10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,474 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Dec 092021

Sonata

  • miles
While driving the Warning in my dash appeared Check Brake Hybrid System Warning safely stop and do not drive. The front brakes sounded like they were rubbing against my tire. I stopped the car. Pushed emergency brake off and on (I-??ve never had to use this before) turned car back on and it stopped. I-??m worried it will happen again.

- Helena, AL, USA

problem #30

Aug 242021

Sonata

  • miles
went to start my car-ignition locked, brakes are locked along with steering wheel.having a tow company to get my car to auto mechanic to figure out the problem.Worked fine day before-has been parked in driveway for about 13 hours prior, -no messages appeared -this is the first time ever happened.

- Addis, LA, USA

problem #29

May 082021

Sonata

  • 100,000 miles
What seems to be random and without provocation, the car will sound a beeping alarm that only sounds on the interior, it will deactivate the accelerator (basically puts the car in neutral), and will display a warning message that reads "hybrid system warning! safely stop and do not drive. Check brake". no matter what speed the car is traveling at, it can undergo this problem. If brakes are applied during this issue, it will sound as if the brakes are grinding and are not functioning properly. The issue can only be resolved by putting the vehicle in park, turning off the vehicle, and restarting it. If this is done, the car is back to 'normal' function. It has certainly been a safety hazard as it has done it multiple times in bumper to bumper traffic while traveling at higher rates of speed, and the car stalls out in the middle of the freeway. The Hyundai service department has found no issue after running diagnostics, and says there is nothing that can be done to remedy the issue overall. I would estimate this exact issue has occurred approximately 20 times, periodically, over the last 6 months.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #28

Oct 092020

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 mph, the vehicle would not immediately stop when pressing the brake pedal and the engine began to loose automotive power. Moments later smoke and flames were present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. Water was used to extinguish the flames. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (five star Hyundai 650 russell pkwy, warner robins, ga 31088) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. Invalid VIN.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #27

Sep 102020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 28,349 miles
I sent you an email regarding the problem. You want additional information. But didn't say what addition information. Bottom line is I had brakes put on in May 2020 on my 2014 Hyundai, they didn't feel rit., took car back, test ride, seemed ok. These brakes were manufactured by wagner brakes.;.for a few weeks when I pressed on brakes there was a squeal, while car was moving, and lately sounded like steel on steel. While care was moving took car back to jtires plus, brakes were defective, they replaced them with duralast gold brakes. I'd like to know if there have been other complaints against wagner brakes, and I'd like a full investigation of these brakes. The other issue is the recall on my 2014 Sonata power train/gear shift; campaign # 123. This was completed in 2017; however, some months ago once the gear shift was in part with motor off, and I turned on the motor the shift would not move from the park position. I had to work with it a while; sometimes after a while I would put the key. Next to the shift compartment and I could shift the gear. I'd like to know if you have received any other complaints about the shift gear and how to have a second recall on campaign 123. The other problem is sometimes when I put on the E brake, it seems like the car would take too long to come to a complete stop. The other day after being parked, I turned on the engine, put the gear in reverse, but it continued to go forward. I had to turn the engine off and restart it and then put it in reverse before it reversed. I'd like to know if you've received complaints like this and I am requesting that my car be tested for the aforementioned problems free of charge due to all of the recalls Hyundai has had in the past. In all of the situations above the car was on city streets, with the exception of the reversing, I was parked in a fast food parking lot.

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #26

Jul 122020

Sonata

  • 137,000 miles
While driving my Sonata an error appeared on my dashboard stating 'hybrid system warning! safely stop and do not drive. Check brakes." When this occurs the gas pedal goes to the floor and the brakes grinds my tires. U can hear a loud chiming like sound coming from the car. I'm reading this issue with a number of Sonata hybrid.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #25

May 222020

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
I just had an oil change no more than 1500 miles ago and I have no oil in my engine. It just disappears. And it constantly makes a knocking noise that Hyundai is unable to fix. Also I had my brakes changed and when I come to a sudden stop, the brakes lock up and make a loud thud noise.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #24

Nov 112019

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
As I was driving on the highway at 75 miles an hour in severe traffic car started to make noise and blink check brake. Then it started to slow down to around 10 miles an hour and new message was hybrid system warning do not drive. If I was not on the end lane I would have been in an accident. My kids and partner are traumatized. Very dangerous design needs to be looked at.

- Las Vegas, NM, USA

problem #23

Nov 062019

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
Driving in light rain on normal pavement St louis county. Approached stop sign at end of steep hill. Applied brakes lightly and well in advance but car was not stopping. Realized that engine had stopped so nothing was working. Car began shaking violently as if brakes were trying to grab. Finally came to a stop in the middle of intersection - fortunately nobody was in front of us are attempting to cross intersection in other direction. Car was completely dead. Tried to restart but nothing. Had to move car so tried to start again - starter did not crank at all, but suddenly engine was running as if it had never stopped and all power was restored. Drove immediately to dealer thinking it was something to do with engine recall. Was able to get to the dealership about 5 miles away with no incident. After 3 days of being at dealer we were told that something in the brake fluid "module" had broken lose and brake fluid leaked into wire harness causing extreme corrosion. They believe the engine never actually stopped running, but rather the electrical signal was momentarily interrupted due to the corrosion. It was going to be a $5000 fix. We did not have car repaired. Dealership said they would send it to auction. This car must to be pulled off the road as it is a hazard to anyone who purchases it, even "as is". reported to Consumer Affairs at Hyundai on 11/6/19. Spoke to a representative 11/14/19 and was told car would be taken out of service. I am reporting here to insure that it is indeed taken out of service. We could have been killed or seriously injured. Wife drives about 35 miles per day and it could have easily happened while she was driving to work.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #22

Sep 242019

Sonata

  • 10,200 miles
The low tire pressure came on, so I went home told my husband about the tire we was on our way to putting air in the tire. I went to push on the brake to start the car and noticed the brake pedal was hard(stiff), I went to pull off and really noticed that I was not able to push on the brake pedal to stop the car. I have taken the car to the shop to see what is wrong with

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #21

Aug 302019

Sonata

  • miles
I purchased a car from Toyota of hollywood in March of 2019. At the time of purchase the dealer kept vehicle for 1 day to make service repairs to the brakes. I brang vehicle back to the dealership in April of 2019 because of noises being heard from car ( brake noises, rocky noises, water rushing forward) but was told by service manager that noises were normal. I brang vehicle back to dealership in August of 2019 at 8am because of additional noises being heard from car (explained to employee) but was told to make an appointment. I called and made an appointment for the same morning at 9am. Car was diagnosed with multiple issues ( brakes, rotors, axle). Management (ray and michael ) made the decision to hold my car without consent due to safety issues. It has been held without my consent since Friday, August 30th 2019. Bid patrol was called by managers because they did not want to speak with me or release my vehicle and asked the patrol that I leave premises without my car. I have made multiple attempts to contact the dealership by phone, email and an in person visit( with police escort) but have been unsuccessful in obtaining my vehicle. Visited dealership on Monday, September 2nd with a police escort and was not allowed on premises. Manager would not speak to me, would not release vehicle and requested I contact service manager michael. The service manager did not respond to any of my calls, voicemails or emails throughout the week. On Friday, September 6th 2019 I made another in person visit( with police escort because managers did not want me on premises) and managers did not want to speak with me. An employee was sent in place of manager to speak with me and I was able to obtain my vehicle but none of the safety issues were fixed( brakes, rotors, axle). I was given documents I did not want to sign but signed only to get my vehicle released to me.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #20

Apr 252019

Sonata

  • 92,817 miles
2014 Hyundai Sonata was dropped off to nearby Hyundai dealership for scheduled recall appointment campaigns 180, 953, 160, 162, and 946 on 04/24/2019. Dealership communicated to me all recall inspections were made, and no further repairs or replacements to the car was needed at approximately 11:30am on 04/24/2019. Car was then picked up through the sales department at my earliest convenience on 04/25/2019 at approximately 7:00pm. After driving 9 miles on a 55mph street, my car lost immediate acceleration/power causing the speed to reduce without warning, and without brake lights activated (witness to this is the individual who drove me to the dealership to pick up the car, and was currently driving behind me at the time of the incident). After immediate loss of acceleration/power (the car was moving at 55mph), the check engine light began blinking. The car was immediately moved off the road, and a burning smell was detected after removing myself from the vehicle. As the service department was unavailable, the sales department from who gave me my car we're unable to properly assist me with receiving a tow back to the dealership, and provide me with a loaner car for the cars inability to be driven. At approximately 8:50pm, a tow arrived to take the vehicle back to Hyundai's dealership in which the recall inspections and campaigns were performed. Dealership approved a rental for the following day, yet unavailable/unable to be approved until the service department re-opened. Currently, the dealership has me in a rental car through enterprise, covering the cost except for $1 a day (which is to be paid by me). More so, as this is not my car, an additional coverage charge of $9 per day was required to insure me coverage in the event the rental is involved in an unexpected accident. As of 04/28/2019, I am waiting to hear an update from the dealership about my car.

