2000 Hyundai Sonata
The Verdict
The 2000 Hyundai Sonata has 281 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (159 complaints) and electrical (61 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 45/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Sonata, consider the 2025 model year which has 94% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 94% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Hyundai Sonata dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 4
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA...
Risk
IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCO...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG...
Risk
NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEI...
Reported Sep 4, 2002
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AI...
Risk
THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RI...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY ...
Reported Jun 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE M...
Risk
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
Reported Nov 9, 2000
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 159 | 11 | 61 | 35 | 15 |
| 2001 | 105 | 18 | 48 | 32 | 19 |
| 2002 | 176 | 25 | 66 | 46 | 11 |
| 2003 | 85 | 14 | 56 | 35 | 9 |
| 2004 | 108 | 14 | 54 | 17 | 9 |
| 2005 | 62 | 11 | 72 | 16 | 4 |
| 2006 | 370 | 74 | 492 | 93 | 17 |
| 2007 | 241 | 98 | 291 | 57 | 9 |
| 2008 | 146 | 55 | 161 | 55 | 8 |
| 2009 | 181 | 93 | 74 | 80 | 31 |
| 2010 | 224 | 28 | 35 | 39 | 19 |
| 2011 | 1303 | 113 | 737 | 1090 | 118 |
| 2012 | 431 | 118 | 304 | 642 | 51 |
| 2013 | 510 | 107 | 329 | 894 | 47 |
| 2014 | 117 | 44 | 173 | 370 | 30 |
| 2015 | 247 | 50 | 97 | 673 | 55 |
| 2016 | 120 | 35 | 86 | 455 | 18 |
| 2017 | 260 | 15 | 59 | 407 | 16 |
| 2018 | 81 | 15 | 36 | 221 | 10 |
| 2019 | 30 | 1 | 30 | 90 | 2 |
| 2020 | 51 | 2 | 26 | 74 | 13 |
| 2021 | 36 | 4 | 14 | 50 | 15 |
| 2022 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 42 | 14 |
| 2023 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 60 | 7 |
| 2024 | 17 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2000 Hyundai Sonata stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
Rt passenger side wheel clunks when turning, loud noise when moving took to dealer they found nothing wrong. I returned to dealer again a couple weeks later to confirm my a arm needs repairs, safety issues airbag’s light remaining lit told repairs not available for year and make iwas told to deal with it by dealer even if it was a safety issue, driving car doesn’t matter what speed my back end sounds like it is falling apart and my car will slam out or into gear I have reviewed recalls and safety issues and I have been told that they have been closed even if my car is currently having issues with the vehicle recalls ie..slamming in and out of gear, arm issues and clunky noises on turns and driving,rear end clunk sounds like no shocks or struts
STEERING AND STABILITY UNSTABLE. MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME IS RUSTY AND CRACKED. THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS REPLACED AROUND 2010 BECAUSE OF A RECALL. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP LOSE TRACTION AND BECOMES UNSTABLE. WANT TO KNOW IF THE REPLACEMENT FRAME HAS A WARRANTY. WANT TO KEEP THE CAR STILL RUNS GREAT. 170,000 MILES
I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN AIRBAG RECALL ON SOME MODEL CARS, I DRIVE A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS THAT HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ACTIVATED ON THE DASHBOARD. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE, I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT, OR WHAT TO DO, PLEASE ADVISE. THIS AIRBAG LITE ON THE DASHBOARD GOES ON AS SOON AS I START THE ENGINE, AND STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THIS AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF UNTIL I TURN THE ENGINE OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CONTROL ARM FAILURE AND RUSTED SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
"TAKADA RECALL " TRANSMISSION DON'T SHIFT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON IT IS SUCK IN 3RD GEAR NEXT TIME START CAR NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAR SHIFTS BUT BANGS HARD IN AND OUT OF NEXT GEAR THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR IS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR.ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ALL TIME.
