2009 HYUNDAI SONATA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    brake pads and rotors

    45 unsafe, 2 broken, 2 annoyance

    49
    incidents
    Typical range: 22,000–68,000 mi

    Median 43,000 mi, based on 52 reports (9% had no usable mileage)

    • "RETURNED CAR TO DEALER 16 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE DUE TO GRINDING NOISE FROM WHEELS. BRAKE CALIPERS HAD LOCKED UP, DESTROYING PADS AND SCORING THE ROTORS. BRAKES SERVICED AGAIN IN 2012 AND 2013 FOR WORN PADS AND GRINDING NOISE. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN IN JUNE 2014…"~2,200 mi, complaint #1153807
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR CALIPERS WERE STUCK AND UNABLE TO ROTATE DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING THE BRAKE PAD GUIDE…"~20,618 mi, complaint #842209
    • "I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED FROM THE PADS CONSTANTLY RUBBING ON THEM. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I SEE. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT BELIEVE THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE ROTORS AND TOLD ME THE F…"~37,778 mi, complaint #1022460
    • "I HAD MY REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACES IN FEBRUARY 2012 AT AROUND 60K MILES. IN OCTOBER 2012 AGAIN MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING AND I HEARD THE TELL TALE SQUEALING OF THE BRAKES SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE TOLD MY REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS A…"~65,000 mi, complaint #955197
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be inspected. The contact later dis…"~181,000 mi, complaint #1775938
  2. #2

    stability and traction control

    38 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    40
    incidents
    Typical range: 61,000–115,000 mi

    Median 82,000 mi, based on 55 reports (11% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY ESC & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND CAR STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS AND THE FREEWAY."~11,000 mi, complaint #1325927
    • "THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH AND REMAINED UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IT WAS GONE FOR A WHILE THEN CAME BACK AGAIN OFTEN LIKE EVERY SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES. *TR"~65,000 mi, complaint #1095376
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT ILLUMINATES FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, NORMAL SURFACE STREETS, AND HAS OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING. POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY DURING TURNS WHILE ON CITY STREETS OR…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1523240
    • "RELATED TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT DATED 9/16/2013 NHTSA ID NUMBER 10543783. MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ESC LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHTING UP - MORE FREQUENT THAN PREVIOUS. MY VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY ALSO HAD THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED WHILE UNDER WARRANT…"~123,000 mi, complaint #1018702
    • "THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR JERKS AS THIS HAPPENS. ONCE IN THIS CONDITION, THE CAR RUNS EXTREMELY ROUGH AND WILL EVEN STALL WHEN STARTING FROM A FULL STOP (STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION). DURING ONE OCCURRENCE, THE CA…"~260,000 mi, complaint #1409764
  3. #3

    brake hydraulics

    31 unsafe

    31
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–107,000 mi

    Median 60,000 mi, based on 35 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. BRAKE SLIDES CLOG WITH DIRT OR RUST CAUSING THEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THEY EITHER GET STUCK IN THE APPLIED POSITION WHICH CAUSES THEM TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF METAL TO METAL CAUSING EXTREME HEAT AND POSSIBLE FIRE…"~14,268 mi, complaint #840525
    • "MY STEERING AND BRAKES SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED RIGHT BY MY HOUSE. NO TRAFFIC. EVEN THE SUSPENSION WAS AFFECTED.I IMMEDIATELY GOT KIDS OUT OF THE CAR AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE TO TOW THE CAR. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #1104374
    • " REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE LOCKING UP CAUSING PREMATURE EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES. THIS IS UNDETECTABLE IN THE DRIVABILITY OF THE CAR UNTIL THE BRAKE PADS ARE WORN SO LOW THAT THEY MAKE NOISE. *TR"~58,488 mi, complaint #1001530
    • "I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE JULY 2014. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 54K MILES. I CURRENTLY HAVE 107K MILES AND IT'S OCTOBER 2016.I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES 4 TIMES, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FAIL CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING PRODUCI…"~107,217 mi, complaint #1328889
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that in February 2022 there was an unknown recall campaign for the Stop Lamp Switch replacement and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the failure ha reoccurred, and the warning l…"~146,000 mi, complaint #1904820
  4. #4

    airbag system

    23 unsafe

    23
    incidents
    Typical range: 29,000–100,500 mi

    Median 72,000 mi, based on 30 reports (21% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS HEADING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR WAS HIT ON LEFT FRONT SIDE BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD. THAT ALSO TRIGGERED ANOTHER COLLISION IN WHICH MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR PARKED ON THE STREET. THE HOOD WAS GRAVELY DAMAGED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. T…"~5,300 mi, complaint #786099
    • "AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ?ON? THE DASH OF THE 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. CALLED AND REPORTED TO HYUNDAI (CASE # UPON NHTSA REQUEST) AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. VEHICLE HAS 26,456 MILES ON 12/23/2014. DEALER DESCRIPTION OF FAULT ? SCANNED FOR DTCS, B13…"~26,456 mi, complaint #1141477
    • "THE VEHICLE WAS AQUA PLANNING, THE DRIVER LOST A COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS BOUNCING BETWEEN ROAD SIDES, LEFT AND RIGHT - 3 TIMES. THE CAR HIT THE GATE RAILS 3 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT AND THE SEAT BELTS APPEARED NOT TO BE LOCKE…"~72,000 mi, complaint #995412
    • "AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE OCS IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS AND NO ONE EVER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I DO PUT GROCERIES ON THE SEAT AT TIMES. I…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1626330
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL AND MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE BACK OF…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1213379
  5. #5

    engine stall or no start

    5 stranded, 14 unsafe

    19
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–152,000 mi

    Median 69,500 mi, based on 26 reports (13% had no usable mileage)

