This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2002 Hyundai Sonata, severe rot in the front passenger subframe. 58,000 miles on car. It was not driveable so was towed to dealer. Was not in accident but had severe alignment issues and power steering hose breakage as a result of the rot. Was told by dealer that subframe would be replaced under warranty but all other repairs were my responsibility.
As I write this letter, my 2002 Sonata is currently in the shop for repair of severe rusting and detachment of the sub frame. I was advised a week ago by the mechanic performing an inspection of the vehicle that my front drivers side axle bolt was cracked and needed repair. Having the extended hpp warranty, I brought it to the dealer whose eyes were wide with absolute terror when he told me how close to death I would have been had I not brought it in. He advised me that if I had driven the car another day, I would have been seriously injured or killed. Needless to say, I will be without my car for the next 2 weeks. My dealer is offering me a 'dealer rental rate' for a loaner car of $35 a day which I believe is adding insult to injury in light of the fact that I could have been killed. Are there any plans to recall this vehicle so that I may be eligible for a free rental car for my inconvenience?
Engine cradle / cross member rusted through on passenger - side [right side] of undercarriage [3 inches?]. apparent engine leak from air conditioner despite regular [Hyundai] maintenance.
Took my car to shop today because the power steering was leaking, hard to turn on corners - this first appeared yesterday. I was hearing odd noises from under the car on the way to the shop. Mechanic put car on lift and showed me how the engine cradle/frame is rusted through. They suspect the problem started above and worked through as I have been a fanatic about regular maintenance on this car - always with the same shop so they know me and the vehicle. Now I'm waiting to see if Hyundai will cover this.
My right front wheel didn't feel right, took it to a service station to be looked at. They brought me in to see that the whole frame under the car is rusted. The bolts that hold up the axle and suspension were completely gone and there was a hole in the under carriage. The wheel was tilted and the inside of the tire was worn all the way down. There was nothing there to support the wheel.
- Lake Saint Louis, MO, USA
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During an annual safety inspection a large hole was found in the front sub frame. The mechanic believed it was caused by the outflow of water from the air conditioning unit which ran over that area.
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. Upon taking the vehicle in for inspection, the mechanic discovered that the subframe was rusted in several places. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. There were no recalls for this failure. The current and failure mileages were 85,000.
Purchased a 2002 Hyundai Sonata in 2006. On 6/25/2008 I received an oil change and when inspecting the undercarriage it was noted of a server rust hole on the sub frame assembly on the front of the car. The rust hole (while only about 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch across) stretches across the whole bottom of the sub-frame assembly. This is a very serious problem with a vehicle if the sub-frame is damaged.
A rusted right front subframe separation on my 2002 Hyundai Sonata caused tire failure and a blowout. This happened one time and the car ran off the road. The car has been taken for repair where the mechanic is going to try and replace the frame in this area.
In a recent visit to Hyundai dealer related to another matter I learned that my 2002 Sonata was unsafe to drive due to a rusted out engine cradle on the passenger side. I have yet to get this fixed due to the price (est. $2500) and yet at the same time I realize the situation will only get worse. I have read on the internet where your Agency is investigated this matter and also on the internet I learned of many other owners who have had accidents due engine cradle failure. The suspension gives way and wheels fall off, etc. In my opinion Hyundai used inferior metal in their engine cradle and incorrectly designed the engine cradle system. I have been driving for more than 40 years and owned many makes and models of vehicles but never have I been faced with such a situation. I realize many parts have a limited life span but the engine cradle should have an extended life. My wife has a 1999 Subaru with more miles than our Sonata and which has been driven on the same road conditions with less care than we have given the Sonata and yet her car does not have such an obvious and common safety issue. Thank you for considering this important matter. I trust that you will move quickly to require Hyundai to correct this matter before more lives are put in jeopardy and lost due to their oversight.
Brought my wife's car in for an oil change and she had complained there was a funny noise that had just started coming from under the car. I was informed when we went to pick it up that the frame close to the front right tire was rusted with a hole and looked it was cracking. My wife is a very cautious driver and we told that it was not due to any kind if impact, but it had just rusted at that spot.
During vehicle routine maintenance of 2002 Hyundai Sonata, it was discovered that significant corrosion was observed in engine cradle. This corrosion presents a safety issue and Hyundai refuses to replace the component because its out of warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Shirley, MA, USA