2006 Hyundai Sonata complaints

THIS COMPLAINT APPLIES TO A 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED (NO OPTION FOR 2007 WAS AVAILABLE IN DROP DOWN MENU) (ISSUE 1) AT OR AROUND THE INITIAL FEW DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY I BEGAN TO NOTICE ABRUPT VIBRATION AND SHAKING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL; SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH TO FEEL IN THE SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT THEY REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED THE VEHICLE TO BE IN MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATION. NONETHELESS, DEALER ATTEMPTED WHEEL BALANCE AND RADIAL FORCE BALANCE AS A "GOOD WILL GESTURE." PROBLEM IS NOW MORE ARTICULATED AND THE ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED. (ISSUE 2) ENGINE EMITS A RATTLE NOISE SIMILAR TO LIFTER CLATTER UPON START AND CONTINUES THROUGHOUT OPERATION; PARTICULARLY IN COLDER WEATHER. TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WAS REPLACED AND ONE NOISE WAS RESOLVED BUT THE CONTINUAL NATURE OF THE LIFTER CLATTER REMAINS. DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED. (ISSUE 3) FUEL SLOSHING COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CLAIMS THIS TO BE NORMAL AND NOT A SAFETY RISK. SOUND IS MORE PRONOUNCED AT OR AROUND 3/4 TANK. BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND REMAINS UNRESOLVED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE INFILTRATING IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING HEADACHES TO THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS. THE CONTACT MEASURED 999 PARTS PER MILLION OF CARBON MONOXIDE WITHIN THE CABIN. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK

PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT REMAINS LIT EVEN WHEN FRONT SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY OTHER OWNERS. *NM

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR WORKS NORMALLY EXCEPT UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS CONCERNING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT: 1. PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED - INDICATOR IS OFF. 2. PASSENGER TEMPORARILY LEAVES SEAT - INDICATOR IS ON. 3. PASSENGER RETURNS TO SEAT - INDICATOR REMAINS ON. 4. INDICATOR REMAINS ON UNTIL THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON. OBVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER IS IN MORTAL DANGER IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF CONDITION ESCAPES NOTICE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I ASKED SERVICE PERSONNEL ABOUT THIS AND THE ANSWER WAS, " OH, THAT'S NORMAL." IT MAY BE "NORMAL" BUT IT IS DANGEROUS DESIGN OR AN ERROR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE THREE TIRES ON THE NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE HAD CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SIDEWALL OF TIRE CRACKING WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED. THE TIRES WERE CRACKING AORUND THE RIM. UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB

WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL AND CAR IS STOPPING AND ACCELERATING, BUBBLING SOUND COMES FROM THE FUEL TANK. I WENT DEALER BUT THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER SERVICE, THEY SAID FUEL TANK MAKES SOUND BECAUSE THEY HAVE CHANGED MATERIAL OF THE TANK. THEY ALSO SAID OTHER CAR'S FUEL TANK MAKE SAME SOUND.*JB

I HAVE HAD MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS SINCE OCTOBER 2005. FROM THE BEGINNING I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE SENSOR WILL NOT DETECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT (VARYING WEIGHTS) MANY TIMES THUS NOT ALLOWING THE AIRBAG TO BE TRIPPED IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. A HYUNDAI FORUM FOR OWNERS NOTES THIS PROBLEM IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY MANY MANY OTHER SONATA OWNERS. WE HAVE ALL COMPLAINED TO OUR DEALERS AND ARE BEING TOLD THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE OCCUPANT'S POSITION IN THE SEAT. MOVING AROUND DOESN'T HELP AT ALL. HYUNDAI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS SAFETY PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM. A RECALL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY ENACTED FOR ANOTHER MODEL BY HYUNDAI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS BAD SENSORS AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED!!! *NM

