1999 HYUNDAI SONATA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON JAN 30TH, 2015 AND THE CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, SAT THE 31ST, I JACKED UP THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHY THE CAR STEERED TO THE RIGHT. I FOUND THE LOWER WHEEL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE FRAME HAD COME LOOSE. THAT WAS BECAUSE THE FRAME HAD THREE OF FOUR SIDES RUSTED THRU. THE CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A MORE SEVERE ACCIDENT IF THE ATTACHMENT TO THE FRAME HAD PULLED COMPLETELY APART. I WILL CHECK WITH HYUNDAI TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THANKS FOR LISTENING. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AFTER REMOVING THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL I NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT SEVERELY RUSTED, & THE SUB FRAME CRACKED READY TO BREAK. I KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY NEBRASKA ALONG WITH OTHER STATES WERE NOT INCLUDED. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER, & DRIVEN VERY LITTLE IN SALT/ SNOW CONDITIONS. SHE PURCHASED @ APPROX. 80 YEARS OF AGE. NHTSA SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AGAIN. WATER BEING TRAPPED IN THE SUB FRAMES IS THE REAL PROBLEM, SALT MAY HAVE ONLY MADE THE FAILURE HAPPENED A BIT SOONER. I HAVE TALKED WITH HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, & WAS TOLD THE CAR WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I LIVE 8 MILES AWAY FROM IOWA, WHICH IS COVERED BY THE RECALL. OMAHA DOES USE SALT ON THE STREETS. 14 -15 YEARS FOR A SUB FRAME TO ROT AWAY SEEMS QUITE SHORT. THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN DEFECT NOT ALLOWING THE WATER TO GET OUT. NO STATES SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT! WHO DOESN'T WASH THEIR CAR REGULARLY? HOW MANY 1999-2004 MODELS OF THIS CAR ARE STILL ON THE ROAD? FORTUNATELY FOR OUR FAMILY WE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SIGNIFICANTLY OUT OF POSITION, & BOTH FRONT WHEELS LEANING IN AT THE TOP. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME WOULD NOT PRETTY AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOOKED AT THE PICTURES I TOOK OF BOTH SIDES ON THIS CAR SEEM TO AGREE, WE WERE PROBABLY ONLY A FEW MORE CHUCK HOLES AWAY! WILL HYUNDAI NOTIFY CURRENT OWNERS OF ANY OF THESE CARS REGARDLESS OF WHICH STATE & REMEDY CORRECTLY?? WILL HYUNDAI, OR GOVERNMENT PUT OUT TSB'S OR PSA'S ALERTING ANY CURRENT OWNERS OF THE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CONDITION WHICH MAY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE? *TR

L WAS STOPPED ON TRAFFIC ON HIGH WAY ,AND SOME ONE, HIT ME ON THE BACK ,THE GUY WAS SO FAST PROBLEM MORE THAN 75 MPH ,THAN MY CAR FLOAT 20 FOOT ,AND HIT THE CAR ON MY FRONT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR OPEN , SO THE QUESTION IS HYUNDAI SONATA 1999 USUALLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM , ???? *TR

Crash 1 injured

THE SUB FRAME/K FRAME ON MY 99 HYUNDAI SONATA RUSTED OUT CAUSING MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE TO FACE OUTWARDS ALMOST COMING OFF AND DAMAGING MY LEFT CONTROL ARM. I HEARD A LOUD POP AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS THEN REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COCKED AT 180. I HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME WHICH WAS LUCKILY ONLY 2 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, I HAD TO DRIVE 10MPH SMELLING BURNING RUBBER. *TR

I WAS PULLING IN A SHOPPING CENTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND GOT OUT OF CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS CAVED IN, HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC, HE SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE HEARD NOISES AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS MISALIGNED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL PULLING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THERE WERE ALSO HOLES NEXT TO THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE SUB FRAME IN PLACE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTAC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000: SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,764.

