10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,146 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #13

Dec 052012

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 90,250 miles
I noticed a shuddering at 90,250 miles, while traveling during the winter at around 30-45 mph, but was very intermittent, and would go away. Then on 10/9/2013 at 102,515 miles, from park, the transmission would not engage into reverse or drive. I could hear the transmission shift, but it was not disengaging from park. Per Hyundai service technician, the transmission was "junk" and would need to be replaced. I contacted Hyundai corporate, during which time I was informed they didn't have my information in their system and that in fact there were 2 recalls that they failed to notify me of, and was told that if I allowed the Hyundai service to do the repair right then, that I would be eligible for their policy reimbursement. One of the recalls was an ECM and tcm software update in which symptoms were improper clutching and de-clutching of gears when accelerating and decelerating. That shift quality over time caused undo stress on the gearing causing my failure. The repair was made, I then had to pay upfront, and a week later they've denied my policy reimbursement claim due to fluid being the cause of failure. I then provided them with further documentation showing that their own technician re-used 5 quarts of my original fluid on the repair order, and that I followed the maintenance record that was suggested by their own technicians advice when I purchased the vehicle. Drain and fill every 30,000 miles. The last drain and fill was on June 14, 2013. Hyundai did not provide me with any fluid analysis or specs to support their denial of my policy reimbursement. I saved the agents voicemail of the denial in which she stated due to "color" and that alone, was the reason why the claim was denied.

- Kansasville, WI, USA

problem #12

Jul 292013

Sonata

  • 92,323 miles
My ESC off and check engine lights came on. My mechanic indicated it was due to a bad brake light switch as my rear brake lights and cruise control did not work. He replaced the brake light switch but a couple days later the check engine light came back on. The computer listed a different code, stating the brake light switch is not compatible, but the rear brake lights work off and on. Awaiting follow up with my mechanic as he was going to check with Hyundai.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #11

Jul 072010

Sonata

  • 23,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated upon starting the ignition the entire instrument panel and headlights failed to function. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times. The dealer repaired the vehicle during the third diagnostic test; however, the intermittent failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Medway, MA, USA

problem #10

Jun 122013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Some times when starting the car with my foot on the brake the rpms go up to about 1200 and then down to 800 rpms. When my foot is removed from the brake the car wants to accelerate and go on its own often. While stoped at a stop sign or stoped with my foot on the brake the car will lurch forward when released, some times spinning the tires. It is progressively getting worse after returning from a 5000 mile trip in June, 2013. The car purchased new and has a automatic transmission with aprox. 65000 miles total on the car. This is a accident waiting to happen and should have a recall.

- Big Lake, MN, USA

problem #9

Mar 132013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
Headlights dim but don't automatically shut off when turning off the car thus draining battery leaving dead car.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #8

Feb 022013

Sonata

  • 55,000 miles
Around Feb of this year, my car battery died and I got it replaced with a new one. Soon after I started experiencing an additional grinding noise that would occur sometimes after start up. Upon investigation, I was told it was the starter by Hyundai. I took my car to my mechanic however and was told that it was the ignition switch selector, that it had gone bad and that it needed to be replaced. I hope this solves the problem.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #7

Jan 012011

Sonata

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the key would not turn over in the ignition. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where they advised that the ignition lock failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure recurred approximately two years later. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. The current mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

problem #6

Dec 192012

Sonata

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle attempted to turn the vehicle off but she was unable to take the key out of the ignition. The driver took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection but they could not diagnose the cause of failure or remove the key. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #5

Apr 042012

Sonata

  • miles
The brake lights do not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed. The gear shift not able to be shifted out of the park position. The electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light illuminates. Very similar to recall for same model on another year (2006).

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 222011

Sonata 6-cyl Diesel

  • 40,640 miles
Vehicle navigation system failed. On line there are hundreds of people complaining for the same thing. This needs to have a recall. Updated 10/31/11 updated 11/08/11

- Brooklyn, CT, USA

problem #3

Aug 142011

Sonata

  • 13,850 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while replacing a flat tire she noticed that the inside wall of the tire was worn. The mechanic that inspected the vehicle stated that the failure was caused by a cotter pin that was installed backwards. Also, she added that she had to replace two batteries after she bought the vehicle because she constantly needed to have the vehicle jump started. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 13,850 and the current mileage was 14,000.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #2

Jul 292011

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
A few days after the ignition cylinder was replaced, the speedometer started malfunctioning. My wife drove the car to work. While the car was running, she noticed the speedometer needle was at zero reading while the car was doing at least 25 miles per hour. She turned around and drove an older car instead. Over the weekend, I drove the Hyundai Sonata around but the speedometer problem did not show up. But the following Monday afternoon, I experienced this speedometer problem first hand. I noticed the car would accelerate from stop with the needle either slightly going up or not at all. I was at least going 25 miles per hour on an expressway. The needle continued to be stuck at zero until I had to apply the brake, and then momentarily, the needle would bounce up between 20-30 mph before going back to zero again.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 202009

Sonata

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. While parked, the contact noticed the lights on the instrument panel were not illuminating. The contact stated the failure occurred intermittently. Also the taillights were not illuminating. The brake lights and turn signals still functioned. The vehicle was taken into the dealer where the junction box was replaced. The failure occurred a second time and the junction box was replaced again. The failure occurred a third time. The vehicle was going to be taken back to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

- Spring Valley , NY, USA