10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
110,587 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #5

Jan 302015

Sonata

  • 114,000 miles
I was driving home from work on Jan 30th, 2015 and the car started pulling to the right. The next day, sat the 31st, I jacked up the right front of the car to see why the car steered to the right. I found the lower wheel assembly attachment to the frame had come loose. That was because the frame had three of four sides rusted thru. The condition could have caused a more severe accident if the attachment to the frame had pulled completely apart. I will check with Hyundai to see what they can do about it. Thanks for listening. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Green Cove Springs, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 192014

Sonata

  • 75,800 miles
After removing the drivers front wheel I noticed the control arm attachment point severely rusted, & the sub frame cracked ready to break. I know about the recall. Unfortunately Nebraska along with other states were not included. This car was well maintained by the original owner, & driven very little in salt/ snow conditions. She purchased @ approx. 80 years of age. NHTSA should take a look at this again. Water being trapped in the sub frames is the real problem, salt may have only made the failure happened a bit sooner. I have talked with Hyundai customer assistance, & was told the car would not be covered by the recall. I live 8 miles away from Iowa, which is covered by the recall. Omaha does use salt on the streets. 14 -15 years for a sub frame to rot away seems quite short. The problem is a design defect not allowing the water to get out. No states should have been left out! who doesn't wash their car regularly" how many 1999-2004 models of this car are still on the road? fortunately for our family we noticed the steering wheel significantly out of position, & both front wheels leaning in at the top. Separation of the control arm from the frame would not pretty at a higher rate of speed. People that have looked at the pictures I took of both sides on this car seem to agree, we were probably only a few more chuck holes away! will Hyundai notify current owners of any of these cars regardless of which state & remedy correctly?? will Hyundai, or government put out tsb's or psa's alerting any current owners of the potentially catastrophic condition which may cost someone their life"

- Ralston / Omaha, NE, USA

problem #3

Oct 012009

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 52,500 miles
I purchased my 1999 Sonata from a used car dealer & have had numerous problems with the car, its been a nightmare, one problem after another!!!! the crankshaft sensor had to be completely replaced because the component had severely melted, issues with the transmission, ABS/airbag warning light on, & have had to change out the half shaft on both drivers/passenger side, numerous tires, brakes but the most severe of all the problems which puts my safety, my 12 yr old son & fiance's safety, along with family/friend's safety at risk is the complete corrosion of the subframe I too to a mechanic today & he told me to not drive this car for anything because it will result in an accident where I can potentially end up hurting myself or other innocent bystanders because Hyundai made a defective subframe especially for us that live & drive in hazardous conditions of the wintry/icy elements for 5+months out of the year in upstate New York!!! I will be calling Hyundai's customer assistance ctr & fuccillo Hyundai(local dealer)& the attorney general for New York. I cannot imagine what could've happened if I drove over a pot hole resulting in my tire(s) falling off especially if I was on the expressway doing 55mph my loved ones or other's loved ones, & myself could've been severely injured or worse dead due to Hyundai using a subframe that would severely corrode the subframe especially in the "snow belt" states!!!!! I just hope that I do not have a difficult time having Hyundai fix the problem in a speedy fashion without trying to strong arm me into paying for repairs that I am not responsible for because it is an inconvenience being without a vehicle now until it gets repaired.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #2

Oct 152009

Sonata

  • 125,633 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V124000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic because the motor was excessively loud after the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle would sway back and forth, the motor would jump abnormally and the steering would intermittently become hard. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the motor mounts were loose and to take the vehicle back to the dealer for repairs. The dealer advised that the motor mount was fractured but did not make repairs. On a separate occasion while driving 40 mph, the rear of the vehicle began to sway abnormally. A vehicle crashed into the rear of her vehicle but did not stop. There were two passengers that sustained injuries to the knee, neck and back. A police report was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 125,633 and the current mileage was 130,000.

- West Warwick, RI, USA

problem #1

Jul 152010

Sonata

  • 185,000 miles
I was leaving parking spot in a parking lot, traveling approx 5 mph. The steering wheel was straight but car was veering to the right. I put it in reverse and had the same issue. I put it back into drive and steering wheel was shaking. I got it towed to the shop, where they told me the engine cradle is completely corroded. The engine had fallen, breaking the control arm and tore apart the axle. The car is currently sitting in the shop waiting for parts.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA