2009 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 460 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 21 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 26 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
Representative owner complaints
460 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 30, 2010
AFTER HAVING BRAKE PADS CHANGED. SMELLED BURNING SMELL WITH IN A MONTH AND BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN. HAD PADS CHANGED AGAIN. NOW, MONTH LATER, SMELLED BURNING SMELL AGAIN LIKE THE PADS ARE STICKING. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE BRAKES THAT THEY ARE STICKING LIKE THIS UNDER 50,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Jul 26, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE GEARS BY ENGAGING THE CLUTCH BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE GEARS AND THE CLUTCH BECAME STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. HE HAD TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE CLUTCH BY USING HIS FOOT TO RELEASE THE CLUTCH TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,500.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 21, 2010
JUNE 3, 2009 CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN UP TO APPROX 65 MPH WHEN DRIVER WAS PRESSING ACCELERATOR AT 30 MPH, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP - DRIVER STOOD ON BRAKES, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE, GOT OFF ROAD AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. DEALER MADE NO REPAIR-SAID THEIR COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING WRONG. AUGUST 12, 2009 CAR LOST ALL POWER AND ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON - STEERED CAR OFF ROAD. NO REPAIR MADE - DEALER TIGHTENED GAS CAP- SAID COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING ELSE WRONG. AUGUST 17, 2009 CAR LOST POWER AGAIN - STEERED OFF ROAD. DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. JUNE 24, 2010 CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN UP TO 65 MPH WHEN DRIVER PRESSED ACCELERATOR WHILE GOING 40 MPH, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP - DRIVER STOOD ON BRAKES, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE, GOT OFF ROAD AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. DRIVER CALLED 911 AND SPOKE TO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER - NO REPAIR MADE, THEIR COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING WRONG. DEALER DELIVERED CAR TO MY HOUSE, I HAVE KEPT IT OFF THE ROAD. CAN'T DRIVE IT, TRADE IT, OR SELL IT BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 6, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS A SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE PIN THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BECAME WORN. THE PIN ALSO CONTROLLED THE MOVEMENT IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND WHEN IT DOES NOT MOVE IT DETERIORATES THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AT HER EXPENSE SINCE THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ENTERING ONTO A HIGHWAY INTO THE LEFT LANE, UNEXPECTEDLY THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHEN ENGAGED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY, FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. AFTER PLACING THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REDUCE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,300.
Visibility, May 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TINT BLOCKED 15% OF THE UPPER HALF OF THE WINDOW. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE TINT WOULD OBSTRUCT 50% OF THE CONTACTS VIEW OF THE ROAD. HIS VIEW WAS EXTREMELY OPAQUE DUE TO THE HEADLIGHTS ON PASSING VEHICLES. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WITH HIS FACE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER TO SEE. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Power train, Air bags, May 27, 2010, crash
I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH A 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010, I WAS TRAVELING ON ROUTE295 SOUTH IN RI WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT FROM 4TH GEAR TO 5TH GEAR. I PRESSED MY CLUTCH IN AND TRIED TO SHIFT, THE CLUTCH NEVER CAME BACK UP AND MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I COULDN'T GET THE CLUTCH TO COME BACK AND THE CAR LOST ITS SPEED DOWN TO ABOUT 5-10 MILES PER HOUR, IF THAT. THE PERSON BEHIND ME WENT AROUND ME BUT THE WOMAN BEHIND HIM SMASHED INTO ME DOING AROUND 70MPH. HER CAR PUSHED MINE FORWARD AND INTO THE NEXT LANE. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A BRUISED LEFT ARM AND THAT WAS ALL. MY HUSBAND HAD CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T STICK ALL THE TIME, THEY COULDN'T TELL US WHAT WAS WRONG. MY CAR IS AN ABSOLUTE MESS RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 15, 2010
2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED 4 CYL. WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, WHEN RESUMING SPEED AFTER SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC, CAR CONTINUED ON THRU SET RESUME SPEED (70) TO 80+. CONTROL REESTABLISHED BY SHUTTING OFF CRUISE CONTROL. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIMES BUT IT DID HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES, MAR. 12 - 14, 2010. IT HAD NOT OCCURRED BEFORE. WE HAVE NOT USED CRUISE CONTROL SINCE. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE. UNRESOLVED. *TR