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I AM WRITING THIS IN REGARDS TO A SERVICE PROBLEM I AM ENCOUNTERING CONCERNING MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TWO TIMES FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM, AND TWO TIMES NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT WHEN MY WIFE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT REMAINS ON. IT WORKS PROPERLY WHEN I AM IN THE SEAT. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY WITH THIS TYPE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE AND I WANT THIS DISCREPANCY FIXED. THE HYUNDAI COMPANY PRIDES ITSELF ON ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES. IF THEY DON'T WORK PROPERLY, I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD DO ALL YOU CAN TO FIX IT. AS FOR THIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I WILL NOT BE RETURNING IT THERE UNLESS IT IS FOR WARRANTY SERVICE. THE LAST TIME I HAD IT IN FOR THIS THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL SOMEONE FOR TECH ASSIST AND GET BACK WITH ME. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY EVER CONTACTED ANYONE, BUT I KNOW THEY DID NOT CALL BACK. BELOW IS MY INFORMATION: JAY MCKAY 2006 SONATA STEVENSON HYUNDAI, JACKSONVILLE NC IF YOU CANNOT HELP ME WITH THIS, PLEASE FORWARD TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT, OR LET ME KNOW WHO TO SEND IT TO.*JB

I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA IN JUNE 2006. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I NOTICED UPON FILLING UP THE TANK WITH GAS I COULD HEAR A LOT OF NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. IT IS A LOUD SLOSHING OF THE GAS THAT CAN BE HEARD INSIDE THE CAR. IT SPLASHES BACK AND FORTH UPON STOPPING AND ACCELERATING AND IS LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD OVER THE RADIO. IT ALSO CREATES SUCH A NOISE THAT MAKES IT SEEM LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES ON THE LEFT SIDE. IT SOUNDS AT TIMES AS IF I AM DRAGGING SOMETHING WHEN STOPPING. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES INQUIRING ABOUT THIS AND HAVE GOTTEN NO HELP. ON OCTOBER 16, 2006 I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM INSPECTED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD SUPER SENSITIVE HEARING AND THAT IT IS A AND I QUOTE "A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE" AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT I PURCHASED A NEW CAR AND I SHOULD NOT HEAR A PEEP OUT OF IT. THIS GREATLY CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE CAR AND I AM NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS WHEN I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH HYUNDAI MYSELF. I AM ALSO CONCERNED SAFETY WISE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS DEALING WITH FUEL. ALTHOUGH THE NOISE STOPS WHEN THE TANK FALLS BELOW 1/2 I SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO FILL MY GAS TANK UP FOR FEAR OF WHAT COULD GO WRONG. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. THANK YOU. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED INDICATING IT WAS INOPERATIVE ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER WAS SEATED WITH THE SEAT BELT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BOTTOM. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DIDN'T LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. UPDATED 11/21/06.*JB

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE CHAIN TO GAIN SLACK CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. *JB

I NOTICED AROUND THIS TIME THAT THE LATCH HOLDING THE CENTER CONSOLE SHUT IN MY 06 SONATA WAS LOOSE. I TRIED TO PUT IT BACK INTO PLACE, BUT IT THEN BROKE FREE IN MY HANDS. THE CONSOLE WILL FLING OPEN OVER MOST SPEED BUMPS. I'M WORRIED IN A CRASH THAT ANYTHING INSIDE OF IT WILL FLY ALL OVER THE PLACE. PLUS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THIS TO SURPRISE THE DRIVER AND CAUSE A CRASH. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WILL BE REPLACING THE WHOLE CONSOLE, BUT I WANTED TO FILE A REPORT AND SEE WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG ACTIVATION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE, WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND HELD A CONFERENCE CALL WITH A TECHNICIAN FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE SENSOR WAS WORKING WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING STANDARDS. THE SENSOR CONTINUED TO OPERATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE A PASSENGER WEIGHING BETWEEN 100 AND 250 POUNDS SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE LIGHT WAS RESET, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER*NM

ISSUE FOR 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6 (1)DRIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO AREA WITH RESPECTING LOCAL TRAFFIC LAWS. (2)SUDDENLY ESC FAILED AND ENGINE LOST ITS POWER. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO 15 MILES/HOUR AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN 15 MILES/HOUR. IT CAUSED A CLOSE CHANCE OF REAR-COLLISION ACCIDENT. (3)DEALERSHIP REPLACED WITH NEW PARTS. LASTED 10 DAYS AND THE PROBLEMS HAVE CONTINUED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR OF CAMMISA HYUNDAI EXPLAINED TO ME, THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE REASONS FOR FAILURES. NO DATE FOR REPAIR HAS BEEN PROMISED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED TO THE OR FULL MARK, THERE WAS A CREAKING NOISE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SPARE TIRE WAS LOOSE AND THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE SPARE TIRE, BUT THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE THIRD AND LAST TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, THE TANK MAY BE EXPANDING RESULTING IN THE CREAKING NOISE.

