1997 Hyundai Sonata

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 49 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Hyundai Sonata years to avoid. Which Hyundai Sonata years to avoid →

Most common 1997 Hyundai Sonata problems

16 of the 49 complaints (33%) are about the fuel system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · fuel system15
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission6
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags5
402
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine2
000
Air Bags · airbags2
101
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor1
000
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration1
000
Unknown or Other1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly00V314001
Filed Oct 2, 200066,086 vehiclesHyundai Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF IT IS CRACKED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP THAT DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 SONATA FUEL TANKS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CRACKING. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, THE CAUSE FOR THE CRACKING HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AFTER HYUNDAI HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE AND CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor97V026000
Filed Feb 26, 199774,965 vehiclesHyundai Motor America

Defect. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Risk. THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Visibility
Filed May 6, 201464,000 milesNJ

FAILURE/BREAKAGE OF PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR AS ADDRESSED IN HYUNDAI TSB 09-01-003 NHTSA ID:10028945 RESULTING IN VISOR BEING UNABLE TO STAY IN POSITION BLOCKING VISIBILITY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 27, 2011108,000 milesIN

AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CALL HYUNDAI, I AM ABSOLUTELY FED UP WITH EVERYTHING THEY ARE DOING. I HAVE "REPAIRED" MY VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO NO AVAIL. AFTER AT LEAST 5, DEFINITELY MORE, TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC I HAVE REPAIRED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE, THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, BRAKES, MOTOR MOUNTS, DONE A TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE, AND HAVE HAD TO REPAIR 2 FLYWHEELS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THAT LIST DOES NOT INCLUDE THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF PLUGS, FILTERS, AND OIL. I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS ANYMORE. THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY MY VEHICLE, THIS IS MY MOTHERS VEHICLE, BUT REGARDLESS OF WHO'S VEHICLE IT IS, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WHAT IT BASICALLY IS DOING IS WHEN IT REACHES A CERTAIN MILEAGE IT WILL BASICALLY "KICK/JERK/PUSH FORWARD" (FOR A LACK OF TERMS) WHEN IT REACHES 12 MPH AND 32 MPH AND I'M CERTAIN OF OTHERS BUT MY MOTHER VIRTUALLY NEVER DRIVES ABOVE 45 MPH SO ANYTHING ABOVE THAT I'M UNCERTAIN OF. IT ALSO HAS A VERY HARD TIME ACCELERATING TO 20 MPH. ONCE IT'S ABOVE 20 MPH IT'S EASY AND ACCELERATES VERY FAST. MY MOTHER HAS NEARLY BEEN HIT TWICE DUE TO THIS INABILITY TO ACCELERATE AS FAST AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TOO HYUNDAI AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TOO NUMEROUS DIFFERENT MECHANICS. I AM GETTING 3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS, SOMETHING IN THE FUEL/AIR LINE, ENGINE COMPUTER MODULE, AND TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY OF THESE REPAIRS SO I HAVEN'T DONE ANY OF THEM, BUT I AM THINKING THAT THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE R

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 30, 2005IL

1997 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. LEAKING GAS FROM THE UPPER PART OF ON THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TANK IN THE YEAR 2001..AND MY CAR WAS FIXED, HOWEVER IT HAS REOCCURED (SAME PROBLEM). I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL, DUE TO THE FACT IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. I ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTUROR AND THEY WOULD ALSO NOT HONOR. THERE IS ALSO A DEFECT IN THE DOOR LOCK, NOT ALLOWING THE DOOR TO EVEN OPEN.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 4, 2005148,000 milesPA

RECALL # 00V314001 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA I HAD CALLED DEALER TO ASK OF RECALL THEY HAD INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES. AND THEY HAD SAID THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR. MY QUESTION IS ARE THEY STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. I AM LEAVING THE VIN # ALSO [XXX] PLEASE HELP THANKS. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 7, 200586,000 milesVA

THE POWER LOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE, WHEN PLACING THE KEY INTO THE LOCK THE PASSENGER LOCK WOULD NOT OPEN, WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE ,THE LOCKING DEVICE WOULD NOT LIFT.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 31, 2004128,000 milesID

RECALL 001V314001 CONCERNING FUEL TANK. AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS DONE CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE ODORS, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON FIVE SEPARATE TIMES BY THE DEALER, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE FOR THE NEXT REPAIRS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 27, 200425,000 milesNY

