2008 Hyundai Sonata complaints

I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE SUN VISORS CONTINUE TO FALL DOWN OR SAG. I'VE HAD BOTH VISORS REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. LUCKILY, MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED AGAIN SINCE THEN, AND NOW MY SONATA IS OUT OF WARRANTY (I HAVE EXCEEDED 60K MILES). MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE VISOR TENSION ROD LOSES TENSION OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY FAILS RESULTING IN VISOR SAG. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT VISORS HAVEN'T BEEN RE-ENGINEERED, THIS ACCORDING TO A HYUNDAI REP. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO SEE THE HAZARD HERE -- THE VISOR CAN BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VIEW OR WORSE SCALP YOU IF IN AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DOES HYUNDAI DO? THEY CHECK YOUR WARRANTY STATUS AND REPLACE IT WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PART, OR WORSE, IF OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY OFFER TO SELL YOU A REPLACEMENT AT $85.00. REALLY!! THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY AS DOES APPARENTLY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION, WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA FOR FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A RECALL. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE? AND WHY ARE HYUNDAI CONSUMERS STUCK PAYING FOR A SAFETY DEFECT THAT IS UNAMBIGUOUSLY CLEAR? IF YOU DON?T BELIEVE ME, TALK TO ANY OWNER OF AN ?06, ?07, OR ?08 SONATA. THIS IS REALLY UPSETTING TO ME BECAUSE I THOUGHT HYUNDAI WAS DOING A GOOD JOB. NOW, I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS. ISSUE A RECALL ALREADY!! THE P/N FOR THE RIGHT SIDE VISOR IS 85202 0A750QDQQH BY HYUNDAI AMERICA. I DON'T HAVE THE OPTION TO SELECT THAT UNDER THE EQUIPMENT TAB SO I POST

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY WITH OR WITHOUT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE THEY WERE NO LONGER HONORING THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. FALLS DOWN EXACTLY AT THE HEIGHT OF MY FOREHEAD SO THAT IF I GET IN A WRECK, MY FOREHEAD WILL EXACTLY HIT THE "EDGE" OF THE VISOR AND CRUSH MY FOREHEAD. SINCE THE DIRECTION OF IMPACT AGAINST THE VISOR IS EXACTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WIDTH OF THE VISOR, MAJOR FATALITY WOULD OCCUR. (THINK OF HITTING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE "SIDE" OF A PIECE OF CARDBOARD - NO HARM DONE. NOW THINK OF HITTING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE "EDGE" OR END OF THE CARDBOARD - MAJOR DAMAGE TO YOUR FOREHEAD. *TR

THE ESC OFF LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA COMES ON AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A FEW MILES. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING. IF I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE CAR, THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS UNLIT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FUNCTION NORMALLY. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2006 AND 2007 SONATAS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V280000) THAT INVOLVED A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS FOR MY FAMILY. *KB

DRIVER AND PASSENGER VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS VISION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE, AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER SIDE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS HAS A "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP EVEN WHEN A GROWN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. I FEAR THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER IN ILLINOIS, AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE, SAYING IT WAS NOT COVERED BY A CERTAIN RECALL. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE VISOR STARTED TO FALL DOWN OBSTRUCTING VISION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VISOR AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR IS DOING THE SAME THING OBSTRUCTING THE VISION OF THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

MOVED DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR TO BLOCK SUN AND NOW VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND HANGS STRAIGHT DOWN AND PARTIALLY BLOCKS DRIVER'S VIEW OF HIGHWAY AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH I FELL IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *KB

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE SUN-VISOR BY PULLING IT DOWN, THE VISOR WOULD NOT MOVE, THEN MADE A POPPING SOUND. THE VISOR THEN SAGGED, AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. AFTER RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, ESPECIALLY IN STATES WITH HOT/HUMID CONDITIONS, SUCH AS WHERE I LIVE (IN MISSISSIPPI). THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN ANY POSITION EXCEPT STRAIGHT DOWN, AND IMPEDES VISIBILITY, AND BECOMES A HAZARD WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS A DANGER BECAUSE IT HANGS DOWN IN VIEW. ITS IN THE ARM WHERE SOMETHING IS BROKEN, NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

