Page 2 of 5 · complaints 51–100 of 205

2001 Hyundai Sonata complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Structure › Frame and MembersCrash
Filed Mar 23, 2010166,249 milesNJ

NOTICED AN ISSUE IN JANUARY 2010: TOOK CAR TO A AUTO-REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR; NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT SERVICE. ON 03/22/2010 WHILE LEAVING A SHOPPING MALL THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEARED A HARD LEFT INTO A CEMENT LIGHT POLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT. (I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN TIME AND TURN THE VEHICLE) ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUMPER AND QUARTER-PANEL, BODY DAMAGE ONLY. I THEN TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH AT THAT POINT OPERATED IN DRIVABLE CONDITION. ON MY WAY TO THE AUTO-REPAIR (LESS THEN 1 MILE AWAY) MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION IN ANOTHER SHOPPING PLAZA. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE AUTO-REPAIR SHOP, WHICH THEN LATER CALLED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE FRAME OF THE CAR WAS CRACKED AND THE WHIEEL WAS DETATCHED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK THE MATTER VERY LIGHTLY TELLING ME TO JUST BRING THE CAR IN (THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE). I CALL MY TOWING COMPANY AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW AWAITING RESPONSE. I WAS NOT OFFERED A LOANER, NOR DID THE MANAGER KNOW OF ANY RECALL, NEITHER DID I, SOMETHING I HAD TO INVESTIGATE FOR MYSELF. (LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN OR I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.

Suspension
Filed Dec 11, 2009116,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS MISALIGNED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED, AND THAT THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LINING TO THIN. HE FILED REPORT NUMBER 3787345 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. HE WAS ADVISED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL #09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $1,150,000 .THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/12/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/13/10.*JB

Child Seat › Latch Strap
Filed Nov 5, 2009201,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE LATCH SYSTEM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT TO ATTACH THE CHILD SEAT. THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT ENOUGH TO TIGHTLY SECURE THE SEAT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN, WHOM CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO PROPERLY SECURE AN INFANT CHILD SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT NONE OF THE VEHICLES FROM 2001-2009 HAVE THE LATCH SYSTEM IN THE BACK SEAT TO ACCOMMODATE AN INFANT CHILD SEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 27, 200998,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TOWARDS THE RIGHT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE DISCOVERED THAT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED , IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO TILT TOWARDS THE RIGHT. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 11, 2009147,609 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING AND THE TIRE FELL OFF THE FRONT FRAME FROM BEING RUSTED. *TR

Suspension
Filed Oct 6, 2009136,000 milesTX

COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION OF BRAKE LINES. THE 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA LINES CAME APART DUE TO RUST. REPORTED INCIDENT TO HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL NOTICE DATED: 4-14-09 ID# 09V124000 ACTION# EA08016, WHICH INCLUDED QUALITY ISSUES WITH CARS SUSPENSION DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. WAS NOTIFIED BY DEALER TODAY THAT HYUNDAI WAS NOT COVERING THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINES, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT IN THE RECALL. FORTUNATELY, MY SON AND I WERE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I'M NOT SURE OF THE SCOPE OF THIS DEFECTIVE, BUT OBVIOUSLY HAD WE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE OR DEATH EXPERIENCE. THANKFULLY GOD WAS WATCHING OVER US. PLEASE INVESTIGATE SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE. ALSO IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP US RESOLVE THIS MATTER WE HYUNDAI IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 7, 200968,912 milesOH

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE FRAME SNAPPED ON THE FRONT RIGHT HAND SIDE LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE ITS AN 01 WITH 68,000 MILES.*TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 30, 2009140,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE REPLACING THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS NOT GRIPPING CORRECTLY. HE EXAMINED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME ON BOTH OF THE FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH HIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. HE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 17, 200991,200 milesPA

I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC TODAY TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND HE FOUND A CORRODED HOLE IN THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY. HE MENTIONED THIS WAS RECALLED BY HYUNDAI LAST YEAR BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF SUCH A RECALL AND I'M UPSET AS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WHY WAS I NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FIRST OF ALL, AND WHAT IS HYUNDAI GOING TO DO TO FIX MY CAR? *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 28, 200973,000 milesNY

AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING A USED 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, I NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST / CORROSION ON THE ENGINE CRADLE AND SUB - FRAME. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 74000 MILES ON IT BUT DOES NOT APPEAR AS IF IT WILL LAST MUCH LONGER. I AM ABLE TO POKE MY FINGERS THROUGH THE METAL AND PIECES FALL OUT OF THE STEEL ASSEMBLY. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 21, 200945,892 milesNY

I SMELLED GAS INSIDE THE CAR AFTER PARKING. COULD SEE NO VISIBLE LEAKS AT FIRST. ON JUNE 12 COULD SEE FLUID DRIPPING FROM MIDWAY UNDER CAR, MADE SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR VEHICLE. THEY DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A RUSTED FUEL LINE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED COST AT $2,100.00 DOLLARS FOR REPLACING FUEL LINE AND FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. SEEMED RELUCTANT TO DO REPAIR OF FUEL LINE, MENTIONING HOW THE BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO LOCATED NEXT TO THE FUEL LINES, LENGTH OF TIME ORDERING PARTS AND HOW COMPLICATED THE REPAIR IS ALONG WITH THE RUST IN THAT LOCATION. LOOKING FOR REPAIR SHOP TO DO THE REPAIR TO AVOID A FIRE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 19, 200971,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR TWO MONTHS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V347000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed May 21, 2009120,000 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. FRONT END DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT $3500.00. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!! MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF WERE BOTH INJURED IN THE CRASH. I HIT MY CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL, HARD. MY HUSBAND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND WINDSHIELD AND WE BOTH WENT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. WE BOTH STILL HAVE PAIN. MY HUSBAND HAS HAD A HEADACHE SINCE THE CRASH. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND WAS TOTALED OUT FROM THE DAMAGES. I HAVE TO NOW LOOK FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM SURE IF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF, WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN INJURED LIKE WE DID. I DO FEEL THAT WE ARE ENTITLED TO SOMETHING FOR OUR PAIN AND SUFFERING. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 6, 2009120,762 milesOH

I OWN A 20001 HYUNDAI SONATA. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PULLING BADLY TO THE RIGHT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT FRONT IS SEVERELY RUSTED. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DO SO. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 28, 2009141,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $800. HER STATE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000. UPDATED 05/04/09 *BF UPDATED 05/04/09.*JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 17, 200989,300 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND WAS ADVISED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,300.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 14, 200999,925 milesMA

WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT MY FRAME IS ROTTING OUT. HAS HOLES SIZE OF GOLF BALL NOT TO MENTION LINES 5-6" OF ROT. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT HE WILL NO LONGER WORK ON THE CAR AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE IT AND SUGGESTS I GET A NEW CAR. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 13, 2009149,000 milesNY

THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND THOUGHT I NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT AFTER COMING BACK FROM TAKING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND STARTED MAKING A RATTLING SOUND WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR (REVERSE AND DRIVE ) I THOUGHT IS WAS AXLE THAT MAY HAVE SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC WHO SAID I HAD A LOT OF RUST AND A WHOLE IN MY FRAME AND THE RUST STARTED TO FALL OFF THE CAR FRAME. I CALLED THE CONSUME AFFAIRS DEPT FOR HYUNDAI AND THEY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HOPEFULLY GET FIXED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $2,100.00 FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 6, 2009124,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REDUCE POWER WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY REPLACED THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER ASSEMBLY AND SPEED SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 *BF UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 2, 2009WI

VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO UNALIGN COUNTER CLOCKWISE IN THE LAST WEEK,THEN A NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL, THEN MY WIFE PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WHEN I NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL ON A TILT. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE IS A HUGE 4" HOLE OF RUST RIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 25, 2009116,000 milesMA