I PURCHASED MY 1999 SONATA FROM A USED CAR DEALER & HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, ITS BEEN A NIGHTMARE, ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER!!!! THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT HAD SEVERELY MELTED, ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ABS/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON, & HAVE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THE HALF SHAFT ON BOTH DRIVERS/PASSENGER SIDE, NUMEROUS TIRES, BRAKES BUT THE MOST SEVERE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WHICH PUTS MY SAFETY, MY 12 YR OLD SON & FIANCE'S SAFETY, ALONG WITH FAMILY/FRIEND'S SAFETY AT RISK IS THE COMPLETE CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME I TOO TO A MECHANIC TODAY & HE TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I CAN POTENTIALLY END UP HURTING MYSELF OR OTHER INNOCENT BYSTANDERS BECAUSE HYUNDAI MADE A DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME ESPECIALLY FOR US THAT LIVE & DRIVE IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS OF THE WINTRY/ICY ELEMENTS FOR 5+MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR IN UPSTATE NEW YORK!!! I WILL BE CALLING HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CTR & FUCCILLO HYUNDAI(LOCAL DEALER)& THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR NEW YORK. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED IF I DROVE OVER A POT HOLE RESULTING IN MY TIRE(S) FALLING OFF ESPECIALLY IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING 55MPH MY LOVED ONES OR OTHER'S LOVED ONES, & MYSELF COULD'VE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE DEAD DUE TO HYUNDAI USING A SUBFRAME THAT WOULD SEVERELY CORRODE THE SUBFRAME ESPECIALLY IN THE "SNOW BELT" STATES!!!!! I JUST HOPE THAT I DO NOT HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME HAVING HYUNDAI FIX THE PROBLEM IN A SPEEDY FASHION WITHOUT TRYING TO STRONG ARM ME INTO PAYING FOR REPAIRS THAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BECAUSE IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE NOW UNTIL IT GETS REPAIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 HYUNDIA SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD REQUIRE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO AVOID TURNING IN A 360 DEGREE WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE CONTACT REACHED HER DESTINATION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS POSITIONED SLIGHTLY INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SALES CENTER, AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HER THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND CONNECTING PARTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY CORRODED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUB-FRAME CROSS MEMBER WOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT THE ADDITIONAL REPAIR COST OF $10,000 WAS THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE HE NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION) AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING AND THE ENGINE STAYED ON. SHE ALSO NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE HALF SHAFT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 09V124000, SUSPENSION BECAUSE HE DOES NOT LIVE IN ANY OF THE STATES THAT WERE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LIVES IN KANSAS WHICH BORDERS MISSOURI. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS EXCESSIVELY LOUD AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY BACK AND FORTH, THE MOTOR WOULD JUMP ABNORMALLY AND THE STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME HARD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE LOOSE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FRACTURED BUT DID NOT MAKE REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE BUT DID NOT STOP. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS THAT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,633 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Crash 2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS EXCESSIVELY LOUD AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY BACK AND FORTH, THE MOTOR WOULD JUMP ABNORMALLY AND THE STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME HARD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE LOOSE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FRACTURED BUT DID NOT MAKE REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE BUT DID NOT STOP. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS THAT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,633 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Crash 2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL IN THE LEFT DIRECTION WITHOUT ENGAGING IN ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE SUB-FRAME. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. ALSO, HE ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL REMEDY. IMMEDIATELY, AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN PROPERLY AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THREE TIMES IN WHICH THEY INFORMED THE TELEPHONE CALL WOULD BE RETURNED. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

I WAS LEAVING PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING LOT, TRAVELING APPROX 5 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT BUT CAR WAS VEERING TO THE RIGHT. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING. I GOT IT TOWED TO THE SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE CRADLE IS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN, BREAKING THE CONTROL ARM AND TORE APART THE AXLE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN THE SHOP WAITING FOR PARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL DOWN, BROKE THE CONTROL ARM AND TORE THE AXLE APART. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ONLY MOVE TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE, IT WOULD ALSO MOVE TO THE RIGHT. HE NOTICED THAT THE AXLE BUSHING, CV BOOT AND GREASE WERE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 185,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL 09V124000 SUSPENSION FRONT SUB-FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY PRIOR TO THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY DOESN'T DRIVE STRAIGHT AND WHEN HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES IT VEERED OFF OF THE ROAD. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE VEHICLE ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 154,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. HE STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL 09V124000 SUSPENSION FRONT SUB-FRAME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT DRIVEN STRAIGHT SINCE THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED INSTEAD IT VEERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT HEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 154,000.