A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE OF MY TWO-MONTH-OLD 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE HOURS. ON THE NIGHT THAT THIS HAPPENED, I HAD DRIVEN MY SONATA THREE HOURS FROM ATLANTA, GA TO ALBANY, GA AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 5:30PM. I SUBSEQUENTLY RAN A LOCAL ERRAND AND PARKED MY CAR FOR THE EVENING AT 7:30PM. THE CAR WAS PARKED ABOUT 2.5-3 FEET BEHIND MY MOTHER'S 1994 CHEVROLET CORSICA. AROUND 12:30 MIDNIGHT, MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR WAS BANGING ON MY WINDOW, YELLING, "YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!" FLAMES SHOT UP 5-6 FEET IN THE AIR AND IGNITED THE TRUNK OF MY MOTHER'S CAR. TREES NEARBY WERE SINGED, AND MELTED METAL AND RUBBER DAMAGED THE DRIVEWAY. THANKS TO MY NEIGHBOR'S QUICK ACTION, THE FLAMES DID NOT REACH THE FUEL TANK OF MY MOTHER'S CAR OR OUR HOUSE, THEREBY AVERTING A REAL DISASTER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE LOCAL SERVICE CENTER, MANUFACTURER AND INSURANCE COMPANY WERE NOT THE PARTIES RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. WIDER CONSUMER AWARENESS OF THE NHTSA AND THE COMPLAINT-TO-RECALL PROCESS WILL ENHANCE SAFETY BY ENCOURAGING ALL PARTIES TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AND RESPONSIBILITY. *NM

SONATA FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR PROBLEM THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY FOR A 120 POUND PERSON AS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. IF YOU TURN THE ENGINE ON AND THEN A PASSENGER SITS DOWN IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE SENSOR LIGHT ASSUMES NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG WON'T RELEASE IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. IF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SITS IN THE SEAT AND THE CAR ENGINE IS TURNED ON THE SENSOR LIGHT WORKS. BUT IF THE PASSENGER GETS OUT OF THE SEAT WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL ON AND THEN RETURNS TO THE SEAT, THE SENSOR LIGHT DOES NOT WORK AGAIN.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT ANY SPEED ON BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE EXHAUST PIPE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS SECURE AND NOTHING SEEMED TO BE HITTING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THREE OTHER VEHICLES WERE TEST DRIVEN AND THE SAME SOUND WAS PRESENT. AN EMPLOYEE WHO WORKED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S FACTORY INFORMED THE CONTACT THE FUEL TANK WAS HITTING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/11/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG WAS CALIBRATED TO DEACTIVATE WHEN A PERSON UNDER A CERTAIN WEIGHT SAT IN THE SEAT, THIS POSED A SAFETY ISSUE FOR FRAIL ELDERLY ADULTS AND ADULTS OF SMALL STATURE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE AIRBAG COULD BE RECALIBRATED.

MY HUSBAND AND I RENTED A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA V6 FROM AVIS CAR RENTAL IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI WHILE ON VACATION. WHILE RETURNING TO KANSAS CITY ON I-70, THE CAR IN THE LANE NEXT TO US BLEW A TIRE, LOST CONTROL, SPUN IN THE ROAD AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR CAR WITH THE FRONT OF THEIR CAR, FORCING US OFF THE ROADWAY AND INTO THE MEDIAN OF THE INTERSTATE. I WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE PASSENGER DOOR STRUCK THE SIDE OF MY TORSO AS IT WAS CAVING IN, INJURING MY RIGHT SHOULDER AND NECK. ALTHOUGH HYUNDAI ADVERTISES BOTH SIDE IMPACT AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS HIGH-SPEED SIDE-IMPACT CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY TO MY SHOULDER. WE DO NOT KNOW THE REPAIR STATUS OF THE RENTAL CAR, BUT HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AVIS THAT THEY HAVE HIRED ENGINEERS TO REVIEW THE CAR AND DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2005. FROM THE BEGINNING I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE SENSOR WILL NOT DETECT MY WIFE OVER HALF OF THE TIME. I AM ON A HYUNDAI FORUM AND THIS PROBLEM IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY MANY MANY OTHER SONATA OWNERS. WE HAVE ALL COMPLAINED TO OUR DEALERS AND ARE BEING TOLD THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE OCCUPANT'S POSITION IN THE SEAT. MOVING AROUND DOESN'T HELP AT ALL. HYUNDAI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS SAFETY PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

1) FRONT AIR BAG PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR RANDOMLY WORKS WHEN MY WIFE IS SITTING IN SEAT (SHE WEIGHS APPROX. 130LBS). IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE IN 06/2006. 2) I HAVE TO KEEP STOPPING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART TO CLEAR OFF LIGHT (AND HOPE IT ACTUALLY IS ON WHEN THE LIGHT IS OUT). CONSEQUENCES IS THAT IF IT DOESN'T DEPLOY IF I EVER HAVE AN ACCIDENT, MY WIFE COULD GET KILLED (OR ANYONE ELSE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT). 3) I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE 3-4 TIMES TO HAVE IT FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE SEAT CUSHION ONCE AND IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. HYUNDAI WANTS THE SEAT SENT TO THEM (SO THEY CAN "RE-PROGRAM" IT. I WANT A NEW SEAT SENT TO ME AND REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO TO "RE-PROGRAM" IT, BUT IF I EVER TRADE THE VEHICLE, IT MIGHT NOT WORK FOR THE NEW CAR OWNERS (NOT A VERY GOOD SOLUTION). IF THE LIGHT STAYS ON (MEANING THE AIR BAG IS OFF) AND MY WIFE DOESN'T MOVE, I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF 1/2 THE TIME. THEY BLAME IT ON THE WAY SHE SITS IN THE SEAT. BUT IF IT GOES OUT AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR AND SHE DOESN'T MOVE, THEN THIS DOESN'T HOLD TRUE. INCIDENT DATE IS APPROX FOR FIRST OCCURRENCE. IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO LIST ALL DAYS (PROBABLY OVER 100 TIMES SO FAR). VIN CAN BE PROVIDED IF NECESSARY. *JB

THUMPING NOISE AND VIBRATION FROM REAR SUSPENSION ON BUMPY ROADS. FEELS SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE IF THE GAS TANK WERE LOOSE, OR EXHAUST HIT UNDERCARRIAGE OF CAR, OR IF SPARE TIRE WERE LOOSE IN THE TRUNK. BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE IN WARMER WEATHER, AND AFTER 5000 MILES. SEEMS TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON HANDLING OR STABILITY. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, BUT INSISTED THAT IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF SUSPENSION DESIGN AND NOTHING WAS WRONG NOR COULD ANYTHING BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE COOLING FAN SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE HOOD AND FENDERS TO BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE DEALER HAS NOT CALLED HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED.

AFTER OWNING THE CAR AND DRIVING IT FOR LESS THAN 100 MILES, THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE VIBRATION ON THE AROUND 60-75 MPH. THE TIRES WERE RE-BALANCED AND THE CONDITION REMAINS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND RE-BALANCED AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. WHEN I RETURNED AGAIN TO THE PURCHASING DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR A THIRD TIME, I WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE (GLS V-6) AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT MORE EVIDENT. WHEN I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM REMAINS. *JB

I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS WITH MICHELIN TIRES. THE TIRES ARE WEATHER CRACKING ALREADY AFTER ONLY HALF A YEAR AND WITH 4350 MILES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE USING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IT CUTS INTO HER NECK. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE SEAT BELT. THE DEALER STATED THE SEAT BELT WAS MANUFACTURED THAT WAY. UPDATED 7/3/2006 - *NM

THE BRAKES ON MY "NEW" HYUNDAI SONATA IS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL STOP BUT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL--THE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. TOOK THE CAR TO THE AGENCY 5/31/06 AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS "NORMAL" FOR THIS CAR !!! DUH !!! BOUGHT THE CAR 5/02/06 HAVE LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON IT NOW. *NM

RE NEW HYUNDAI SONATA 2006 WITH INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHT WARNING THAT RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. COMPLAINED TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT 2 DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY. THEY AT FIRST BLAMED HOW MY WIFE WAS SITTING, THEN SUGGESTED THAT SHE DID NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT SENSOR. SHE WEIGHS 135 LB. & IT IS SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE @ 80 LBS. NOW THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPLACE OR REPAIR ANYTHING IN THE SYSTEM WITHOUT SEEING THE MALFUNCTION. I CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE ON COMMAND! IT IS TOTALLY RANDOM & INTERMITTENT. THEY HAVE MADE NO TROUBLE SHOOTING ATTEMPTS. *JB

