2002 Hyundai Sonata complaints

MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA BEGAN PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT ON 8/6/09 SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE THINKING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY ALIGNMENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT ON 8/10/09. WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON 8/9/09 MY CAR STARTED TO GET OUT OF CONTROL AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE CURB. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME AND AXEL WERE BROKEN AND THAT I WOULD BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE AXEL AND LABOR. *TR

I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED HYUNDAI SONATA IN JANUARY 2008 FROM A DEALER. THIS PAST TUESDAY, THE FRAME OF MY CAR BROKE WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY FOR ME, I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT 1999-2002 SONATA HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CAR FRAME. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND WAS ASKED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALER WHO WOULD FIX THE FRAME FOR ME. ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY IS FIXING THE FRAME AT NO COST, I HAD TO RENT A CAR AND I STILL HAVE IT. THE TOTAL CHARGES FOR IT TILL NOW HAVE BEEN $700. I ALSO PAID TWICE FOR GETTING MY CAR TOWED. I REQUESTED THE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE RENTAL CAR CHARGES WHICH THEY DENY DOING. I WOULD HAVE DRIVEN MY SONATA FOR ANOTHER 3-4 YRS. AS I AM A RECENT GRADUATE AND LOOKING FOR A JOB, I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR AND PAY HUGE RENTAL FEE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY EVEN AFTER THE FRONT FRAME IS FIXED. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN GUIDE ME ABOUT HOW TO APPROACH THIS SITUATION WITH HYUNDAI. I AM SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON RENTAL AND AT THE SAME TIME I WILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. *TR

FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTING OUT. *TR

2002 HYUNDAI SONATA SUBFRAME FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. AFTER DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER ARRIVED AT HER DESTINATION AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE DRIVER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT END, WHICH HOUSES THE SUPPORTS FOR THE WHEELS, WAS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT INSPECTION. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME HOLDING THE STEERING, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,600. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

WHILE CHANGING THE BALL BEARING, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUSTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE FRAME. HE WARNED THAT THE CAR WOULD JUST COLLAPSE. THERE WERE 3-4 INCH BIG HOLES IN THE FRAME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED FATAL INJURY. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 7 YEAR OLD FOR SUCH SEVERE RUSTING TO OCCUR. *TR

2002 HYUNDAI SONATA SUB FRAME CORROSION AND FRONT RT WHEEL COLLAPSED. LOCAL DEALER COVERED COST OF SUB FRAME REPLACEMENT, BUT CHARGED ME FOR A NEW SWAY BAR. FRONT FENDER WAS PUSHED AGAINST PASSENGER DOOR, WHICH HYUNDAI WOULD NOT FIX, AND CAR NOW HAS SEVERE WOBBLING WHEN DRIVEN, UNLIKE BEFORE THE CORROSION. HYUNDAI SAYS IT'S AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM AND MY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM WONDERING WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE AGAINST HYUNDAI, AS THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND DROVE SMOOTHLY BEFORE THIS DAMAGED OCCURRED. LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT, SINCE THE WHEEL LET GO AT A LOW SPEED. *TR

MY FRAME ON MY CAR RUSTED THROUGH LEAVING MY CAR SITTING ON MY TIRES LITERALLY! WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TOWN. I HAVE CALLED THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER AND THEY TOOK DOWN INFORMATION, I AM NOW WAITING ON THE DECISION IF IT WILL COST ME ANYTHING OR NOT. *TR

MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA LX HAS THE COMMON PROBLEM OF THE SUBFRAME ROTTING OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTS. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND HAVE TAKEN THE CAR OFF THE ROAD DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. THE CONTROL ARM HAS NOT LET GO YET, BUT I DO NOT DARE TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE RUST. I AM GOING TO BE CONTACTING HYUNDAI TO SEE ABOUT A WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2007. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE HARNESS IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