Power train, May 14, 2010
THE CLUTCH ON MY 5 SPEED 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA IS SPORADICALLY DROPPING TO THE FLOOR AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO CHANGE GEARS. I WAS NEARLY HIT FROM BEHIND, AS THE CAR BEHIND ME ASSUMED I'D BE ACCELERATING, BUT WHEN THE CLUTCH DROPS (WITHOUT MUCH RESISTANCE) THE LINKAGE LOCKS AND I CAN'T CHANGE GEARS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY, AND HE SAID THEY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT THE AFTER-MARKET FLOOR MAT WAS CAUSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO GET CAUGHT. I REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT WHEN I WENT TO PICK-UP MY CAR (SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED FOR THE DAY), AND, IN THEIR PARKING LOT, GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS, UNTIL I HIT THE CLUTCH A FEW MORE TIMES! I WENT INSIDE TO COMPLAIN TO THE SALES STAFF. THEY SAID I HAD TO BRING IT IN TOMORROW. APPARENTLY, HYUNDAI IS HAVING LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CLUTCHES, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT, BECAUSE IT IS COSTLY TO TAKE APART THE TRANSMISSION TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG. WE BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE 10-YEAR POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! *TR
Air bags, May 7, 2010, crash
I WAS HEADING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR WAS HIT ON LEFT FRONT SIDE BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD. THAT ALSO TRIGGERED ANOTHER COLLISION IN WHICH MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR PARKED ON THE STREET. THE HOOD WAS GRAVELY DAMAGED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CRITICAL ISSUE WAS THAT NO AIRBAG, WHATSOEVER, WAS INFLATED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGER IN THE CAR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEEDS OF 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CALIPERS WERE RUBBING INTO THE ROTORS, CAUSING IT TO MAKE AN UNUSUAL GRINDING NOISE. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOT AFFECTED, ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Suspension, Apr 2, 2010
BAD PULL TO THE LEFT REPLCE FRONT STRUT,SPRING NOISES WHILE DRIVEING,TIRES FEATHERING,NO STABILITY WHILE DRIVING,ANY KIND OF BUMPS YOU ARE ALL OVER THE ROAD,SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL,WITH TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT THE CAR LIFTS UP IN FRONT AND STABILITY WHILE DRIVING IS EVEN WORSE.THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE IT WAS NEW,EASY TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE,REPLACED RF STRUT,BALANCED TIRES ,NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE ALIGNMENT RACK,DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES ALL TIRES FEATHERING BUT SAY THEY CANT FIX IT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2010
MY 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 15000 MILES ON IT STARTED TO HAVE NOISY REAR BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THIS HAD BEEN A RENTAL VEHICLE IT MAY HAVE SAT ON A LOT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE "SLIDES" FROZE IN PLACE NOT ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO RELEASE RESULTING IN PREMATURE BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LIFE/SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. I DON'T THINK A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE TO BE DRIVEN A MINIMUM NUMBER OF MILES TO PREVENT THE BRAKES FROM FAILING IN 15000 MILES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2010
1. DRIVING FROM HARRISBURG TO POTTSTOWN PA 2. NON-RESPONDING THROTTLE AT 60 MPH. PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. WORKED OK FOR A FEW MILES; AGAIN, THE THROTTLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. 3. FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND BEGAN APPROACHING A CURB WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKES THEN HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AGAIN IN ORDER TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 765 MILES.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 24, 2010
1) WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCLINE. THERE WAS A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR. 2) THE ENGINE APPEARED TO TURN OFF, HOWEVER THE ELECTRONICS NEVER TURNED OFF. POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ONCE THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. 3) I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR, BUT IT WOULDN'T START. YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE TRYING TO START. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT INTO A PARKING SPACE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER I SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM OR DETECT THAT ANYTHING HAD OCCURRED. *TR
