10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 58
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,405 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #114

Jul 212016

Sonata

  • 71,000 miles
I received a recall notice in the mail last year. Finally, in February 2016, Hyundai had a fix for the manufacturer's alleged metal debris that was getting into the engine. The car was serviced and determined all was well. Today, June 21, 2016, the car stalled while leaving for work. I restarted the car successfully; however, milliseconds later, the engine shut off. This kept happening every time I restarted the car. The car had to be towed to the dealership. After a few quotes, ranging from $500 to $1600+, and the Hyundai dealer advising that the oil control valve needed to be replaced -- that "it had an extra hole in it that was not from the manufacturer". they also advised that after replacing this valve, the issue still may not be resolved. Additional repairs and labor would need to be done -- at my expense. I inquired if it had to do anything with the recent recall (mentioned above). She advised, 'no'. I find it very hard to believe that these two incidents or issues are unrelated. After reading about the many Sonata owners that have had engine trouble, I'm afraid to even drive this car anymore.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #113

Jul 022016

Sonata

  • 104,022 miles
I was driving with my daughter and took a wrong turn ending up on a dead end street on a hill in sonora. When I put it in reverse turned around then started going forward my entire car and brakes failed without warning. I quickly through on the emergency brake that stopped me from hitting a tree. Thank god it happened there as the next morning I would have been on a 2 lane mountain highway with all 3 of my daughters on a holiday weekend and it could have been fatal. My car has had all services and had just been serviced recently there were no issues and no recalls

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #112

May 302016

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 45 mph, white smoke emitted under the hood. The driver coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed black smoke and fire next to the engine. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that fractured metal fragments were in the engine, which caused it to fail. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #111

Jul 062016

Sonata

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While making a turn at 5 mph, smoke and flames emitted from the hood of the vehicle. The contact parked and exited the vehicle. A fire report was filed. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Rockport, TX, USA

problem #110

Jul 032016

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
"takata recall" my vehicle is making a ticking noise that sounds like a rod is going bad. Oil has been changed on regular basis. I received a recall letter in the mail in regards to this problem and I contacted dealership and they stated that no further action is required at this time and that they are waiting on second letter for further instructions. In the mean time, my car is not fixed and the repair is very expensive. In need of help and I was out of town vacationing with family leaving orlando Florida when this issue occured on the highway causing slow up in traffic. This could have resulted in a crash.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #109

Jun 072016

Sonata

  • 73,000 miles
On my way to work I had turned off the highway onto a side street and my vehicle stalled out with no warning or warning lights. I coasted it to the side to safety. When I tried to restart it did and no warning lights showed up but when I went to accelerate it stalled out again. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer, waiting on an answer but sounds like it may be part of an engine recall. This could have been a fatal failure if it happened on the expressway or in another traffic situation.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #108

Apr 252016

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Massapequea, NY, USA

problem #107

Apr 242016

Sonata

  • 47,000 miles
Recall campaign 132. Vehicle stalled/locked up causing a collision with heavy front end damage.

- Compton, CA, USA

problem #106

Dec 012015

Sonata

  • 27,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the speed and rpms would fluctuate independently while driving various speeds. The failure was intermittent. The dealer was unable to locate the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 27,000.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #105

Apr 012015

Sonata

  • 27,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. When starting the vehicle, a tapping sound emitted from the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #104

Feb 122016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer writes in regards to excessive metal debris in vehicle engine crankshaft recall notice. The consumer stated the vehicle was inspected. However, he wasn't sure if the inspection was valid to guarantee there won't be any problems in the future. Recall # 15V568000.

- Paramus, NJ, USA

problem #103

Apr 092016

Sonata

  • 44,189 miles
After acquiring this brand new vehicle in 2012, Hyundai Sonata 2012 2.0T limited, the vehicle failed and lost all power just before its first oil change. I called the dealer, O'brien Hyundai dealer as an emergency as the vehicle was malfunctioning and lacking of power to use it and I was on the road. I managed to get to the dealer. This happened approximately 2500 miles only. A quick patch or adjustment was performed at the moment. The patch just lasted several weeks as the vehicle was not performing as when it was bought 2 months ago. Since then, I have been in the dealer multiple times and quick adjustments have been performed. I left the vehicle several times for a full inspection and dealer claimed that vehicle is in working order. I tested vehicle with the shop supervisor, jim haas, with the mechanic and, of course, they are always right. This vehicle is equipped with 270 hp and after the failure, the vehicle performs as 100hp at the most. After numerous attempts to get the issue fixed, I demanded to replace the wastegate controller, just to discard issues with the original unit, and today, 4/9/16 the vehicle came with a P2565 error code, related to the turbocharger wastegate controller. I am sick and tired of dealing with such a lack of interest from Hyundai and authorized service providers. I am just banning this brand for life. I am just waiting to return this lease and run out such a bad experience with this car dealer.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #102

Mar 262016

Sonata

  • miles
I was driving down the street and there was a loud noise from engine. All my dashboard lights came on. I lost all power in vechicle.