THE LOWER CONTROL ARE SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER, TEARING UP A BRAND NEW TIRE AND THE FENDER. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. TODAY I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR CRADLE IS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN LOOKING THROUGH THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, AND ADDED A SCALE TOOL OPERATION AND LT MODULE. EIGHT YEARS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER TO INSPECT THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND INQUIRE ABOUT ANOTHER RECALL. WHILE THE DEALER WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THEY REALIZED THAT THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS AND HE HAS PAPERWORK STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT YEARS WITHOUT ANY AIR BAGS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,825.

WHILE DRIVING CLOSE TO HOME MY HYUNDAI SONATA 1999 STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT , GETTING MORE SEVERE BY THE MINUTE. I DECIDED TO GO HOME. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS LEANING TOWARDS THE OUTSIDE OF CAR. I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF AND DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF SEVERE CORROSION IN THE SUB FRAME OF CAR. *TR

1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR COLLAPSED DUE TO RUSTED SUB FRAME WHICH BROKE THE AXLE AND CONTROL ARM. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS KILLED, BUT THIS WAS AN ALARMING INCIDENT I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE WITH ANY CAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

1 injured

SEVERE RIGHT SIDE SUBFRAME RUST PROBLEM ON A 99 HYUNDAI SONATA NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM . *TR

ENGINE CRADLE (PART OF FRAME WHICH SUPPORTS FRONT SUSPENSION) RUSTED THROUGH ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. FRAME FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES PER HOUR. THIS FAILURE DAMAGED CV SHAFT. TOTAL REPAIR BILL WAS $1,270.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2008, WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT 5 MPH, THE FRAME DETACHED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME AND TIRE BOLTS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,000.

"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, NO ISSUE FOR FEW MONTHS, RECENTLY WHILE STOPPING AT RED LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE RPM STARTED INCREASING AND VEHICLE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD, IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE AND I WAS ABOUT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAPPENED TO ME FEW TIMES ALREADY, AND EVERYTIME IT IS SCARY. I HAD TO PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING. I TIRED TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM D TO N, AND THAT HELPED PREVENTING THE CAR FROM MOVING BUT THE RPM JUMPED EVEN HIGHER AND THE ENGINE MADE LAUD NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, THEY CONNECT IT TO THE COMPUTER AND SAID THE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR AND CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT IS $140 PARTS PLUS 4 HOURS OF LABOR. TALKED TO HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY SAID NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT, SO THEY HAVE TO DO THEIR OWN TROUBLESHOOT AND I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BILL. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 90K MILES ON IT, I DID NOT FIX IT YET, BUT I'M MINIMIZING MY DRIVING ON IT. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY HYUNDAI SONATA 1999 WITH 61000 MILES AND SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED. HE WAS PARKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE CALL A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE NEVER EVER EVER SAW A FRAME WITH SO MUCH RUST AND CORROSION NOT EVEN CARS OLDER AND MUCH MILES THAN MINE. THE FRAME HAVE HOLES ALL OVER. WITH ALL THE EXTREME CORROSION AND RUST THE RIGHT SUB FRAME IS BROKEN IN HALF. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW ME AND MY CHILDREN DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I'M THE ONE WHO DRIVES THAT CAR. AFTER THE MECHANIC SAW MY CAR WE CALLED ANOTHER TOW TRUCK AND WE SENT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I'M WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF HYUNDAI WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DAMAGE THIS IS CAUSING ME BECAUSE I KNOW THAT CAR IS DEFECTED. IN THE MEANTIME I DON'T HAVE A CAR WHICH GIVES A LOT PROBLEMS TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED THE CAR PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE SOUND OF MEDAL RUBBING TOGETHER, AND WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN PAYMENT OR A HILL IN THE ROAD, I HAVE ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL. I TOOK MY CAR TO PEPBOYS AND THE SERVICEMAN TOOK ME UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND SHOWED ME THE MASS AMOUNT OF CORROSION AND RUST ON THE CRADLE AND THE CONTROL ARM WAS BENT. HE STATED HE HAS NEVER WITNESS SUCH CORROSION BEFORE ON ANY OTHER BODY PART. HE INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE . THIS CAR IS A SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND SCHOOL. IN THE MIST OF LOOKING FOR USED PARTS ON THE INTERNET, I CAME ACROSS OTHERS WHO HAS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. SOME WHO HAS HAD ACCIDENTS. THANK GOD HE KEPT MY FAMILY SAFE. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR THE NECESSARY PARTS FOR REPAIR. PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO ENFORCE A RECALL THIS CAN TURN OUT TO BE DEADLY TO FUTURE DRIVERS AND THERE FAMILIES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FRONT SUBFRAME NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 11/24/08 *CN UPDATED 11/26/08. *JB