VIBRATION IN FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AT HIGH SPEEDS. I TOOK MY 2002 SONATA TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME MY CRADLE THAT INVOLVES THE HALF SHAFT/CONTROL ARM IN THE SUSPENSION WAS RUSTED THROUGH WITH FIST SIZE HOLES. I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME OVER $500.00 TO REPLACE THE HALF SHAFT AND CRADLE, ALSO THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED HAD MY WHEEL FALLEN OFF. THAT WAS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I'VE EVER HEARD. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE HALF SHAFT, WITHIN 2 DAYS I HAD A GRINDING/RATTLE ON THE SAME RIGHT SIDE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE AUTO DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME NOW IT WAS THE BUSHINGS IN THE SUSPENSION AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE.. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT THERE UNTIL THEY WORKED ON THE CAR ORIGINALLY. IT WILL NOW COST ME OVER $300.00 TO HAVE THE BUSHINGS REPLACED. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS WITH THE ORIGINAL WORK. THERE IS A FEDERAL PROBE GOING ON WITH THE NHTSA, IT IS STATED THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS CAR SHOULD BE STANDING BEHIND THEY'RE PRODUCT, BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE THE APPROPRIATE CHANGES THAT COULD IN TURN SAVE SOMEBODY'S LIFE IF THEIR CAR WOULD FAIL DUE TO THIS FLAW. *TR

MY WIFE OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA, AND LAST WEEK SHE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT. SHE DRIVES 60 MILES ROUND TRIP TO HER JOB 5 DAYS A WEEK. ONCE SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT, I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE THINKING IT WAS IN NEED OF A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. MY TECHNICIANS CALLED ME BACK TO THE SERVICE AREA AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AS TILTED TO THE SIDE SLIGHTLY. I TOLD THEM TO BEGIN REPAIRS IMMEDIATELY, AS MY WIFE'S SAFETY IS MY TOP PRIORITY. I CALLED HYUNDAI ON 2/3/09 AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER, AND TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME IN 3 TO 4 BUSINESS DAYS. I EXPECT FULL REIMBURSEMENT, AS I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR

2002 HYUNDAI SONATA RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WENT SIDEWAYS WHILE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED BUT THE CAR WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. FROM READING INFORMATION ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB

MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA FAILED STARE INSPECTION DUE TO RIGHT FRONT ROT ON SUBFRAME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY ARE GOING TO REPAIR PROBLEM. UNTIL THEN, IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A CITATION FOR IT NOT BEING INSPECTED . I AM LEFT WITH AN UNINSPECTED AND ROTTED CAR UNTIL THEY CAN TAKE IT IN. HYUNDAI DOES NOT GIVE OUT LOANER CARS! *TR

THE BATTERY IS OFTEN DRAINED AND CONTINUES TO DO SO ALL THE TIME I'VE RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET AND MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, POSSIBLY THE IGNITION SWITCH RELAY. MANY HAVE REPLACED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND PROBLEMS CONTINUE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY DRAINING AND DYING ALL THE TIME I HAVE PURCHASED A JUMP STARTER FOR MY CAR. I HAVE TO JUMP MY CAR EVERY TIME I USE IT. *TR

VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAME BEING SEVERELY RUSTED IN ON SPECIFIC AREA. FRAME FAILURE AT THAT POINT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE A WHEEL/SUSPENSION FAILURE, MOST LIKELY WHILE BEING PUT UNDER THE STRAIN OF TURNING/BRAKING. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DEFECT IF NEEDED. *TR

ON 11/3/08 I FILED ODI#10248441 REGARDING ROTTED RIGHT SIDE SUB-FRAME ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER ON 11/11/08 AS A 1 TIME "GOODWILL" REPLACEMENT. DURING REPLACEMENT OF SUB-FRAME DEALER DAMAGED AND REPLACED FLEXPIPE AND BOLTS. CAR WAS RETURNED AND STARTED LEAKING FLUID WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE POWER STEERING FLUID. WE MONITORED AND REPLACED FLUID BUT STEERING WAS DIFFICULT AND MADE NOISE MOSTLY ON START-UP AND TURNING CORNERS. ON 12/1/08 WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED - WE LOST THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY AND IT WOULD NO LONGER HOLD FLUID. DEALER STATED THAT POWER STEERING RACK MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF OVER $1,000. WE ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR REPAIR STATING THAT CRACKED STEERING MOUNT IS RELATED TO ROT PROBLEM AND IS THE DEALERS RESPONSIBILITY. 12/3/08 WE OPENED A CASE WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS . BASED ON INFORMATION RESEARCHED ON THIS SITE AND OTHER RELATED SITES THE CRACKED POWER STEERING MOUNT IS COMMON AND RELATED TO ROT PROBLEM. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI. CAR ONLY HAS 41,400 MILES AND WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES, TIRES, HEAT SENSOR, AND SUB-FRAME IN ADDITION TO NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAMES. THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE THAT RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FRAMES, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME DEFECT AND BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ THE SWAY BAR ENDS LINKS AND BUSHINGS WERE WORN. UUPDATED 01/09/09. *JB

