2008 Hyundai Sonata complaints

THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT RELEASE LATCH DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. IN COMPARISON TO PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN SMOOTH OPERATION TO RELEASE THE LATCH. ANY TENSION PLACED UPON THE STRAP CAUSES THE PROBLEM TO AMPLIFY DRASTICALLY. IN CASE OF A VEHICLE ROLLOVER AND A DRIVER BEING STOPPED WHILE THE VEHICLE COMES TO REST WITH THE VEHICLE ON IT'S ROOF, IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DRIVERS WEIGHT PRESSURE ON THE RELEASE LATCH. *TR

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM STAYS OFF WHEN MY WIFE (120 POUNDS) IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. WHEN FIRST TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WITH MY WIFE, THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT GO ON. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ANOTHER DEALER SENT THE SEAT TO CALIFORNIA TO BE REPAIRED IN MARCH 2009. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. NOW, HYUNDAIUSA WANTS ME TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WITH MY WIFE OR SOMEONE OF SIMILAR STATURE. THIS TIME, A HYUNDAI REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE PRESENT. HYUNDAI USA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WOULD NOT GIVE ANY MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT THE PROCESS IS IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS THEREAFTER NOR WOULD THEY GIVE ME THE NAME AND/OR CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE ANYONE TO SPEAK TO. THEY SAID THEY WOULD FORWARD ON MY CASE AND I MAY OR MAY NOT BE CONTACTED BY SOMEONE AT HYUNDAI USA WITH ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS. OTHERWISE, I JUST HAVE TO WAIT TO HEAR WHAT THE HYUNDAI REP HAS TO SAY WHEN MY APPOINTMENT IS FINALLY SCHEDULED. CURRENTLY, WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE SENSOR WAS TURNING THE AIR BAG OFF WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT WOULD SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT LOCATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN HIS CHILDREN ARE SEATED IN THE VEHICLE, THE SENSOR SHUTS OFF THE AIR BAG. THIS COULD BE FATAL IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

PROBLEM: VISOR, WINDSHIELD, DRIVER. PLASTIC SHEATH AROUND METAL BAR, WHICH IS PART OF THE VISOR POSITION CONTROL MECHANISM, BROKE DURING NORMAL USE. THIS RESULTED IN VISOR NOT STAYING IN POSITION SET BY DRIVER. VISOR WILL DROP DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AND PARTIALLY OBSTRUCT DRIVER'S VISUAL FIELD AND DISTRACT DRIVER'S ATTENTION. *TR

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REMAIN DEACTIVATED (SIGN SHOWS THAT), SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN MY WIFE (120LBS, 5'3) SITS ON IT. HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIP ONCE AND THEY SENT THE SEAT TO HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER FOR RECTIFICATION, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SITUATION IN CASE OF CRASH, AS HAVING PROPERLY WORKING AIRBAG IS ESSENTIAL FOR PASSENGER SAFETY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. EACH TIME A 260 LBS. OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TIMES TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT THE FAILURE HAS STILL NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,351 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES AND WILL NOT DIM. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600. UPDATED 12/1/08 *CN THE WOULD ALWAYS REPLACE A SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. UPDATED 12/05/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HIS 115 LBS. SPOUSE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES AND EVENTUALLY DIMS. THE VIN IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE RECALL AND THE SEAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SHIPPED AWAY WITH HIS SPOUSE'S WEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CURRENTLY NO LONGER DIMS WHEN SHE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,800.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL DEFECT; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY DID NOT PROPERLY CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,655. UPDATED 11/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WIFE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WOULDN'T HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE WHEN THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WEIGHED 175 POUNDS AND THE RECALL LETTER CLEARLY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT PERTAINED TO SMALLER ADULTS. *JB

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI INDICATING THAT THERE IS A DEFECT AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LAMP ILLUMINATES WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN SMALL STATURE ADULT. I HAVE TWIN 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS AND WHEN THEY SIT IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT THE LIGHT SOMETIMES GOES OFF AND IT SOMETIMES STAYS ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND LET HIM KNOW THE SITUATION AND I WAS TOLD TO GIVE IT ANOTHER WEEK. ON 9/23 I CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN IN NEWARK OHIO AND AGAIN EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND CRAIG BARGER INFORMED ME HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT HIS REP. HE LET ME KNOW VIA EMAIL ON 9/26 THAT AGAIN UNLESS I COULD SHOW THEM THAT THE LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I THEN CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE SITUATION AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS I PROVED TO THEM THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT. HE TOLD ME TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND I INFORMED HIM THAT DURING THE WEEK I WORK AND AFTER WORK THE DEALER IS CLOSED AND HAS MINIMAL HOURS ON THE WEEKEND. I AM FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THIS CAR IS NOT WHAT I BOUGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND WILL NOT DIM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SENT THE CUSHION SEAT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN CALIFORNIA FOR REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER WAS ALSO UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN HIS SMALL STATURED WIFE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). BOTH REMEDIES HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT IN PROPERLY REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000.