RECALL 00V314001 CONCERNING FUEL TANK. AFTER REFILLING THE FUEL TANK CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. CONTACTED THE DEALER CONCERNING THIS RECALL. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jun 2, 200433,116 milesRI

RECALL REGARDING GAS TANK PROBLEM.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. SHORTLY AFTER ALL THE FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK LEAKED OUT. THE DEALER DID NOT SAVE THE TANK OR INSPECT IT FURTHER BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE. SOMETIME IN 2001 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL (00V-314001) REGARDING A GAS TANK PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 11, 200472,000 milesAL

TRANSMISSION FAILURE

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices
Filed May 9, 2004118,468 milesNJ

FUEL TANK RECALLS BELOW HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY FIXED. FUEL TANK STILL TAKES ON TOO MUCH PRESSURE AND VEHICLE HAS ALSO FAILED EMISSIONS INSPECTION. WINDSHIELD WASHER MOTOR HAS FAILED TWICE (CURRENTLY BROKEN). HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED 4 TIMES.*AK 1997 HYUNDAI SONATA L4-1997CC 2.0L DOHC MFI SAFETY RECALLS TSB NUMBER ISSUE DATE TSB TITLE 01-01-004 MAR 01 RECALL - CANISTER AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT EMISSIONS RECALLS TSB NUMBER ISSUE DATE TSB TITLE 01-01-004-1 APR 01 RECALL - CANISTER AIR INTAKE/FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 2, 200456,529 milesPA

AFTER MAKING SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK RECALL 00V314001 PERFORMED THE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Oct 1, 200336,059 milesMD

ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1999 WHILE DRIVING ON BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON PRKWY, I APPROACHED AN AREA OF HIGHWAY WERE WORK WAS BEING DONE. I WAS NOW TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH. AT ONE POINT TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AS I GLANCED DOWN AT MY INSTRUMENTAL PANEL THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED TO BE FLICKERING, THE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN WENT OUT. WHILE IN A STOPPED POSITION APPROXIMATELY (2) MINS AFTER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THE AIRBAGS BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DEPLOYED. I WAS STARTLED BY THIS AND DID HOWEVER RELEASE THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES SLIGHTLY BUMPING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE AND LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF MY CAR. THE MAJOR DAMAGE IS FROM THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR FROM THE AIRBAGS. PLEASE BE AWARE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE MY CAR CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. *SCC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 6, 200357,000 milesWA

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER DEALERSHIPS TRIED TO FIX MULIPLE TIMES. I HAVE SPEND ABOUT 3,000 DALLORS OF MY MONEY TO FIX THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS FINALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR WANTS TO STALL AT A STOP AND THE IDLE JUMPS AROUD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAR REALLY ACTS UP WHEN YOU HAVE THE A/C ON.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Aug 29, 2003FL

MY VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DUT TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET TO PAY FOR A COMPANY'S MISHAP. I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM TO BE CORRECTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed Aug 29, 2003MO

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT LOW SPEED, UNDER 5 MPH, KILLING FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.*AK THE SONATA HIT THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE DEPLOYING BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT BAG. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW FOR CERTAIN IF THE 5 YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS BELTED. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE CHILD WAS. THE CHILD SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE NECK, SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND BRAIN DAMAGE. THE CHILD WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.CW

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 28, 2003110,000 milesNY

THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED A GASOLINE ODOR. THIS RECALL FAILED . *TT

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 3, 2003NJ

I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN AGAINST DIFEO HYUNDAI, HUDSON MALL, RT. 440, JERSEY CITY, NJ. I HAD THE FOLLOWING RECALLS DONE ON MY HYUNDAI SONATA 97 (VIN [XXX]) FROM DIFEO IN JANUARY, 03: NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 97V026000. NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 00V314001 DIFEO HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AS A PART OF THE RECALL. SOON AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE, I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE WAS STUCK ON THE UPPER END. SPOKE TO DIFEO SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON 2/14/03 AND TOOK AN APPTMENT FOR 2/18/03 MORNING. CONFIRMED THE APPTMENT BEFORE LEAVING ON 2/18/03. HOWEVER, ON REACHING THE SERVICE CENTER I WAS TURNED AWAY BECAUSE IT WAS CLOSED FOR THE DAY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME DIFEO HAS SHOWN SUCH UNPROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE IN SERVICING THE RECALL. 1.WHEN I APPROACHED DIFEO THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER 2002, THE DEALER REFUSED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A RECALL. HAD TO HAVE HYUNDAI USA CALL THEM UP TO INFORM ABOUT THE RECALL. 2.AFTER THIS WHEN I WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER ON 1/11/03 THE REPRESENTATIVE THERE (MIKE), AGAIN REFUSED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A RECALL. 3.AGAIN HAD TO GO BACK TO HYUNDAI USA FOR HELP. HAD [XXX] AT 1800 633 5151 X [XXX] TALK TO [XXX]. ONLY THEN DID DIFEO AGREE TO SERVICE THE RECALL. 4.FINALLY DROPPED OFF THE CAR ON 1/25/03. MIKE FROM DIFEO INFORMED ME THE SAME EVENING THAT THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICKUP. HOWEVER, ON REACHING THE SERVICE CENTER I WAS INFORMED THAT CAR WAS NOT READY YET AND THE GAS TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. 5.FINALLY THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. AM SURE THE PROBLE

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Mar 7, 2003NJ

THE FUEL TANK CRACKED AND LEAKED GASOLINE. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Feb 27, 2003TN

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL #97V026000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 10, 2002VA

FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING GAS WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT LEAK CAME FROM THE UPPER PART OF THE FUEL TANK.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 8, 2002NE

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DEALER SAID TIMING BELT BROKE AND CAUSED THE CRANK SENSOR AND TIMING SENSOR TO BREAK, HOWEVER AFTER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT WITH THE STARTER, BUT POSSIBLY WITH THE HEAD. *YD

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Mar 18, 2002MA

RECALL 00 V 314 001/FUEL TANK: RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE IN APRIL 27, 2001, AND PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER THAT FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL REPAIRS, THEY INDICATED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY CONSUMER'S PERSONAL MECHANIC AND WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF EXCESSIVE VACCUM NOR REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT CHARGE. *TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 23, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKES CAUSING VEHICLE UNABLE TO STOP.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 7, 2001NJ

FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS AND A FUEL SMELL IS PRESENT. 1) IN DEC 2000 AND MAR 2001 FUEL TANK REPLACED BECAUSE OF CRACKS ON TOP OF FUEL TANK; 2) IN APRIL 2001 SERVICE FOR RECALL 00V314001 WAS PERFORMED; 3) IN OCTOBER 2001 FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM A SEAL BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND A PIPE, LEADING TO ENGINE, RESULTING IN FUEL TANK BEING REPLACED FOR FOURTH TIME AND 4) IN NOVEMBER 2001 FUEL SMELL WAS PRESENT AGAIN AND DEALERSHIP WAS DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. *AK THE FUEL GAUGE OPERATION STAYS ON FULL THEN DROPS DRASTICALLY DUE TO FUEL SENDER/PUMP FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GAS TANK CAP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO PURGE VALVE FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *YH

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 2001HI

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; WHEN APPLING GEAR IN REVERSE THERE IS A HARD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER REPLACED FAULTY O2 SENSOR. FAULTY BATTERY CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRANK SLOW. DRIVER DOOR WINDOW MOVES SLOW, DEALER LUBRICATED GLASS CHANNEL. OUTER CV BOOT REPLACED, IT WAS CRACKED. SOLENOID VALVE FAULTY CAUSING POOR GAS MILEAGE. *SLC

Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 2001CA

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jun 11, 2001MD

CONSUMER REAREND VEHICLE WITH A 25 MPH IMPACT WITH APPLYING BRAKES. DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHOULDER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT HEAD AGAINST STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER WILL CONTACTED DEALER TO DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 2, 2001MD

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL, DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL TANK FIVE TIMES, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED, A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *AK.*JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Mar 28, 2001MD

THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE CONSUMER FEELS THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. NLM

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Filed Mar 26, 2001NJ

WHEN CONSUMER USES HAZARD LIGHTS AND THEN USE IT AGAIN SIGNAL LIGHTS GO OUT. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED AT 3708, SECOND TIME 6000 MILES, AND THIRD TIME AT 59,000. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER HAS TO CHANGE HAZARD LIGHTS AGAIN. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 6, 2001VA

SINCE WE HAVE OWNED VEHICLE - 9/98-TO PRESENT ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON CAUSING LACK OF POWER- SMOKE-VIBRATION - TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON FIVE OCCASIONS WITH NO REAL FIX TO PROBLEM -TWO TIMES WE LEFT DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN TWO MILES LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 6, 2000KY

FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED AT SEAMS, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL TANK TWICE.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Oct 24, 2000NY

