Page 4 of 10 · complaints 151–200 of 460

2009 Hyundai Sonata complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2009 record →

Electrical System
Filed Nov 1, 2016143,000 milesTX

CAR STARTED AS USUAL AND I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GETTING READY TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 20 MPH AND REACH 1000 RPM. IT DIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER ON THE HIGHWAY FRONTAGE ROAD. ALL OF THE LIGHTS FOR ABS, BRAKES, CHECK ENGINE ETC. CAME ON BUT THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD NOT WORK SO I HAD TO KEEP PUMPING THE BRAKES SO NOBODY WOULD RUN INTO THE BACK END OF MY CAR. IT WOULD NOT RESTART SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER STATED VALVE COVER GASKET HAD LEAKED OIL ONTO THE ALTERNATOR AND RUINED IT. THAT IN TURN RUINED THE BATTERY. CAR WAS REPAIRED FOR $1400 INCLUDING THE TOW AND A RENTAL CAR. AFTER LOOKING AT HYUNDAI RECALLS, I NOTICED THE ONE FOR THE 2009 VERA CRUZ (NHTSA# 14V415000) IN WHICH 61,122 UNITS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. IN RESEARCHING THE AFFECTED VALVE COVER GASKET, I FOUND THE SAME ONE WAS USED ON MY 3.3L ENGINE THAT WAS LISTED AS DEFECTIVE ON THE 3.8L VERA CRUZ ENGINE. IF THAT PART WAS DEFECTIVE ON THAT VEHICLE, WHY WAS THE SCOPE OF THIS RECALL NOT EXTENDED TO COVER ALL POSSIBLE VEHICLES THAT COULD BE AFFECTED? I WOULD LIKE THE COST OF REPAIRS REFUNDED TO ME SINCE HYUNDAI OBVIOUSLY KNEW THIS PART WAS DEFECTIVE BUT DIDN'T ISSUE A RECALL TO COVER ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 1, 201685,000 milesAL

THE PAINT BEGAN TO COME OFF ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR 3-4 YEARS AGO. FINALLY TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI COMPLAINING THAT IT MUST BE A DEFECT SINCE: 1) NO ACCIDENTS, 2) DO NOT PARK UNDER PECAN TREES, 3) NO HAIL DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE PAINT TO COME OFF TO THE POINT THAT THE HOOD HAD ALMOST STARTED TO RUST THROUGH. COST ME $597.80 TO HAVE IT STRIPPED, REPAINTED, ETC.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2016107,217 milesIA

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE JULY 2014. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 54K MILES. I CURRENTLY HAVE 107K MILES AND IT'S OCTOBER 2016.I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES 4 TIMES, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FAIL CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING PRODUCING SIGNIFICANT HEAT AND DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE PROBLEM ALSO CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF FUEL ECONOMY. IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND A RECALL HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE STARTING IN MODEL YEAR 2011. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE 2009 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 23, 201670,000 milesFL

SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP IT KEEPS FALLING DOWN OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 15, 201611,000 milesMI

MY ESC & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND CAR STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS AND THE FREEWAY.

Electrical SystemFire2 injured
Filed Oct 14, 2016ME

ON 10/08/2009 MY 209 HYUNDAI SONATA WENT INTO AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS ON A NARROW DIRT ROAD WITH LITTLE LIMITED OPTIONS AS TO WHERE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I MISSED A BOULDER, GARAGE, AND TREE BEFORE HITTING THE SIDE OF A HOUSE. THE AMBULANCE WAS CALLED AND I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM. I HAD A CONCUSSION, FRACTURED KNEE ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF BRUISES AND ABRASIONS. THE EMTS TOLD ME HOW LUCKY IF WAS SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.. AN INTERNET SEARCH, INCLUDING YOUR WEBSITE, NOTES THESE PROBLEMS GOING BACK SEVERAL YEARS. TOYOTA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND DID A RECALL. MY INJURIES WILL EXCEED THE LIMIT OF MY INSURANCE AND I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE A CAR. I KNOW HOW LUCKY I WAS TO WALK AWAY. I AM SURE OTHERS HAD MORE SERIOUS INJURIES AND HIGHER EXPENSES. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FORCE HYUNDAI TO DO THE RIGHT THING?

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 20165,000 milesMA

PURCHASED MY 2009 SONATA IN FEBRUARY 2009, BY MID JULY I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES. I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND ONLY HAD ABOUT 5000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS REQUIRED TO CHECK THE BRAKES EVERY 3500 MILES AND IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, NOT EVEN THE 5 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. IT IS NOW 2016 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS EVERY 6 MONTHS AT A COST OF OVER $400 EVERY TIME. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF GRINDING, HEAT AND MASSIVE VIBRATION IN THE REAR WHILE BRAKING TO THIS POINT. I HAVE RETURNED MY CAR FOR BOTH CURRENT RECALLS (NOT APPLICABLE TO BRAKES). WITH SO MANY MODELS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, ITS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT HYUNDAI WILL NOT REPAIR THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING AND THE NHTSA HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH BRAKING SYSTEMS IN THESE CARS.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 10, 2016115,000 milesCT

UPON ACCELERATING UP AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY, CAR ACCELERATED AT AN UNREASONABLE RATE OF SPEED TRIED USING BRAKES, BUT THEY WERE GONE. CAR HIT SPEEDS OF 60/65 MPH FOR MORE THAN 3 MILES ON A TURNPIKE. PARKING BRAKE DID NOT WORK, BRAKE PEDAL WAS DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE AUTO. AFTER TRAVELING MORE THAN 3 MILES, IN THE SHOULDER, I PUT THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND FINALLY STOP. TOWED FROM TURNPIKE TO DEALERSHIP. KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE 2006 MODEL, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE SONATA 2009.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2016126,000 milesNC

A FEW MILE FROM HOME ON RURAL HIGHWAY DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKES SUDDENLY SEIZED LURCHING THE VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED, ENGINE RPM WENT WAY UP. UPON ARRIVING AT HOME, BRAKES WERE SMOKING HOT AND ON INSPECTION BRAKE PADS AND METAL ALMOST GONE, ROTOR HAD THINNED TO 1/4 ", AND METAL POWDER WAS ALL OVER THE RIM, SIDE AND REAR OF CAR.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 8, 2016CA

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NOTHING HIT THE CAR AND I DID NOT CROSS UNDER AN OVER-PATH. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUNDS OF WIND OR AIR ENTERING THE SUNROOF. CHUNKS OF GLASS FEW OFF THE CAR AND COULD HAVE DAMAGED OTHER VEHICLE OR COULD HAVE CAUSED A WRECK. IT RAINED OVERNIGHT AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND MY CLOTH SEATS WERE SOAKED. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE SUNROOF REPAIRED A FEW DAYS LATER.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 6, 201675,000 milesVA

SUN VISOR ON DRIVER SIDE IS BROKEN (WON'T STAY UP) AND THE SUN VISOR DROPS DOWN VERTICALLY BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW. THIS PROBLEM WAS PART OF A RECALL IN THE TWO PRIOR YEAR MODELS (2007 AND 2008), BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM PERSISTS IN THE 2009 YEAR MODEL

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 16, 201668,566 milesMO

WHEN START THE ENGINEERING AND DRIVE FOR 2-3 SECONDS, THE ESC OFF LIGHT WILL LIGHT AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. I HEARD IT HAD RECALL ON 2006-2008 MODEL FOR THIS, BUT NOT 2009MODELS.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 5, 201689,000 milesWA

MY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF ON THE ESC NOT SURE WHY OR WHAT TO DO.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2016PA

THE POWER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON IS FLOPPY IT JUST STAYS DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO PULL IT BACK UP MANUALLY ITS LIKE THE SPRING IS BROKEN. THE HVAC MOTOR BLOWER DOESN'T ALWAYS BLOW I HAVE TO MESS WITH THE KNOB TO GET THE HEAT OR AC TO WORK.

Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2016CA

WHEN RUNNING SOMETIME THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE HARD TO TURN WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, I CONTACTED HYUNDAI FOR THIS IS PART OF THE RECALL ON ALL HYUNDAI SONATA BUILT ON DECEMBER 2009. BUT HYUNDAI IS TELLING ME THAT IT NOT COVER BY THE RECALL ON THE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO FIXED THIS PROBLEM. ...UPDATED 04/11/17 *BF *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 25, 201668,000 milesFL

DASHBOARD CRACKING DIRECTLY AROUND AIR BAG UNIT UNDERNEATH DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO HYUNDAI, AFFECTING NUMEROUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. HYUNDAI DEALERS REFUSE TO CLASSIFY IT A SAFETY DEFECT, AND HAVE TOLD ME THE DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER. MULTIPLE HYUNDAI SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE INTERNET CONFIRM WHAT I SUSPECT, THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE. CRACKS BEGAN APPEARING AT ABOUT 68,000 MILES, APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 2015, AND ARE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. CAR NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES (JULY 2016).

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 17, 2016AL

I WAS AT THE GAS PUMP TRYING TO EASE UP TO GET CLOSER SO THE NOZZLE COULD REACH MY TANK. IN THE PROCESS OF EASING UP THE CAR TOOK OFF FORWARD, CAUSING THE DOOR TO CLOSE MY LEG IN THE DOOR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOOSE MY LEG. THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Jun 17, 2016140,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS VIEWED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE THE FUEL PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE FUEL CONNECTOR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 14, 201620,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED AS THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ). ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE GEAR LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 26, 2016OH

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SUN VISOR THAT WAS UP BROKE AND SWUNG DOWN ALMOST HITTING ME IN THE FACE. IT NO LONGER WILL STAY UP AS IT'S INTENDED AND SWINGS DOWN BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING. IT'S A HAZARD AND ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE MANY OTHERS HAVE AS WELL.

Electrical System
Filed May 21, 2016113,000 milesIL

TAMARA RECALL. MY SEAT WON'T MOVE BACK OR FORWARD . ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 17, 201683,000 milesSC

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT A RATE OF 30 TO 40 MPH, I FELT A JERK IN THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION SPEED OF MY VEHICLE, AND AFTERWORDS NOTICED MY ESC OFF LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHTS HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED AND UNABLE TO BE SHUT OFF WITH MY ESC SWITCH. I ALSO NOTICED THAT I WAS UNABLE TO REV MY ENGINE PAST 3000RPM'S, CONSEQUENTLY AFFECTING MY VEHICLE'S USABLE POWER BAND AND RENDERING ME(THE DRIVER) UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR'S OVERALL SPEED. AFTER TURNING MY VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY UNTIL I WAS AGAIN DRIVING. I THEN WENT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE MY CAR'S COMPUTER SCANNED AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CRANKSHAFT OR CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. MY COMPUTER WAS THEN RESET, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 11, 2016AL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE PULLING INTO A FUEL STATION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 29, 201663,000 milesVA

BOUGHT CAR NEW , AT 30,000 MILE STARTER REPLACED [ COULD NOT TURN KEY IN IGNITION] . THAT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY . AT 63,000 MILES IGNTION WENT [ AGAIN UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO START CAR ] AND I WAS STRANDED WITH VEHICLE.--THIS TIME APPROX $650.00 I FOR REPAIRS . I HAVE HEARD /READ THERE IS A HISTORY FO THIS KIND OF PROBLEM . HYUNDAI DID GIVE ME A $200.CREDIT TOWARD NEXT REPAIR . WITH MY AGE AND BEING WIDOWED I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS CAR IS GOING TO BE SAFE FOR ME . I JUST DON'T THINK WITH THE AMOUNT OF MILEAGE THAT THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE EXISTED . ARE THEY USING INFERIOR PARTS ??

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 20, 2016124,000 milesOH

THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OF THE BACK DOOR, I HAVE NEVER KNOWN THE DOOR HANDLE TO JUST COME OFF THE DOOR OF A CAR.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 20, 2016123,422 milesOH

THE MOTOR IN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS GONE OUT. WHEN I TOLD A COUSIN OF MINE WHO OWNS A SONATA SAID THAT HYUNDIAS ARE KNOWN FOR THAT PROBLEM, REALLY!!

