2001 Hyundai Sonata from North America - Comments

RE: Now it is accompanied by almost stalling out everytime I stop at a light or stop sign - There is a recall for the issue you describe:

http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/67-int/2000/hyundai/sonata/gls/index.html.

And don't let the dealer tell you it's wires, that's a load of crap to cover their costs for putting in the recall at the same time.

I had the same problem, I also had a transmission speed sensor replaced which seemed to do the trick. I still have the 2000 sonata, wish I would have got a Toyota.

-Complete transmission replaced within first 3 months

-4 Window assemblies replaced (1 twice)

-Stalling, engine light problems stated above

-BUY SOMETHING ELSE!

Went to work this morning thinking I'll need to replace my ageing, but essentially reliable nissan saloon, soon, but I don't have much cash. Walked by a Sonata that looked good value and well specced... thought I'd better check out what carsurvey said.

...rather glad I did.

If you are told to have your Timing Belt replaced, you should do it as soon as possible. I also have a 2001 Hyundai Sonata (2.4 L) and I was told last month that my Timing Belt was making noises and that I should have it replaced because if I didn't and if it would break while I was driving at high speed, it would wreck my engine. I didn't follow the recommendations and guess what? The belt blew, but I'm lucky because it only damaged 2 valves. They also had to replace 2 oil seals because they were leaking in the Timing Belt Chamber. The total cost for the repairs was $1800.00. If I had had the Timing Belt replaced like I was told, the cost would have been about $400.00.

The Engine light goes on all the time also. One time it was the Spark Plug Wires that needed to be changed. Another time it was the Oxygen sensor.

I've a 2001 Hyundai Sonata, bought new. I guess I was surprised to see all the negative comments. I am almost to 120,000 and have, along with routine oil changes and fluid flushes, only had to replace the plugs and wires (just recently), and an idler pulley. I've not had any other troubles, aside from the recalls that were dealt with. It's not the most stylish, hip car (we call her grandma), but for the price, it's been good and reliable. I was commenting to my spouse the other day how odd it was that we hadn't had to replace the exhaust system yet. I'd get another Sonata. Personally, I've had a pretty good experience with the car.

The Sonatas probably are not any worse than the competition, but I think this boils down to expectations since it's being marketed and hence perceived as a Camry replacement which it isn't and many buy these second hand expecting a fault free car and gets all disappointed.

I've had 5 Sonatas covering two licenses both as taxis and then as private cars when they are 2-3 years old buying a new Sonata with taxi equipment. It boils down to economy and I'd say the Sonata gives the lowest Euro/km value around. And it's quite good to drive.

I'd used to run Mercedes 220/240 for my two licenses. They are very durable cars, but are almost twice as expensive to buy and does not give the same overall economy.

I run the Sonatas to 200.000 - 250.000 km and then as private car to about 300.000 and then they fall to pieces. But in that period I have not that many repairs.

The Mercedes are capable of twice the km, but with a lot of repairs beyond 300.000 since they are not as good as they used to be. I used to run a 84 model 300 that reached 1 mill km on the same gearbox and engine. But a new Mercedes is not in the same category and fall to pieces after 600.000 - 700.000 km.

The Camry is something in between: Very few repairs until 400.000 actually fever than the Mercedes, but then it just fall to pieces overnight.

These are my experiences as a taxi driver over more than 20 years.

I have a 2001 Sonata that I bought new. I've kept on top of all oil changes and maintenance, and I have 215,000 on it and I still get 29mpg on it. I love my car and will get a new Sonata when this one dies.

Got my 2001 sonata at 30,000 for $5000. had some of the same problems as others, both back window one under warranty one I paid for. had the airbag light come on under warranty they fixed it right after 60,000 its on again. have no faith what so ever in their service departments. took it in because I had vibration in the rear wheels. tech said it needed new rear tires, service manager told me "he know his stuff because he just came from working at a tire place", when I proved to them it was if fact the rear calipers locking up they treated me like a jerk and handed me a $480 bill. I have the v6 need new plugs and wires $500+. all in all not the worst car I've had, but yesterday driving on hot day with air conditioning on full blast got the "funny" smell and had battery and brake light on on the dash. thought it was just a serpentine belt, but after hearing the catching on fire comment I'm a bit more concerned. now that the new models are $25,000+ doubt I would buy a new one. not worth anything used.

