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Comments: 1-15, 16-25
If you are trying out a '06 or '07 Hyundai Sonata be sure you drive it over a rougher road than what you normally would drive on and you'll detect a very bad clunking noise in the rear end of the car. Nobody seems to know what it is, but they are quick to say "it's nothing to be concerned with". I am concerned because it sounds like there is something loose back there. Initially I was told it was shocks and they were replaced, but that wasn't the problem. Then I was told it needed spring dampners installed. That was 4 months ago and when I recently inquired as to what the status is on them I'm told they haven't been manufactured yet and they probably never will be. Have been getting the run around from the dealer and Hyundai Consumer affairs ever since I bought the car new. Needless to say, my expierence with the dealer and with Hyundai has been very bad. When you ask Hyundai Consumer Affairs to help you with the problem all they do is check with the dealer who doesn't know diddly squat about the problem and all that is accomplished when they do that is that we're all going around in circles and the dealer getting irritated. IF THIS IS THE WAY HYUNDAI IS GOING TO HANDLE THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH LEGITIMATE PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO HANDLE THEM WHEN IT COMES TIME TO HONOR THEIR SO CALLED WARRANTIES? I don't know for sure, but I've got a pretty good idea based on my expierence with them to date.
In addition to the above the car does not get the 20/30 miles per gallon as they boast.
The ride in car this leaves a great deal to be desired. It is very rough, choppy one of the worst cars I have ever driven or rode in.
You may be wise to avoid buying a Hyundai manufactured car, especially a Sonata, based on the expierence I've had with the dealer and with the Hyundai Corporation.
I'm really thankful for this website. I was almost on my way out the door to pick up a new 2006 Hyundai Tiburon when I read a lot of these reviews about the AWFUL service people get from Hyundai. Having had problems with one dealer (Dodge) that refused to honor the warranty, I opted to steer clear of Hyundai.
Dude whats the big deal, I have a Sonata also, 2006, the noise you are talking about is not a big deal, where else can you get that kind of warranty, they will fix it when they have a cure for it, it is not a safety issue. You want to see a real big pile of overpriced junk, check out the fine selection of new Mercedes Benz products, friend of mine had his new 7 speed auto trans in the shop for 5 times including an entire tear down of the trans to put in some snap ring for transmission not shifting right. Every manufacturer has their initial launch problems, they eventually get to the bottom of it.
Question: Why did you buy this car in the first place if it is "very rough, choppy one of the worst cars I have ever driven or rode in"?
Did you not test drive it first?
I can empathize with you on the warranty thing. Some dealerships have been less than honest with me. I can't understand your criticizing of the car's ride though. Quiet and smooth as silk from my experience.
Maybe try and go AROUND the potholes!? It sounds like overall the car is reliable and well assembled as it has never left you stranded. If you want a car that drives like a BMW... go buy a BMW. Don't go to McDonalds and expect prime rib... but you can get a McRib... mmmmmmm McRib.
I too have noticed a thumping noise from the suspension when driven on rough roads. However, the noise does not detract from the overall comfort of the ride. I read on another forum that a Sonata owner had the problem resolved at his Hyundai dealership. Hyundai recommended that bushings be installed on the shock mounts of the rear shocks. I have not yet gone to my dealership and asked for this to be done so I can't say for certain that this will fix the problem, but it is worth a try.
I also notice the noise in the rear, but it is a minimal annoyance. you can't beat the warranty and the price. my only disapointment is the drive by wire. I have not gotten used to the way the car accelerates, and the gas mileage claims are totally off.
You are right about the mileage, I get about 16.4 mpg driving in the city, but I get about 23-26 on the highway, but those ratings are for people that drive about 55 mph, a hyundai may not be a honda, but look at all the value you get for the price, Honda Accord may have higher resale value, but it lacks a rear stabilizer bar in the Vp trim and stability control on the 4-cylinder models, you should have test driven before you bought the vehicle do not get mad at hyundai just because you did not do your homework.
Lets Talk Sonata and that Warranty, what comes to mind when the MFG says bumper to bumper... NOT we were told that the loud thumbing noise was caused by a baffle problem in the gas engine, but it was only in some 06 models and should not be in any 07 we got an 07 and not only did the Mfg not pay for new baffles the dealer who says they had to pay for them installed them pinching another object in the gas tank and the gauge read 3/4 tank full and standed my wife and I out of gas... we own two sonatas and all I can say is you get what you pay for and don't expect corporate to back either your dealership or you when it comes to even the smallest of problems, My wife and I sat throguh a screaming and finger pointing match with this corporate rep, and the dealership and no one wanted to acknowledge anything so who suffers the dummy stuck with two sonatas I will agree with one thing they do have one heck of a slogan "Retink Everything" and you best do it.
I so agree got two and truly go with their slogan "rethink everything" and choose something else.
Sounds like we have a bunch of honda and toyota lovers on this forum to me. I think you cats are making up this crap. I have a 06 sonata and 05 elantra. Best damn cars I ever bought!PERIOD!
Quit your crying, Hyundai came up with a TSB about 2 weeks ago concerning the noise in the rear shocks. They are installing modified shocks for that noise, now what do you have to cry about, the "H" logo is tilted so much so that it's affecting your gas mileage. I love both of my Hyundai's, they have has 0 problems, please do Hyundai a favor & buy a Buick or something like that, world knows the General makes flawless products.
The two posts on Dec 2nd were obviously done by the same person. Both only 8 minutes apart and contain run-on sentences. Sorry about your car, but it looks like you're dealing with a bad dealership (BTW, most Hyundai dealerships are co-spaced with other dealerships because they're really not considered a full-fledged dealer. If you're dealing with a Hyundai dealer, chances are it is owned/runned by a Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge dealship/owner.)
Sorry, can't agree with remarks like this. I have had 3 Hyundai's, an Elantra, 2002 Sonata and 2006 Sonata. All great cars. The ride in the latest Sonata is superb and very quiet. At traffic lights I have to check with the tachometer to ensure the engine is still running. I test drove Honda and Toyota and the Sonata came out top in my book. Then on top if this is the low price. Reference back-up, I did have some corrosion on the engine block, and when I checked the build date (not shown on a UK car) with the dealer, it was an old car and had been hanging around a while. Hyundai have agreed to replace the vehicle. Now that's service.
Also, Hyundai continue to climb the JD Power charts, and are now consistently better than several of the big players.
There's nothing wrong with Hyundai. Buy one and enjoy the value.
Nick
There are 4 Sonatas in our family (2003-2005). All have been flawless in reliability so far. The highest mileage vehicle has about 35,000 miles and has just had routine maintenance. My dealer is a stand alone dealer. I feel like I own a BMW the way the service department treats us. I still will take Hyundai over any of the Big 3 any day. Long term, who knows, but having the warranty gives me much peace of mind.
I always love when people complain that a car company "boasts" this or that fuel economy. Folks, the EPA rates fuel economy, not the car company.