IN FEBRUARY I HAD GONE TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED BY MY UNCLE WHO WORKS AT A SHOP IN FRANKLIN HE HAD PUT MY CAR UP ON THE LIFT AND LOOKED IT OVER TO ENSURE THERE WASN'T ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS IN WHICH HE CONCLUDED THERE WAS NOT. ON MARCH 20TH 09 I WENT TO PEP BOYS TO HAVE 4 NEW TIRES PUT ON AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE. ON MARCH 24TH I WAS DRIVING MY SON HOME AND NOTICE THE CAR WAS MAKING A ODD NOISE AND FIGURED I SHOULD GET IT LOOKED AT. I WENT HOME AND ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I WENT TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO TAKE MY CAR TO MY UNCLES SHOP WHEN I HEARD A TERRIBLE LOUD NOISE SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT MY AXLE BROKE OFF AND MY SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND MY ENGINE WAS ALMOST ON THE GROUND. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 25, 2009112,300 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 30MPH AND THE CAR STARTED SWERVING LEFT AND RIGHT LIKE 'CRAZY'. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT EVEN THOUGH WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND THERE WAS CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SUBFRAME OF THE CAR WHERE THE LOWER TORQUE ARM ATTACHES TO THE WHEEL. THE TORQUE ARM LOOKED FINE BUT WHERE IT ATTACHED WAS RUSTED SO MUCH IT BROKE. I TOUCHED THIS AREA AND NOTICED A FIST SIZED HOLE OF METAL HAD RUSTED AWAY. HYUNDAI APPARENTLY USED VERY CHEAP METAL WHEN BUILDING THEIR PRODUCT. I CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE AND NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL SIDE IS ABOUT READY TO BREAK TOO AND FALL OFF THE CAR. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT HOME TRYING MY BEST TO STAY IN ONE LANE WHICH WAS VERY HARD AND DIDN'T ALWAYS DO THAT. I WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES LATER. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 24, 2009RI

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA BOUGHT LESS THAN 4 YEARS AGO HAS SEVERE ROTTING IN THE SUBFRAME. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CONSIDERS IT A DEATHTRAP. I'VE HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL IT IS APPALLING. I AM COMPLETELY DISGUSTED IN THE FACT THAT THIS DEGREE OF ROT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN 3 YEARS AND MOST DEFINITELY WAS SOLD TO ME THIS WAY. I WAS NOT TOLD BY THE DEALER OF ANY ROT IN THE SUBFRAME WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, HOW IS THAT LEGAL??? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE ALL TO COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR OR DO PEOPLE HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THIS IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY? *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 23, 2009108,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. I JUST BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR MY CAR AND WANTED THEM TO DO AN ALIGNMENT AS I THOUGHT IT REALLY NEEDED ONE. COME TO FIND OUT FROM THE MECHANIC, MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE MY ENGINE CRADLE (SUB FRAME) IS COMPLETELY RUSTED IN HALF WHICH WAS THROWING OFF MY ALIGNMENT. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME THING, WHY HAS THIS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 18, 200989,000 milesNY

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA FRAME RUSTED AT FRONT SWING ARM, BOTH SIDES. 109K MILES. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 12, 2009111,550 milesMA

I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE RIGHT FRONT BEGAN TO PULL, UPON TAKING THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THE FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH ON THERE RIGHT SIDE AND ALMOST AS BAD ON THE LEFT SIDE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 2, 200985,000 milesVA

THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AND WHEN WE WENT OUT TO START THE ENGINE IT TURNED OVER BUT IT WOULDN'T MOVE SO WE TOWED IT TO A LOCAL GOODYEAR REPAIR GARAGE WHERE THEY REPORT THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE MOTOR DROPPED AND BENT THE AXLE. THEY CANNOT FIND A USED UNDERCARRIAGE THAT ISN'T RUSTED THROUGH. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS TO HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY HAVE GIVEN US A CASE NUMBER (3122110) BUT REPORT THAT THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 26, 2009VT