    • "1) WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCLINE. THERE WAS A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR. 2) THE ENGINE APPEARED TO TURN OFF, HOWEVER THE ELECTRONICS NEVER TURNED OFF. POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ONCE THE ENGINE…"~11,000 mi, complaint #766384
    • ""TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I SLOW DOWN MY CAR JERKS."~50,000 mi, complaint #1487522
    • "WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. COULD HARDLY CONTROL THE STEERING. PULLED OVER AND WAITED A MOMENT AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. AFTER TWO MINUTES THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. MECHANIC SAID TO BRING IT STRAIGHT T…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1671129
    • "CAR WON'T START, NOT EVEN MAKING SOUND OF IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES AND TODAY ITS TOTALLY SHUT OFF. BATTERY LOOKS GOOD AND RADIO , LIGHTS AND ALL WORKING FINE BUT CAR NOT STARTING AT ALL. I READ ONLINE AND LOOKS LIKE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL HYUN…"~145,000 mi, complaint #1641770
    • "WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR CUT OFF TOOK ALL I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK TO COME GET ME TOOK TO A GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR."~200,000 mi, complaint #1686772
  6. #6

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 15 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 124,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY.…"~79,930 mi, complaint #1617088
    • "AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES AND IT WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. THIS WAS ON A NARROW TWO WAY STREET. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO SAID IT NEEDS A USE…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1570103
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IN…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1505532
    • "THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY UNTIL YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES AFTER GOING HIGH SPEEDS IT JERKS. AT STOPS IF THE CAR ISN'T IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE STUTTERS WE'VE REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR 3 TIMES NOW AND THAT'S THE CODE THAT COMES UP EVERYTIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT…"~148,000 mi, complaint #1638435
    • "EMISSIONS WARNING HAD BEEN ON FOR A SHORT TIME. 20 MINUTES AFTER A BIG PUFF OF SMOKE, THE CAR DIED AND THE MECHANIC SAYS THE MOTOR IS LOCKED AND IT WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. VERY LITTLE WARNING OR POOR CAR PERFORMANCE."~167,000 mi, complaint #1392848
  7. #7

    transmission automatic

    15 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 40,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR JERKING RATHER HARD WITH THE AUTO-TRANNY DOWNSHIFTED FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR WHENEVER I SLOWED DOWN. THIS SOMEWHAT STOPPED WHEN THE CAR GOT WARMED UP, GUESSING MORE SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE TRANNY HEATED UP. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE.…"~19,000 mi, complaint #998960
    • "PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I PURCHASED SAID VEHICLE NEW AND AT AROUND 35000 MILES I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK ON THE DOWN SHIFT, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL. ON 01-19-2012 I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1061013
    • "IN COLD WEATHER AND WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, WHEN SLOWING DOWN, UPON REACHING 20 MPH, THE CAR WILL JERK VERY ROUGHLY INTO A LOWER GEAR. I TOOK IT TO POHANKA HYUNDAI IN VIRGINIA STATING IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WHICH THEY COVER FOR UP TO 100,000 MILES AND THEY SAID…"~72,182 mi, complaint #1197723
    • "I NOTICED A SHUDDERING AT 90,250 MILES, WHILE TRAVELING DURING THE WINTER AT AROUND 30-45 MPH, BUT WAS VERY INTERMITTENT, AND WOULD GO AWAY. THEN ON 10/9/2013 AT 102,515 MILES, FROM PARK, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I COULD HEAR…"~90,250 mi, complaint #1023213
    • "MY CAR GEAR SHIFT LOCKS UP. I CANNOT CHANGE GEARS FROM PARK TO GO IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE TO UTILIZE THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFT OVERRIDE EVERY TIME I NEED TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CAR WILL BE STATIONARY AND I MUST KEEP MY FEET ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES AS I FEAR…"~235,000 mi, complaint #1448750
  8. #8

    other

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 69,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVERS SIDE VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP IN ANY POSITION. *TR"~45,500 mi, complaint #1013267
    • "THE CHROME "WRAP", WHICH IS A CHROME COLORED COVERING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED LEAVING A RAZOR SHARP EDGE, WHICH CUT MY HAND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO USE A GLOVE OR EXERCISE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1096277
    • "THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR MADE A STRANGE SOUND AS I PULLED IT DOWN IN A NORMAL FASHION. WHEN I TRIED TO RETURN IT TO THE NORMAL POSITION, IT JUST FLOPPED BACK DOWN. IT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE. I HAVE TRIED VELCRO STRIPS AND TAPE TO HOLD IT IN POSITION AND NOTHIN…"~69,000 mi, complaint #936396
    • "SUN VISOR ON DRIVER SIDE IS BROKEN (WON'T STAY UP) AND THE SUN VISOR DROPS DOWN VERTICALLY BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW. THIS PROBLEM WAS PART OF A RECALL IN THE TWO PRIOR YEAR MODELS (2007 AND 2008), BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM PERS…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1323698
    • "SUN VISOR FELL DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR."~80,000 mi, complaint #1253533
  9. #9

    interior trim

    8 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 56,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE DRIVERS SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS MADE OF ARTIFICIAL "CHROME". A FEW DAYS AGO, I OPENED THE DOOR AND GOT A SEVERELY LACERATED FINGER WHICH BLED A LOT. I WROTE TO HYUNDAI ABOUT MY INJURY. THEY SYMPATHIZED, BUT SAID THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AS MY…"~31,186 mi, complaint #1147780
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED SEVERE CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FA…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1222592
    • "THE "CHROME" PLATING IS PEELING OFF OF THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE USED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE PEELED PLATING HAS SHARP EDGE AND I CUT MY FINGER ON IT. I CERTAINLY HOPE THIS WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE 5 YR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR"~45,000 mi, complaint #987822
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDA…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1019200
    • "THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS TWO LARGE CRACKS IN IT. IT IS VERY UNSIGHTLY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE CRACKS ARE BECOMING LARGER WITH TIME. *TR"~110,000 mi, complaint #1174273
  10. #10