- Schwenksville, PA, USA

problem #101

Dec 252015

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a catastrophic motor failure and that the dealer needed to provide a repair. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The vehicle was kept at the dealer for longer than two months. The dealer replaced the part for the recall repair, but the failure recurred. The contact was informed that the motor and starter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Robstown, TX, USA

problem #100

Nov 192014

Sonata

  • 104,000 miles
Nov. 2014 while accelerating down the highway at 70mph the motor of my 2012 Sonata suddenly seized without warning. Narrowly avoiding an accident! after hours on the side of the rode it was finally towed to the local dealership where the car was purchased. Note this happened at 104,000 miles, Hyundai certified mechanics stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and that the"seized engine" was due to lack of maintenance (which was a blatant lie) they informed us that it would cost between 5-6K for a new engine or offered to buy the car for a fraction of what was owed on it; which was a joke. After months of the car sitting in my yard and doing non-stop research, I noticed that there were other people in the same boat as me. I contemplated on buying a used engine for the car but that would've just put me in the same situation down the road. My mechanic stated we could rebuild the motor after going through the oil pan and seeing with our own eyes the #2 bearing seized onto the crank/rod. I knew there would eventually be a recall due to hundreds of people having the same issue; so, I opted on patching the engine with a new bearing with the same damaged crankshaft, rod, and cap and wait for the recall. Sure enough a year or so later I get 2 letters informing me there was a recall campaign 132 and that I needed to bring it in for the "sound" test in which it passed"??"!!! now Hyundai is refusing to replace the damaged motor saying their hands are tied and that they did everything NHTSA requires them to do... the only way to properly test that motor is by removing the oil pan and visually inspect every moving part that could've been damaged by the metal left in the rod bearing journals. What blows my mind is that Hyundai has proof that this engine was damaged by the recall but refuses to stand behind the recall and/or their product especially with it being a safety issue

- Daphne, AL, USA

problem #99

Mar 032016

Sonata

  • 96,000 miles
I was driving on a 6 lane city road.. I got in a left hand turn lane. There was a car in front of me. The light was red. When it turned to a green arrow., I pushed on the accelerator to go and the engine had stalled. I had just filled up with gas the night before so I knew I was not out of gas. I turned off the stationary, stalled car and tried to start it again. Nothing! the engine died as I sat at a red light. I had it towed. There was no warning. One minute it was running fine and the next minute without warning signs, it was dead. A few minutes before I had been on a freeway with my car running fine. If it had happened then there could have serious circumstances.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #98

Feb 112014

Sonata

  • 50,000 miles
Motor knocks going up hills.and has been doing it for 2-yrs.

- Portsmouth, OH, USA

problem #97

Feb 262016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
I have been notified by Hyundai motor America that my car is part of NHTSA campaign 15V-568. The issue is metal debris from the manufacturing process causing premature wear and possible engine seizing. The dealer has informed me that the will evaluate the engine with a "sound" test, only, taking about 15 minutes. This being the authorized method from Hyundai to this dealer. I assume that NHTSA has approved this method of evaluation. This method of testing will only identify those engines that have already experienced enough excess wear to cause unusual noises. This dependent on miles driven which will vary significantly among the number of vehicles effected. Metal debris blocking oil passages will not be detected by this test. Crankshaft and bearing damage due to metal debris that will be a long term problem will not be detected by this noise test. Vehicles with low mileage such as mine may not have enough damage sustained to cause any detectable noises at this time. The proper evaluation of this potential problem would consist of removing of the oil pan and inspecting for debris, disassembly of the oil pump for inspection, removal of all connecting rod bearings and inspection for metal debris or premature wear. This process would provide a more reasonable assurance that a future engine seizure would not occur. This problem represents safety uncertainty unless properly evaluated, which I do not believe is being done per your approval to this manufacturer. If possible, I would like to have a copy of your written approval to this manufacturer to use the sound test for this important safety issue. I am available to discuss this matter at any time [xxx] thank you information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?

- Berlin, CT, USA

problem #96

Jan 152016

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. After the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine), a burning odor was detected in the vehicle continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #95

Jul 122015

Sonata

  • 60,000 miles
Had a minor fender bender and the car stalled. I had the car towed and was told by Hyundai that the engine ceased. I was told it was my fault. I had the oil changed a few months before so I know that was not an issue. I was forced to either trade the dead car in of pay $6500. For a new engine. Hyundai told me over and over again that Hyundai had never seen this problem before. Then after 1 months and being forced to buy a new car I received a letter from Hyundai that my car was being recalled for the engine ceasing. I called Hyundai and they refused to do anything for me. This is the second complaint I have filed with you guys.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

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