PASSENGER VISOR PIVOT ARM FAILED TO RETRACT AFTER A FEW USES. VISOR HUNG DOWN SLIGHTLY AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. PASSENGER WOULD HIT THEIR HEAD GETTING INTO AND OUT OF THE CAR ON THE VISOR. THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVER SIDE VISOR PIVOT ARM FAILED TO RETRACT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AFTER FEW USES. DRIVER SIDE VISOR HANGS AT AN ANGLE THAT OCCLUDES DRIVER'S LINE OF VIEW, THUS A HAZARD FOR DRIVER SAFETY. ALSO IF A COLLISION WOULD OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD COLLIDE WITH HANGING VISOR THAT POINTS TOWARD FACE, CAUSING HEAD TRAUMA.

DRIVER SIDE VISOR IMPAIRS VISIBILITY SIGNIFICANTLY. THE VISOR HANGS DOWN IN DRIVERS VIEW AND STAYS THERE. WE HAVE HIT OUR HEAD ON THE VISOR MANY TIMES, WHICH HURTS AND CAUSES MORE DISTRACTION FROM DRIVING. WE HAVE NOT HAD LUCK IN FIXING IT AND DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPLACE IT DUE TO JOB LOSS AND HIGH MONTHLY PAYMENTS. WHEN I SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, I GET THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WHICH COMES ON RANDOMLY AND I AM WAY OVER THE LIMIT IN WEIGHT FOR IT TO HAPPEN. I HAVE SAT CORRECTLY AND STILL DO AS TOLD BY MY DEALER. (WHICH WAS TOLD TO ME WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT ON/OFF RANDOMLY). THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON RIGHT AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE EX. LETTING OFF EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND PLACING IN 1ST GEAR. THIS CONTINUES FOR SEVERAL WEEKS MAYBE A MONTH OR MORE, THEN WILL RANDOMLY GO AWAY. THIS IS A DANGER AS WE RELY ON OUR CAREFUL DRIVING AND THE ESC WHICH HAS SAVED US MANY TIMES IN OUR OTHER VEHICLE. THE PAINT STARTED WEARING A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR (WHICH WE BOUGHT OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR AND IT ONLY HAD 32 MILES ON IT) AND "WARRANTY" DOES NOT COVER IT. WE NOW HAVE A POLKA-DOTTED CAR. IT CONTINUES TO RUST AND PEEL AND MAKES US EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH OUR CARS LOOKS AS WE WERE SO PROUD TO HAVE BOUGHT OUR 1ST BRAND NEW CAR. THE PAYMENTS ARE PAINSTAKING BUT WE SAID, "IT HAS SUCH GREAT REVIEWS AND IT IS A SAFE CAR FOR US AND OUR SON, SO IT'S WORTH IT" BUT YOU CAN NOT PUT A PRICE ON SAFETY AND THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT ARE IMPAIRING A SAFE DRIVE ESPECIALLY WHEN MY HUS

OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA , AT AROUND 25000 MILES BEGAN TO HAVE INTENSE SCREECHING FROM REAR BRAKES. LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED US HYDRAULIC PISTON WAS STUCK/RUSTED OPEN AND WAS WEARING BRAKES TOTALLY DOWN. HE WAS ABLE TO GREASE AND DO PAINSTAKING REPAIRS TO PISTONS . HAD TO REPLACE SHOES/ROTORS. NEITHER VISOR WILL STAY UP THEY HAVE SAGGED TO THE POINT THAT WE HAVE ESCORTED TO INDUSTRIAL VELCRO TO KEEP THEM UP.THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. *TR