    paint and clearcoat

    5 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR EXPOSING THE BARE METAL. THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT USE ANY PRIMER ON THE CAR, SO WHEN I APPLY TOUCH UP PAINT, IT WON'T STICK. HOW ARE THEY ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? IT'S A FINANCIAL DISASTER FOR CONSUME…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1261345
    • "I BELIEVE THAT THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2009 A HAS A PAINT DEFECT PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE 12 PAINT CHIPS ON THE HOOD WHICH I BELIEVE ARE THE RESULT OF PAINT FLAKING OFF. I DO NOT RECALL ONCE HEARING A ROCK HIT THE HOOD AND YET I HAVE 12 CHIPS AND NOW ONE SIMILAR CHIP NE…"~50,450 mi, complaint #962874
    • "THE PAINT JUST PEELS OFF THE CAR WHEN DRIVING. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO BODY SHOPS AND ALL 3 SAID THE PRIMER IS BAD. THIS IS CAUSING THE PAINT TO PEEL OFF TO THE METAL. HYUNDAI WILL NOT EVER LOOK AT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT FOR BAD PRIMER. *TR"~60,000 mi, complaint #1131400
    • "MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN IT STARTED POURING HEAVILY. AFTER REACHING HOME, HE NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TWO PLACES ON THE HOOD HAD PEELED OFF, LEAVING THE METAL EXPOSED. THE CAR BODY STARTED TO RUST WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THIS INCIDENT. I…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1103060
    • "I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. IT HAS ABOUT 140,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ADMITTEDLY WELL OUTSIDE OF ANY WARRANTY, HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS CASE REQUIRES AN EXCEPTION. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE PAINT STARTED CHIPPING OFF MY CAR. NOT LITTLE SCRATCHES BUT FAIRLY LARGE…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1193981
  11. #11

    sunroof

    6 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION, HAD THE VISOR DOWN TO BLOCK SUN AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT IT UP IT WILL NOT STAY IN THAT POSITION, MAKE IT HARD TO DRIVE WITH IT IN THE DOWN POSITION, BLOCKS VIEW OF THE ROAD. *…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1027183
    • "AS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE WITH HYUNDAI'S, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD NO LONGER HAVE THE TENSION TO STAY UP. IT WOULD CONTINUALLY FALL DOWN AND NOT STAY IN UP POSITION. IT WOULD ALSO NOT STAY IN THE POSITION AGAINST THE WINDOW TO BLOCK THE SUN. THIS HAS BE…"~54,000 mi, complaint #928538
    • "ON APRIL 13TH, THE WEATHER WAS WARM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON. I OPENED UP MY SUNROOF WITH INTENT TO OPEN IT ONLY PARTIALLY. I HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO CLOSE MY SUNROOF NOW. THE MECHANISM THAT SLIDES SHUT, DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY ANYMORE. WHEN THE…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1059587
    • "DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY MADE A "CRACK" NOISE DURING NORMAL OPERATION AND NOW THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. I AM NOT UNABLE TO USE DURING BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS BECAUSE IT GREATLY REDUCES MY VISIBILITY BY NOT STAYING IN POSITION. INSTEAD I HAVE TO FIGHT…"~116,000 mi, complaint #1227029
    • "MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN. IT LOOKS GOOD, IS NOT TORN OR APPEAR ABUSED, BUT IT KEEPS FLOPPING DOWN WHEN I DRIVE AND THE ANGLE BLOCKS MY VIEW. I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT HAPPENED, I SIMPLY TRIED TO PUSH IT INTO THE POSITION THAT SUITS ME BEST AND SOME PLA…"~122,000 mi, complaint #1234689
  12. #12

    starter

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "AROUND FEB OF THIS YEAR, MY CAR BATTERY DIED AND I GOT IT REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. SOON AFTER I STARTED EXPERIENCING AN ADDITIONAL GRINDING NOISE THAT WOULD OCCUR SOMETIMES AFTER START UP. UPON INVESTIGATION, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STARTER BY HYUNDAI. I TOOK…"~55,000 mi, complaint #974911
    • "PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SWITCH ON MY CAR. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON IT MADE A STRANGE SOUND FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. WHEN IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND BEGAN TO MAKE THE SOUND A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK,…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1117022
    • "IGNITION SWITCH ENGAGES STARTER WHEN TURNING ENGINE OFF. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WHEN KEY WAS IN ACCESSORY POSITION."~94,500 mi, complaint #1204503
    • "THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WARMING UP AND CAUGHT FIRE IT BURNED UP THE STARTER AND STARTER ASSEMBLY, THE BATTERY WIRE HARNESS AND THE MANIFOLD. ALL OF THIS HAS TO BE REPLACED BEFORE WE CAN ASSESS ANY OTHER DAMAGES OR RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. *TR"~103,000 mi, complaint #1151188
    • "WHEN STARTING THE CAR, ENGINE MAKES SCREECHING LOUD NOISES MOSTLY ON COLD CRANKS. THE IGNITION SWITCH BY PASSES THE ALT POSITION AND STARTS THE CAR. MAKES LOUD NOISE LIKE STARTER IS NOT RELEASING."~1,716,152 mi, complaint #1509358
  13. #13