Visibility, Feb 10, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2009 SONATA FOR MY WIFE'S SAFETY, DRIVING THE ROADS OF TEXAS TO AND FROM WORK. I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI ABOUT A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROL DESIGN FLAW.. THE SONATA MANUAL IS SELF-EXPLANATORY STARTING AT PAGE 1-101 - ADDRESSING KNOWN AND FREQUENT FOGGING ALL WINDOWS ISSUES. BRIEFLY, IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE TO ASK THE DRIVER, WHILE DRIVING, TAKE ONE HAND OFF THE WHEEL, LOOK DOWN, FIND, READ AND MANUALLY RESET MULTIPLE EXACT POSITIONS IN TEMPERATURE, A/C AND FAN SPEEDS TO DEFOG ALL WINDOWS. AT 70 MILES, OR ANY MPH--THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. SONATA HYUNDAI WINDOWS FOG QUICKLY, COMPLETELY AND FREQUENTLY BLINDING THE DRIVER NECESSITATING DISTRACTING CHANGES TO BE MADE TO BALANCE MULTIPLE CHANGES IN OUTSIDE TO INSIDE TEMPS ALONG ROADS. DEFOGGING IS ACHIEVED--ONLY-- WITH OUTSIDE AIR INTAKE VENTS OPEN. LIFE THREATENING MANEUVERS TO DRIVE SAFELY ARE DISTRACTIONS DESIGNED INTO THE HYUNDAI INSTRUMENT CONTROL SYSTEM. IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NOT FOUND SUCH AN INCOMPETENT, UNSAFE, UNREASONABLE AND LIFE THREATENING DESIGN IN ANY AUTOMOBILE, OR OVER THE ROAD RIG I OWNED. IF HYUNDA'S ANSWER IS THEY CANNOT FIX OR REPROGRAM THE SYSTEM, I AM SELLING THE CAR AS QUICKLY AS THEY SAY NO. THIS DESIGN IS A DEATH TRAP, UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND A THREAT TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL. *TR
Air bags, Jan 20, 2010, crash, fire
2009 HYUNDAI SONATA-2 FRONT END COLLISIONS AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT FOR EITHER. FRONT END WORK DONE AFTER 1ST FRONT END COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT DURING 2ND COLISION EITHER. CONCERNED WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT FOR EITHER ACCIDENT. *TR
Equipment, Nov 4, 2009
IN-DASH OE CD CHANGER MADE CRACKING SOUND WHEN FIRST CD WAS INSERTED AND DISPLAYED MECH ERROR MESSAGE ON DISPLAY. NEVER USED BEFORE. HAD IPOD CONNECTION SO NEVER USED THE INFINITY DISC CHANGER TILL MANY MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 13, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED, AND THE REPRESENTATIVES CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE IS 90BLS AND WHEN SHE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. SOMETIMES, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. UPDATED 10/29/09
Suspension, Sep 21, 2009
STRUT NOISE SOUNDS LIKE WORE OUT ON NEW 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. FEAR THEY MAY BRAKE AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE A WRECK. LOUD NOISE OVER BUMPS UNDER CAR. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2009
THE LIGHT EMITTED BY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS SO FOCUSED AS TO CREATE A TUNNEL EFFECT. THIS NON-DIFFUSED LIGHT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANY ILLUMINATION OTHER THAN STRAIGHT AHEAD AND NO HIGHER THAN THE LEVEL OF THE HEADLAMP. IN CONDITIONS OF TOTAL DARKNESS, IT IS AS IF YOUR ARE WEARING A LONG BRIMMED CAP WITH BLINDERS. AS YOU DRIVE UP OR DOWN A HILL, THE LIGHT SHINES "INTO" THE RISE OR DIP IN THE ROAD. WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER, THE LIGHT DOES NOT "LEAD" THE VEHICLE AROUND THE BEND, IT "LAGS" BEHIND CREATING A DARK ZONE AS THE CAR GOES AROUND THE BEND. WHEN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON, THE TUNNEL EFFECT DISAPPEARS. HYUNDAI HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LAMPS OR WITH THEIR DESIGN. THEY CONTEND THAT IT IS A DESIGN FEATURE OF THE PARTICULAR LAMPS AND THAT THEY ARE EFFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2009
PURCHASED A 2009 SONATA IN SPETEMBER OF 2008, THE AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT DRAIN AND HAS DEVELOPED A MOLD SMELL WHEN AIR IS ON. RETURNED TO DEALER, THEY WANT TO "CLEAN" EVAPORATOR WITH A FOAM CLEANER AT A COST OF OVER $100.00. THE TECH SAID TO DRIVE CAR IN THE OUTSIDE AIR CIRCULATOR AND NOT THE RECYCLE AIR ENGAGED, SINCE I REFUSED THE "CLEANSING". THIS MAKING ME SICK, FRIEND HAS A 2009 SANTA FE WITH SAME ISSUE. *TR
Suspension, Jul 28, 2009
2009 HYUNDAI SONATA SOUNDS LIKE IT NEEDS NEW SHOCKS/STRUTS RIGHT OFF THE CAR LOT NOTICED AS SOON AS WE DROVE IT HOME FROM SIGNING THE PAPERS - LESS THAN 20 MILES ON IT TECH SAID MANY HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME THING BUT NO FIX HE TOLD ME TO COMPLAIN TO HYUNDAI CALLED AND THEY SAID SORRY THAT'S THE WAY THEY ARE THAT ITS OPERATING AS DESIGNED - JUST RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 2002 SONATA - SUSPENSION IS FAULTY MUST BE REPLACED SAFETY HAZARD - WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE I BOUGHT THE 2009. REGRET PURCHASE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 22, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH DOWNHILL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND THEY ALSO COULD NOT ASSIST. HE BELIEVES THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD BE A SAFETY RISK DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS WELL AS A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED OTHER CONSUMERS THAT WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 10/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/08/09.