DOORS LOCK WITH KEYPAD WHILE DOORS ARE STILL OPEN. AFTER SHOPPING I BUCKLED MY SON IN HIS CAR SEAT AND PUT THE GROCERIES IN THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY I INADVERTENTLY HIT THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE KEYPAD AS I WAS PLACING MY SON IN HIS CAR SEAT. I SAT THE KEYS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, CLOSED THE BACK DOOR AND WENT TO GET IN THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE KEYS WERE LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS MY TODDLER SON IN HIS CAR SEAT. I CALLED 911 AND AFTER ATTEMPTING FOR AN HOUR THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CHOICES WERE BREAK A WINDOW TO GET IN (THUS TRAUMATIZING MY SON) OR HAVE A PRIVATE CITIZEN ATTEMPT TO BREAK INTO THE VEHICLE. A LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED AFTER MY SON WAS IN THE CAR FOR A 1/2 HOUR AND HE NEVER SHOWED. A PRIVATE CITIZEN HAD TO TAKE TWO SCREW DRIVERS AND PRY THE DOOR OPEN TO BE ABLE TO REACH THE DOOR HANDLE AND GET THE DOOR OPEN, THUS RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS NOT MY CONCERN. THE FACT THAT THE DOORS WILL LOCK WITH THE KEYPAD WHILE STILL OPEN IS THE SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE OWNED HONDA AND FORD IN THE PAST AND NEITHER OF WHICH WILL OPEN WILL DO THE ABOVE. I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE SATURN, TOYOTA, DODGE, AND CHEVROLET AND THESE VEHICLE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE KEYPAD WHILE THE DOORS ARE OPEN EITHER. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THE CAR IS DESIGNED THAT WAY. I LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO FEEL IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. IN MY OPINION THIS COULD H

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING AT ANYTIME THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INDICATED THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED IT WOULD STOP. UPDATED 07/05/06 *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVERY TIME THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. NO MATTER WHAT THE WEIGHT IS OF THE PASSENGER OR HOW THE SEAT IS BEING SAT IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT WAS ASKED TO VIDEO TAPE THE PASSENGER TO ENSURE THE CORRECT SEATING POSITION WAS BEING MAINTAINED. THE VIDEO TAPE WAS OFFERED TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.

REAR SUSPENSION HAS ANNOYING AND LOUD THUMPING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS UNDER 40 MPH. STARTED NOTICING NOISE WITHIN 1000 MILES AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, WHICH WAS ON 10/26/05. MANUFACTURER HAS ADMITTED THE PROBLEM IN A BBB ARBITRATION HEARING, CASE NO. HYU0641565 DATED 04/27/06 AND STATED IT AS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO IN A TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND OTHERS AS A PROBLEM. TOOK THE PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP, WHO COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE AND DID NOT PUT IT ON THE WORK ORDERS. THEREFORE, I LOST THE ARBITRATION HEARING, EVEN THOUGH THEY TOLD ME PERSONALLY THAT HYUNDAI TOLD THEM NOT TO DO ANYTHING, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN TERMS OF THE THUMPING. WHAT AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER WOULD INCORPORATE A NOISE IN THEIR VEHICLES AS A SELLING FEATURE AND STATE IT'S A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE? IF HYUNDAI DOES NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION NOISE, THEN THEY DO NOT KNOW IF A SAFETY FACTOR IS INVOLVED. THE SUSPENSION COULD AND PROBABLY IS DEFECTIVE IN SOME WAY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A SUBTLE ODOR IN THE VEHICLE THAT MAKES THE OCCUPANTS ILL. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER DID NOT DETECT AN ODOR, THE DEALER SUGGESTED USING AN AIR FRESHENER. *AK

BOUGHT A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA MARCH 18, 2006 AT OURISMAN HYUNDAI IN LAUREL, MD. A WEEK LATER, MARCH 25, 2006, HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ENGINE OVER HEATED, WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, DUE TO THE FANS NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED A FAN MODULE AND PLACED IT IN MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP ALLOWED ME TO TAKE ANOTHER BRAND NEW 2006 SONATA AS A LOANER UNTIL MY CAR WAS FIXED. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP I DID NOT WANT MY CAR BACK AND TO GIVE ME ANOTHER 2006 SONATA. AFTER DAYS OF CALLING BACK TO SEE IF THEY WOULD, THEY REFUSED. PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2006. APRIL 18, 2006 BOUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE FANS ARE NOT WORKING AND THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THEY ARE RENTING A CAR FOR ME UNTIL MY CAR IS FIXED. *JB