    suspension struts shocks

    9 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 1,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "BAD PULL TO THE LEFT REPLCE FRONT STRUT,SPRING NOISES WHILE DRIVEING,TIRES FEATHERING,NO STABILITY WHILE DRIVING,ANY KIND OF BUMPS YOU ARE ALL OVER THE ROAD,SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL,WITH TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT THE CAR LIFTS UP IN FRONT AND STABILITY W…"~1,100 mi, complaint #778490
    • "STRUT NOISE SOUNDS LIKE WORE OUT ON NEW 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. FEAR THEY MAY BRAKE AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE A WRECK. LOUD NOISE OVER BUMPS UNDER CAR. *TR"~1,259 mi, complaint #736455
    • "HYUNDAI SONATA 2009 LIMITED FRONT LOUD THUD NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS AND WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THE THUD NOISE IS ONLY FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT STRUT. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE. IS A PR…"~20,000 mi, complaint #848388
    • "PASSENGER REAR UPPER SHOCK TOWER WAS FILLED WITH(VERY RUSTY) WATER FROM HOLE IN A THE WHEEL WELL. *TR"~69,000 mi, complaint #1057798
    • "I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID BOLTS RELATED TO REAR TIE RODS WERE RUSTED AND THEY COULD NOT DO IT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIR. HE SAID THE SAME. IN ADDITION HE ALSO SAID THAT THE STRUTS ARE LEAKING. I LO…"~116,000 mi, complaint #1727838
  14. #14

    transmission manual clutch

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 27,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "SEVERAL INSTANCES OF CLUTCH DROPPING TO FLOOR (USUALLY IN HIGH SPEED URBAN TRAFFIC) MAKING SHIFTING IMPOSSIBLE, AND LEADING TO PULLING ON TO SHOULDER AND ROLLING UNTIL ENGINE KILLS AT LOW SPEED. HAVE REPORTED TO HYUNDAI, AND TAKEN TO DEALER...THEY SAY WITHOUT…"~12,000 mi, complaint #911245
    • "THE CLUTCH ON MY 5 SPEED 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA IS SPORADICALLY DROPPING TO THE FLOOR AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO CHANGE GEARS. I WAS NEARLY HIT FROM BEHIND, AS THE CAR BEHIND ME ASSUMED I'D BE ACCELERATING, BUT WHEN THE CLUTCH DROPS (WITHOUT MUCH RESISTANCE) THE LINK…"~22,000 mi, complaint #787499
    • "CLUTCH PEDAL STICKS TO FLOOR. VERY SCARY. IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. AND HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER. THEY SAY ALL IS FINE. I COULD NOT STOP MY CAR. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NOT ANYONE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN IT HAPPENED. MY CAR IS A 5 SPEED MAL. I SEE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PR…"~26,000 mi, complaint #917450
    • "DEPRESSED CLUTCH STAYED ON THE FLOOR. PRIED IT UP WITH MY FOOT, IT THEN WORKED. OTHER TIMES THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT RETURN FULLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS. PUMPING THE CLUTCH SEEMED TO HELP. *TR"~42,500 mi, complaint #1100434
    • "THIS IS A STICK SHIFT CAR. WHEN PRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL, YOU CAN FEEL THAT THE CLUTCH IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE IT IS TOO SOFT WHEN YOU PRESS IT. YOU NEED TO PUMP SEVERAL TIMES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK. APPARENTLY HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1079857
  15. #15

    fuel tank and lines

    8 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 71,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS IT ALWAYS SPILLS OUT AS IF SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE INPUT OF GASOLINE. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A HAZARD/SAFETY ISSUE. MANY GAS STATION ATTENDANTS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY SEE WITH MOST HYUNDAI SONATAS POSSIBLY OF…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1095266
    • "STRANGE GAS SMELL WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON AND OFF. SPECIALLY AFTER RIDDING VEHICLE AND STOPPING CAR FOR A FEW AND RESTARTING. THE SMELL COMES THRU AIR VENTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED NOTHING SHOWS UP IN THEIR COMPUTER. MPG HAS DROPPED TO AROUND [RE…"~61,000 mi, complaint #972202
    • "WHILE PUMPING GAS IT APPEARS TO BE FULL (WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN 3/4 FULL TANK) GASS SPILLS OR SPURTS OUT ON FLOOR AND MY FEET. VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN CABIN WHEN PROCEED TO DRIV AND CLEARS OUT AFTER MAYBE 5-10 MILES"~70,150 mi, complaint #1227374
    • "PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF OR BROKE OFF WHILE OPENING DOOR STRONG SMELL OF GAS ONLY AFTER FILLING CAR UP WITH GAS AND SMALL PUDDLE UNDER REAR GAS TANK AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT ONLY HAPPENS IF TANK IS MORE THEN 3/4 FILLED"~72,115 mi, complaint #1571758
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL STARTED TO SPEW OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VENT VALVE CANISTER AND FILTER NEEDED TO…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1054473
  16. #16

    door latch and hinge

    3 unsafe, 5 broken

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 85,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME ON THE DOOR LATCH HAD PEELED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRI…"~85,400 mi, complaint #1020506
    • "PASSENGER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN WENT TO OPEN DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. HAD TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. CHECKED GOOGLE UNDERSTAND THIS IS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI MODELS. MANY COMPLAINTS ."~89,000 mi, complaint #1520336
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his grandson was holding the inside rear driver's side door handle to exit the vehicle, the door handle cut his hand and he started bleeding abundantly. The contact and other family members…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1795198
    • "EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR TO ENTER THE CAR WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. CURRENTLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR HANDLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE HAS BROKEN."~125,000 mi, complaint #1548124
    • "AS I TRIED TO OPEN MY PASSENGER FRONT SIDE DOOR THIS MORNING I PULLED THE HANDLE OFF. THE PORTION OF THE HANDLE THAT CONNECTS INTO THE LATCH MECHANISM HAD SNAPPED OFF IN THE DOOR. I WOULD JUST TAKE IT IN AND GET IT FIXED, BUT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD…"~168,200 mi, complaint #1688707
  17. #17