I HAVE HAD TWO VALVE STEMS ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA GO BAD. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AT GURNEE HYUNDAI 10/23/07. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS 4 OR 5 MONTHS AGO AND THE MOST RECENT WAS ON 11/2/08. WE WERE TRAVELING IN VIRGINIA AND STOPPED FOR LUNCH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND WE WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE MOUNTAINS. *TR

2002 HYUNDAI SONATA/4DR SEDAN/2.4L AU - RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. CAR WAS BEING CHECKED FOR A LEAK AND MECHANIC FOUND DAMAGE. CAR WAS TAKEN OFF THE ROAD UNTIL REPAIRED. NO INJURY OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY. *TR

I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH THE ENGINE CRADLE FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT. VEHICLE FAILED NH STATE INSPECTION AND IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. MILEAGE: 123,000. *TR

SUBFRAME RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. LUCKILY THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A REPAIR OF A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT REGARDING THE 1999-2004 SONATA IN HIGH SALT AREAS AND HYUNDAI IS APPARENTLY REPLACING THE FRAME OUT OF WARRANT (MINE WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ANYWAY). I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL TO PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT WHICH HAS CAUSED, IN SOME CASES, WHEEL SEPARATIONS. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE PART HAD A LARGE HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRAME. *TR

POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURED ABRUPTLY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SONATA, WHEN IT BASICALLY JUST FELL APART. IT SOUNDED LIKE SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE TIRE RIM, BUT ALL 4 TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE DID LOOK TILTED OUT. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THAT SITE. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER INSPECTED IT AND STATED HE WAS SURE THAT THE CAR HAD GONE OFF THE ROAD AT SOME POINT BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS BROKEN, THAT TIRE WAS BENT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SCUFFED "SHINY". IT HAD NOT GONE OFF THE ROAD, SO MY MECHANIC TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED RIGHT THOUGH AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED (TO MY 16 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AT NIGHT) WAS THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SO RUSTED THAT IT CRUMBLED, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL AND BREAK THE AXLE AND BEND THE WHEEL! THANKFULLY, SHE HAD ONLY JUST DRIVEN ONTO THE ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY, SO SHE WASN'T GOING FAST AND THE LANE SHE ENTERED WAS CLEAR. I'D HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD SHE MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED! WHEN WE DISCOVERED ON LINE THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 1999-2002 SONATAS, WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER. HE SAID WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED (15 MILES) TO HIS SERVICE DEPT WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE A HYUNDAI REP TAKE A LOOK AT IT. HE SAID HIS MANAGER HAD BEEN KNOWN TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT HE DOUBTED VERY MUCH THAT THEY'D PAY FOR THE AXLE, WHEEL, AND ANY OTHER DAMAGE INCURRED. AFTER READING ALL THESE OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS, I

I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH HAS SEVERE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE RUST. IT WOULD NOT PASS VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED WELDING THE FRAME TO "BANDAGE" THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THE OTHER STORIES FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR AND BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, IT'S LIKE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. MY SON ALSO DRIVES MY CAR ON OCCASION. *TR

TOOK MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION AND HE TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT MY SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT...HE COULD STICK HIS FINGERS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FRAME. HE SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND TO CALL OUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. I DID AND THE SERVICE GUY THERE SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION. THAT THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE RUSTING OUT OF SONATA SUBFRAMES AS A PROBLEM AND UNDER "GOODWILL"....THEY WILL FIX IT FOR FREE, UNLESS THE CAR HAS BEEN WRECKED. TOLD HIM MY CAR WAS NOT WRECKED....IN FOR STATE INSPECTION ONLY. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY SONATA THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING VERY BAD....ESPECIALLY WHEN BREAKING ON A HILL. I THOUGHT MAYBE MY BRAKES WERE GOING BAD. NO!!! IT WAS MY RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED. I HAVE TO TAKE MY SONATA TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 5 DAYS SO THEY CAN ORDER A NEW SUBFRAME. THANKFULLY, NONE OF MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS.....WHY HASN'T THEIR BEEN A RECALL ON THIS FOR SONATAS???? IS HYUNDAI GOING TO WAIT FOR FATALITIES BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION??? OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THE ENGINE COULD FALL OFF AND/OR OUR TIRES COULD BREAK OFF WHILE DRIVING. AND WE DON'T DO ALOT OF CITY DRIVING....MAINLY HIGHWAY DRIVING AND MY 17-YEAR OLD SON HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS SONATA. I THANK GOD NOTHING HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE SONATA. PLEASE RESPOND TO ME ASAP. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL NOW!! I AM CONTACTING OTHER SONATA OWNERS WHO'VE HA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE SUBFRAME BEING CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THEY RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER BRAND NEW. I ALWAYS HAVE MY VEHICLES SERVICED PER THE MANUFACTURER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. AS I WAS GETTING MY 90,000 MILE SERVICE WORK ON MY VEHICLE, THE SERVICE TECH NOTICED / STATED THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMING APART ( HOLES ) DUE TO RUST; PER THE SERVICE TECH, THE CRADLE NEEDS REPLACING AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE CRADLE ( CROSS-MEMBER); AND PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH I HAD TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP $2,200.00. *TR