Steering
Filed Apr 11, 2016105,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND BECAME A FREQUENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO NORMAL. UPDATED 05/11/16. *JB

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 7, 2016TX

HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES TWICE. AFTER READING 200 COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ALL SONATAS. THE NEW BRAKES HAVE TO BE GROUND DOWN TO FIT THE SONATA.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 18, 201689,000 milesKS

CROSSING INTERSECTION ON GREEN LIGHT. INATTENTIVE DRIVER RAN RED LIGHT, CRUSHING PASSENGER SIDE AND FORCING CAR INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS IMPACT CAUSED THE REAR OF AUTO TO BE CRUSHED. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND, THUS, DID NOT PROTECT FROM INJURY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 11, 201665,000 milesFL

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR WILL JERK LIKE IT IS SHIFTING ROUGH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKES GRABBING BUT WHEN I GOOGLED IT I READ THAT IT COULD BE ECM AND TCM SOFTWARE PROBLEM. IT JERKS SOMETIMES SO BADLY THAT IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BUMPED INTO SOMETHING. CALLED DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT IS PROBABLY AN UPDATE NEEDED TO THE ECM AND TCM SOFTWARE AND IT COULD COST $200. IF THAT IS THE CASE IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT HYUNDAI COVERS.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 11, 2016111,000 milesFL

ESC LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THEN GOING OFF. HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

Power Train
Filed Mar 10, 201696,000 milesKY

MY CAR JERKS DURING BRAKING OR DOWNSHIFTING AROUND 15-20 MILE PER HOUR. IT ONLY DOES THIS AFTER CAR HAS SAT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND STOPS AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. MY SONATA IS AUTOMATIC.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 8, 2016150,000 milesFL

THE 2009 SONATA HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT FRAME THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT LIVE AT THE BEACH, AND IS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS FOUND BY A MECHANIC DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. CHUNKS OF FRAME WERE FALLING OFF AS WE WERE INSPECTING THE RUST. IT IS BEING REPLACED DUE TO EMINENT, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY TIME HE HAS EVER SEEN THIS IS ON 20-25 YEAR OLD BEACH CARS.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 29, 201690,000 milesMD

THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS APPEAR TO BE DEFECTIVE IN THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE SEEM TO FAIL. THIS IS THE SECOND CALIPER THAT HAS REQUIRED REPAIR/REPLACEMENT, WHICH NECESSARILY ALSO REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. IT APPEARS THAT THE CALIPERS STICK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION CAUSING (IN THE BEST CASE) THE RAPID WEAR OF THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS, AND (IN THE WORST CASE) A HEAT BUILD UP, AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. INTERNET BLOGS INDICATE THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE BUT IS SYSTEMIC WITH HYUNDAI SONATAS, AND PARTICULARLY 2009 AND LATER. I WILL NOTE THAT HYUNDAI HAD A BRAKE RECALL REGARDING CALIPERS FOR SONATAS BETWEEN 2011 AND 2014, BUT THAT IT DID NOT EXTEND TO THE 2009 SONATAS.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 201665,000 milesVA

IN FEBRUARY OF 2015, LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS SCREECHING WHEN IN MOTION LIKE A BELT IN THE ENGINE WOULD. I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY MADE ME AWARE THAT THE CALIPER HAD LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED & REPAIRED ALONG WITH A BRAND NEW ROTOR. I FIGURED THIS WAS JUST A ONE TIME ISSUE, UNTIL JUST THIS MONTH (FEBRUARY OF 2016) LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER REPAIRING THE CALIPER AND BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE LEFT REAR TIRE, A STRONG BURNING SMELL WAS APPEARING PERIODICALLY FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AFTER ANY DRIVE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SAME HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO MADE ME AWARE THAT THE CALIPER WAS NOW LOCKED UP IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AND REPAIRED. IN BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE OFF THEIR LOT AND HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR REPAIRS. I DID MY RESEARCH... APPARENTLY THIS SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAS GIVEN LOTS OF PEOPLE THE SAME ISSUES.. BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND IN BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY CAR SEAT AGED TODDLER IN THE BACK SEAT. PLEASE HELP ME GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS!!

