10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,949 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments

problem #5

Jun 152009

Sonata

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that entire rear subframe had rusted. The contact called the dealership and was advised to take the vehicle in for diagnosis. The vehicle had not been repaired for the problem at the time the complaint was filed. Also, while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle would drop from fourth gear to first gear suddenly. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and repairs were performed on the censors; however, the problem was not fixed. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The current mileage was approximately 112,000.

- Pittsfield , MA, USA

problem #4

Oct 272009

Sonata

  • 69,364 miles
Traveling North on interstate 15 at 75 mph, with the car on cruise control. At the start of a curve the car started to accelerate. It reached over 5,000 rpms. Stepping on the brake accomplished nothing. I shut off the cruise control it continued to accelerate over 6,000 rpms I shut the engine and finally got control of the car. During this time I had gone off the highway down a ravine hitting boulders and rocks and into the desert and damaging my car. I re-started the car and the engine sounded weird. I shut the engine again and waited for a longer period before restarting. It sounded better so I shifted the car into gear and started forward slowly. There was a transmission firm nearby. They put the car up on a computer, and I was told that the code read P.O. 12. The mechanic told me that he unwound the cruise cable by hand and it should be safe to drive as long as I did not use the cruise control. I brought the car to the nearest Hyundai dealer and they said that the code had been erased. Later during Hyundai investigation I was told that the mechanic said he had removed the code in order to test the cruise control. On my return home I brought the car back to Hyundai and they said they could do nothing. I am thankful that my wife and I were not harmed. All I want is Hyundai to accept the responsibility of fixing the car. Hyundai was not helpful in anyway and instead acted as if I made up the entire incident. They told me a decision would be made in 4-6 weeks. After the 6 week period I contacted Hyundai it is still under investigation. Now T hey tell me there is no time period for a decision. Can you please advise me what I should do next.

- Laguna Woods, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 222004

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,879 miles
Transmission failed.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

problem #2

Aug 052005

Sonata 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,500 miles
Transmission failed causing semi to almost rear end my vehicle due to a faulty sensor. Manufacturer refuses to fix problem although it is warranted. Similar failures will cause deaths. I have notified and requested assistance through hyundia's consumer complaint department to no avail. There will no doubt be a death caused by this malfunction in the powertrain.

- Jasper, IN, USA

problem #1

Aug 272002

Sonata 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
8/27/02 belt noise and burning rubber smell. The pulley belt was replaced. 1/33/03 recall on automatic transmission would not shift out of first gear. Throttle body assembly was replaced. 9/8/03 car engine raced to 5000-6000 rpms, had to turn off ignition. Service department can find no explanation. 9/16/03 check engine light comes on. While in park, engine races to 5000 rpms. After 3 restarts at the ignition, the idle returns to normal. 9/21/03 check engine light comes on. Wait to take to dealership. 10/7/03 service department says they can find no problem. 10/23/03 check engine light comes on. Service department says there is a leak in the fill vent valve, repair. 12/18/03 recall service done. 5/9/04 check engine light comes on. Ignore, it goes off after two weeks. 8/6/04 check engine light comes on. Ignore, it goes off after two weeks. 11/4/04 while traveling on a highway, vehicle does not respond to braking. Collision occurs, acceleration continues, car spins out of control across two lanes and into a grassy field. I put it in park and shut off the ignition in order to stop the car from continuing into the fencepost. Patrolman said the throttle was open. Insurance company valued the vehicle a total loss. Recall campaign: The consumer could not slow down the vehicle. After impact the consumer stated that the engine was still racing and she was still pressing the brake. The emergency brake had to be pulled to stop the vehicle. The officer on the scene started the vehicle and the engine was still racing. