2001 Hyundai Sonata
The Verdict
The 2001 Hyundai Sonata has 222 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (105 complaints) and electrical (48 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 50/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Sonata, consider the 2025 model year which has 92% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 92% 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.
Get notified if a recall hits this car.
We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2001 Hyundai Sonata. No spam, no marketing.
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 2001 Hyundai Sonata stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
Upper rear control arm is connected to the subframe of the car and it’s rotted/ rusted out where the bushing goes to hold the control arm in place. Where am I supposed to mount the bushing now since it’s no longer there.
RECENTLY I HAD A SITUATION WHERE I WAS DRIVING ON COUNTY ROAD WAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY COLLAPSED AND CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. TO SAY THE LEAST, I WAS A LITTLE SHOOK UP. I GOT OUT THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HAD LODGED AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL. THE CAR WOULD GO INTO GEAR BUT IT WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE SO I TURNED IT OFF. A DRIVER OF A GREEN SEDAN CAR WAS BEHIND ME AND I WAS TRYING TO WAVE HER AROUND ME BUT SHE STOPPED AND ASSISTED ME INTO GETTING MY CAR OFF THE STREET BY PUSHING MY CAR WHILE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I AM ONLY TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI THOMPSON THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER IT WAS TOWED THERE. I WENT THERE THE NEXT DAY AND THE CAR DID START BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHICH WAS A SURPRISE TO ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AND TALK TO YOU TO SEE IF THAT DAMAGE WOULD BE COVER UNDER THE RECALL FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE CRADLE. AFTER HYUNDAI THOMPSON REPAIRED MY CAR I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR A ROARING NOISE CAUSED BY THE WHEEL BEARING IN THE WHEEL THAT JAMMED AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL WHEN THE AXLE SNAPPED OFF THE SUBFRAME. THEY ALSO COULD NOT PREFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I ALSO TOOK IT FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION AND IT FAILED DUE TO SOME ITEMS I FEEL ARE RELATED TO THE REPAIR OF REPLACING THE SUBFRAME LIKE THE WHEEL BEARING, THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, BOTH FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND THE OUTER TIE RODS MISSING COTTER KEYS. I WANT TO KNOW MY RIGHTS CONCERNING THIS RECALL AND I ALSO WANT MY CAR IN THE DRIVING CONDITION BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. CASE # 15551136 WITH HYUNDAI.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET WHEN THE DRIVERS CV AXLE POPPED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND REMOVED THE WHEEL TO FIND THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED COMPLETELY INTO. I KNOW THERE ARE RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS EXACT ISSUE ON THIS TYPE OF CAR
CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY SEPARATED/ BROKE FROM THE SUBFRAME. CALLED HYUNDAI AS MECHANIC SAID THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED UNDER A RECALL THAT CAME OUT SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR "BECAUSE OF A POTENTIAL CORROSION RISK INVOLVING THE FRONT SUB-FRAME...CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVER POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL." "SEPARATION OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH" THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER YESTERDAY AND FORTUNATELY SHE DID NOT CRASH AS SHE WAS NOT IN A POPULATED AREA, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. WHY IS THIS PARTICULAR 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. IT NEEDS TO BE COVERED AND COVERED ASAP. PLEASE ASSIST. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT COLUMBIA FAMILY AUTO CARE IN JESSUP MD 301-362-0777
AIRBAG RED LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE. RESTRAINING STRAP IN REAR-LEFT SEAT DOES NOT ENGAGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH WAS CRUMBLING DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND TO THE DEALER (HYUNDAI OF CHANTILLY, 14848 STONECROFT CENTER CT, CHANTILLY, VA 20151, (703) 480-9000). THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS TO PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE TO DETERMINE THEIR SOLUTION FOR THE DEALER'S REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
PASSENGER SENSOR RIGHT FRONT,SENSOR FOUND IT FAULTY,THIS SENSOR IS UNDER THE FABRIC OF SEAT.LIGHT IS ALL WAYS ON.