I HAD MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA IN TO REPAIR A POWER STEERING LINE THAT HAD RUSTED OUT AND WAS LEAKING WHEN THE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE CRADLE HAD A FIST SIZED HOLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CRADLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES DUE TO OVERHEATING. DURING EACH VISIT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN AUGUST WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THERE IS FAILURE WITH THE HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUE TO RECUR WITHIN A YEAR OF HAVING IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO BE LIABLE OR MAKE PARTIAL PAYMENTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RUST HOLE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HOLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

WENT TO DEALER FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WAS TOLD MY SUBFRAME WAS ROTTING OUT. THE DEALER STATES THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SUBFRAME UNDER A " GOODWILL WARRANTY" WHEN ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFRAME OF THESE CARS I WAS TOLD NO. *TR

2002 HYUNDAI SONATA, SEVERE ROT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SUBFRAME. 58,000 MILES ON CAR. IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE SO WAS TOWED TO DEALER. WAS NOT IN ACCIDENT BUT HAD SEVERE ALIGNMENT ISSUES AND POWER STEERING HOSE BREAKAGE AS A RESULT OF THE ROT. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT SUBFRAME WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT ALL OTHER REPAIRS WERE MY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

I OWN 2 ,2002 HYUNDAI SONATAS WITH 48,000 ON ONE AND 56,000 ON THE OTHER. THEY ARE BOTH DEVELOPING SEVERE RUST UNDER BOTH VEHICLES. THE WORST ONE APPEARS TO BE STARTING TO CRACK BY THE PASS. SIDE FRAME IN FRONT. WHERE THE AC LEAKS ONTO. THIS AREA IS PART OF THE WELDED FRAME WHICH WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE THIS BAD ON A 6 YEAR OLD CAR. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE OTHER PARTS THAT HAVE ROTTED AWAY SO BAD THAT THERE WAS NOT MUCH LEFT OF THEM. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE ALSO STARTING TO DEVELOP A FLAKING RUST ON THEM . I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ALSO SOON. I EVEN HAD THESE CARS RUSTPROOFED WHEN NEW. *TR

NO CONCERN WITH INCIDENT. CONCERN WITH DEFECTS WITH FUEL TANKS AND FUEL TANK FUNCTIONS. *TR

AS I WRITE THIS LETTER, MY 2002 SONATA IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR OF SEVERE RUSTING AND DETACHMENT OF THE SUB FRAME. I WAS ADVISED A WEEK AGO BY THE MECHANIC PERFORMING AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THAT MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AXLE BOLT WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED REPAIR. HAVING THE EXTENDED HPP WARRANTY, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHOSE EYES WERE WIDE WITH ABSOLUTE TERROR WHEN HE TOLD ME HOW CLOSE TO DEATH I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD I NOT BROUGHT IT IN. HE ADVISED ME THAT IF I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR ANOTHER DAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL BE WITHOUT MY CAR FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS. MY DEALER IS OFFERING ME A 'DEALER RENTAL RATE' FOR A LOANER CAR OF $35 A DAY WHICH I BELIEVE IS ADDING INSULT TO INJURY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE SO THAT I MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE RENTAL CAR FOR MY INCONVENIENCE? *TR

ENGINE CRADLE / CROSS MEMBER RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER - SIDE [RIGHT SIDE] OF UNDERCARRIAGE [3 INCHES?] . APPARENT ENGINE LEAK FROM AIR CONDITIONER DESPITE REGULAR [HYUNDAI] MAINTENANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIMING BELT; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

