2008 Hyundai Sonata Complaint Log

PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SNOW ON THE ROAD. STARTED TO MOVE OUT TO THE ROAD AGAIN WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD GRINDING COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. MADE IT HOME AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE I BOUGHT IT, HEALY HYUNDAI IN BEACON NY. REAR BRAKES DOWN TO METAL AND ROTORS GOING. THEY RESURFACED ROTORS AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. NO OTHER EXPLANATION. I DID NOT APPRECIATE THIS BECAUSE EVEN NOT HAVING NOT MUCH OF A MECHANICAL BACKGROUND, I NEVER HAD TROUBLE LIKE THIS WITH BRAKES THIS EARLY ON AND I HAVE DRIVEN MANY A CAR AND MANY MILES. THE CAR HAS 36,014 MILES AND HEAELY SAID THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE AT LEAST A YEAR TO GO. SOMEONE AT HYUNDIA NEEDS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BEFORE THIS BECOMES ALOT WORSE. PLEASE I HOPE SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THIS. ALSO THE DEALERS NEED TO BE HONEST WITH PEOPLE AND NOT BLAME AN PERCEIVED DEFECT IN MY OPINION WITH THE BRAKES ON THE DRIVER. I HAVE CHILDREN AND DON'T WANT THE BRAKES TO FAIL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

I AM DRIVING A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA AND HAD MY REAR BRAKES DETERIORATE TO NOTHING WITH OUT ANY WARNING. THEY WERE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS METAL TO METAL AND I HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES AND MY ROTORS. THE SCARY PART WAS THAT THE SOUNDS METAL TO METAL WERE NOT CONSTANT SO IF YOU DID NOT KNOW BETTER YOU MIGHT DEBATE ON WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA FROM THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST OF 2009. THE CAR HAD 27,000 MILES. 7 MONTHS FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS STIFF, I PULLED IT DOWN AND YOU COULD HEAR THE INSIDES CRACK. THE SUN VISOR NEVER WENT BACK UP, IT NOW HANGS AND REFUSES TO STAY UP. NOW A FEW DAYS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. A YEAR AND 12,000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE. THE VISOR NOW BLOCKS MY LINE OF SIGHT AND CAUSES A SAFETY CONCERN. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE READ THIS HAPPENS EXTREMELY OFTEN AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE EVEN GONE THROUGH MULTIPLE SETS OF VISORS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, IT STRUCK HER IN THE CHEST. UPDATED 03/04/10. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 1-2 MPH WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED WITH A GREAT ROAR AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. UPDATED 05/06/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE "FASTEN SEAT BELT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS WORN BY AN OCCUPANT. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,443. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT FORM.

PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE PADS ON A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AT 35000 MILES. MY WIFE HAD BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. REMOVED WHEELS AT HOME AND FOUND CALIPERS WERE DIGGING INTO ROTORS BECAUSE OF COMPLETE EROSION OF BRAKE PADS. CALLED DEALER HE SAID IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. NOT SURE WHY, HYUNDAI OFFERS NO EXPLANATION OR SUGGESTIONS EITHER. REPLACED PADS WITH NEW ONES, WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I WILL INSPECT EVERY 10000 MILES TO DETERMINE EXTENT OF FUTURE WEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS. FRONT PADS WERE AT 8/32 REAR PADS WERE 0/32.. PISTONS WERE CLEAN ON THE REAR AND APPEARED TO BE WORKING FINE, BOTH REAR PADS WERE GONE EQUALLY. *TR

OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA , AT AROUND 25000 MILES BEGAN TO HAVE INTENSE SCREECHING FROM REAR BRAKES. LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED US HYDRAULIC PISTON WAS STUCK/RUSTED OPEN AND WAS WEARING BRAKES TOTALLY DOWN. HE WAS ABLE TO GREASE AND DO PAINSTAKING REPAIRS TO PISTONS . HAD TO REPLACE SHOES/ROTORS. NEITHER VISOR WILL STAY UP THEY HAVE SAGGED TO THE POINT THAT WE HAVE ESCORTED TO INDUSTRIAL VELCRO TO KEEP THEM UP.THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. *TR

WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY A SERVICE FLAG WAS SENT TO DEALERSHIPS AND JUST "FLUSH" THE TRANSMISSION. 5 DAYS LATER AND 550 MILES FROM HOME, THE CAR BROKE DOWN, WAS TOWED AND ADVISED I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. STILL SITTING OUT OF STATE WAITING FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. *TR

CAR HAD 19,000 MILES ON IT, I BOUGHT IT NEW. GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR CALIPER WAS NOT RELEASING WHICH RUINED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR. TOLD THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE ROTOR, CALIPER AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER COVERED THE COST. NEVER HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH ANY OTHER OF THE OTHER CARS I OWNED. MY MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES AND I DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE BRAKES AS OFTEN AS I WOULD IN THE CITY. *TR

PASSENGER VISOR PIVOT ARM FAILED TO RETRACT AFTER A FEW USES. VISOR HUNG DOWN SLIGHTLY AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. PASSENGER WOULD HIT THEIR HEAD GETTING INTO AND OUT OF THE CAR ON THE VISOR. THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVER SIDE VISOR PIVOT ARM FAILED TO RETRACT SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AFTER FEW USES. DRIVER SIDE VISOR HANGS AT AN ANGLE THAT OCCLUDES DRIVER'S LINE OF VIEW, THUS A HAZARD FOR DRIVER SAFETY. ALSO IF A COLLISION WOULD OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD COLLIDE WITH HANGING VISOR THAT POINTS TOWARD FACE, CAUSING HEAD TRAUMA.

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A 30FT MOUND/RAILROAD TRACK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, ENOUGH TO DEEM THE CAR A "TOTAL LOSS", YET NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I SUFFERED PHYSICAL INJURIES TO TOP HALF OF BY BODY BY LITERALLY SLAMMING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. HAD MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMAL INJURIES TO MY BODY. *TR

THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS POORLY ENGINEERED AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO THE CAR OWNER. AFTER 16,000 MILES, MY REAR BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BACK BRAKES ARE STICKING ON AND GRINDING OFF AGAINST THE ROTOR. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED, WITH MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS THE ONLY CHOICE. IN THE FOUR YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE GONE THRU 5 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND 4 ROTORS, WITH NO END IN SIGHT AS LONG AS I KEEP THIS CAR. *TR

BOTH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE REAR DASH LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING (11-12-2011). I ALSO HAVE THE ESC INDICATOR LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF (PAST 6 MONTHS) THERE WAS A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT ON THE STOP LAMP SWITCH DONE ON 10-23-2009. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INVOICE STATES ESC OFF LIGHT ON CAUSED BY: RECOVERED C1513 DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. WORK PERFORMED: INSTALLED 93810-3K000-QQH STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY SWITCH. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING!!!! *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR, MECHANISM THAT HOLDS IT UP HAS BROKEN, VISOR IMPEDES DRIVER'S VISION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS A SQUEAKING AND A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE PIN THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WAS WORN. THE PIN CONTROLLED THE MOVEMENT IN THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND WHEN IT DOES NOT MOVE IT DETERIORATES THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AT HER EXPENSE SINCE THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN - COVERED BY WARRANTY AND REPLACED BY DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE SPEED REDUCED WHILE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH ONLY 12,600 MILES, WHILE DRIVING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN HEARD LOUD NOISE FROM BACK OF CAR WHILE TAKING A TURN. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS DUE TO RUST ON THE ROTOR. DIDN'T HAVE THEM DO THE WORK AS THE COST WAS LARGE. BROUGHT TO OUR OWN MECHANIC WHO SHOWED US THE LEFT REAR BRAKE PAD WAS DOWN TO METAL BUT THE RIGHT WAS NORMAL SMALL WEAR. HE CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER AS THIS DIDN'T SEEM NORMAL TO HIM EITHER. WARRANTY ONLY COVERS UP TO 12,000 MILES SO WE WERE OUT OF LUCK. HYUNDAI GOES ON IN EVERY COMMERCIAL ABOUT SAFETY AND WHEN I THINK OF A CAR BRAKES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THERE IS. *TR

NEED TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES ON NEWER CAR 29,721 MILES. *TR

MY HYUNDAI SONOTA'S DRIVER'S SIDE CAR VISOR IS BROKEN AND DOES NOT STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS BLOCKS THE VIEW WHILE LOOKING FORWARD OR CREATES A BLIND SPOT TO THE LEFT WHEN VISOR IS TURNED DOWN TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WINDSHIELD/ROAD. I'VE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IT HAS 36K MILES (BOUGHT IT WHEN IT HAD 16KMILES). *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THERE IS A RECALL BUT WE ARE TOLD OURS IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER AT LEAST 75% IF THE TIME WHEN I OR MY HUSBAND ARE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO HYUNDAI OVER AND OVER, THEY HAVE REPROGRAMMED IT SEVERAL TIMES EVEN REPLACED THE ENTIRE SEAT BUT WE STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SEAT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ME OR ANYONE AS AN ADULT, COMPUTER REGISTERS ME AS NOT BEING HEAVY ENOUGH AND I WEIGH ALMOST 200LBS. I AM TOLD BY HYUNDAI THEY WILL NOT GIVE US A LOANER TILL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IS WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY AND IT CAUSES MORE SERIOUS INJURY. IT HAS BEEN OVER A WEEK SINCE THE SEAT WAS REPLACED AND THEY HAVE MADE NO DETERMINATION OTHER THAN OUR SEAT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAVE BEEN TAKING IT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE LAST SUMMER, NOT LONG AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED IT!! WHAT CAN WE DO? *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA: DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN, BLOCKS VISION, OR HITS DRIVER IN HEAD. MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

