47 complaints reported

2001 Hyundai Sonata Structure

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
47
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jun 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,655.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2012
Apr 2012

ON 4/10/12 WENT TO GET CAR INSPECTED AND IT FAILED WAS TOLD REAR SUB FRAME ROTTEN. CALLED AND TALKED TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP. WE HAD THE SUB FRAME IN FRONT REPLACED BY LIA HYUNDAI IN JAN 2010 WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL. I DON'T GET WHY THE REAR WAS NOT RECALL IF THAT RUSTED OUT TOO. NOW I'M LOOKING AT $700-$800 TO HAVE IT FIX. I FEEL THAT IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THIS SHOULD OF BEEN REPLACED WHEN I DID THE FRONT. I HAVE TALKED TO THESE PEOPLE ABOUT THIS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CALL YOU BACK WITH ANSWER WHEN THEY SAY THEY WILL CHECK INTO IT AND WILL CALL ME BACK. I CALLED THEM FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND IT'S THE SAME ANSWER. THIS CAR IS RUNNING GREAT EXCEPT FOR THE SUBFRAME. PLEASE IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO AT LEAST PAY SOMETHING TO HELP ME WITH THIS. I WORK THREE JOBS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THEM RIGHT NOW WITH NO CAR. *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2012
Mar 2012

THE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED OUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO NO LONGER BE DRIVABLE UNTIL THE SUBFRAME IS REPLACED. I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2012
Nov 2011

I INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED SEVERAL LARGE HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE ENGINE CRADLE. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT AND NOTICED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD NEAR FATAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2011
Jun 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND WHEEL COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS IN A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND UPON ARRIVAL, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2010
May 2010

I OWN A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. LAST NIGHT MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLING VERY BADLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT THIS AFTERNOON I NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT FRAME WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2010
Mar 2010 Crash

NOTICED AN ISSUE IN JANUARY 2010: TOOK CAR TO A AUTO-REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR; NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT SERVICE. ON 03/22/2010 WHILE LEAVING A SHOPPING MALL THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEARED A HARD LEFT INTO A CEMENT LIGHT POLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT. (I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN TIME AND TURN THE VEHICLE) ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUMPER AND QUARTER-PANEL, BODY DAMAGE ONLY. I THEN TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH AT THAT POINT OPERATED IN DRIVABLE CONDITION. ON MY WAY TO THE AUTO-REPAIR (LESS THEN 1 MILE AWAY) MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION IN ANOTHER SHOPPING PLAZA. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE AUTO-REPAIR SHOP, WHICH THEN LATER CALLED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE FRAME OF THE CAR WAS CRACKED AND THE WHIEEL WAS DETATCHED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK THE MATTER VERY LIGHTLY TELLING ME TO JUST BRING THE CAR IN (THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE). I CALL MY TOWING COMPANY AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW AWAITING RESPONSE. I WAS NOT OFFERED A LOANER, NOR DID THE MANAGER KNOW OF ANY RECALL, NEITHER DID I, SOMETHING I HAD TO INVESTIGATE FOR MYSELF. (LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN OR I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2010
Dec 2009

I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE RIGHT FRONT BEGAN TO PULL, UPON TAKING THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THE FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH ON THERE RIGHT SIDE AND ALMOST AS BAD ON THE LEFT SIDE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2009
Dec 2009

UNDERFRAME OF 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2009
Nov 2009

I WAS DRIVING AND THE TIRE FELL OFF THE FRONT FRAME FROM BEING RUSTED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2009
Oct 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT TOWARDS THE RIGHT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE DISCOVERED THAT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED , IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO TILT TOWARDS THE RIGHT. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2009
Jul 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE REPLACING THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS NOT GRIPPING CORRECTLY. HE EXAMINED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME ON BOTH OF THE FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH HIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. HE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2009
Jul 2009

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE FRAME SNAPPED ON THE FRONT RIGHT HAND SIDE LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE ITS AN 01 WITH 68,000 MILES.*TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2009
Jun 2009

I OWN A 20001 HYUNDAI SONATA. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PULLING BADLY TO THE RIGHT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT FRONT IS SEVERELY RUSTED. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DO SO. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2009
May 2009

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TORE OUT OF SUB FRAME CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL OUT OF CONTROL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. BOTH AXLES WERE DESTROYED. HYUNDAI WILL PAY FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT BUT NO OTHER COSTS. THE AXLES , 2 TOWS. 1 TO MY HOME THE 2ND TO DEALERSHIP OR THE CAR RENTAL THAT THEY ARRANGED AND ORIGINALLY SAID THEY PAY FOR. MY CASE MANAGER WILL NOT TAKE MY CALLS NOR WILL ANYBODY EXPLAIN WHY THEY WONT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES THERE OWN DEALER SAID WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FRAME. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2009
Apr 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND WAS ADVISED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,300.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2009
Apr 2009

WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT MY FRAME IS ROTTING OUT. HAS HOLES SIZE OF GOLF BALL NOT TO MENTION LINES 5-6" OF ROT. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT HE WILL NO LONGER WORK ON THE CAR AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE IT AND SUGGESTS I GET A NEW CAR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2009
Apr 2009

THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND THOUGHT I NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT AFTER COMING BACK FROM TAKING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND STARTED MAKING A RATTLING SOUND WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR (REVERSE AND DRIVE ) I THOUGHT IS WAS AXLE THAT MAY HAVE SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC WHO SAID I HAD A LOT OF RUST AND A WHOLE IN MY FRAME AND THE RUST STARTED TO FALL OFF THE CAR FRAME. I CALLED THE CONSUME AFFAIRS DEPT FOR HYUNDAI AND THEY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HOPEFULLY GET FIXED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $2,100.00 FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2009
Mar 2009

IN FEBRUARY I HAD GONE TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED BY MY UNCLE WHO WORKS AT A SHOP IN FRANKLIN HE HAD PUT MY CAR UP ON THE LIFT AND LOOKED IT OVER TO ENSURE THERE WASN'T ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS IN WHICH HE CONCLUDED THERE WAS NOT. ON MARCH 20TH 09 I WENT TO PEP BOYS TO HAVE 4 NEW TIRES PUT ON AND AN ALIGNMENT DONE. ON MARCH 24TH I WAS DRIVING MY SON HOME AND NOTICE THE CAR WAS MAKING A ODD NOISE AND FIGURED I SHOULD GET IT LOOKED AT. I WENT HOME AND ABOUT AN HOUR LATER I WENT TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO TAKE MY CAR TO MY UNCLES SHOP WHEN I HEARD A TERRIBLE LOUD NOISE SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT MY AXLE BROKE OFF AND MY SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND MY ENGINE WAS ALMOST ON THE GROUND. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2009
Mar 2009

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 30MPH AND THE CAR STARTED SWERVING LEFT AND RIGHT LIKE 'CRAZY'. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT EVEN THOUGH WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND THERE WAS CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SUBFRAME OF THE CAR WHERE THE LOWER TORQUE ARM ATTACHES TO THE WHEEL. THE TORQUE ARM LOOKED FINE BUT WHERE IT ATTACHED WAS RUSTED SO MUCH IT BROKE. I TOUCHED THIS AREA AND NOTICED A FIST SIZED HOLE OF METAL HAD RUSTED AWAY. HYUNDAI APPARENTLY USED VERY CHEAP METAL WHEN BUILDING THEIR PRODUCT. I CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE AND NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL SIDE IS ABOUT READY TO BREAK TOO AND FALL OFF THE CAR. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT HOME TRYING MY BEST TO STAY IN ONE LANE WHICH WAS VERY HARD AND DIDN'T ALWAYS DO THAT. I WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES LATER. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2009
Mar 2009

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA BOUGHT LESS THAN 4 YEARS AGO HAS SEVERE ROTTING IN THE SUBFRAME. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CONSIDERS IT A DEATHTRAP. I'VE HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL IT IS APPALLING. I AM COMPLETELY DISGUSTED IN THE FACT THAT THIS DEGREE OF ROT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN 3 YEARS AND MOST DEFINITELY WAS SOLD TO ME THIS WAY. I WAS NOT TOLD BY THE DEALER OF ANY ROT IN THE SUBFRAME WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, HOW IS THAT LEGAL??? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE ALL TO COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR OR DO PEOPLE HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THIS IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY? *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2009
Mar 2009

I HAVE A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. I JUST BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR MY CAR AND WANTED THEM TO DO AN ALIGNMENT AS I THOUGHT IT REALLY NEEDED ONE. COME TO FIND OUT FROM THE MECHANIC, MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE MY ENGINE CRADLE (SUB FRAME) IS COMPLETELY RUSTED IN HALF WHICH WAS THROWING OFF MY ALIGNMENT. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME THING, WHY HAS THIS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2009
Mar 2009

2001 HYUNDAI SONATA FRAME RUSTED AT FRONT SWING ARM, BOTH SIDES. 109K MILES. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2009
Feb 2009

I HAVE A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA I PURCHASED IN 2005 USED FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL GARAGE IN JANUARY 2009 SO THEY COULD CHECK OUT A NOISE MY CAR IS MAKING. THEY SAID THAT WHEN THEY PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT, THEY SAW THAT MY CRADLE IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THAT MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN JUNE AND REPLACING IT WOULD BE ABOUT THE COST OF MY CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE MADE A RECALL SO I DON'T HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2009
Feb 2009

VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO UNALIGN COUNTER CLOCKWISE IN THE LAST WEEK,THEN A NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL, THEN MY WIFE PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WHEN I NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL ON A TILT. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE IS A HUGE 4" HOLE OF RUST RIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2009

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2001 Hyundai Sonata has 47 Structure complaints on file. 3 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.