RE. DOOR HANDLES: ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES HAVE SILVER PAINT PEELING. CAR IS 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. AM TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK FOR ESTIMATE TO REPLACE HANDLES. PAINT JOB OF SONATA IS PERFECT EXCEPT FOR ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT BY HYUNDAI DEALERS IN STATEN ISLAND AND NEW JERSEY FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. EVERY TIME WITH A CODE B1738,HIGH RESISTANCE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG,REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CAME BACK. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER RELATIONS,CASE #3292132 ABOUT THE ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM,THEIR REPLY WAS THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEBRIS UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. THEY ALSO SAID IF I WASN'T HAPPY WITH THEIR ANSWER I COULD TAKE THEM TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. THE PERSON I WAS IN CONTACT WITH AT HYUNDAI WAS A MISTY 1800 633 5151 EXT. 329 2132. ON JULY 18 2007 HYUNDAI OF FREEHOLD CHARGED ME $211.86 TO MAKE REPAIRS (POOR CONNECTION UNDER DRIVERS SIDE SEAT)CODEB1378 AT THIS TIME MY CAR HAD 14,315 MILES ON IT. THEN ON MAY 08 2008 AT MILEAGE OF 18,895 I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM CODE B1378, AT THIS TIME THE DEALER RESET THE SRS AT NO CHARGE BUT WOULD DEDUCT THE $211.86 THEY CHARGED ME TOWARDS THE COST OF A NEW WIRE HARNESS IF NEEDED. EVEN THOUGH THIS CAR IS SIX YEARS OLD IT HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE ON IT,SO IT HASN'T BEEN ABUSED .I FEEL THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SRS SYSTEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. IF THE SRS SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING THIS MEANS THE AIR BAG WILL FAIL IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. ALL I WANT IS TO GET THIS FAILURE REPAIRED PROPERLY,BUT IT APPEARS HYUNDAI WILL NOT ADMIT TO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIR BAG WIRING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT, A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

TOOK MY CAR TO SHOP TODAY BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING, HARD TO TURN ON CORNERS - THIS FIRST APPEARED YESTERDAY. I WAS HEARING ODD NOISES FROM UNDER THE CAR ON THE WAY TO THE SHOP. MECHANIC PUT CAR ON LIFT AND SHOWED ME HOW THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. THEY SUSPECT THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOVE AND WORKED THROUGH AS I HAVE BEEN A FANATIC ABOUT REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR - ALWAYS WITH THE SAME SHOP SO THEY KNOW ME AND THE VEHICLE. NOW I'M WAITING TO SEE IF HYUNDAI WILL COVER THIS. *TR

DURING AN ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION A LARGE HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE FRONT SUB FRAME. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED IT WAS CAUSED BY THE OUTFLOW OF WATER FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WHICH RAN OVER THAT AREA. *TR

MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT , TOOK IT TO A SERVICE STATION TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY BROUGHT ME IN TO SEE THAT THE WHOLE FRAME UNDER THE CAR IS RUSTED. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD UP THE AXLE AND SUSPENSION WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE WHEEL WAS TILTED AND THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE WAS WORN ALL THE WAY DOWN . THERE WAS NOTHING THERE TO SUPPORT THE WHEEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

PURCHASED A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA IN 2006. ON 6/25/2008 I RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEN INSPECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE IT WAS NOTED OF A SERVER RUST HOLE ON THE SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE RUST HOLE (WHILE ONLY ABOUT 1/4 TO 1/8 OF AN INCH ACROSS) STRETCHES ACROSS THE WHOLE BOTTOM OF THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE IF THE SUB-FRAME IS DAMAGED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON HOT DAYS (90 DEGREE WEATHER), THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS LIT. HOWEVER, IN COOLER WEATHER, ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V178000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

A RUSTED RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME SEPARATION ON MY 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA CAUSED TIRE FAILURE AND A BLOWOUT. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME AND THE CAR RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN FOR REPAIR WHERE THE MECHANIC IS GOING TO TRY AND REPLACE THE FRAME IN THIS AREA. *TR

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE CAR 4 YEARS WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR THERE WAS A STRONG GAS SMELL AND STILL DOES WHEN WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP. THEY COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. KNOW I FIND THIS SO NOW I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I'M TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF IT. *TR