Everything has gone wrong with this vehicle. It has been in the shop around 10 times in 15 months and each time it goes into the shop there are always two or more things wrong with it.
When the vehicle had 10000 miles on it, it got a flat tire and when we changed the tire the car feel off that jack twice because the jack was not strong enough to support the weight of the car.
The engine light has come on a number of times and there have been many different problems with different parts from the engine.
The brake light has come on a number of times and the Master Cylinder has had to be replaced 3 times, and there have been other problems with the brakes as well.
The air bag light has come on a few times and there have been numerous items associated with the airbag.
We have had it completely stall on us. It was taken in by tow truck and the car, which needed another part which had been back ordered, had to have yet another part replaced.
The service has been fine, but this particular car has been awful. We are looking to trade it in on a new Hyndai Santa Fe because we do a lot of driving and we need a good warranty, and the dealer which we bought the car from was not even willing to give us repeat customer benefits. We understand that each company has lemons and that is why we are willing to give Hyundai another chance, because they have stood behind our lemon, but we will not be returning to the dealer which sold us the car.
The dealer never kept the company informed that we purchased the car so when we talked to the company directly, they had no idea that we had owned the car for over a year.
We are upset because we like the way the car drives, but need to trade it in for our own protection against having to put a lot of money into it after the warranty wears off. We are getting ripped off severely in order for us to complete the transaction of trading it in so we have a new vehicle with a better warranty. We have been taken in more than one way because we will not be able to rectify the situation through any course of legal action, because we bought the vehicle used.
I just want to say that the 2002 Hyundai Sonata is much better. It is even redesigned!
The car has a solid feel to it. (Test drove one!)
The Sonata, with the Shiftronic transmission, is VERY responsive. It literally shifts into second gear at 10 miles per hour.
Tip: Get the black leather seats!...
Highest price for the 2002 Sonata: $18,000.
I am the owner of a 1999 Hyundai Sonata and for the most part have had a good experience with this vehicle. There have been a couple of drawbacks to this ownership which are listed below:
A) Both rear wheel bearings went bad within 60,000 miles.
B) CD player does not accept another CD after ejecting the present CD if the heater has been running for an extended period of time. Replacement CD player experiences the same problem.
C) Air bag light occasionally turns on - this is due to a connector under the seat. It was corrected at the dealership by mechanic by spraying of contact cleaner.
I have put over 80,000 miles on this car since I purchased in 1999. The first 65,000 were in the first 2 years of ownership.
I am now entering the maintenance phase of ownership with the vehicle and have the following comments:
A) Brake pad replacement for front pads is simple and easy.
B) On the V6 it appears that the rear bank of plugs cannot be replaced without removal of part of the intake manifold. I am still working to get these last 3 changed out without removal of manifold. Good design on the plug wires to keep dust and dirt out of the plug wells.
You have to remove the intake to change the back three plugs. I'm a forklift mechanic and just did it, but unless you have mechanical ability take it the dealer ($300). Be sure if you do this yourself to allow the engine to fully cool. The aluminum threads strip out easily. I am having some issue with brakes dragging/squealing, anyone else seeing this? Also with an intermittent jerking, I've already had one transmission go out at 30,000 miles.
My daughter has taken her 2000 Hyundai back to the dealership 5 times for a jerking motion when she has the ac on and driving. They still cannot find the cause of this problem. Has anyone else have this problem. This is a tremendous inconvenience since she is a single parent, and cannot be going back and forth to the dealership. Now they are contacting the general manager of Hyndai to figure out the problem She has had a new exhaust system, crank shaft sensor, new ac compressor and ac belt replaced and it is still jerking. Any information would be so helpful, as her mother I worry especially with two small children and no family near her. Thanks, Jan.
I currently own a 2002 hyundai sonata, great car, but the darn air bag light is coming on, it currently has 71000 miles on it and took it to the dealer, they told me warranty only covers internal engine and transimssion parts, nothing else after 17000 miles. I am a bit angry at this dealer (champion in houston), I will try another dealer see if they can do anything.
To just check the car it's a cost of 95 dollars, I am no rocket scientist (well actually I am) but I would rather take this vehicle to a regular mechanic and get it worked on, probably for 100 total cost.
I had just recently bought a hyundai sonata gls leather loaded its all a crock of crap this car is a horrible veichle never ever even think about buying a sonata or hyundai no matter how good the price tag looks.
Toronto, ontario, canada.
I had recently purchased the 1999 Hyundai sonata and let me tell you it is junk I had to replace all the sensors the air bag light won't go off and the check engine light keeps on coming on and off I had the alternator replaced and the belt new spark plugs I spent over 6'000 just to keep the car running.
If the airbag light is blinking or constantly on, the dealer must repair it free of charge. There is no limit on warranty for a safety device malfunction.
I bought a 1999 Sonata GLS not long ago. Yes, it does appear there is a bit of a malfunction in the air bag warning indicator... but that is a matter of cleaning the contacts.
Service engine light is on... but the computer diagnostic shows nothing wrong.
That doesn't bother me in the least.
Having owned a number of cars from GM and Nissan, I think it is a great little car. 28-29 mpg with the air on in combined city/highway driving. Great driving car... recently drove a friend's 2006 Accord on a 4 hour trip... and the Sonata drives better and is just as comfortable. It is easier to maneuver in parallel parking than friend's Accord.
Interstate Lane changes... just barely turn the wheel! Cruise control: never budges from set speed... better than our 2005 Nissan! Better gas mileage than similar size cars.
A friend has an 04 Acura... transmission went out at 43,000 miles...cost? $3600!
Sure makes the paltry sum I paid for the Sonata seem a great bargain!
I must admit I have had my '99 passed down to from my father who bought it nearly new and has done nearly 170,000 kms. It has had nearly no major problems, apart from recently my two front electric windows have stopped working, but who needs open windows. Its great to drive, especially on freeways/motorways, but it doesn lose a lot of power when the aircon is on, but that's due to getting the 2.0L 4 cyl model. Apart from that I'm quite happy with it and the looks have definately grown on me!!!
I own a 1999 Hyundai Sonata V6 and it's a POS for sure!!!
Bought it used for $5,500.00 and have put over $5,000 into it to keep it running! Replaced engine mounts, 3 or 4 sensors, all the belts and hoses, 3 alternators in 2 years, and a few other things and now it has yet another fuel leak and has trouble shutting off after you turn the key off! People back away from my car when I park it at work :-) Gonna sell it for whatever I can and buy a Honda!!! Bye Bye Hyundai!!!
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