    suspension arms and bushings

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "COMPLAINED ABOUT SUSPENSION TO DEALER ON MY 2009 (11500 MILES) WHEN PURCHASED (11/01/2010) THEY SAID IT WAS OK. BROUGHT THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER WITH COMPLAINT ON SUSPENSION AND ROAD NOISE FROM BUMPS IN ROAD. THE TEST DRIVE REVEALED A LINK ON THE SWAY BAR WAS…"~12,500 mi, complaint #842465
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was a loud popping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact became aware that the driver’s side front ball jo…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1778827
    • "IN SPITE OF FOLLOWING MANUFACTURERS GUIDELINES FOR TIRE INFLATION AND FOLLOWING PROPER ROTATION TIMETABLES AND HAVING THE CAR ALIGNED THIS CAR EATS TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES 5 DIFFERENT TIMES IN LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. I PURCHASE PREMIUM, NAME B…"~76,771 mi, complaint #971925
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE OF A FAMILY MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…"~146,200 mi, complaint #1478449
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VE…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1528233
  18. #18

    unintended acceleration

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 17,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. 1ST INCIDENT I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THE CAR SHOT BACKWARD NARROWLY MISSING MY HOUSE. 2ND INCIDENT ABOUT A MONTH LATER I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR SH…"~5,100 mi, complaint #860966
    • "JUNE 3, 2009 CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN UP TO APPROX 65 MPH WHEN DRIVER WAS PRESSING ACCELERATOR AT 30 MPH, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP - DRIVER STOOD ON BRAKES, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE, GOT OFF ROAD AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. DEALER MADE NO RE…"~16,155 mi, complaint #800808
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN ITS REAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE R…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1191155
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK AT THE CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP THE PARKING BARRIER HITTING THE VACUUM MACHINE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAIN…"~142,000 mi, complaint #1730533
  19. #19

    lighting exterior

    4 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DECK STOP LIGHT WIRING AND FRAME DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING THE BULB FROM THE SOCKET, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BULB AND WIRING FELL INTO…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1071651
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE STOP LAMP FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CU…"~81,000 mi, complaint #979301
    • "WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF I HAVE REPLACED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES. 3 TIMES ON THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND 3 ON THE LEFT. MY MECHANIC CAN NOT TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. HE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE A GROUNDING PROBLEM. HAVE YOU HAD ANY REPOR…"~89,600 mi, complaint #1137323
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1136531
    • "MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEM AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES PER YEAR. AFTER THE MOST RECENT CHANGE THEY BLEW BACK IN WITHIN TWO WEEKS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON AT ALL TIMES."~200,000 mi, complaint #1398860
  20. #20

    steering electric assist

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF RAIN, WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHERE OUR VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER STEERING AND OUR BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION. . THERE WAS NO DEEP PUDDLES, JUST NORMAL RAIN ON STREETS. IN SOME CASES, TOTAL STALL…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1121491
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE IGNITION SWITCH SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TYSINGER HYUNDAI IN HAMPTON, VIRGINIA TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CA…"~80,248 mi, complaint #1401682
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND BECAME A FREQUENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR R…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1274542
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly became stiff and failed to turn in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an appointment was schedul…"~151,000 mi, complaint #2047245
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side front wheel was seized due to a malfunctioning yaw sensor. The ESC warning light was illuminated. The contact deactivated the traction c…"~175,000 mi, complaint #1872177
  21. #21

    engine head gasket

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 143,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL DOWN TO MY ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION AND MAKING MY TRANSMISSION SHIFT AWKWARDLY. "~90,000 mi, complaint #1185896
    • "1.ON THIS VEHICLE THE SERPENTINE BELT INSTALL IS A NIGHTMARE. IT IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN. IT IS A FIXED PULLEY FOR TENSION AND YOUR HAVING TO STRETCH WITH TOOLS AND WAIT UNTIL IT LOOSENS UP. 2. THE ORIGINAL PAN GASKET RTV SEAL WAS BLACK . IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD…"~134,100 mi, complaint #1125160
    • "CAR STARTED AS USUAL AND I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GETTING READY TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 20 MPH AND REACH 1000 RPM. IT DIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER ON THE HIGHWAY FRONTAGE ROAD. ALL OF THE LIGHTS FOR ABS, BRAKES, CHEC…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1330542
    • "FRONT ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ONTO ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO BECOME DAMAGED, WHICH LED TO POOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND THEN COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER."~145,000 mi, complaint #1338247
    • "THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST."~160,000 mi, complaint #1712139
  22. #22

    glass and windshield

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE COMMUTING INTO WORK THIS MORNING ON INTERSTATE I-95. THE GLASS REPAIR MAN STATED NEW CARS SOMETIMES HAVE A FAULTY WIRE THAT CAUSES THESE WINDOWS TO SHATTER. I WAS USING THE HEATER & HAD THE DEFROST ACTIVATED OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE:…"~49,000 mi, complaint #830770
    • "NOTICED ON PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIRBAG THAT THERE WAS A LONG CRACK FROM WINDSHIELD DOWN ENTIRE FRONT OF DASH AREA. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK JUST ON THE OPPOSITE OF THE DASHBOARD IN SAME AREA WHERE AIRBAG WOULD BE LOCATED ON PASSE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1225086
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 56 MPH, THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFI…"~120,351 mi, complaint #1244203
  23. #23

    infotainment head unit

    6 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "IN-DASH OE CD CHANGER MADE CRACKING SOUND WHEN FIRST CD WAS INSERTED AND DISPLAYED MECH ERROR MESSAGE ON DISPLAY. NEVER USED BEFORE. HAD IPOD CONNECTION SO NEVER USED THE INFINITY DISC CHANGER TILL MANY MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *TR"~24,000 mi, complaint #742602
    • "WE BOUGHT A USED 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA AND AFTER 9 MONTHS THE NAVIGATIO SYSTEM WENT BLANK. VERY DISAPPOINTED. IT FLASHES TH 33RD HYUNDAI LOGO FOLLOWED BY A BLANK WHITE SCREEN. TRYED REBOOTING. $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. NOW WE FIND OUT THERE WERE P…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1244996
    • "VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED. ON LINE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING FOR THE SAME THING. THIS NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL. UPDATED 10/31/11 *BF UPDATED 11/08/11 *TR"~40,640 mi, complaint #882142
  24. #24

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. AS THE DRIVER, I AM UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR LOCK DOORS USING THIS BUTTON. INSTEAD I EITHER HAVE TO GET OUT OF MY SEAT TO UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS A PERSONAL SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY DOOR…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1227032
    • "SEVERAL DRIVER SIDE DOOR ELECTRONICS MALFUNCTIONS. LOCK BUTTON DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN TRYING TO LOCK DOORS. GAS CAP OPENER DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN MY GAS CAP THROUGH THE TRUNK. WINDOW AUTO CLOSE BUTTON NOT RESPONSIVE MOST OF THE TIME."~75,000 mi, complaint #1338258
    • "THE MOTOR IN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS GONE OUT. WHEN I TOLD A COUSIN OF MINE WHO OWNS A SONATA SAID THAT HYUNDIAS ARE KNOWN FOR THAT PROBLEM, REALLY!!"~123,422 mi, complaint #1277052
  25. #25

    tire failure

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "WHILE PUTTING AIR IN MY TIRES THE VALVE STEM SNAPPED OFF. WHILE LOOKING CLOSER AT THE TIRE I NOTICED THAT THEIR WERE CRACKS IN THE SIDE WALLS OF BOTH FRONT TIRES. CRACKS THAT WERE UP TO 4 INCHES LONG AND RAN AS DEEP AS THE RE-ENFORCING LAYER. THE TIRES ARE…"~21,975 mi, complaint #874240
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN ENERGY MICRO TIRES, SIZES P215-60R16-94. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRES WERE CRACKED AND NEE…"~24,450 mi, complaint #946505
    • "TIRES ARE CUPPING TERRIBLY. I HAVE REPLACED SO MANY TIRES DUE TO THIS ISSUES. HAD ALIGNMENT DONE AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. "~30,000 mi, complaint #1141328
    • "INSTALLED FOUR (4) BRAND NEW GENERAL ALTIMAX RT43 TIRES. NEW TIRES HAD 3877 MILES ON THEM WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SUFFERED A SUDDEN, RAPID LOSS OF AIR TRAVELING ON A MAINTAINED COUNTY HIGHWAY AT 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. THE TIRE WAS EXAMINED AT THE DE…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1711460
  26. #26

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 3 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "HEADLIGHTS DIM BUT DON'T AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR THUS DRAINING BATTERY LEAVING DEAD CAR. *TR"~44,000 mi, complaint #976746
    • "WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DEEP PUDDLE (3-4 INCHES), THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AS THE ENGINE STALLS AND I LOSE ALL POWER ACCESSORIES. ONCE I RESTART THE ENGINE, THE BATTERY LIGHT GOES OUT AFTER A SHORT TIME AND ALL IS GOOD AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1355618
    • "THIS IS MY SECOND OFFICIAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS. I DROVE THROUGH A LARGE PUDDLE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT RECOVERED AFTER THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I HAVE LOOKED AROUND AND MANY HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS, WITH DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS COMPLAIN…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1374212
  27. #27

    brake booster

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I HAVE NOTICED FOR MONTHS BEGINNING IN MAY OF THIS YEAR MY ESC LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITENTLY.I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1006425
    • "MY ESC OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. MY MECHANIC INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO A BAD BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AS MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. HE REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BUT A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. T…"~92,323 mi, complaint #1002242
    • "BRAKE LIGHT FAULTY IT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY."~160,000 mi, complaint #1712133
    • "BRAKE PEDAL LIGHT FAULTY STAYS ON ALWAYS."~168,000 mi, complaint #1712132
  28. #28

    corrosion and rust

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME, CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR IN LINKS, AND THE REAR ASSIST ARMS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE W…"~43,600 mi, complaint #1259182
    • "THE 2009 SONATA HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT FRAME THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT LIVE AT THE BEACH, AND IS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS FOUND BY A MECHANIC DURING ROUTINE MAINTE…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1266396
  29. #29

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "IGNITION IS STICKING, KEY WILL NOT TURN ON THE AUTO. IN 2011 WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION ON THE CAR. WE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO SPRAY, RECUT THE KEY AND EACH TIME IT WAS A TEMPORARY FIX. IN AUGUST OF 2011 THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION…"~34,566 mi, complaint #1119650
    • "TL* THE CONTACT WAS REPAIRING A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION WOULD INADVERTENTLY RESTART WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE STARTER MOTOR COULD BE HEARD RE-ENGAGING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHI…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1347276
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE…"~64,000 mi, complaint #969028
    • "THE ALARM WILL SOUND RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON. IT HAPPENS DOZENS OF TIMES A DAY AND ALARMS MY TEENAGE DRIVER. THE BUTTON IS NOT PUSHED, NOTHING IS TOUCHING THE CAR. JUST RANDOM. WE WANT THIS FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1531786
  30. #30

