10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,862 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Nov 242015

Sonata

  • miles
When I turn the vehicle / lights off, open the door and leave, the parking lights of this vehicle stay on. The car battery has died several times because of this problem.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #24

Jun 012007

Sonata

  • miles
Numerous issues from almost day one with this car. 1) within less than a month after purchase of this vehicle, passenger airbag light was coming on even with someone weighing well over 100 lbs in seat. Dealership brushed it off as 'someone sitting in the seat incorrectly'. the light stayed on for so long, with the dealerships refusing to do anything, that we feel it eventually burned out. 2) engine light came on very early in ownership as well and dealerships refused to resolve. Had to have fuel system replaced at one point because car completely died while driving with plenty of fuel. 3) replace headlamps, brake lamps, and tag lamps on a regular basis. On at least a monthly basis we are replacing 1 or 2 lights. We've been pulled over numerous times because a light has failed. 4) driver door automatic lock no longer works. 5) airbag light on driver side came on around 2013 or 2014 and remains on. 6) passenger side visor doesn't stay up when not in use. Driver side visor is starting to do the same. 7) passenger seat belt light constantly flashes even when seat is empty.

- Cataula, GA, USA

problem #23

Jun 102015

Sonata

  • 63,755 miles
ESC off light contines to come on and off intermittently. Also the transmission locks into park and wont release the transmission to go into drive without pushing the shift lock release button. Then once in drive you have to push the button again to put the car back into park.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #22

Jul 022009

Sonata

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the occupant classification system became disabled when an adult was seated on the front passenger side seat. The front passenger air bag light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the air bag light illuminated, shutting off all air bags within the vehicle. The vehicle was service under NHTSA campaign number: 08V161000 (air bags). However, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

- Virgina Beach, VA, USA

problem #21

Apr 162014

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
I am reporting this because I see other models with the same engine having the same problem. My valve cover gasket leaked oil onto the alternator and caused it to fail prematurely. This has happened in April of 2014 and has now happened again in June of 2015. Other models utilizing the same engine have been recalled due to this problem. Will this model be recalled?

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #20

Apr 202015

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 82,771 miles
My brake lights no longer function. My "ESC off" light and check engine light appeared. I had a mechanic scan my car regarding the aforementioned issues and the code that displayed was "P0504". after researching this code I have discovered: The engine control module (ECM) has detected a fault in correlation between the two brake switch circuits. This very problem has resulted a massive recall for Hyundai & Kia vehicles. Unfortunately, my vehicle is not eligible for the recall according to the VIN look up for this recall campaign (110). I should not have to pay out of pocket for this manufacturer defect!!!

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #19

Feb 022010

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
I have a 2007 Hyundai Sonata 3.3 I have had issues with the cars lights shutting off for years. I have mentioned it when I brought the car in for other recalls and issues under warranty and it was ignored. After much reading I have found that many of these cars are having issues that people have posted about. This doesnt include the many like myself that have not gone to the internet and asked or complained. I can not get my lights in my car to shut off on auto or manually. It is in the electrical fuse system. I have to lay down on my floor of drivers side and reach up and pull out the electrial plug that goes into the box to get the lights off...this is unacceptable and Hyundai turns their cheek to this issue. I think it is a fire and electrical hazard. The part costs over $500 and then to get someone to put it in. It has been faulty for years and many other Hyundai have the same issue. Please research and make this a recall!!! it is totally unacceptable!! also my other lights in the car illuminate on and off as you drive, they arent always on. Its really terrible and also not to mention the faulty brakes in the rear left caliper, another thing overlooked by Hyundai.

- Killingworth, CT, USA

problem #18

Aug 152013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
I bought this car used last September. When the weather turned very warm one day I put in the key to start the car, and the key wouldn't start. I looked in the book that came with the car, and it said to jiggle the steering wheel and then turn the key. This happened in my garage. I called the dealer where I bought the car. He actually came to my house and we both tried everything and we couldn't get the key to turn. I kept at it. I dis-engaged it out of park into neutral and tried moving the car. After what seemed like an hours or two, I tried it again, and finally the key turned. I called Hyundai in medford, Oregon, and they said they didn't have any idea as to why the key wouldn't turn. Great service!! now it seems whenever it gets really hot it does this often. I have gotten stranded so many time and have had others help me. My insurance towing service guy called me after I got stuck at the grocery market, and explained this was a security lock, and to make sure I had the wheels turned straight, and to just jerk the steering wheel left, and the key should un-lock. I am beginning to think this may be why the prior owner sold this car. I am 69 years old, and I am afraid at some point I will be off with no-one around to help me. Is this a common problem with this model? when I researched this on line, it seems to be a glitch with this 2007 model. Please help me with a solution. I can not afford to buy another car. I am on a fixed income. Thank you.

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

problem #17

Sep 192014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 91,082 miles
Airbag light in instrument cluster is illuminated - diagnostic test revealed belt buckle sensor is not functioning.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #16

Sep 222014

Sonata

  • 116,000 miles
Recently I took my car into the Hyundai dealership for an oil change. The next day my air bag light came on and will not turn off. I have also had this problem with the TPMS light. The dealership hooked my car up to diagnostics for the TPMS light and said they fixed it. However couple days later the light came back on. They want to charge every time just to look at it when they already looked at the TPMS light. I am afraid the same thing is going to happen with the airbag light. They want a $100 to look at it when they should already know Sonata has had several if not hundreds of complaints about this exact issue.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #15

Apr 082014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
The air bag warning light appears on the dashboard cluster and does not go out. I brought it to the dealer (hardin Hyundai, anaheim, ca) to have it reset but it has reappeared. They said they cannot identify the source of the problem from a diagnostic reading and do not know what the effects of the warning.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #14

Jun 022014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • miles
I received a letter from Hyundai that my car was under recall (issue with the passenger air bag being de-activated) & urged me to visit the dealer if OCS light was on. Hence I took it to the dealership based on this safety recall notice. They checked the system and the front passenger seat and said there was no problem and that my system was fine. Less than 1 month later the red airbag light appeared on my dash board intermittently for about a week before it came on and stayed on permanently. I returned to the dealer to have them run a system check and was informed that the issue was a sensor was triggered due to a faulty passenger seat belt assembly and needed to be replaced at the cost of approximately $400!!! I informed the dealer that the airbag light did not come on until after they supposedly worked on or checked the airbag system due to the recall in the 1st place. I was told that this had nothing to do with the recall issue and that I would have to pay at my expense because it was not covered by warranty. Because I did not have $400 just laying around to spend, the problem has not been fixed yet and now my vehicle has failed the safety inspection due to the airbag issue!!! if Hyundai has a manufacturing defect should it not be their responsibility to inspect it to see if the recall is applicable instead of charging the customer for it" secondly, if this investigation proves that Hyundai has installed defective safety equipment in these vehicles across the board, shouldn't every customer who had to pay out of pocket expense to have the seat belts replaced be fully reimbursed"

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #13

Aug 292014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 154,977 miles
Dealer found codes B1706 and B1102 present. Dealer tech stated driver seat belt buckle needs replacing, with an estimated cost of $344.56. The SRS module is not allowing codes to be reset, needs replacing also, with an estimated cost of $1,004. I see NHTSA has just started investigating the B1706 code -- my understanding from reading the other complaints is that a short circuit is causing the error code, and replacing the seat belt assembly is not permanently fixing the problem for most owners. Most owners mention repeat bills of about $350, but a few of the complaints mention much higher repair estimates, over $1,000. I suspect these estimates include replacement of the SRS module, like my estimate did. NHTSA should consider whether there is also a rash of SRS module failures due to the same short circuit. My B1102 code, indicating a high-voltage error, could also be more common and could also be caused by the same short circuit.

- Greenbelt, MD, USA

problem #12

Aug 132014

Sonata

  • 93,412 miles
We were driving highway speed when all of a sudden the cars check engine light, ESC light came on while in the middle of traffic and the motor completely shut off causing no steering or any control of the vehicle, was able to coast to the side of the road and tried restarting the car with no luck. Called the dealership immediately and they stated it had done that to the previous owner but was not warranted to be fixed, but yet we only purchased this car 6 months ago. Sat on the side of the road trying to figure out what to do, when the tow truck came by and scanned in which I got the following codes: P2106, P1295, P2135. Its a sensor on the accelerator pedal and causes the car to shut off immediately because it cant respond to the throttle body. This is very dangerous as we could have been rearended and seriously injured. Please contact asap!!!!!!

- Newport, NC, USA

problem #11

Feb 012013

Sonata

  • miles
We purchased the car in 2007 and at first it was good but for the last year or so the ignition keeps locking, when you put the key in. It will not unlock the steering column to start the engine.

- Milton, PA, USA

problem #10

Jul 012014

Sonata

  • 51,000 miles
I purchased the Hyundai Sonata in 2007 brand new. In 2009-2010 I started having a problem where the key will not turn over. I was stuck at work for 4 hours trying to turn the key. I had to pay to have it towed to the dealer. They said the ignition switch had fell back and needed to be replaced. It is now 2014 and I am having the same problem and my key will not turn over. I googled the problem and so many people are having this issue. I work nights and when I got off work last night my key would not turn over, and I tried for 2 hours. I had to leave my car there. I think this should be a recall issue because drivers should not be forced to pay $200-325 every couple of years for a problem that should not exist. The companies says to turn the wheel and then turn the key, but sometimes that does not work. It says nothing about this is the drivers guide, and I learning that so many people are having this issue. I saw a video on youtube where a man was teaching people how to start the car when this happens.

- St Paul, MN, USA

problem #9

Apr 202014

Sonata

  • 149,000 miles
A child was seated in a car seat while window was partially lowered, the window was raised and crushed child's fingers.

- Cedar Bluff, AL, USA

problem #8

Apr 092014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 100,700 miles
The car was making a noise when I started it. The noises got worse as I drove to work. Then the car died twice while in route on the interstate. The oil light came on. The heat gauge was normal. I notices smoke in the rear view mirror. I turned on the hazard flashers and began to get to the shoulder of the road. When I stopped the smoke got worse. I called work. The dotd roadside assistance showed up. I got out of the car and walked back toward him. He asked where my purse was. I turned back to the car and noticed flames coming from under the hood. He got my valuables out of the car, called the fire department and police. The flames were several feet high by the time they got the fire out. I called a tow truck. A fellow worker came and took me to work.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #7

Mar 082010

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
The car started with various electrical problems so I took it into the dealership to be repaired. After 3 fuse boxes it was fixed but they blew the windshield washer motor. Due to a move I wasn't able to have it repaired at that time. The brake lights first the drivers side now the passenger side are scorched and brake lights bulbs last only about 6 months. These were replaced due to a recall but have again scorched since. Now the driver side air bag light is on in the dash. No results yet for repair since my appointment isn't until Monday.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 122013

Sonata

  • 44,863 miles
Addendum to initial complaint 11-15-13 NHTSA id# 10552462 perhaps I did not communicate in detail, my concern was not replacing the fuel pump, it was the fire hazard that was alarming-it was the electrical connector module, top of the fuel pump, it burnt into the F/P and could have ignited, the service mechanic was shocked that I did not have a fire, I was told that another manufacturer had the same problem and put recalls on their vehicles due to this fire hazard..... my intention was to bring attention to the safety department to prevent other vehicle owners from this possible fire hazard.

- Middleton, MA, USA

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