I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES DUE TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MYCARSTATS.COM. OFTEN WHEN I GET THE CAR SERVICED BY THE DEALER I HAVE MENTIONED THAT THEY SHOULD CHECK THE REAR BRAKES. THIS TIME WAS THE 45000 MILE SERVICE AND I BROUGHT A PRINTOUT OF THE 26 EXISTING COMPLAINTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT THEY ALWAYS CHECK AND CLEAN REAR BRAKES, CALIPERS, ROTORS, ETC TO PREVENT AN EARLY FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE CAR, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLS ME TO SAY THAT INDEED THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED REPLACING. I TOLD HIM I THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THESE SONATAS. HE SAID BRAKES ONLY HAD A 1 YEAR WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THERE WAS NO SOUND OR WARNING IN ADVANCE. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MYCARSTATS.COM WEBSITE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN TO KEEP ASKING. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. DRIVING IS MOSTLY HIGHWAY. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS YET? *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WAS PULLED DOWN, THE VISOR COULD NOT BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION. THE VISOR IS IN LINE OF SIGHT OF THE DRIVER. I REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. A WEEK AGO THE ESC OFF LIGHT TURNED ON AND NOW IT TURNS ON RANDOMLY BUT RESETS IT SELF WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF.

I OWN A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN I WAS GETTING IN TO MY CAR, THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE POPPED AND BROKE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. NOT ONLY DOES IT OBSTRUCT MY VIEW IN THE WINDSHIELD BUT IT ALSO BLOCKS A PORTION OF MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED ONCE BEFORE AND IT BROKE AGAIN ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THE PART IS EXPENSIVE, DIFFICULT TO FIND, AND EVEN THE DEALERS HAVE TO PLACE A BACK ORDER ON THE PART. NO MATTER WHAT OTHER OPTIONS I TRY TO USE, THEY ALL FAIL SO I AM RELUCTANT TO TRY ANYTHING ELSE AT THE RISK OF IT FALLING, HITTING ME IN THE HEAD, AND CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES IT PRODUCED A GRINDING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA RED AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. PROBLEM BEGAN ON 11/28/10 AT APPROX. 61000 RECORDED MILES. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR (NEW). LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON AT 68,000 MILES AND WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. DEALER WANTS $124.00 TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKES AND PADS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,279 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 04/05/11

TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR ANNUAL STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TO HAVE "CHIRPING" NOISE FROM BRAKES CHECKED. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE AT 3/32"; MIN ALLOWED IS 2/32". FRONT PADS OK AT +7/32". REPLACED REAR PADS, MACHINED ROTORS. MILEAGE WAS 23,226; CAR PURCHASED FEB2008 AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AT DEALER. DEALER SA ADVISED THAT PAD WEAR WAS NORMAL AND THAT 'ON THIS MODEL THE REAR BRAKES ALWAYS WEAR FASTER'. WHEN THIS WAS DISPUTED THE SA SAID THAT CORROSION ON CALIPER DID NOT ALLOW PADS TO WITHDRAW AND THAT CONSTANT CONTACT WORE OUT THE PADS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE SA SAID THAT BRAKES ARE ONLY COVERED FOR 12 MONTHS. SUBSEQUENTLY NOTED THAT ON SIDE OF CAR WITH STICKING CALIPER THAT THE PAINT ON BOTH STEEL WHEELS HAS PEELED AND WHEELS HAVE RUSTED. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED, FRONT-TO-BACK, SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NEW. POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM DRAGGING PADS OVERHEATED WHEELS AND DAMAGED PAINT. ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE HEAT TO WHEEL BEARINGS. WILL HAVE THIS CHECKED AT NEXT SERVICE, OR SOONER. THIS PREMATURE REAR PAD WEAR IS NOT NORMAL FOR HYUNDAI. ALSO, PRESENTLY DRIVING A 2001 ELANTRA THAT WENT 60K+ BEFORE NEEDING BRAKES. NEVER OWNED ANY CAR THAT HAD REAR BRAKES WEAR BEFORE FRONT. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGISTERED INDICATES THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MATERIAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS CORRECTING BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN HINDERING VISIBILITY. THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP EVEN AFTER TRYING TO FORCE IT. LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHERE REGULAR USE OF VISOR WEARS OUT THE SPRING/ASSEMBLY. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S EYES. *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. AT 20,000 MILES THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR STARTED TO SAG, AND NOT RETURN TO ITS FULL UPRIGHT FOLDED POSITION. AT 40,000 MILES IT FULLY FAILED, IN THE FULLY DOWN POSITION IT BLOCKS A TALL PERSONS FIELD OF VISION. I RESORTED TO SEWING VELCRO TO TO THE VISOR AND CEILING TO HOLD THE VISOR IN PLACE. NOW AT 60,000 MILES THE PASSENGER VISOR IS STARTING TO DROOP, AND NOT RETURN TO THE FULL UPRIGHT POSITION. THE PASSENGER VISOR IS USED A FRACTION OF THE AMOUNT OF THE DRIVER VISOR; THEREFORE IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM LATER. IT APPEARS THAT INFERIOR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN USED. ONLINE FORMUMS INDICATE THIS PROBLEM GOING BACK TO 2006 MODELS. *LN

NO FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BEFORE FAILURE. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AT JUST UNDER 45,600 MILES EXPECTING TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACE. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE MADE OF DEFECTIVE METAL WHICH CORRODED AND PITTED BADLY. IT DESTROYED THE OUTER PART OF THE BRAKE PADS SO THEY DID NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR. LESS THAN ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE PAD WAS PROVIDING BRAKING ABILITY. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE REAR WHEELS AS WELL AS ALL BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THE BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT IS EXPECTED MAINTENANCE. THE REAR WHEEL ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REMAINS OFF EVEN WHEN OCCUPIED BY MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (115LBS) AND WIFE (125LBS). HYUNDAI INITIALLY CLAIMED THE SEAT WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. I THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE SEAT HAS SINCE BEEN RE-CALIBRATED AT LEAST TWICE AND THE ENTIRE SEAT REPLACED ONCE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTS.

I PURCHASED MY 2008 SONATA ON MARCH 11, 2010 ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR CAME DOWN AND WILL NOT GO BACK UP IN ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. IT HANGS IN MY LINE OF VISION MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO HOLD IT UP MANUALLY AND THAT IN ITSELF IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HEARD THIS IS NOT COVERED NOR IS IT A RECALL THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND I SURE HOPE THERE ARE NO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS DUE TO SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO SEEING HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. IT MIGHT SEEM MINUET TO THE MANUFACTURE BUT TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING IT, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I DREAD GETTING INTO THE CAR TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS BECAUSE IT HITS ME IN MY FOREHEAD AND SOMETIMES IT HURTS AND IT DEFINITELY DISTRACTS YOU. PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT AND HAVE IT RECALLED AND FIXED CORRECTLY FOR ALL OF OUR SAKES, LET'S NOT WAIT FOR A TRAGEDY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OUR VEHICLE THE THROTTLE HAD STUCK, I PULLED ON THE FLOOR MAT AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AS THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN. I POPPED THE THROTTLE WITH MY FOOT HOPING THIS WOULD FREE UP THE THROTTLE, WHICH JUST MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKE UNTIL I SAFELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM THAT SAME DAY TO FIND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP HAD FAILED. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE. *TR

REAR BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED. REAR BRAKES WORN. REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND RESURFACED ROTORS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 35,570 MILES. FRONT BRAKES FINE. REAR BRAKES SHOULD BE RUSTED AND NEED REPAIR AT 35,570 MILES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RANDOM POINT AND TIME THE E.S.C CONTROL COMES ON BY ITSELF AND IF I DO NOT NOTICE RIGHT AWAY AND APPLY THE BRAKE THE BRAKE SEEM TO BECOME EFFECTED I WILL HEAR A GRINDING NOISE THE CAR WILL SLIDE AS OPPOSE TO COMING TO A STOP THIS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. AS YET I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES OVER THE LAST SIX WEEKS. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK OR MOVE AND THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. NOTICED WHEN DOORS WERE LOCKED REMOTELY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WAS ABLE TO BE OPENED, WE SEE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DOOR LOCK LINKAGE RECALLS AND SERVICE NOTICES. *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS DROP DOWN INTO THE LINE-OF-SIGHT VIEW OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO PREVENT IT FROM BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. ONCE THEY FAIL, IT IS PERMANENT, THEY WILL NOT STAY UP AND OUT OF THE WAY EVER AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SOMEDAY WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY, OR POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THESE PARTS WILL FAIL EVEN IF REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN INHERENT DESIGN DEFECT. HERE IS A LINK TO NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.HOWTOMENDIT.COM/ANSWERS.PHP?ID=157121. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED A VERY LOUD RUBBING SOUND, LIKE METAL TO METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER POLISHED THE DRUMBS AND RESET THE BRAKE PADS BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES AND THE DEALER POLISHED THE DRUMS AND RESET THE PADS ON EACH VISIT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,500.

I PURCHASED A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA FROM THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST OF 2009. THE CAR HAD 27,000 MILES. 7 MONTHS FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS STIFF, I PULLED IT DOWN AND YOU COULD HEAR THE INSIDES CRACK. THE SUN VISOR NEVER WENT BACK UP, IT NOW HANGS AND REFUSES TO STAY UP. NOW A FEW DAYS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. A YEAR AND 12,000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE. THE VISOR NOW BLOCKS MY LINE OF SIGHT AND CAUSES A SAFETY CONCERN. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE READ THIS HAPPENS EXTREMELY OFTEN AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE EVEN GONE THROUGH MULTIPLE SETS OF VISORS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A METAL TO MEDAL LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT LUBRICATE THE PISTONS PROPERLY; AND THE QUALITY OF THE LUBRICANT WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTED THAT THE BRAKES BE DIAGNOSED EVERY 15,000 MILES, AND IF THE BRAKES LUBRICATION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY THEN THE CALIPERS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MANUAL WAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO HIM AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, WHICH WAS A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA AND HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES AT 24,000 MILES. MY DEALER SAID THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CALIPERS STICKING AND THIS CAUSED MY REAR BRAKES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. MY DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS IS "A HYUNDAI PROBLEM" AND THEY SEE THIS A LOT WITH "THESE CARS." I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND INFORMED THEM OF THIS ISSUE, AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE TO SAY THE LEAST WITH REGARD TO THEIR RESPONSE. THEY CLEARLY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOR THE MOST PART LAYS THE BLAME ON THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE REAR BRAKES REQUIRE REPLACING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE WHERE OTHER OWNERS OF THESE CARS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, YET NO INVESTIGATION IS BEING LAUNCHED AND HYUNDAI CLEARLY REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEARLY SUBSTANDARD BRAKING SYSTEMS. *TR

I HAD A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AND NEAR/MISS THIS MORNING. MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA (LIMITED EDITION) CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON AS I WAS EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY DOING 65 MPH! I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR! MY FOOT WAS SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND I FELT/SMELLED THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I FLEW THROUGH A STOP SIGN AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP, BLOWING MY HORN, WHIPPED AROUND THE CURVE TO A STREET ON THE RIGHT, NEARLY HITTING 4 CARS BEFORE I FINALLY THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. MY CAR HAS CRUISE CONTROL, BUT I DON'T USE IT. I WAS VERY SHAKEN UP, BUT MIRACULOUSLY, NO ACCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIANS CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I WON'T DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. NO WAY. I WAS TERRIFIED. THIS WAS CLEARLY A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE, AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. SHE HEARD A NOISE NEAR THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD BE INSPECTED EVERY 15,000 MILES BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 27,100.

I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WHOSE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE. WHILE MOVING THE VISOR INTO POSITION A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC BROKE FROM THE VISOR. NOW THE VISOR RANDOMLY FALLS FROM IT'S POSITION AT THE CEILING ONTO THE DRIVER'S HEAD. DESPITE WEARING SUN GLASSES THERE ARE TIMES THE USE OF THE VISOR IS CRITICAL - ESP WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. ALSO THE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT CAUSES A STARTLE REACTION COMPROMISING THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. IT WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION OR THE FULLY FORWARD POSITION. IT HANGS IN MY LINE OF SIGHT AND MAKES DRIVING DANGEROUS. *TR

MY 2008 SONATA'S DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NO LONGER STAY UP AND SECURE AND IS ALWAYS MOVING SUDDENLY OR "FLOATING" INTO A POSITION THAT OBSCURES MY VIEW OFTEN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DEC. 2009 AND THE INCIDENT OCCURS IN JUNE 2010. I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED A DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OR MAINTENANCE OUT OF CONCERN IT WILL COST ME AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. *TR

AT 10K MILES REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE GLAZED FROM STICKING BRAKE PADS; ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. AT 26.8K MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE "METAL TO METAL" AND BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORN DUE TO DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE PAD BEING SEIZED INTO ROTORS (DEALERS LANGUAGE). DEALER ATTRIBUTED BRAKE FAILURE TO INCREASED CORROSION DUE TO OUR MAINE LOCATION. NONE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES WE HAVE HAD EXHIBITED THESE PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT I HAVE BEEN OPERATING THE CAR FOR AN INDETERMINATE TIME WITH NO REAR BRAKES. THE DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED DURING A NORMAL TIRE ROTATION. I SUSPECT HYUNDAI ENCOURAGES TIRE ROTATION AT EVERY SERVICE INTERVAL IN ORDER TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE REAR BRAKES. *TR

OWN A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON AND WON'T RESET. DEALER SAID IT COULD BE SEVERAL THINGS ... REPLACE SEAT BELT OR THE SEAT AT A VERY HIGH PRICE. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON AGAIN AFTER MAKING THE SO-CALLED REPAIR. THEY COULDN'T EVEN TELL ME IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD FUNCTION WHILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON IN MY CAR. I'M PRETTY MUCH AT A LOSS ON THIS ONE. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SAFETY FIRST?? *TR

MY SUN VISOR STARTED FALLING DOWN AND WOULD NOT STAY UP. I FINALLY HAD TO GET SOME VELCRO BECAUSE IT KEPT BLOCKING MY VISION. *TR

PASSENGER-SIDE VISOR MADE A CRACKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS PULLED DOWN, NOW IT WILL NOT STAY UP ALL THE WAY; IT JUST HANGS HALFWAY DOWN. *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS DO NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. THEY DANGLE RIGHT IN THE LINE OF SITE OF DRIVER. NOT SAFE. *TR

THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER (AND PASSENGER) SIDE WILL NO LONGER STAY UP. THE DRIVERS SIDE CONSTANTLY FALLS DOWN WHILE I OR MY WIFE IS DRIVING. IT HITS THE DRIVER N THE HEAD OR FACE AND STARTLES THE DRIVER, BLOCKING THE FIELD OF VISION. I TURN THE VISOR TO THE SIDE BUT IT COVERS THE SIDE WIDOW AND I HAVE DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT THE SIDE WINDOW. MY MOTHER IN FLORIDA HAS A SONATA AND TOLD ME THAT SHE EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO STAY UP. IT DROOPS SO SUN VISOR IS IN DRIVER'S LINE OF SITE. DROOPING SUN VISOR ALSO IS VERY NEAR DRIVER'S HEAD. MAKING IMPACT WITH EDGE OF VISOR HIGHLY LIKELY IN A CRASH. *TR

NORMAL USE HAS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA TO NOT HOLD ITS POSITION. IT WILL NOT REMAIN IN PLACE WHETHER IT IS PLACED IN THE UPRIGHT OR DOWN POSITION. FURTHER, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SUN VISOR WILL DROP SUDDENLY AND OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEW. IT HAS ALSO HIT ME IN THE HEAD WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 SONATA WITH 46,000 MILES AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKES HAVE GIVEN ME A PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS TOO. THIS TIME REAR BRAKES ARE GOING OUT AGAIN AND ARE DOWN TO THE ROTORS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF WARNING LIGHT TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKES ARE GOING BAD. BUT TWICE AT 46,000 MILES THAT IS NOT NORMAL! THE DEALER HAS SAID IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE MOSTLY DRIVEN HIGHWAY MILES AND CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. *TR