    power steering hydraulic

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "POWER STEERING FAILED TOTALLY ON 1/12/15--MANUAL HARD STEERING WORKED. IN SEPTEMBER I TOOK SONATA IN FOR STOP LIGHT RECALL AND ALSO HAD A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE. GOT [REDACTED ADDRESS] WHEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE RECALL…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1147255
    • "BOTH OF MY 2009 SONATA'S HAVE/HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I GOTTEN RID OF 1 OF THEM. POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNING. DEALER NEVER DOCUMENTED BUT DID PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN. 2011 SONATA'S DID HAVE A RECALL. HYUNDAI SAID OUT OF WARRANTY NOW A…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1409673
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT TO THIRD GEAR AND DISCOVERED I HAD NO CLUTCH PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR TILL I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, WHERE I PARKED IT. A FEW HOURS LATER I STARTED TO GO HOME AND THE CLUTCH WORKED FINE.…"~86,500 mi, complaint #861236
    • "POWER STEERING GETS STIFF AND MAKES IT HARD TO TURN INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CHARGE ME $145 JUST TO SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. "~107,000 mi, complaint #1548044
    • "THE STEERING GOES IN AND OUT OF POWER STEERING AT SLOW TO MEDIUM SPEEDS FROM AUG 2014 TO TODAY."~120,000 mi, complaint #1185303
  31. #31

    throttle and pedal

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN WHEN PASSING A SHORT LINE OF CARS, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE SPEEDS OF OVER 80 MPH BEFORE THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON RESULTING IN NORMALITY. *TR"~9,000 mi, complaint #727572
    • "1. DRIVING FROM HARRISBURG TO POTTSTOWN PA 2. NON-RESPONDING THROTTLE AT 60 MPH. PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. WORKED OK FOR A FEW MILES; AGAIN, THE THROTTLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. 3. FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THROTTLE POSIT…"~27,000 mi, complaint #772540
    • "SOME TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE RPMS GO UP TO ABOUT 1200 AND THEN DOWN TO 800 RPMS. WHEN MY FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR WANTS TO ACCELERATE AND GO ON ITS OWN OFTEN. WHILE STOPED AT A STOP SIGN OR STOPED WITH MY FOOT…"~50,000 mi, complaint #990176
    • "MY 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA WILL SPEED UP WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WILL INCREASE THE RPM'S BY 1000 WHICH INCREASES THE SPEED OF THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES NOW TO THE POINT OF RETURNING MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR WHILE UNDER WARRAN…"~50,500 mi, complaint #863816
  32. #32

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REAR ENDED, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETAIN THE CONTACT AND HE HIT HIS HEAD ON THE WINDOW SUPPORT PILLAR. THE CO…"~41,000 mi, complaint #931222
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH IN A TIMELY MANNER. IT TOOK THE CONTACT THREE MINUTES OR MORE TO GET OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT DUE TO THE FAULTY SEAT BELT. A DEALER AND THE M…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1455112
    • "HYUNDAI SONATA 2009 RED WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAL BELT STAYS LIT EVEN IF NO ONES SETTING THERE OR ONLY A PURSE, OR NO ONE SETTING THER. SO I HAVE TO PUT SEAL BELT INTO LOCK EVEN WHEN NO ONE SETTING THERE. SO I HAVE TO FASTEN SEAT BELT ALL THE TIME. WHEN…"~121,000 mi, complaint #1230107
  33. #33

    wiring harness

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE IGNITION THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES. THE DEALER…"~23,000 mi, complaint #1001540
    • "ON OCTOBER 27 2013, THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND THE BACK ILLUMINATING LIGHTS, GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND OVER HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT, I TOOK IT TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CHANGED OUT THE DIMMER SWITCH, WHICH KEPT BURNING OUT,SMOKE HAS COME OUT OF THE DASH BOARD AND…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1042645
    • "I STARTED MY CAR AND AS I STARTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SO I COULD PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE SMOKE SPEWED FROM MY DASHBOARD. I LOOKED UP UNDER THE DASH AND NOTICED THE WIRING HARNESS IN FLAMES. I EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A HY…"~81,000 mi, complaint #861237
  34. #34

    control module

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TAKATA RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRICAL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE BY AUTOZONE,. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE USUAL STUFF LIKE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE AND OTHER FLUIDS. BUT ALL OF THEM WE…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1434423
  35. #35

    engine oil consumption

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or leaking from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. A sufficient amount of oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement…"complaint #2126529
    • "NEW CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A MAJOR ENGINE OIL LEAK. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF CAR. CAR HAS BEEN IN DEALERS GARAGE FOR 10 DAYS WITH NO REPAIR YET MADE. *TR"complaint #691553
    • "NEW CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A MAJOR ENGINE OIL LEAK. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE AND LOSS OF CONTROL. ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT HAS CAUSED POWER TRAIN VIBRATION AND STRONG ODOR WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. *TR"complaint #703214
  36. #36

    fuel pump

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED AFTER SITTING AWHILE. THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED I COULD NOT HEAR THE FUEL PUMP RUN. I DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE THE F…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1108139
    • "INTERMITTENT STALLS OR ATTEMPTS TO STALL OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS. ALWAYS STALLED WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE STATIONARY; ATTEMPTS TO STALL WHILE IN MOTION OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE HAS ACTUALLY STALLED ON HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WHERE SUCCESSFUL, H…"~101,386 mi, complaint #1474569
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS VIEWED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NE…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1290568
  37. #37

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "BASICALLY IT APPEARS THAT I'M HAVING THE SAME BRAKE SWITCH ISSUE COMMON WITH MANY HYUNDAIS. HOWEVER, CURRENTLY THE '09 SONATA IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AT LEAST A YEAR AGO WHEN THE ESC OFF LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AT RANDOM TIMES. IT WOULD…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1008761
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. HECU INTERNAL FAILURE. ACTIVE DTC PRESENT: C1237 PRIMARY PRESSURE SENSOR SIGNAL. SENSOR FAILURE INSIDE THE ABS CONTROL CYCLE. VALUES AT PRESSURE SENSOR CHANGED FROM 0.3 BAR TO 78.0 BAR; NO CHANGE IN SUPPLY VOLTAGE. SUPPLY VOLTAGE CONS…"~96,500 mi, complaint #1639997
  38. #38