WE HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA AND WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME DEFECTS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT UNLESS YOU SIT COMPLETELY STILL IN THE SEAT IT WILL NOT COME ON. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN BUT SHORTLY AFTER WE GOT IT BACK IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THERE IS A NOISE UNDER THE FRONT END AND EVERY TIME IT HITS BUMPS IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS BROKE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK AJAR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ANOTHER MOTORIST ALERTED HIM THAT THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES IN THE TRUNK WERE ON FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND RESUME DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN THIRD GEAR, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000.

MY 2008 SONATA WITH VIN [XXX] DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SMALLER ADULT PASSENGERS RESULTING IN ILLUMINATION OF THE "PASSENGER AIR BIG OFF" LIGHT IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. I NOTICED THIS AROUND 2009-2010. I DID RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND NOTED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED (RECALL NUMBER 08V161000), WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE'S "OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM" OR OCS. AT THE TIME, THERE WAS NOT A METHOD TO RESEARCH MY SPECIFIC VIN, SO I BROUGHT THE CAR TO TAMERON HYUNDAI IN BIRMINGHAM, AL IN THE 30-50K MILE RANGE. TAMERON HYUNDAI DID NOT PERFORM EXTENSIVE TESTING, BUT RATHER HAD A "130 LB" MECHANIC SIT IN THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG "OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM" OR OCS WAS IN WORKING ORDER. THE CAR CONTINUED TO FAIL TO RECOGNIZING SMALLER ADULTS. HOWEVER, MORE RECENTLY WHEN A LARGER ADULT PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT CAN TRIGGER THE PASSENGER OCS, THE RED DASH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASH. IMMEDIATELY WHEN I NOTICED THE CHANGE IN THE OPERATIONAL STATUS OF THE VEHICLE, I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THEY CREATED THE CASE NUMBER 10343035 FOR REFERENCE TO MY CASE, AND REFERRED ME TO FRANK HYUNDAI. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FRANK HYUNDAI WHERE THE PROBLEM AS A MALFUNCTIONING PASSENGER OCS WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE RECALL ABOVE. BOTH FRANK HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE ADVISED ME THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL ON THE OCS (RECALL NUMBER 08V161000). THE COST OF REPAIR WAS GREATER THAN THE VEHICLE'S VALUE. I WAS EASILY ABLE TO AFFORD A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, SO I DISPOSED OF THE VEHICLE AND OBTAINED A NEW VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHO STILL DRIVE SIMILAR VEHICLES. I THINK SOME SONATAS MAY HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED IN RECALL 08V161000, AND I THINK THE CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VINS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA PURCHASED AT DUNCAN HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN DUNCAN,B. L BOUGHT THE SONATA WITH 40,000 KM. AND L PAID HYUNDAI ABOUT $100.00 FOR A 65. INSPECTION. THE BRAKES WERE 75%. SO L ASKED THE DEALERSHIP OWNER,TO EXPLAIN THE 65. INSPECTION AND L ASKED ABOUT THE BRAKES BEING 75%. HE SAID 75% WAS JUST FINE.BUT WHEN L TOOK THE SONATA INTO THE SHOP FOR SQUEALING,GRINDING REAR BRAKES, THE MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS WINTER DIRT AND GRIME. L WAS CHARGED 301.00 FOR NEW REAR BRAKE PADS. LT,S FRIDAY JULY 3. THE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL SQUEALING! LS THERE A RECALL? *TR

REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE JUST HALF WORN. *TR

THE SUN VISOR ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. IN ITS "UP POSITION" IT HANGS DOWN TO WHERE MY HEAD WOULD HIT THE HARD EDGE IN ANY KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