BAD FUEL VAPOR SMELL IN CABIN, NO CHECK ENG LIGHT ON. CHECKED ENG LIGHT AT AUTO ZONE ANYWAY, CODE SAID VAPOR VALVE GOING TO CANISTER/DUMP AFTER WARM UP. HYUNDAI BY PHONE SAID CANISTER NEEDED REPLACED($400+). I LIVE ON DISABILITY SSI, TOO EXPENSIVE. TOOK TO SMALL GARAGE, AFTER LIFTING, BOTTOM OF GAS TANK WAS WET WITH GAS(BY THE EXHAUST). ONE GUY WENT TO ACCESS POINT FOR FUEL TANK FOR REPLACING FUEL PUMP. A 6 INCH RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING THE LINE OUT OF THE FUEL TANK CONNECTING TO METAL RAIL FUEL LINE BENT AT OVER 90 DEGREES, HAD A HOLE AT THE WEAKEST POINT, IN THE INSIDE BEND. I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER, BUT [XXX], COULD ONLY DRIVE IT AFTER MIDNIGHT IN HOT SUMMER. CODE EXPLAINED CAR AFTER WARM UP OPENS THIS VALVE TO DUMP VAPOR BUILD UP IN CANISTER. SOUNDS RIGHT, CODE AND EVERYTHING, AFTER I FINALLY HAD THEM CHECK FOR CODES WITHOUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOT COMING ON. SUCH A CHEAP COST OF A RUBBER HOSE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A BRADED FLEXIBLE METAL CONNECTION. [XXX], I'M LUCKY. I GAVE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP REPAIR GUY OVER THE PHONE THE ENGINE CODE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WAS INFORMED APPROXIMATELY 2006-2007 BY GOOD SAMARITAN, BILL OSTERHAGE, THAT HIS DAUGHTER'S 2002 HYUNDAI FRONT TIRE ROD AXIAL BROKE D/T MAJOR CORROSIVE ISSUES WITH FRAME DEFECTS. HE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY FOR CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT TO BE STARTED D/T SAFETY ISSUES TO PREVENT DEATH TO OTHERS & REPAIR FRAME TO ROB CAREY AT ROB.CAREY @ATT.NET & [email protected]. FROM 2006- UNTIL 2009 DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGES, I ASKED KERRY HYUNDAI IN ALEXANDRIA, KY TO CHECK MY FRAME D/T VISUAL RUST & ABOUT RECALL. HYUNDAI FINALLY ADMITTED AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IN A LETTER TO ME ON 6/24/09 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 4/16/09 AND MY FRAME TO BE REPLACED. 8/15/16 I LOST CONTROL OF MY 2001 SONATA, HYUNDAI WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY DURING RUSH HOUR D/T MAJOR CORROSIVE ISSUES CAUSING RIGHT REAR TIRE ROD TO BREAK. I DID TWO 360 DEGREE TURNS FROM FAST LANE TO SLOW LANE. GRACE OF GOD I DIDN'T CRASH OR CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS. FILLED REPORT WITH HYUNDAI DEALER & CORPORATION 8/16/16. CORPORATION STATED THAT THERE IS CORROSIVE SETTLEMENT FOR FRONT FRAME AND ANOTHER FOR THE REAR FRAME. HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS AND HYUNDAI CORPORATION HAS NOT CONTACTED ME BACK, BUT STATED COMPLIANT ALONE WITH PICTURES TAKEN BY DEALER HAS BEEN SENT TO "REGIONAL AGENT". MANAGER OF SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM DEALERSHIP AT KERRY HYUNDAI ALEXANDRIA, KY, JEFF, STATED "THE MATTER IS OUT OF HIS HANDS AND REPRESENTATIVE FROM HYUNDAI CORPORATION IS TO HANDLE MATTER. ALSO, JEFF, MANAGER OF SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT KERRY HYUNDAI, STATED "DAMAGE TO FRAME COST MORE THAN WHAT CARE IS WORTH". MECHANIC AT KERRY HYUNDAI STATED THAT "HYUNDAI HAS MAJOR ISSUE WITH FRAMES, THIS IS THE THIRD ONE THIS MONTH, OF AUGUST, THAT HAS COME IN D/T CORROSIVE DEFECTS, AND ONE OF THE CARS WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD". PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. LIFE IS A PRECIOUS GIFT AND NO MONETARY AMOUNT CAN REPLACEMENT IT.
MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH SOMEONE PULLED OUT OF A SIDE ROAD INTO HIS PATH OF TRAVEL. THE FRONT OF THE HYUNDAI FROM JUST PAST THE GRILL ON DRIVER'S SIDE TO ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL FORWARD ON THE OTHER CAR. NEITHER THE STEERING WHEEL NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY HYUNDAI. HE HIT WITH SUCH FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BOWED AND STEERING COLUMN WAS BROKEN ALONG WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE DASH WHERE HIS KNEES HIT.
MY CAR HAS A REAR RUST PROBLEM THAT HAS LEFT THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. THE SUPPORT FOR THE WHEEL HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE REAR WHEELS ARE TILTING IN. I DID LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AS IT SWAYED FOR ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO THE OTHER LANE AND BACK. MY SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH A SPEAD LIMIT OF 45 TO 55. WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE CAR SWERVED UNCONTROLABLY THE RUST IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT OUR GOVERNMENT IS IGNORING. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT OF THE CAR IN FOR THE ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAME. DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS RECALL ALLOWS THE MECHANIC TO DRILL HOLES IN THE SUBFRAME TO HELP THE MOISTER ESCAPE. SOUNDS LIKE A TEMPORARY FIX TO A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DESIGN DID NOT ALLOW FOR MOISTURE PROBLEMS. YET THE PROBLEM IS ROAD SALT ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL LAW SUIT. BUT THEN WHY DRILL HOLES IF THE MOISTURE IS COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE HOLES ARE NOT DRILLED FOR ANY REASON EXCEPT TO ALLOW MOISTURE TO ESCAPE FROM A POORLY DESIGNED SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE CARS INHERENT PROBLEM. WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET TERRIFIED OR DIE. REALLY THIS NEEDS TO GET DONE BY OUR GOVERNMENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. LIKE THE PINTO GAS TANK DESIGN.
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND LEAKED OUT FLUID THROUGH A STEEL RUSTED BRAKE LINE ON DRIVER SIDE , I HAD THE STEEL LINE REPLACED, A MONTH LATER SAME INCIDENT THANK GOD IT HAPPENED AGAIN ONLY THE OPPOSITE SIDE THE BRAKE LINE LEAKED . IF THIS HAPPENED IN AN EMERGENCY STOP I MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHARE THIS .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, THUMB, KNEES, NECK, AND CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION UPPER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
MY CARS FRONT SUBFRAME BROKE DUE TO CORROSION AND AXLE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 615.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXLE AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V105000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. UPDATED 10/22/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT HYUNDAI WAS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE ONE TIME UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPDATED 4/2/2015 *JS
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE WHEEL AND ASSEMBLY BROKE FREE FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DROPPED THE CAR TO THE GROUND PUSHED THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHEEL WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE MAKE AND MODEL THEIR IS A RECALL PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY APPLIES TO THE SALT BELT. MY CAR WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD AND OPERATED IN VIRGINIA FOR 7 YEARS. THIS ISSUE WITH THE SUB FRAME IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL BUT DUE TO THE CAR NOT BEING TITLED IN THE SALT BELT, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DRIVEN THROUGH THE SO CALLED SALT BELT, HYUNDAI IS SAYING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I BELIEVE ALL CARS THAT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T GOING FAST AS IT COULD HAVE JEOPARDIZED MY LIFE OR ANYONE ELSE'S THAT WAS TRAVELING ON THE ROAD. *TR
222 total