RECALL NOTICE FOR 2008 SONATA HYUNDAI ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN UNLESS HE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS. *NJ

MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG SENSOR RECALL. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 3 DAYS AND IT WAS RETURNED TO ME BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED INCONSISTENTLY. I AM A 120LB ADULT AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ME AS A PASSENGER WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK 10+ TIMES TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND ULTIMATELY THEY GAVE ME A BRAND NEW PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MINE. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM IS STILL CONTINUING EVEN WITH THIS BRAND NEW SEAT. I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK IN TO THE SHOP NEXT WEEK AND AM HOPING THEY WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS FIASCO SOON. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A MONTH NOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE CONTACT'S 106 POUND WIFE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DIMS AND THEN ILLUMINATES AGAIN, AS IF NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 09/13/08.*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG MODULE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 008V161000 (AIR BAGS). HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNLESS HIS WIFE CAME WITH HIM TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY AGREED THAT HIS WIFE HAD TO BE PRESENT. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,700. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/11/08*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A VERY LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND PROCEEDING THROUGH IT BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HESITATED SEVERELY AND WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE OCCUPANTS EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE ROOF AND THE INTERIOR FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN. THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT YET DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,000.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER MAY NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG FEATURE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE IS THE ONLY PASSENGER THAT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SHE WEIGHS 135 LBS. THE VIN WAS VERIFIED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600. UPDATED 03/04/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AT THE SPEED OF 40 TO 45 MILES PER HOUR. UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT DIMMED. THE PASSENGER WEIGHED 105 LBS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG REMAINS OFF BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND MADE A NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A TORQUE CONVERTER SHUTTER THAT WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FUEL ECONOMY FEATURE AND THE REPAIR WAS NOT ALLOWED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOT OF WIND NOISE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,900.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF WHEN A LIGHTER WEIGHT PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH WE FIND VERY UNSAFE FOR OUR PASSENGERS. THE WEIGHT IT SHOULD REGISTER TO GO OFF AS WE UNDERSTOOD IS A BODY BEING OVER 85 LBS., BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHEN IT STAYS ON OR GOES OFF TO MAKE THE PASSENGER SAFER. MANY DRIVERS ARE LIGHT WEIGHT AS ARE MANY PASSENGERS AND THIS SHOULD BE FIXED FOR SAFETY. OCCASIONALLY WHEN RESTARTING THE CAR, THE LIGHT SUDDENLY GOES OFF AND SETS THE AIRBAG READY FOR USE IF NEEDED, BUT IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO RESTART YOUR CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND A WASTE OF GAS. AFTER SEVERAL RESTARTS AND HOPING, THE LIGHT SOMETIMES NEVER GOES OUT. THIS IS WITH THE SAME LIGHT WEIGHT PASSENGER SO IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. ALSO THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS COME ON MUCH LATER THAN DUSK AND THEREFORE MAKE UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS IF THE DRIVER THINKS THEY HAVE COME ON AND YET THEY ARE DELAYED MUCH LONGER THAN NORMAL. PAYING FOR THIS FEATURE JUST TO NOT HAVE THEM COME ON IN TIME FOR DUSK MAKES FOR BUYER DISSATISFACTION AMONG THE FEELING OF BEING UNSAFELY DRIVING WITH OUT LIGHTS AT DUSK. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES THE CONDITION CAN BE CLEARED BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT OTHER TIMES THE CONDITION REMAINS THE SAME. ADJUSTING THE SEATING POSITION AND SEAT LOCATION DO NOT SEEM TO AFFECT THE PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN A PASSENGER WHO WEIGHS OVER 115 LBS IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT STATES THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE AIRBAG IS OFF IT WILL NOT DEPLORE IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THEREFORE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SEATBELT, THERE IS NO OTHER SAFETY FEATURE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THERE WERE FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH APPARENTLY WILL NOT BE THE CASE BECAUSE OF SOME SORT OF DEFECT IN THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS INTERMITTENT BUT NONETHELESS IS NOT A CHANCE I SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE WITH MY PASSENGERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED IMMEDIATELY OR MY MONEY SHOULD BE REFUNDED SO I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH RELIABLE SAFETY FEATURES. THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLE IS RATED 5 STARS IN SAFETY FEATURES NEEDS TO BE REEVALUATED. *TR

MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM REMAINS OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND HYUNDAI STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ASKED FOR INFORMATION SHOWING WEIGHT RESTRAINTS OR LIMITS OF SYSTEM WITH NO ANSWERS. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. *TR