I own a 2001 Sonata and I am the third owner. I recently had problems with the transmission lever locking and the vehicle not starting. I took it to a local transmission shop and they said it was dirty battery cables. The system requires 12 volts; if the terminals are dirty, they're not carrying 12 volts and the whole system gives out. I also have paint peeling off the handles, and the airbag light is on. All in all, it has been a good car. I had the belt replaced at 90,000 miles. The car currently has 110,000 miles.

We bought our 2001 Sonata new and loved it for the first 3 months. The car then needed a new trans. Not a big deal we thought... manufacturer defects happen.

My wife drives the car 2.8 miles each way to work and has done so since we bought it. The car now has 61k miles on it and just broke down for the last time.

Here is a list of what we've had fixed... I kept every receipt.

1st year: New trans, driver window motor, new rear brakes. All covered under warranty. New battery after 3 months!

2nd year: 2 window motors (driver again and frt pass). New battery (again, but that is because of the "heat" in Florida. Paint started peeling on both front door handles (which is NOT covered under warranty, but their "guy" will paint them for 350 bucks).

3rd year: Yep... new battery...that horrible heat! This is the 3rd battery that "due to the heat in FL" went bad. Funny thing is the last battery was put in in December and needed yet another new one in April. Never did it go over 90 degrees during that time. The car was in the shop this year I think for a total of 2 months time if you add it all up. Different sensors... a vacuum leak... needed this and that and basically drove me NUTS all year. We also made the mistake of driving to New Jersey with it and had to drive home with the drivers window down half way as it once again broke. Keeping the car in the garage (and indoor parking at work) does not stop the cables from rusting by the way. Magic water gets in there and there isn't anything you can do.

Year 4. Don't get me started.

Year 5. Joy! We had almost NO problems with the car this year! Granted we only put 2k miles on it, but due to work we were both out of state for 9 months and the car sat in our Fl home garage! We got back to a dead battery and 2 flat tires and of course the engine light was on.

Year 6. Total out of pocket so far...2460 and the car in now back in the shop. I don't think it will be going far after its fixed as we plan to trade it in on something else.

I think it safe to say we will NEVER buy another one.

Bought my wife a used 2001 Hyundai Sonata w/about 12,000 miles on it in 2003.

She wanted floor mats, none of the mats in auto parts stores fit, had to buy mats from Hyundai. Cost; about four times that of the ones in the auto parts store.

Car had a few scratches. Went to the auto parts store where they had a very large supply of those little bottles of touch up paint for just about every car. None for the Hyundai's. Had to buy touch up paint from Hyundai. Cost; about four times that of the ones in the auto parts store.

Battery went bad. Went to the auto parts store where they had a very large supply of batteries for just about every car. None for the Hyundai's. Went to the Hyundai Dealer. Cost; about four times that of the ones in the auto parts store. I finally found an auto parts store that could do a cross reference. Bought a battery there at about a third of the price at the Hyundai Dealer.

I could see if this was a Ferrari. I wouldn't expect to find mats, paint or batteries at the local auto parts store.

Since buying the car, had to have three window regulators replaced When it was taken in to the Hyundai Dealer for its 30k service, they forgot to rotate the wheels.

CD player stopped working. I went to the Hyundai Dealer and asked what the error code meant. I was told it means replace the whole unit. I said, "no, that's not what I asked you, what does this code tell you is wrong or broken?" The answer I got was, "we have no way of knowing, you'll have to replace the whole unit".

I will never buy another Hyundai and am proud to tell everyone, "Don't buy a Hyundai"!