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 17, 201660,000 milesNJ

PAINT IS BLISTERED & PEELING OFF IN BIG CHUNKS. PRIMARILY THE HOOD, ROOF & TRUCK. VEHICLE IS PEARL WHITE IN COLOR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 201680,000 milesTX

I HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING THEY WILL SUDDENLY GO OUT. I HAVE TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO TRY AND STOP THE CAR. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED IN SEPTEMBER 2015, NOVEMBER 2015, DECEMBER 2015 AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT AGAIN ON YESTERDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016 WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND COULD END UP BEING A DEADLY PROBLEM.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 16, 201625,000 milesFL

THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR EXPOSING THE BARE METAL. THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT USE ANY PRIMER ON THE CAR, SO WHEN I APPLY TOUCH UP PAINT, IT WON'T STICK. HOW ARE THEY ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? IT'S A FINANCIAL DISASTER FOR CONSUMERS. I SAW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE ABOUT THE PEELING PAINT YET THE COMPANY STILL GETS AWAY WITH DOING NOTHING.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 8, 201643,600 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME, CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR IN LINKS, AND THE REAR ASSIST ARMS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,600.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 28, 2016KY

ESC LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI. PREVIOUS RECALLS AND CURRENT RECALL ON SOME MODELS. I AM FILING A COMPLAINTS WITH NATIONAL SAFETY SO THAT A RECALL CAN BE EXTENDED TO MORE VEHICLES. HYUNDAI IS UNWILLING TO FIX THESE ISSUES WITHOUT A RECALL. WANT PEOPLE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 20, 2016114,400 milesMN

THE CAR HAS HAD FOUR REAR CALIPER FAILURES. THESE CALIPER FAILURES HAVE ALSO CONSUMED THREE SETS OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND TWO SETS OF REAR ROTORS. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE AN EXCESSIVE WEAR/SLOW TO RELEASE CONDITION THAT CREATES AN OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, WHICH HAS SYMPTOMS OF A BURNING SMELL FROM THE BRAKES AND THE RIM OF EACH WHEEL BEING FAR TOO HOT TO TOUCH. ONCE WE NOTICED THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, WE NOTICED THAT THE BURNING SMELL CAN START WITHIN ABOUT 1/2 MILE DRIVE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 16, 201680,000 milesNJ

SUN VISOR FELL DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR.

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 201678,000 milesMI

THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI SONATA 2009, ANYTIME THE CAR IS ACCELERATED THE TRANSMISSION BOX GETS STUCK WHICH COULD LEAD TO SAFETY HAZARDS.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 6, 201630,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TO THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HANDLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Structure
Filed Dec 28, 2015115,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE CRACKS ALONG THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ UPDATED 08/03/16.*JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 13, 201532,000 milesAZ

WE BOUGHT A USED 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA AND AFTER 9 MONTHS THE NAVIGATIO SYSTEM WENT BLANK. VERY DISAPPOINTED. IT FLASHES TH 33RD HYUNDAI LOGO FOLLOWED BY A BLANK WHITE SCREEN. TRYED REBOOTING. $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. NOW WE FIND OUT THERE WERE PROBLEMS FROM THE GET GO WITH THO S SYSTEM. VERY DISTRACTING AND SAFETY ISSUE AT NIGHT. WE BOUGHT AN EXTENDED PLAN WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO COVER NAVIGATION.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Dec 9, 2015120,351 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 56 MPH, THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,351.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 3, 2015TN

TRANSMISSION ISSUE: EXPERIENCING A HARSH DOWN SHIFT WHEN BRAKING. THIS RECALL IS ALREADY KNOW FOR THE 2011 MODEL IN WHICH HYUNDAI SAYS IT IS A TIMING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAVE TO RESET IT.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 23, 2015PA

WHILE DRIIVING WITH THE SEAT BELT FASTENED....THE SEAT BELT LIGHT GOES OFF AND WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED...IT DOESNT ALWAYS STOP....OR CATCH THE LIGHT GOES OFF WHETHER THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED OR NOT. TLOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE GOES ON AND OFF AT TIMES...HAD CHECKED AND THE REPLY WAS IT MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 3, 2015122,000 milesTX

MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN. IT LOOKS GOOD, IS NOT TORN OR APPEAR ABUSED, BUT IT KEEPS FLOPPING DOWN WHEN I DRIVE AND THE ANGLE BLOCKS MY VIEW. I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED, I SIMPLY TRIED TO PUSH IT INTO THE POSITION THAT SUITS ME BEST AND SOME PLASTIC FELL FROM THE END PIECE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. I WAS PARKED AT THE TIME, PREPARING TO DRIVE.

Reading these

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

Full record for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata → · Every Sonata year → · How the figures are calculated →