REAR BRAKE SQUEALING AND GETTING HOT. REAR BRAKES ON 2008 HAVE PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO BRAKE PADS HANGING UP ON THE SLIDES. HAD TO REPLACED THE OLD PADS WITH NEW PAD @ 16K MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, HIS CHILD WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD, STRUCK A UTILITY BOX, AND DROVE OVER A BICYCLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE UTILITY BOX, THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS ALMOST TORN OFF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER SENT A PACKET WITH PAPERWORK ASKING FOR THE VEHICLE DESCRIPTION, INSURANCE REPORTS, AND PICTURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE COLLISION CENTER BEING REPAIRED. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 19,000. UPDATED 06/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM STAYS OFF WHEN MY WIFE (120 POUNDS) IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. WHEN FIRST TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WITH MY WIFE, THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT GO ON. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ANOTHER DEALER SENT THE SEAT TO CALIFORNIA TO BE REPAIRED IN MARCH 2009. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. NOW, HYUNDAIUSA WANTS ME TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WITH MY WIFE OR SOMEONE OF SIMILAR STATURE. THIS TIME, A HYUNDAI REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE PRESENT. HYUNDAI USA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WOULD NOT GIVE ANY MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT THE PROCESS IS IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS THEREAFTER NOR WOULD THEY GIVE ME THE NAME AND/OR CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE ANYONE TO SPEAK TO. THEY SAID THEY WOULD FORWARD ON MY CASE AND I MAY OR MAY NOT BE CONTACTED BY SOMEONE AT HYUNDAI USA WITH ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS. OTHERWISE, I JUST HAVE TO WAIT TO HEAR WHAT THE HYUNDAI REP HAS TO SAY WHEN MY APPOINTMENT IS FINALLY SCHEDULED. CURRENTLY, WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER. *TR

PURCHASED DEMONSTRATOR CAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 2,500 MILES FOR NORMAL USE. REAR DISK BRAKE NOISE AT 15,976 MILES REQUIRED BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AT 33,356 MILES, AGAIN REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF PADS AND TURNING OF ROTORS (THIS TIME IT WAS NOT COVERED - CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR ITEMS). ONCE AGAIN, AT APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES, LOUD GRINDING FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE REVEALED THAT BOTH INNER AND OUTER PADS HAD BEEN TOTALLY SCRUBBED OFF WITH LIGHT METAL TO METAL CONTACT, WHILE THE RIGHT REAR PADS STILL HAD GREATER THAN 50% OF ORIGINAL PAD THICKNESS. THE CALIPER SLIDES OPERATED SMOOTHLY AND WERE WELL LUBRICATED AND SEALED, AND THE PAD SLIDES WERE DIRTY WITH BRAKE DUST, BUT NOT CORRODED OR BLOCKED WITH DIRT. THE PADS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT. I REPLACED THE PADS TO FINISH MY TRIP AND UPON RETURN IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE NEW PADS HAD BEEN DRAGGING AS EVIDENCED BY A STRONG SMELL AND GLAZED APPEARANCE. IT DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL FOR THIS CONDITION TO HAPPEN - THERE WAS NO GRINDING OR ABNORMAL NOISE OBSERVED DURING THE MOST RECENT EVENT, UNTIL PULLING INTO OUR DESTINATION, WHEN IT WAS VERY LOUD. APPEARS THAT THE CALIPER OR CALIPER PISTON IS STICKING TO KEEP THE PADS IN CONTACT WITH THE DISK, THUS OVERHEATING AND CHALLENGING THE BRAKE PAD LIFE. THIS SEEMS TO BE ONLY ON THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) CALIPER. HYUNDAI DISCUSSION FORUMS HAVE INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI IS NOT FORMALLY ADDRESSING. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK, BUT WANTED TO REGISTER WITH NHTSA SINCE IT IS A BRAKE ISSUE WITH SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE SENSOR WAS TURNING THE AIR BAG OFF WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT WOULD SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT LOCATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN HIS CHILDREN ARE SEATED IN THE VEHICLE, THE SENSOR SHUTS OFF THE AIR BAG. THIS COULD BE FATAL IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). UPON INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT MAKE REPAIRS, BECAUSE HE COULD NOT IDENTIFY A FAILURE. HOWEVER AFTER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG SENSORS MISCLASSIFIED AN ADULT AS A CHILD. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS RECONTACTED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

SUNVISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, OBSTRUCTING VISION. *TR

GRINDING OF REAR BRAKES BEGINNING AT 37,000 MILES. CAR IS DRIVEN ALL HIGHWAY MILES. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE AND MECHANIC WAS SHOCKED TO SEE PADS WERE GONE AND ROTORS WORN BEYOND REPAIR. HE SAID FRONT BRAKES SHOULD USUALLY GO FIRST. HYUNDAI CLAIMED PADS SHOULD BE REMOVED AND CLEANED EVERY 15,000 MILES. ASSUMING A CUSTOMER WAS DENYING THE BRAKE PROBLEM DUE TO THE LOW MILES THE LOSS OF BRAKES COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. BRAKES AND ROTORS WILL BE CLOSE TO $400 FOR REPAIR. *TR

