1.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
119,006 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 #10

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 #9

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 #8

Aug 052013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
I was pulling in a shopping center turning the steering wheel to the right, I heard a loud bang and got out of car, the drivers side wheel was caved in, had car towed to mechanic, he said the subframe was completely rusted and broke away from the car, and I was lucky that I wasn't going at a higher speed.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #7

Nov 032012

Sonata

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, he heard noises and noticed that the tire was misaligned causing the steering wheel pulling abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic and after inspection, they found that the front sub-frame was rusted and corroded. There were also holes next to the bolts that held the sub frame in place. The dealer was notified who advised the contac that there was a recall for the failure but his VIN was not included (NHTSA campaign id number: 09V124000: Suspension). The manufacturer was notified who confirmed that the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 157,000.

- Elkridge, MD, USA

problem #6

May 222012

Sonata

  • 125,764 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was being examined by an independent repair shop and she was informed that the front sub-frame was corroded. The manufacturer was then notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V124000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 125,764.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #5

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 #4

Dec 112010

Sonata

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns 1999 hyundia Sonata. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph, and when the brake pedal was engaged there was a loud popping noise outside of the vehicle. The steering wheel would require excessive force to avoid turning in a 360 degree which allowed the vehicle to drive straight on the road. When the contact reached her destination, she noticed that the front passenger tire was positioned slightly inward. The vehicle was driven with caution to an independent auto sales center, and then towed to the dealer. The technician informed her that the front sub-frame and connecting parts were significantly corroded. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V124000 (suspension). The dealer stated that the replacement of the sub-frame cross member would be under the recall and that the additional repair cost of $10,000 was the financial responsibility of the owner. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- West Palm Beach , FL, USA

problem #3

Sep 172009

Sonata

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact stated the vehicle began to pull in the left direction without engaging in any assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure was contributed to severe corrosion of the sub-frame. The technician recommended the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer. Also, he advised of a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 09V124000 (suspension). The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where the vehicle was repaired under the recall remedy. Immediately, after the recall repair the steering wheel would not turn properly and required excessive force when making a turn. The authorized dealer was notified three times in which they informed the telephone call would be returned. However, the manufacturer had not responded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 152008

Sonata

  • 186,000 miles
While driving, I noticed the car pulling to the right, the sound of medal rubbing together, and when driving on uneven payment or a hill in the road, I have almost loose control. I took my car to pepboys and the serviceman took me underneath the car and showed me the mass amount of corrosion and rust on the cradle and the control arm was bent. He stated he has never witness such corrosion before on any other body part. He informed me that it was very dangerous to drive. This car is a source of transportation to work and school. In the mist of looking for used parts on the internet, I came across others who has had this same problem with the same type of vehicle. Some who has had accidents. Thank god he kept my family safe. I am still looking for the necessary parts for repair. Please do whatever you can to enforce a recall this can turn out to be deadly to future drivers and there families.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1

Aug 152007

Sonata

  • 69,000 miles
I own a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 mph the passenger right side wheel collapsed and vehicle stopped. Vehicle was towed to local mechanic and he stated that upper control arm was rusted from the inside out and the bolts separated from the frame. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they were unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The current mileage was 69,000. It was clearly a manufacture defect. I made over 30 phones to try and resolve this matter I was prepared to go to the media with story. The manufacturer fixed my car after many weeks. I do feel that there should be a recall on this vehicle.

- Fanwood, NJ, USA