10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 113,826 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.
Loud knocking sound from under hood. Gets louder as engine heats. Unsafe to drive
- Saint Paul, MN, USA
When vehicle is started from a cold start, there is a noticeable rattle coming from engine that lasts about 3-7 seconds. Also while accelerating, the rattle is persistent with throttle input. I was told that the problem is the timing chain tensioner and that the Hyundai Sonatas have defective timing chain tensioners. I went to the Hyundai dealership and they quoted me $1,100 to fix the problem and made me aware that there was a tsb but not a recall on the part even though there is a revised tensioner. This is a ongoing issue and a hazard because the chain could have to much slack and cause the the timing to be off and future damage for the engine.
- Richmond, VA, USA
ESC light on along with check engine....need push button and turn off engine a couple of time.
- Pasco, WA, USA
Engine failure -lower rod bent no cause by operator car well maintained.
- Cloud, FL, USA
Driving while using cruise control at approximately 65 mph the check engine, air bag, and E.S.C light illuminated. Also, a simultaneous internal engine explosion resulted in an instant fire as well as a rod thrown from the vehicle damaging block and setting the car on fire from a resulting massive oil leak. There was no prior damage leading up to the incident nor any indication to my knowledge that there were any concerns with my car till it was too late unfortunately.
- Elk Grove , CA, USA
While stopped at a busy intersection, with engine running and clutch to the floor (disengaged), the car began to lurch against the brake. The clutch began engaging by itself because the concentric slave cylinder had failed at 61,500 miles. The dealer advised the car was 1,500 miles out of warranty, total cost to repair was $1950 and 3 days of service. Because the leaking hydraulic fluid "soaked" the clutch, the $794 clutch/pressure plate needed replacement as well. Hyundai will not honor any "goodwill" adjustment.
- Amherst, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. While driving for approximately three hours, the contact noticed that the trunk ajar warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. Another motorist alerted him that the rear of his vehicle was on fire. The contact pulled over and noticed that the wires in the trunk were on fire. He was able to safely extinguish the flames and resume driving. While driving 40 mph in third gear, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. In addition, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. He is in the process of having the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failures. The failure and current mileages were 43,000.
- Bosher City, LA, USA
- Pittsburg, TX, USA