RF TIRE EXHIBITED BLISTER ON SIDEWALL. AMERICA'S TIRE IN ROSEVILLE, CA STATED IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT THE FAULT OF DRIVER. HENCE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED FREE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REPLACED AT HALF PRICE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO SPECIFIC SPEED WITH A PASSENGER, THE AIR BAG LAMP ILLUMINATED COMMUNICATING TO THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DISABLED. THE PASSENGER IS THE WIFE OF THE CONTACT WHICH WEIGHED ENOUGH TO KEEP THE AIR BAG ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS OPERATING NORMAL; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SHOULD CHANGE POSTURE AND SITTING POSITIONS WHILE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. UPDATED 4/17/2006 - THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONS PROPERLY INTERMITTENTLY. *NM

I PURCHASED A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA IN OCTOBER 2005. THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE AT 60-69 MPH (2,000 RPM). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY HYUNDAI ENGINEERS THAT THE NOISE COMES FROM A DESIGN FLAW DEALING WITH THE VARIABLE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THEY ARE APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS MATTER BUT ARE DOING NOTHING TO RECTIFY IT. THE NOISE IS LOUD ENOUGH AND HIGH PITCHED ENOUGH THAT IT COULD AND DOES CAUSE A DRIVING DISTRACTION. *JB

1. REAR PASSENGER SIDE REPEAT RATTLING THUMPING NOISE IN SUSPENSION AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH CAUSING DISTURBANCE AND AGITATION TO CABIN DRIVER OR PASSENGERS 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE DRONING-HUMMING ECHO NOISE MORE NOTICEABLE OVER 40 MPH AND AT STEADY MAINTAINED SPEED CAUSING DISTURBANCE AND AGITATION TO CABIN DRIVER OR PASSENGERS 3. SLOSHING NOISE OF GASOLINE IN GAS TANK AFTER THE GAS TANK IS FILLED AND A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED IN AND AROUND THE GAS TANK AREA AFTER THE GAS TANK IS FILLED CAUSING DISTURBANCE AND AGITATION TO CABIN DRIVER OR PASSENGERS. *NM

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF HEADLIGHT ISSUES. VEHICLE FROM FACTORY WAS BLINDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DEALER ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS SO LOW THAT THEY DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FOR ANY REASONABLE DISTANCE. RETURN TRIP TO DEALER RESULTED IN HEADLIGHTS THAT DID AN EFFECTIVE JOB OF LIGHTING THE TREES ABOVE. THIRD TRIP TO DEALER HAS RESULTED IN HEADLIGHTS THAT DO NOT PROPERLY LIGHT THE ROAD FOR ANY DISTANCE. I HAVE ADJUSTED THEM ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE IN THE SERVICE MANUAL, AND THEY PERFORM SIMILARLY TO WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME FROM THE FACTORY. THEY AGAIN BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO THE POINT THAT I AM AGAIN BEING "FLASHED" BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT THE LIGHTS ARE VERY BRIGHT TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BY DRIVING TOWARDS THE SONATA IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHILE ANOTHER PERSON IS DRIVING THE SONATA. I HAVE RECEIVED CONCURRENCE THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION VIA AN INTERNET NEWSGROUP. THE DEALER ALSO STATES THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ON THIS ISSUE, AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE, AS THEY ARE "THE NEW EUROPEAN STYLE HEADLIGHTS, AND THEY ARE JUST BRIGHTER". *NM

THE CARS ELECTRIC WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN DURING DAMP WEATHER BELOW FREEZING. WITH HEATER ON HIGH AND 25 MIN. LATER WORKED AFTER DOOR WAS CLOSED. THIS HAPPEN TWICE, NO ICE OR FROST ON ANY WINDOW. SEEMED TO BE INTERNAL. IF THIS WAS THE LAST ESCAPE ROUTE REMANDING, I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR.*JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVER STEERS VERY BADLY. HE STATES THAT IF ONE BARELY TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL LUNGE INTO THAT DIRECTION. HAS TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE IN THE DIRECTION CONSUMER WANTS IT TO GO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND HE WANTED THEM TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE HE DID NOT FEEL THAT HIS WIFE WAS SAFE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO CONSIDER A BUY BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR PRESSURE TO THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE 30, BUT IT WAS 45. THIS WAS TO HAVE BEEN DONE AT PRIOR TO DELIVERY INSPECTION. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN.*AK *NM

PAGGENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED LIGHTED WHEN SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT INDICATING THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AIR BAG WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR USE. CONCACT WITH DEALER GOT A REQUEST THAT CAR BE BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR SOLUTION TO PROBLEM.