OBSERVED GAS LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP UPON INSPECTION TANK WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK ON THE SIDE NEAR THE TOP SPOKE TO DEALER NOT THINKING THIS WAS A WARRANTY PROBLEM WAS INFORMED FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED ON JULY OF 99 WAITING FOR AN ANSWER ABOUT REPLACING TANK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 28, 2000IL

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE JERKS AND RPM LINE GOES UP IN DOWN. THEN VEHICLE STARTS SLOWING DOWN, AND WILL SHUTDOWN. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP VEHICLE IN NEUTRALTO KEEP IT IN ORDER. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 31, 2000CA

EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ACCELLERATION ON HIGHWAY. WHEN VEHICLE REACHES 40 MPH OR MORE IT APPEARS TO BE SHIFTING IN NEUTRAL, AND CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL FREE TOPROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 5, 2000PA

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATION. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL OT GO INTO REVERSE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, TRANSMISSION NEES REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Tires
Filed Apr 27, 2000AL

TWO TIRES FAILED PREMATURELY (UNIROYAL). YH

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Apr 12, 2000DE

WHILE TAKING AN EXIT RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Sep 8, 1999NJ

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE DASHBOARD WIRING. MJS

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Flasher Unit
Filed Sep 1, 1999NY

IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE HYUNDAI SONATA'S TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION. IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO ACTIVATE, YOU MUST TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OR WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO WARM UP. THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN THE HYUNDAI, BUT THEY HAVE TAKEN NO STEPS TO RECALL THE AUTO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH, WHICH SOMEHOW PROVIDES POWER TO THE TURN SIGNALS, MUST BE REPLACED. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE CONNECTION IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT POWERS THE AIR BAG CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN THE CONNECTION IS POOR, THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT ACTIVATES, INCDICATING THE SYSTEM IS DISABLED. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN "REPAIRED" TWICE, AND STILL HAS NO AIR BAGS. THE DEALER "FIXES" THE PROBLEM BY "ADJUSTING/BENDING" THE "CONNECTOR" IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM RECURS WITHIN DAYS. I'VE BEEN WITHOUT WORKING AIR BAGS FOR 8 MONTHS NOW. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF A MAJOR DESIGN DEFECT IN THE STERRING COLUMN WHICH CAUSES THE AIRBAGS TO REPREATEDLY FAIL AND DE-ACTIVATE IN THIS MODEL. THEY HAVE TAKEN NO STEPS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE GOV'T NEEDS TO ORDER THEM TO DESIGN A FIX FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND RECALL ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 4, 1999IN

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH VEHICLE HAD HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 17, 1999IL

ENGINE NOISE AND LEAKAGE DUE TO THREE COLLAPSED LIFTERS AND FRONT CRANKS SEAL LEAKING, DAMAGE TO BELT FROM OIL.

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 16, 1999MD

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT OF VEHICLE IS SHAKING REAL BADLY, AND FRONT TIRE IS VIRBATING. WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING OVER A BUMP, VEHICLE WILL SHAKE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Sep 17, 1998NC

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT TRAVELLING ABOUT 15MPH, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. CAR WAS TOWED, INSURANCE INVESTIGATION PENDING. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 27, 1998MD

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN GOING ONTO RAMPSS AND WHEN SLOWING FOR TURNS.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 30, 1998MA

AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE CAUSING INJURY IN ACCIDENT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 27, 1998MA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 28, 1998MA

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Aug 14, 1996OH

TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, ALSO SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL IF SLIGHTLY BUMPED.

All 49 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2011
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20263100Routine
202517000Routine
202447100Routine
202388200Routine
202295310Routine
2021135400Routine
2020182410Routine
2019162060Routine
20183751131Fatalities reported
20177683111Fatalities reported
20167296281Fatalities reported
20151,1549482Do not drive
20147507400High concern
20131,9179981Fatalities reported
20121,5598951Fatalities reported
20113,380141123Fatalities reported
2010345232Fatalities reported
20094602110Above average
20084255110Above average
2007696760Above average
20061,0471191Fatalities reported
2005165120Routine
2004202120Above average
2003199620Routine
2002320740Above average
2001205300Above average
2000276490Above average
1999124430Routine
199849100Routine
1997 — this page49211Fatalities reported
199623101Fatalities reported
199566210Routine
19943100Routine
199326100Routine
199222100Routine
199129160Routine
199016300Routine

Compare every Sonata year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 2, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.