH MOST OF THE HYUNDAI SONATA
Service brakes, Jan 27, 2016
I'VE HAD THE BREAKS GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BREAKS WHEN DRIVING AND USE BRAKING. IT SEEMS THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS COMING LOOSE AND NEED TO GET IT FIXED WITH A WORKSHOP NEARBY