THE SEAT-BELT WARNING CHIME ON THIS VEHICLE ACTIVATES THE MOMENT THE DRIVER'S BELT IS UNBUCKLED EVEN IF THE CAR IS AT REST, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IS IN PARK, AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS SET. THIS LOUD, GRATING CHIME REPEATS EVERY 6 SECS. ALTHOUGH I ASSUME THE SYSTEM MEETS CURRENT NHTSA RULES PER SE, THERE IS A SAFETY THREAT BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN MANY POSTS ON INTERNET FORUMS FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY, LIKE MOST DRIVERS, HAVE OCCASION TO BE IN THE VEHICLE NOT IN TRAFFIC WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. EXAMPLES INCLUDE DRIVE-UP BANK TELLER AND ATM'S, DRIVE-THRU FOOD SERVICE LANES, AND IN PARKING LOTS WITH THE VEHICLE IDLING TO MAKE CELL PHONE SALES CALLS. SAFETY IS THREATENED BECAUSE IF THE CHIME IS DISCONNECTED THEN IT CAN'T WARN IF THE DRIVER TRULY FORGETS ONCE THE VEHICLE IS MOVED FROM REST OR IF THE DRIVER FORGETS THE KEY, WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF JOY-RIDERS STEALING THE VEHICLE. ALSO, SHADE-TREE MECHANICS COULD DAMAGE THE SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONER SYSTEM WIRING TRYING TO "HOT-WIRE" THE BUCKLE SWITCH. I CALL ON THE NHTSA TO CALL ON HYUNDAI TO MODIFY THE SYSTEM AND THE PROMULGATE NEW RULES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THAT ADDITIONAL WARNING CHIMES AFTER THE FIRST TIMED CYCLE BE ALLOWED ONLY AFTER THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, SUCH AS SPEEDOMETER INPUT, THE VEHICLE'S BEING REMOVED FROM PARK OR SHIFTED INTO GEAR, OR THE PARKING BRAKE BEING RELEASED (FOR EXAMPLE, SIMILAR TO THE SYSTEM FOR THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALI

WE BOUGHT OUR 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA ON TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2005. WE WERE DRIVING ON A WINDY ROAD ON SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2005. WE WERE UNSURE AFTER JUST TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP SIGN OF THE CORRECT DIRECTION SO WE WERE TRAVELING RELATIVELY SLOWLY FOR THIS ROAD AS WE WERE LOOKING AT THE MAILBOXES TO SEE IF THEY WERE INCREASING IN NUMBER. WE WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND IN A LEFT CURVE IN THE ROAD. THE BRAKES/WHEELS LOCKED , THERE WAS SOME RUBBER SCREECHING, AND THE BACK END OF THE CAR FISH TAILED. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT TO TURN THE ESC BUTTON OFF ON THE CAR FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT TRIP. WE WERE IN CONTACT WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT EVENING. WE WENT CAMPING THE NEXT DAY (SUNDAY) USING OUR TOW VEHICLE AND WE CALLED TO SET UP A TIME TO GET THE CAR IN. AT THE TIME MY HUSBAND ASKED IF THEY HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEMS OCCURRING LIKE THIS AND THE PERSON IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID A QUICK SEARCH AND STATED THE HE FOUND NONE. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME ON WENESDAY, JULY 27,2005 MY HUSBAND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND SOME PROBLEMS ALREADY LINKED TO THIS CAR AND THIS PROBLEM. I PHONED YOUR ORGANIZATION THIS MORNING AND TALKED WITH THEM. I WAS ADVISED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER OF 05V316000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH MY FRUSTRATION AND COMPLAINTS OF THIS CAR EVEN MAKING IT OFF THE LOT. IN A 10 - 15 MINUTE CONVERSATION I HAD WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THE CHIP WAS REPLACED , SUPPOSEDLY FIXING THE PROBLEM. *JB