10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
117,964 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 #9

Sep 252018

Sonata

  • 151,035 miles
I was driving down my street when the drivers cv axle popped out of the transmission. I got the vehicle towed home and removed the wheel to find that the subframe was corroded completely into. I know there are recalls pertaining to this exact issue on this type of car

- Wilmore, KY, USA

problem #8

Aug 152016

Sonata

  • 196,000 miles
Was informed approximately 2006-2007 by good samaritan, bill osterhage, that his daughter's 2002 Hyundai front tire rod axial broke D/T major corrosive issues with frame defects. He contacted an attorney for class action law suit to be started D/T safety issues to prevent death to others & repair frame to rob carey at rob.carey @att.net & amyw@hbsslaw.com. From 2006- until 2009 during routine oil changes, I asked kerry Hyundai in alexandria, ky to check my frame D/T visual rust & about recall. Hyundai finally admitted after multiple complaints during routine maintenance in a letter to me on 6/24/09 that there was a recall on 4/16/09 and my frame to be replaced. 8/15/16 I lost control of my 2001 Sonata, Hyundai while driving on expressway during rush hour D/T major corrosive issues causing right rear tire rod to break. I did two 360 degree turns from fast lane to slow lane. Grace of god I didn't crash or cause any accidents. Filled report with Hyundai dealer & corporation 8/16/16. Corporation stated that there is corrosive settlement for front frame and another for the rear frame. Has been two weeks and Hyundai corporation has not contacted me back, but stated compliant alone with pictures taken by dealer has been sent to "regional agent". manager of service department from dealership at kerry Hyundai alexandria, ky, jeff, stated "the matter is out of his hands and representative from Hyundai corporation is to handle matter. Also, jeff, manager of service department at kerry Hyundai, stated "damage to frame cost more than what care is worth". mechanic at kerry Hyundai stated that "Hyundai has major issue with frames, this is the third one this month, of August, that has come in D/T corrosive defects, and one of the cars was only three years old". please do something before someone is killed. Life is a precious gift and no monetary amount can replacement it.

- Alexandria, KY, USA

problem #7

Dec 132014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
My cars front subframe broke due to corrosion and axle fell apart while driving.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #6

Aug 072013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
I was driving and within 15 minutes my Hyundai ripped through 2 tires. Luckily I figured something was up and was taking back roads when the second time it happened parts of the rubber from the tires were in the road. I had to have it towed and apparently the cradle sub frame was completely rusted apart causing the alignment and tire issues. I am in the salt belt states so it should be covered under the rust/corrosion recall 089. I understand it has many miles but it was running really well until this and should be covered in the recall.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #5

Apr 172013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Hyundai wont pay for the tires that had to be replaces many times or a car to drive while mine was in the shop its their fault their lack of quality build of the car. The dealer is fixing the frame due to the recall no charge to me but I will have to pay for new tires and a car to drive till mine is fixed and to realine after I just feel that's unfair.. it all should be included on the recall.. I wont own one again.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #4

Aug 012012

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 82,142 miles
I bought this used 2001 sonota from a local guy who rebuilds cars for resale. I understood that it came with a salvaged title. However, I was assured that the vehicle was safe to operate. Six weeks, 4,000 mi. Later I hit a pot whole on my street and damaged the steering. I took it to a local repair shop and discovered the R-side sub-frame was broken due to corrosion. Who is responsible for allowing a vehicle that has a possible R-side sub-frame recalled, to never get fixed and placed back on the road? fortunately, it broke at a low speed in front of my house.

- Leavenworth, KS, USA

problem #3

Nov 192008

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
I purchased my 2001 Hyundai Sonata gls V6 in 2002 and have had nothing but problems from it, but this is the worst so far. My car started jerking terribly when I hit any kind of bump or uneven pavement and my steering wheel was off center when driving straight. I had someone look underneath the car and noticed the frame was rotting, therefore I was driving it to my mechanic and as I pushed the brake to stop, the right/front wheel separated from the frame/axle. There was corrosion on the frame around the axle. I called Hyundai and they gave me a claim # and said someone would contact me within 3-5 business days, so we will see.

- Ashland, KY, USA

problem #2

Aug 052008

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 166,500 miles
Tuesday, August 5, 2008, I brought in my 2001 gls V6 Hyundai Sonata to balise Hyundai of cape cod in hyannis, MA. My car had approximately 166,500 miles on it at this time. I was looking to get a throttle position sensor replaced. During their diagnostics, with the car on a lift, they noticed two things. One, a power steering leak was occurring most likely because of a corroded power steering line near the passenger side of the subframe. Two, in the immediate area of the suspected hose failure, the subframe had rusted through on two sides of the piece. The main hole in the subframe is fist-size or larger and the second is not good. I was informed that the subframe issue was a major safety hazard and warned me of what could happened should it fail. They also told me about the difficulties that replacing it could bring. They told that they were highly uncomfortable with me driving off the lot with the car with the subframe in that condition because it could go at any time. When they gave me an estimate for repairs to my car, they informed me that they might do the service on the subframe for free. They had to get approval from a regional rep or such person. However, as of today, Sunday, August 10, I have not heard back from the dealer. Today, I decided to do some research into replacing the subframe and finding the part. When I did a yahoo! search for "Sonata subframe", I came across the NHTSA investigation into this problem. I, thankfully, have not had a failure or accident because of this condition, yet.

- Hyannis, MA, USA

problem #1

Jun 152004

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
I heard a repetitive clicking sound and turned my radio off to listen. The noise didn't change when I slowed down and I resumed my normal speed of 60 mph. After a few seconds the car slowly & gradually began pulling to the left. I was unable to steer the vehicle at all and was moving into the shoulder and median between the highways. I tried to apply my brakes but the car was not responding. I had no steering or brakes and was heading towards oncoming traffic at 60 mph. I hit the end of a guard rail and the air bags did not deploy. These cars are not safe to drive! we also had a problem w/it hesitating when it tried to switch gears & the dealership was unable to fix. And the driver window would not stay in the track and shut properly.

- Okeana, OH, USA