I HAVE A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA I PURCHASED IN 2005 USED FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL GARAGE IN JANUARY 2009 SO THEY COULD CHECK OUT A NOISE MY CAR IS MAKING. THEY SAID THAT WHEN THEY PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT, THEY SAW THAT MY CRADLE IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THAT MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN JUNE AND REPLACING IT WOULD BE ABOUT THE COST OF MY CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE MADE A RECALL SO I DON'T HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2009130,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY PAY FOR THE PART, NOT THE LABOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 12, 2009142,000 milesME

UNDERFRAME OF 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 5, 2009106,588 milesNY

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TORE OUT OF SUB FRAME CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL OUT OF CONTROL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. BOTH AXLES WERE DESTROYED. HYUNDAI WILL PAY FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT BUT NO OTHER COSTS. THE AXLES , 2 TOWS. 1 TO MY HOME THE 2ND TO DEALERSHIP OR THE CAR RENTAL THAT THEY ARRANGED AND ORIGINALLY SAID THEY PAY FOR. MY CASE MANAGER WILL NOT TAKE MY CALLS NOR WILL ANYBODY EXPLAIN WHY THEY WONT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES THERE OWN DEALER SAID WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FRAME. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 28, 200985,000 milesFL

I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAS RUSTED ON MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. IT ONLY HAS 85K MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO ME. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN I GOT NEW TIRES, THERE WAS A SLIGHT PULL TO MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS USELESS TO GO THROUGH WITH THE ALIGNMENT DUE TO THE ENGINE CRADLE BEING RUSTED OUT. SINCE THEN I HAVE PUT MY CAR OUT AND HAVE HAD TO RIDE MY MOTORCYCLE TO AND FROM WORK SINCE I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 24, 2009160,000 milesNJ

FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED AND BROKEN. ALIGNMENT AND STEERING IS WAY OFF . WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE SINCE FRAME DAMAGE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 30, 2008710,000 milesNY

BOTH TIE ROD ENDS BREAK. REPLACED BOTH. CAR THEN EXPERIENCED BROKEN LEFT AXLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARE WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO CRACK IN SUB FRAME. SUB FRAME REPLACE WITH AXLE AND CONTROL ARM. ARE THERE ANY RECALL ON SUBFRAME FOR 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS? CAR HAS NOT EXPERIENCE ANY FRONT END COLLISION IN HISTORY OF OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE. CAR BOUGHT NEW AT DEALERSHIP. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 15, 2008117,000 milesNY

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA V6, WITH UNDER 120K MILES. TIRES REPLACED FOR WEAR AND ALIGNMENT PERFORMED ON WEEK OF 12/08/2008. MECHANIC POINTED OUT ALIGNMENT A MOOT POINT DUE TO RIGHT SUB FRAME, AKA K-FRAME,AKA ENGINE FRAME, AKA RIGHT WHEEL SUSPENSION MOUNT WAS RUSTED THROUGH TO POINT OF BEING ABLE TO ENTER RUST CAVITY WITH ALL FINGERS. THIS RESULTING TO CRACKED SUBFRAME AT WHEEL WELL SIDE WERE SUSPENSION IS MOUNTED. SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORT LEAKING POWER STEERING LINE FROM OVEREXTENDED DISTANCE FROM FRAME STRETCH . THIS ALSO IS A PROBLEM IN SANTE FE. I IMAGINE THE SAME K FRAME BEING USED A COST SAVING MEASURE. I'M NOW WAITING FOR HYUNDAI AMERICA TO RESPOND TO MY CASE #3460531. DON'T YOU BELIEVE ANYONE WHO DISCOUNTS THIS AS BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC BODY RUST THROUGH , BUT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NHTSA WILL BE ISSUING A RECALL ONCE THE BODY BAG COUNTS BEGIN BEING ATTRIBUTED TO THIS NATIONAL PROBLEM. SOME REPS ARE SAYING IT'S A SALT BELT SALES PROBLEM BUT THIS CONSISTS OF 60% OF THEIR SALES AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE GOOD FOR POORLY ENGINEERED STEEL CONSTRUCTION. IT APPEARS THE SALT WATER ENTERED FRONT OF FRAME BUT NEVER COULD EXIT DUE TO NO EXIT HOLES TOWARDS REAR OF FRAME. OXYGEN EXPOSURE TOOK CARE OF THE REST. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 9, 2008PA