- Rock Tavern, NY, USA

problem #19

Feb 222019

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
ESC light and hard braking issue(ABS module?): ESC light turns on and the car applies hard brakes without any action from the driver while driving. This happens while driving on a straight road or freeway (not while turning). Sometimes, the ESC light doesn't turn on but the brakes still get applied while in motion without any action from driver. It has happened 5 times so far - 2 of those while driving at more than 60mph on freeway but was fortunate to pull to the shoulder safely. One instance of the problem showed up when the car was stationary but with engine running (at a parking lot). As you could see, this is a safety issue putting us in danger without any prior indication or no known resolution. I have taken it to the local Hyundai dealer service center but they cannot find the root cause yet. They have already tried replacing brake switch but that didn't help. I have filed a case with Hyundai directly too and waiting to hear from them.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #18

Sep 182018

Sonata

  • 95,000 miles
I was just entering the city slowing from a 55 mph zone to a 45 coming up to a traffic light when I hit the brake to release the cruise control, as I slowed down with my foot still breaking then released the brake the cruise tried to reactivate. I pressed the brake again and released and again the cruise feature tried to accelerate. I did notice that the 'set' light was off as it does when you brake but the cruise was still trying to speed up when brake released. I purchased this vehicle new, it has a little over 95K miles, but I have never had this issue before. I came to a stop at the light at which time when I released the brake it was not trying to self-activate. Especially coming into city traffic this was very concerning.

- Olive Branch;, MS, USA

problem #17

Aug 252018

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
During a brake change it was discovered that the compressor was not decompressing and causing abnormal wear on the brake pads. Without knowledge of this it may lead to safety issues.

- Highland Springs, VA, USA

problem #16

Jun 152018

Sonata

  • 70,000 miles
On June 15, 2018, my car caught fire while driving down interstate 70, near greenville, Illinois. There was no warning, just a noise similar to a loose piece of plastic. Black smoke billowed from behind the vehicle, and as I attempted to pull over, the engine shut down. Once we were on the side of the road, the fire was visible from under the engine. We contacted 911. The car is a total loss. This car had various recalls, all deemed 'resolved' by Hyundai. They did extend the warranty due to the known issues. I have reached out to them daily and have not heard back.

- Bourbonnais, IL, USA

problem #15

Jun 172018

Sonata

  • 46,000 miles
Brakes lock on car. The brakes are being applied without pushing the brake pedal. The brakes will lock and the car is not able to go without pressing hard on the gas. This has occurred 4 times. The dealer could not find the problem. It happened again on 06/17/2018. The brakes locked again and you could see smoke coming from a small fire by the brake area at the front wheels. The car has been towed to the dealership again.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #14

May 102018

Sonata

  • 43,000 miles
My brakes lights stopped working in mid air. This can pose a danger to other drivers who are riding behind me with my vehicle having no brake indication. This happened in my 2009 Santa Fe and had multiple rear ends. This is a big concern for myself and my families safety as well as other.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #13

Apr 202018

Sonata

  • miles
I have never needed to replace my brake lights so they are the original ones my car came with. After being informed my brake lights were out when I went to check them the light bulbs were melted to the socket and have not been able to get any replacement light bulbs to work even with new sockets.

- Wittmann, AZ, USA

problem #12

Dec 082017

Sonata

  • 40,001 miles
Total catastrophic brake failure will driving slowly in a parking lot, brake pedal went to floor, followed by a warning light to stop and have vehicle serviced, and another warning hybrid system failure.

- Orlando, FL, USA

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