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ON SIDE ROAD, THE LOWER LEFT CONTROL ARM PULLED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE FRAME. INSPECTION AFTER FOUND LARGE HOLE RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRAME RAIL. INSPECTED RIGHT SIDE AND FRAME HAS SAME TYPE OF RUSTED AND MISSING FRAME SEGMENTS. THANKFULLY THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED AND NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEGINNING WITH 1999 MODEL. *TR
2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RUSTED REAR CROSS MEMBER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN DECEMBER 2008, THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER BECAME RUSTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER AS IT WAS UNDER RECALL DUE TO RUST. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR CROSS MEMBER FRAME RUSTED AND ABOUT TO BREAK APART. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. AND THE COST TO REPLACE IT, WAS $3,000. *JB
THE FUEL TANK ON 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA IS CRACKED AND LEAKING GASOLINE. THERE IS A STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HAZMAT TEAM RESPONDED. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN AN EXPLOSION IF THE GAS VAPORS IGNITED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR HYUNDAI SONATA. THE FUEL TANK CAN CRACK AND LEAK GASOLINE. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY 2000 SONATA. THE CAR IS NOW AT A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE REPLACING THE SUBRAME BECAUSE IT HAS A RECALL FOR SEVER RUST. THEY DO NOT WANT TO RECALL THE ISSUE WITH THE RUSTED, CRACKED FUEL TANK. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER (TAYLOR HYUNDAI) DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BAG RECALL ON THIS MODEL. *TR
WHEN DRIVING TO WORK THE WHEEL START TO PULL. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I TOOK A LOOK AT THE FRAME THERE WAS A 2 INCH CRACK IN ONE SIDE AND A 1/4 INCH BY 20 INCH CRACK IN THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN I TOUCH IT THE FRAME WAS ROTTEN. *TR
WHEN I TRY TO FILL THE VEHICLE WITH GAS IT STOPS EVERY FEW CENTS, SIMULAR TO WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL, EVEN WHEN IT IS ON EMPTY. IT TAKES UPWARDS OF 30-45 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK. SOMETIMES THE GAS GAUGE IS ON LOW WHEN I TRY TO FILL IT UP BUT IT STOPS FILLING SO OFTEN THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE PUMPS TO BE ABLE TO FILL MY TANK TO FULL. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE GAS SPILL OUT THE TOP OF THE TANK JUST BY TRYING TO PUT ENOUGH GAS IN MY VEHICLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG HYUNDAI VEHICLE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR TO HAVE A GOOD, RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR OUR DAUGHTER TO DRIVE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ALLOWING HER TO GO ON A LONG ROAD TRIP WHEN SHE HAS TO SPEND SO LONG FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA ON GOOD ROAD AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE LEFT THROUGH-LANE OF A MULTILANE STREET, I MADE A QUICK STOP (NOT AND EMERGENCY STOP) WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW. THE ROAD WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND DRY, AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT ABOUT 80 DEGREES F. UPON MAKING THIS STOP THE CAR PULLED UNUSUALLY SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT - IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR IN THE RIGHT LANE, I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. AFTER THIS STOP, THE FRONT TIRE(S) MADE UNUSUAL SQUEELING NOISES UPON TURNING, AND THE STEERING FELT UNUSUAL AND SHAKEY. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY (ABOUT A MILE) TO THE PLACE WE WERE VISITING IN LAS VEGAS AND THE NEXT MORNING TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FRAME CROSSMEMBER (FRONT SUBFRAME) HAD A CORROSION HOLE THROUGH THE FRONT SUBBFRAME AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) TIRE TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION AND SITTING AT AN ANGLE. THE DEALER'S ADVICE WAS THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND IT COULD FURTHER FAIL AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THEY ADVISED THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THIS THIS FRONT SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED. THIS IS A REPLACEABLE PIECE - WHICH WAS ORDERED, AND REPLACEMENT PLANNED. THE CAR WAS LEFT WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALER, AND NOT DRIVEN FURTHER. THIS SITUATION IS ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL TO NHTSA REFERENCE NUMBER 13V354000 FOR THE REAL SUSPENSION FOR SOME HYUNDAI VEHICLES THAT LED TO HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 113 APPROVED IN SEPT 2013. HYUNDAI RECORDS SHOW THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN ILLINOIS (ONE OF THE APPROVED 113-RECALL STATES) AND IT WAS DRIVEN THERE FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS OR SO. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12-01-029 DATED OCTOBER 2012 (SUPERSEDES BULLETIN 09-01-020-2) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS FRONT SUBFRAME PROBLEM, BUT, I AM TOLD, IT IS NOT AN APPROVED RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. RETURNED BY USPS ON 10-17-2013. SECOND ATTEMPT ON 10-31-2013 FAILED. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER STRUT MOUNT HAD PENETRATED THROUGH THE MOUNTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TR
RUST REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM SUBFRAME, MADE NOISE ENOUGH TO TAKE TO MECHANIC WHO FOUND PROBLEM WHY IS IT THAT ONLY FRONT SUBFRAME & FRONT CONTROL ARMS WERE INCLUDED IN RECALL? THE REAR PARTS ARE ALSO RUSTING.... PARTS ARE MADE FROM SAME MATERIAL = SAME PROBLEM ... THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE BOTH THE FRONT AND THE BACK. WHY WOULD ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE CAR RUST AND NOT THE OTHER RIDICULOUS!! *TR
MY HYUNDAI DEALER HAS REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR 100,000MILES, 10 YEARS WARRANTY" MANY TIMES THAT I BRING THE CAR TO BE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY 8YEARS OLD AND 76,000 MILES SINCE 2008. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT I EXPERIENCED BY SAYING MY CAR IS NOT LISTED IN ANY RECALL CAMPAIGN. UNFORTUNATELY THIS YEAR, ON 10/11/12, I TOOK MY CAR FOR AN ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION FOR 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA AND IT FAILS THE SAFETY INSPECTION. HERE IS WHAT IT SAYS: ***VEHICLE MEMO*** VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE...REAR SUB-FRAME HAS HOLE ROTTED THROUGH... DUE TO THE CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION, I DON'T KNOW HOW I WILL GET THIS CAR FIXED BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOW 115,000MILES AND 12 YEARS OLD AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL FIX IT. THEY HAVE CONTINUOUSLY REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY EVEN WHEN IT WAS CLEARLY WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND I WAS LUCKY THEN THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAY THE FIXES OUT OF POCKET BUT I DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF PAYING OUT OF POCKET THIS TIME. I AM IN NEED OF MIRACLES NOW. *TR
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA MY HUSBAND'S SONATA CAME TO AN SCREECHING HALT IN WHICH HE ALMOST LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE OUT OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS VERY APPARENT THAT THE AXLE HAD BROKEN AND THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RELOCATED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS FROM HYUNDAI'S FRONT SUB FRAME CORROSION TREATMENT (CORROSION CLASS ACTION CC1) GROUP-CAMPAIGN, NUMBER 11-01-038 DATE-OCTOBER, 2011. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY RECORD THAT THIS RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO OUR HOME OF ADDRESS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR TIRE MAINTENANCE, THE FRONT SUBFRAME LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FOUND TO BE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
GAS LIGHT DON'T WORK, THE ODOMETER DON'T WORK, WHEN IT RAINS THE CAR LIGHTS DIME AND THE CAR ALMOST DIES... *TR
I WAS HEADING EASTBOUND GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. AN SUV WAS HEADING WESTBOUND AND ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE SUV STRUCK MY VEHICLE AND TOTALED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE SIDE AND FRONT AIRBAGS. I AM LUCKY I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BECAUSE OTHER THAN THAT, I HAD NO OTHER PROTECTION. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR
281 total