2001 Hyundai Sonata Reviews

The only major problem that I have had with this car, is that I had to replace the A/C compressor in 2006 when the car had about 180,000 miles on it.

Nothing major other than that.

This car is very reliable. Has never left me stranded in 369,000 miles. Still has good compression. Can still go over 100 MPH, even with this many miles. I have never had to rebuild anything on this car.

Water pump went out around 50 K miles; Replaced timing belt at this time.

Passenger side window off track, won't go up all the way, occurred around 35 K miles.

Replaced alternator, repaired burnt connectors and wiring at 73 K miles. (Battery cable was burnt and had to be replaced???)

Replaced spark plugs, ignition coil boots and/or wires, scan and clear fault codes, inspect secondary ignition system, replace plug wires, ignition coil assembly.

Flush transmission and transmission cooling system.

R & R timing belt, balance shaft belt and crankshaft position sensor, clear fault code and road test.= (the balance shaft belt was broken, wrapped around the crankshaft position sensor & broke it).

Check engine light on again, now has pending code P0446, EVAP Vent control solenoid circuit performance, and P 0723 Engine speed input circuit.

Grandparents purchased this car in 2003. They were the 2nd owners, and car had about 23 K miles on it.

Since this time, the regular maintenance has been kept on the vehicle with regular oil changes, tune ups, and required maintenance was performed per scheduled requirements, such as servicing transmission and replacing timing belt, etc.

It was very dependable up until around 50 K miles; after that, if it hasn't been one thing, it has been another; Parts and labor has totaled around $3,000 at this point. I'm not sure how much this latest repair will cost. I have to say I'm very disappointed in Hyundai at this time.

The check engine light has come on a total of about 4-5 times; each time prompting rather expensive repairs.

One of the above repairs resulted in the car breaking down on the freeway and having to be towed into the repair shop. Preventive maintenance does not prevent expensive repairs, and there is no way to predict what sensor is going to turn on the check engine light next time; Of course, the 10K warranty doesn't transfer to the 2nd owner, and was never of any help.

In first three years, power window motors were replaced twice, each front door. Oxygen sensor replaced three times. Tires were dry rotted after two years.

Fourth and fifth year, paint started peeling/oxidizing from the back bumper and side moldings. All except tires were repaired/replaced under warranty.

Sixth and seventh years, both front and rear variable speed sensors broke and needed replacing. These keep the car in gear (or not, as happened on the freeway), but are not covered under warranty. Paint is peeling on the roof and inside the door handles. The radio antenna has problems going up and down. The dealer offered to replace the motor for only $340. I laughed at them.

Eighth year, rack and pinion leaked oil and needed replacing. Chrome on the inside door handles is peeling and will cut you if you open the door wrong.

I love the way it handles, and the way it looks (ignoring the peeling paint).

I only have 35200 miles, and am searching for a new car. The engine train warranty doesn't mean anything because the engine itself doesn't break, just everything around it. I thought I could hold out for the ten year warranty, but I think it's time to cut my losses. Maybe someone will take it for scrap.