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.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The ESC light has been going off intermittently in my vehicle for the past 2 weeks, causing the shifter to downshift instead of keep moving the car when I press the gas, and the gas pedal becomes unresponsive. This happened on the interstate (I-78) today, and I almost got into an accident in the middle lane. I researched the problem, and it seems there was a recall on previous Hyundai models, yet Hyundai has failed to address this issue in the 2009 Sonata. There needs to be a recall regarding this issue. It is very dangerous, and could be related to the crankshaft sensor or a number of things, but bottom line, it causes the car to become unresponsive while in motion, and the driver needs to pull over, shut off the car, and turn it on again for it to maybe work, maybe not. This is a horrible headache that needs to be addressed, and I am sure that I am not the only Sonata owner with this issue. Here is evidence: www.sonataforums.com/forum/Hyundai-Sonata-engine-technical-discussion/1906-ESC-off-light-comes-intermittantly.html so please get it done and issue a much needed recall for this major safety issue before someone gets hurt.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

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 fetal crash in the 8 am work traffic. I find on the consumer report web site that this has happened to others as well. However my dealer charged me for all the repairs and a towing fee. I have no faith in this car anymore.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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 brand tires with a mileage rating of 60,000 miles. In 2011 I took my car in for alignment at a Hyundai dealership. They informed me that "all lower control arms, cam bolts and bushings seized due to rust; can't align properly. I had a platinum extended 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty through Hyundai. The dealership called to advise of the extended warranty. The adjuster came and inspected and "extended warranty denied coverage as rust was the cause, they will not pay for repairs." The dealership argued that this is the northeastern part of the us and we have snow and the roads are salted in the winter. Dealership felt this should have been covered and tried again but coverage denied. As the owner I called the about the extended warranty and was also denied. Because correct alignment is not possible due to rust issues there is a handling/stability problem in the vehicle caused from rusted alignment components. I have followed proper scheduled maintenance but due to the propensity of rusting this Hyundai Sonata has deteriorated worse than comparable automobiles therefore causing a safety concern and a resulting loss of value. It is interesting to note that this car is exposed to northern salted roads minimally. I leave the North the first of January and head South and return in early April and have done so for the past 3 winters.

- Erie, PA, USA