10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,758 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #27

Jan 032024

Sonata

  • miles
Approx one year post engine replacement, and 2 weeks prior turbo system replacement, I am having major issues with my sonatait struggles to stay started, it always hesitates and doesn't want to move when I press accelerator, shakes jolts and shudders, the smell of burning oil comes thru the vents and even smoke comes out from under the vehicle. The engine is leaking masses amounts of oil that seem to be leaking from all over the under carriage and half way to the back underneath the car, oil is in the wheel wells, and even splashed on the rims, the spark plugs are covered in oil, huge plums of white and dark smoke come out of the tailpipes, literally blinding anyone behind me, press the accelerator to the floor and it just shudders and smokes even more, check engine light is on and states malfunctioning turbo system, boost pressure sensor malfunction, sluggish will not gain speed, oil within the turbo blow by hose and in intake hose area, now I have coolant pouring out and the reservoir the coolant will be literally boiling. This is not good at all especially after a year post engine replacement and turbo replacement. When the car is started I push start and car struggles to start the starter keeps screeching and car shudders for a good 45 seconds before it either dies out or finally starts. This vehicle should be a lemon and bought back regardless of age condition etc. A vehicle after engine replacement of only one year should not be pouring oil out of the engine, failed head gaskets, misfiring and leaking coolant. I keep receiving recall notice after recall notice in the mail stating I have recalls that need to be addressed but when checking using my vin it says there are no recalls needing fixing, that makes me uneasy and I don't feel safe driving the vehicle I lost faith in it all together

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #26

Nov 302023

Sonata

  • miles
The ABS (Antilock Brake System) or BMS ( Brake Module System) warning light illumination came on flashing -??DO NOT DRIVE -?? and the brakes sieze-up making it impossible to drive. Key Hyundai in Jacksonville previously charged me $2600 to replace the BMS and within warranty. A few months later the same company charged me another $342.56 to diagnose the same issue. I had to rent a car for $700 while in the service repair department. Key Hyundai was unable to fix my 2012 Sonata hybrid except offering me a replacement hybrid battery and control system for $12,900. I declined. I believe that the campaign 251 involves this problem. I had to get the car towed to another mechanic that is currently working on the vehicle.

- Ponte Vedra Beach , FL, USA

problem #25

Aug 042020

Sonata

  • 96,600 miles
When I drive above 60 mph on the highway the car starts shaking. I've had it in for service a couple times with no avail. I need help with this problem. I do not feel safe driving under these conditions. I purchased new tires recently but it still shakes.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

problem #24

Jul 012020

Sonata

  • 79,000 miles
My Hyundai Sonata 2012 recently experienced engine seizure on a 5 lane highway in NJ garden state parkway at 70 mph without any warning what so ever.car was checked for this recall year ago and supposedly software was installed to notify if engine was to fail. There was no warning! dealer confirmed the engine died and is covered under the recall. I also had mentioned concern about the noise under the car. They replaced the engine & serpentine belt and told me to come back in 3 days as it was too early to do the inspection. When I got the car back the noise was still under the car, the tire light came on, back door lock stopped working and ac stopped working I called back and they told me $1500 worth of work to pass inspection. 3 days earlier they said the car was good to pass. Including Continental tires that Hyundai horrible suspension ruined at 16K miles(tire warranty 70K miles) and both sway bars and sway bar link. Which means I could have rolled the car at any curve.axles were changed twice on this car as they told me " manufactory faulty" axles they put on and other suspension parts. Tires were rotated and aligned by them! if that's not good enough person working on my car damaged both of my front doors when letting the car off the lift.then the dealer tried to cover up the damage and sign me the car back! car has some serious electrical issues with interior/exterior. Lights melting, bulbs burning and now the car doors locks. Better yet new recall says if you had your engine replaced you are in a danger of the fire.how am I supposed to trust this "certified dealer" ? + the other 8 recalls and class actions about this car- Hyundai needs to be forced to buy back these all of these cars. Not only is that not safe for me its also not safe for other drivers! I've also been without my car for about a month at this point.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #23

Jul 292020

Sonata

  • 135,000 miles
Multiple parts have been replaced on my front end from what mechanics thought were the problem but my wheel still sticks/pull to the left while driving even after multiple front end work and alignments. Also, I've replaced head lights, tail lights, breaks and reverse lights numerous times because something keeps blowing them. When I press the volume button on the steering it changes the screen on the radio. I'm assuming it's something with wiring malfunctioning. The cruise control on the wheel doesn't always work as well

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #22

May 142020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
While making a right turn on a residential street, the steering wheel locked causing me to hit the only parked car that was 20 ft from the corner.

- El Monte, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 092019

Sonata

  • 125,124 miles
In June 2019 I purchased 4 brand new tires ( general altimax brand) from bentley Hyundai. Since the purchase I had to replace one new tire in August 2019 due to frequent low air pressure. Now I'm in Dec 2019 and frequent low air pressure continues to happen. The general altimax tire brand is dangerous and has poor quality. After having my vehicle tires serviced there was no nails in the tire but was informed general altimax tires are substandard quality and may cause safety concerns. As a driver I do not want to be on the road and the air just deflates causing an accident or death. My vehicle is parked at work 8 plus hours 5-6 days a week or driving city streets to run errands or at church. For the past 3 days my vehicles has been parked and today I start my vehicle and the low pressure light comes on again. I just had my tires check on 11/26/19. I should not be having these many low pressure tire issues. I am requesting a reimbursement.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #20

Oct 132019

Sonata

  • 141,000 miles
Took my car in for an oil change a month ago.soon as I leave oil lube, not even halfway home my car started hesitating and cutting off.by the time I made it home not even 10 mins away my car started knocking.I purchased this car 4 months ago and can't drive it I was in the city limits of huntsville Alabama

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #19

Sep 252019

Sonata

  • miles
When driving there is a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel and shaking of the car and when running over man holes

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #18

May 012019

Sonata

  • 113,520 miles
I took it to the shop and they said it may be wheel alignment or ball point when steering. I took it for a 2nd opinion, and the same thing was stated. I called my insurance geico, and they told me ther was a recall.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #17

May 012018

Sonata

  • miles
Security alarm does not work. Steering column jerks when hitting a bump on street or highway.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #16

Mar 072018

Sonata

  • miles
3/7/18 left vehicle for testing and repair at cardinale automotive group in corona, ca. 3/8/18 picked up car in good working condition for $800. Arrived home to learn of recall for my exact repair. It appears I am over mileage for recall, however, I request to be included when recall is extended. This was/is your problem!

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 012017

Sonata

  • miles
When I'm driving whell kind of come off when I turn it's click at the whell.. some reason airbag light on.. every month I change my head lights or brake light it's turn off always I don't know why but I think it's electrical problem

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 302017

Sonata

  • 73,700 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40 mph, the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the front driver's side tire. The contact also heard a clicking sound when depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to jim burke Hyundai (1424 5th ave N a, birmingham, al 35203), but the dealer was unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,700.

- Adamsville, AL, USA

problem #13

Feb 032017

Sonata

  • 12,400 miles
We have a 2012 Hyundai Sonata, bought new, and now with very low mileage...less than 13,000 miles as of February, 2017. Original tires are kumho P205/65R16. The left front tire consistently loses air pressure when garaged. Took only a few days to go from 33 psi to 24. This tire has to be re-inflated at least each week. Car was taken to the local Hyundai dealership, tires were inspected, and reported as having no problems. Car was taken back to this dealership few days ago. Service advisor was sympathetic but offered no help. Smiled, then walked away. Will now be taking the car to a tire outlet, at our expense, for yet another tire inspection. We feel that these kumho tires may be unsafe. We may end up replacing them with a more superior brand tire and / or selling the car.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #12

Jul 132016

Sonata

  • miles
I'm hearing clicking in steering wheels, it feels as though the steering will fall off. I was told I need steering coupler replacement

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

problem #11

Apr 112015

Sonata

  • 19,012 miles
Low profile hancock tire 225 / 45 R18 has a sidewalls with a lip on it that extends above the wheel's.. each of the tires shows spots where a part of the tire's lip was sliced right off or in big gashes...or is it tire rot?. each gash are noth even close to the rim and shows no sign of hitting a curb. Each of my tires have a vo U please of these gashes. Dealer said nope thats not normal but its holding air so nothis they can do.. the new 2012 Hyundai Sonata equipped with these tires was purchased in July 2014.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #10

Sep 072014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
My car caught fire while being towed by my motorhome in South miami, fl on route to key West, fl. A South miami, fl Hyundai dealer repaired my car but did not replace all the parts paid for by my auto insurance company. The repair shop did not keep the burned parts as requested by me and my insurance company representative. Later, another Hyundai dealer completed the repairs as authorized by Hyundai usa after numerous communications with me, but the Hyundai dealer would not provide me with the burned parts as requested. Hyundai did not report that a fire had caused the damage. Not sure if Hyundai usa or its dealers have requirements to report fires in their vehicles. I have names of contacts with Hyundai usa in ca. I have the burned TPMS sensor not replaced by Hyundai, but paid for at my expense to a tire store in my home town. I have pictures of my car on fire; pictures of the burned parts on car in possession of my insurance company representative; I have receipts from the South miami Hyundai repairs, and I have receipts from the other Hyundai dealer for parts needing replacement but not replaced by the South miami Hyundai dealer but paid for by my auto insurance company. I also have a receipt for replacement of the burned TPMS sensor by a tire store in my home town. I filed a complaint against the South miami Hyundai dealer with the local government Agency responsible for licensing auto repair shops in that county.

- St. Augustine, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 232013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Rear tires are cupping every 10,000 miles. I had front and rear alignment done and no change. Read online it is a big issue with these. Maybe faulty manufacturer struts? sounds like tires are about to fall off the rear hubs. Very loud. And keep having to buy new tires.

- Kerrville, TX, USA

problem #8

Sep 042014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Tires wear unevenly and excessively fast. 60,000 miles and three alignments and four set of tires.

- Castleton, NY, USA

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