I TOOK MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THERE IS A FIST-SIZED HOLE IN THE FRONT RIGHT SUB FRAME UNDER MY CAR. CURRENTLY, I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX MY VEHICLE AND IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION THE NEXT TIME AROUND. I WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI TO PAY FOR THIS DAMAGE BECAUSE A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING OUT! *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 29, 200811,100 milesNY

DRIVING 2001 SONATA CAR WAS SWAYING ON ROAD WHEN GOING ON TURNS WAS NOT WORKING WITH STEERING IN TIMELY MANNER. HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. HE FOUND ON PASSENGERS SIDE OF CAR THE LOWER FRAME RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES AND IS NOW ONLY SEMI ATTACHED SO THE ASSEMBLY MOVES AROUND. THERE IS A HUGE HOLE IN FRAME. CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AS WHOLE ASSEMBLY WILL FALL OFF. AS YOU CAN SEE CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CAR ONLY HAS 111000. MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS IN MY DRIVEWAY HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN APART ALL PARTS ARE ORIGINAL NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. CAN'T BE DRIVEN AS IS. I NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF SAME NATURE I DON'T CONSIDER THIS CONDITION ACCEPTABLE IN A 7 YEAR OLD CAR FRAMES SHOULD LAST MANY MORE YEARS. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 20, 2008114,000 milesKY

I PURCHASED MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6 IN 2002 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM IT, BUT THIS IS THE WORST SO FAR. MY CAR STARTED JERKING TERRIBLY WHEN I HIT ANY KIND OF BUMP OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND NOTICED THE FRAME WAS ROTTING, THEREFORE I WAS DRIVING IT TO MY MECHANIC AND AS I PUSHED THE BRAKE TO STOP, THE RIGHT/FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME/AXLE. THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE FRAME AROUND THE AXLE. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY GAVE ME A CLAIM # AND SAID SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS, SO WE WILL SEE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 12, 2008117,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING POORLY AND SHE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT EITHER THE UNDERCARRIAGE OR THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 24, 2008158,000 milesPA

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA- RUST IS ON THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND WE WERE TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE WHEELS WILL BECOME DETACHED AT ANY BUMP ALONG THE ROAD. THE STEERING IS ALSO JERKY AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT STRAIGHT ANYMORE AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES ARE POINTING INWARD AND WEARING VERY FAST ON THE INNER MOST PART OF THE TIRES. IS THERE SOME TYPE OF RECALL OR INVESTIGATION GOING ON FOR THIS MATTER? ARE THERE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME MODEL OF CAR AS MINE? IS THERE ANY COMPENSATION THAT IS DUE TO ME? WE HAVE HEARD FROM A FRIEND THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THIS MATTER (NHTSA NUMBER PE08029) PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ASAP. THANK YOU. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 17, 2008CA

476947. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 16, 200887,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAM POSITION POSITION SENSOR FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE ENGINE HARNESS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/26/08. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 14, 2008NJ

DROVE OVER A CRACK IN THE ROAD, FELT AND HEARD SNAPPING, TOOK TO MECHANIC, WAS TOLD RIGHT SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT SO BAD THAT IT SNAPPED. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 23, 200892,500 milesME

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS - THE VEHICLE SPRANG A LEAK UNDERNEATH OF STEERING FLUID. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC HE PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT, FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE SUBFRAME BEING SO WEAK AND RUSTED THAT WE CAN'T DRIVE IT. MY MECHANIC CALLED A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO SAID THE WHOLE PROBLEM WAS COVERED (INCL STEERING LEAK CAUSED BY BENDING SUBFRAME). I THEN TOWED IT TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY CALLED TO TELL ME I NEEDED TO PREBUY OVER $2000, SUBFRAME NOT COVERED. HAMPTON HYUNDAI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 177 LAFAYETTE ROAD. I FOUND TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS WHO SAY BOTH PROBLEMS SHOULD BE COVERED. I AM ORIGINAL AND PRESENT OWNER, UNDER 93,000 MILES. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 23, 200882,000 milesIL