EVER SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TPMS AND ESC LIGHTS/SYSTEM. OVER THE YEARS IF I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON IT SEEMED TO RESET THE SYSTEM AND THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. I DID HAVE THE TPMS SYSTEM REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY YEARS BACK AND IT SEEMED TO LESSEN THE PROBLEM HOWEVER NOW 8/29/2014, THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER STOPPING AND STARTING THE CAR. I HAD THE WHEEL SENSORS TESTED AND THEY ARE ALL WORKING. THE REPAIRS DONE WHEN I FIRST HAD THE CAR TOOK DAYS AND I REMEMBER THEY HAD TO REPLACE SOMETHING BEHIND MY GLOVE BOX WHICH THEY SAID WAS A RADIO THAT READ THE SIGNAL FROM THE WHEEL SENSORS. SEEMS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I SEE OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THESE LIGHTS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (PRESTON HYUNDAI IN BOARDMAN, OH) AND AM WAITING FOR A RETURN CALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES AND WILL NOT DIM. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600. UPDATED 12/1/08 *CN THE WOULD ALWAYS REPLACE A SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. UPDATED 12/05/08. *JB

PROBLEM: VISOR, WINDSHIELD, DRIVER. PLASTIC SHEATH AROUND METAL BAR, WHICH IS PART OF THE VISOR POSITION CONTROL MECHANISM, BROKE DURING NORMAL USE. THIS RESULTED IN VISOR NOT STAYING IN POSITION SET BY DRIVER. VISOR WILL DROP DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AND PARTIALLY OBSTRUCT DRIVER'S VISUAL FIELD AND DISTRACT DRIVER'S ATTENTION. *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA SUN VISOR WILL NOT HOLD THE DESIRED POSITION. SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10028945 FOR 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE, TO NO AVAIL. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HIS 115 LBS. SPOUSE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES AND EVENTUALLY DIMS. THE VIN IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE RECALL AND THE SEAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SHIPPED AWAY WITH HIS SPOUSE'S WEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CURRENTLY NO LONGER DIMS WHEN SHE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,800.

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WOULDN'T HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE WHEN THE CONSUMER SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WEIGHED 175 POUNDS AND THE RECALL LETTER CLEARLY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT PERTAINED TO SMALLER ADULTS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND WILL NOT DIM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SENT THE CUSHION SEAT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN CALIFORNIA FOR REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER WAS ALSO UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN HIS SMALL STATURED WIFE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). BOTH REMEDIES HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT IN PROPERLY REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000.

RECALL NOTICE FOR 2008 SONATA HYUNDAI ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN UNLESS HE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS. *NJ

ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS FIRST MY PASSENGER SIDE AND NOW MY DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN POSITIONS AND FALLS BLOCKING DRIVERS VIEW. SEE ONLINE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. HYUNDAI USA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE SUN VISORS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. *TR

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER STATES DISCONTENT WITH DENIAL OF A ONLINE COUPON, UNRESOLVED THUMPING, VIBRATION THAT OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. IN ADDITION THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER/CLICKER IS TOO QUIET. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE THUMPING AND VIBRATION OCCURRED WHEN HE WOULD DRIVE AWAY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT OR IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 4-6 HOURS. AFTER DRIVING 3-5 MILES, THE THUMPING WOULD GO AWAY, BUT NOT ENTIRELY. THE THUMPING AND VIBRATION WAS FELT IN THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TIRES THAT CAME AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT PERFORMED BADLY DURING SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS. THE TIRES DID NOT GRIP PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIRES, BECAUSE AFTER THE TIRES WARM UP, THE THUMPING DIMINISHED QUITE A BIT. THE TIRES ALSO HAD FLAT SPOTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLASHER, BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS STILL TOO QUIET. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 008V161000 (AIR BAGS). HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNLESS HIS WIFE CAME WITH HIM TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY AGREED THAT HIS WIFE HAD TO BE PRESENT. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,700. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/11/08*JB

MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG SENSOR RECALL. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 3 DAYS AND IT WAS RETURNED TO ME BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED INCONSISTENTLY. I AM A 120LB ADULT AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ME AS A PASSENGER WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK 10+ TIMES TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND ULTIMATELY THEY GAVE ME A BRAND NEW PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MINE. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM IS STILL CONTINUING EVEN WITH THIS BRAND NEW SEAT. I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK IN TO THE SHOP NEXT WEEK AND AM HOPING THEY WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS FIASCO SOON. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A MONTH NOW. *TR