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, MY SONATA STOPPED ACCELERATING. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AS MY CAR WAS RAPIDLY DECELERATING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND AFTER LETTING IT SET FOR A FEW MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO STAR…"~108,300 mi, complaint #1436221
  39. #39

    alignment and pull

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • ".ON JAN 24, 2009, I PURCHASED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED FROM THE FAIRFAX HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP' LOCATED IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. ON MAR 27, 2010, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MY 15, 000 MILE SERVICE. I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT I DID NOT LIKE THE WAY I…"~20,670 mi, complaint #1168031
    • "REAR END OF VEHICLE SWAYS AROUND AS IF DRIVING ON ICE. FEELS EXACTLY LIKE DESCRIPTIONS OF ISSUE WITH RECALL 13V354000. HYUNDAI SAYS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. EXCESSIVE PLAY IN REAR END, AND VERY NOTICEABLE BURNING SMELL COMING FROM REAR END AFTER DRI…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1580172
  40. #40

    cruise control conventional

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH DOWNHILL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE…"~16,000 mi, complaint #728259
    • "2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED 4 CYL. WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, WHEN RESUMING SPEED AFTER SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC, CAR CONTINUED ON THRU SET RESUME SPEED (70) TO 80+. CONTROL REESTABLISHED BY SHUTTING OFF CRUISE CONTROL. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIMES BUT…"~33,000 mi, complaint #787580
  41. #41

    evap system

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "!) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR..SHOP SAID IT WAS A GAS CAP PROBLEM..BOUGHT NEW CAP, NOT FIXED..STILL ON 2) FILLING CAR UP WITH GAS....VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL...KNOB KEEPS SHUTTING OFF GAS FLOW....ONCE AGAIN SHOP HAS NO GOOD ANSWER...... *…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1171822
  42. #42

    instrument cluster

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I PURCHASED A 2009 SONATA FOR MY WIFE'S SAFETY, DRIVING THE ROADS OF TEXAS TO AND FROM WORK. I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI ABOUT A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROL DESIGN FLAW.. THE SONATA MANUAL IS SELF-EXPLANATORY STARTING AT PAGE 1-101 - ADDRESSING KNOW…"~13,000 mi, complaint #761135
    • "A FEW DAYS AFTER THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK. WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, SHE NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAS AT ZERO READING WHILE THE CAR WAS DOING AT LEAST 25 MILES PER HOUR. SH…"~55,000 mi, complaint #873970
  43. #43

    seat mechanism

    2 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TAMARA RECALL. MY SEAT WON'T MOVE BACK OR FORWARD . ELECTRICAL SWITCH."~113,000 mi, complaint #1284241
  44. #44

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "STEERING IS LOCKING UP IN TURNS WHILE TURNING ON THE HIGHWAY! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! JUST CALLED DEALERSHIP & THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS HOWEVER IF YOU SEARCH STEERING PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET IT'S A VERY KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS! SOMETHING NEEDS DONE!"~150,000 mi, complaint #1383112
    • "STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCKS UP FOR A SECOND OR 2 WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AROUND 15MPH THEN I WOULD HAVE TO LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS JUST TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO NORMAL. HAD THIS HAPPEN TOO MANY TIMES ALREADY. TRIED FIXING THE PROBLEM BY HAVING A MECHA…"~153,523 mi, complaint #1744104
  45. #45

    timing belt or chain

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY, THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1475256
    • "WAS BACKING CAR OUT OF OUR GARAGE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (SOLID AND NOT BLINKING) SO DROVE CAR BACK INTO OUR GARAGE AND TURNED IT OFF. NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OBSERVED WHEN BACKING OUT OR PULLING BACK IN TO GARAGE. FROM THAT POINT ON THE CAR WOULD NO L…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1387898
  46. #46

    emissions aftertreatment

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE EMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN HYUNDAI ([REDACTED ADDRESS], AMHERST, NY…"~87,633 mi, complaint #1497501
  47. #47

    heater core and blower

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "PURCHASED A 2009 SONATA IN SPETEMBER OF 2008, THE AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT DRAIN AND HAS DEVELOPED A MOLD SMELL WHEN AIR IS ON. RETURNED TO DEALER, THEY WANT TO "CLEAN" EVAPORATOR WITH A FOAM CLEANER AT A COST OF OVER $100.00. THE TECH SAID TO DRIVE CAR IN…"~16,000 mi, complaint #734406
  48. #48

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. T…"~41,900 mi, complaint #1111511
  49. #49

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN DRIVING MY CAR WILL JERK LIKE IT IS SHIFTING ROUGH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKES GRABBING BUT WHEN I GOOGLED IT I READ THAT IT COULD BE ECM AND TCM SOFTWARE PROBLEM. IT JERKS SOMETIMES SO BADLY THAT IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BUMPED INTO SOMETHING. CALL…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1267194
  50. #50

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVING CAR AND PULLED IN PARKING SPACE, PUT IN REVERSE TO TURN AROUND AND STEERING COLUMN WAS TOTALLY DISCONNECTED. THE STEERING WHEEL JUST WENT ROUND AND ROUND AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. HAD I NOT BEEN IN A PARKING LOT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A F…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1025582
  51. #51

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING A FLAT TIRE SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS WORN. THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A COTTER PIN THAT WAS INSTALL…"~13,850 mi, complaint #874479

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for HYUNDAI SONATA directly.