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 82,000 MILE SUB FRAME (CRADLE) RUSTED THRU CAUSING CONTROL ARMS TO PUSH THRU CRADLE. CAR WAS ALL OVER AND OFF THE THE ROAD. *TR

Suspension › Front1 injured
Filed Sep 17, 200877,095 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA A CAR I BOUGHT NEW IN FLORIDA AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN FLORIDA. MY ENGINE CARRIAGE RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR AND THE ENTIRE WHEEL CAME OFF SENDING ME INTO TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP I AM WAITING TO HEAR IF HYUNDAI WILL REPAIR THE HUGE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. NOT TO MENTION I WAS ALMOST KILLED DUE TO THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS NOW. LIVES ARE AT RISK. IT IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

Structure › Frame and MembersCrash
Filed Sep 6, 200886,000 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, MY RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF, SEPARATING MY WHEEL / IT COLLAPSED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THIS AND SHOWED ME HOW SEVERE THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. IT BROKE OFF, HE NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT. PLEASE HELP. IS THIS A RECALL THAT I DIDN'T GET? *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 29, 2008112,343 milesMA

MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA'S SUBFRAME RUSTED TO THE POINT OF WHERE THERE WERE 7 IN" HOLES COMPLETELY THROUGH- THIS CAUSED THE LOWER SWING ARM TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION FAILED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE DAMAGED. DEALER DID NOT REPLACE TIRES, DID NOT PAY FOR TOWING OR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION- GARY ROME HYUNDAI, HOLYOKE MA. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 13, 200874,058 milesMA

IN 2007 A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE CAR AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A 1-2 INCH ROTTED HOLE THE RIGHT SIDE SUBFRAME. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS, SO HE WELDED ON A NEW PIECE OF METAL FOR SUPPORT. TODAY (8/13/08) ANOTHER OIL CHANGE WAS BEING DONE AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE IS NOW A 2-3 INCH HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE SUBFRAME THAT WASN'T VISIBLE A YEAR AGO. MECHANIC HIGHLY RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE FRONT SUBFRAME. REF PE08029. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 10, 2008166,500 milesMA

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2008, I BROUGHT IN MY 2001 GLS V6 HYUNDAI SONATA TO BALISE HYUNDAI OF CAPE COD IN HYANNIS, MA. MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 166,500 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. I WAS LOOKING TO GET A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. DURING THEIR DIAGNOSTICS, WITH THE CAR ON A LIFT, THEY NOTICED TWO THINGS. ONE, A POWER STEERING LEAK WAS OCCURRING MOST LIKELY BECAUSE OF A CORRODED POWER STEERING LINE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. TWO, IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE SUSPECTED HOSE FAILURE, THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON TWO SIDES OF THE PIECE. THE MAIN HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME IS FIST-SIZE OR LARGER AND THE SECOND IS NOT GOOD. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME ISSUE WAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND WARNED ME OF WHAT COULD HAPPENED SHOULD IT FAIL. THEY ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES THAT REPLACING IT COULD BRING. THEY TOLD THAT THEY WERE HIGHLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ME DRIVING OFF THE LOT WITH THE CAR WITH THE SUBFRAME IN THAT CONDITION BECAUSE IT COULD GO AT ANY TIME. WHEN THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS TO MY CAR, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY MIGHT DO THE SERVICE ON THE SUBFRAME FOR FREE. THEY HAD TO GET APPROVAL FROM A REGIONAL REP OR SUCH PERSON. HOWEVER, AS OF TODAY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER. TODAY, I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH INTO REPLACING THE SUBFRAME AND FINDING THE PART. WHEN I DID A YAHOO! SEARCH FOR "SONATA SUBFRAME", I CAME ACROSS THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. I, THANKFULLY, HAVE NOT HAD A FAILURE OR ACCIDENT BE

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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