HYUNDAI SONATA 1999 RIGHT SIDE SUB FRAME RUSTED AND CAR BECAME NON DRIVABLE, TOOK CAR TO CROWN HYUNDAI ST PETE FLA FOR OIL CHANGE, DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH, AND ADVISED TO CONTACT HYUNDAI AMERICA FOR REPAIR AUTHORIZATION AT 1-800-633-5151 DID THIS, CURRENT CASE #54326 CAR AT DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR REPAIR AUTHORIZATION FROM HYUNDAI AMERICA. *TR

FRONT SUBFRAME PREMATURELY RUSTED AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO USE. *TR

I FOUND THAT I COULD HARDLY CONTROL THE STEERING OF MY CAR, AND THE TIRES WERE SQUEALING EVEN WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. I GOT THE CAR TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD AND SHOWN THAT THE SUB FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. I HAVE CONTACTED USED PARTS DEALERS ALL OVER NY, NJ AND MA AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS PART IS IN HIGH DEMAND FOR MY MODEL CAR, BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. DESPITE THIS, HYUNDAI DEALERS TELL ME IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. IT IS A 9 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 85,000 MILES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LOUD THUMP AND IT BEGAN PULLING SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAMES ON HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES, AND THAT MINE EXHIBITED THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS THAT OTHERS HAD REPORTED. HE SAID I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY, AS I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED AND. IN HIS WORDS, "THE FRAME WAS SO BAD I COULD NOT GET BOLTS OUT OF CONTROL ARM, HAD TO CUT FRAME APART AND PRESS OUT BUSHINGS, REPLACE SWAY LINK." THE CONTROL ARM WAS BARELY ATTACHED AFTER THE FRAME FAILED. HE REPLACED THE COMPLETE CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY (PART #'S 62405-38101, 54561-38000, 265-2197) AND SUGGESTED I FOLLOW UP WITH HYUNDAI, SINCE THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS WERE FINISHED ON 7/2/2008. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI, PROVIDED ALL THE INFORMATION THEY REQUESTED AND I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME WITHIN A WEEK. I HAVE TALKED WITH THEM SEVERAL TIMES, AND EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD A DIFFERENT STORY ABOUT WHY I HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED YET. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR CARS REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI, OR BEEN REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS, AND PROVIDED ONE PERSON'S CASE NUMBER AS AN EXAMPLE. AS OF 8/6/2008, I HAVE YET TO TALK TO THE SAME PERSON TWICE AT HYUNDAI, AND I HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED. THE CASE NUMBER WITH HYUNDAI'S CONSUMER DEPARTMENT IS 3340021. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON SINCE 2001. FIRST TRY TO FIX IT 12/01. UP TO END OF 5 YEAR WARRANTY NO COST TO ME. ON 3/19/08 IT COST ME $93.00 TO GET THE LIGHT OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FLOOR HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $780.46. LIGHT BACK ON JULY 08. IN SEPT OF 05, I TRIED TO GET HYUNDAI CUSTOMER TO GET THIS FIXED FOR ME, BUT HYUNDAI REFUSED TO DO IT, AT THEIR COST. MY DISAGREEMENT IS THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY TRIED; BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO COME BACK, OVER AND OVER AGAIN.. MY CONTENTION IS THEY NEVER FIXED IT, IF THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME BACK ON. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY THEM AT THEIR COST NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES. THE PROTECTION FOR A LONG TIME HAS NOT BEEN THERE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. CAN YOU HELP? THEY TRIED 7 TIMES TO FIX IT AND ONCE THE WARRANTY WAS UP I DID NOT WANT TO KEEP PAYING FOR NOTHING. *TR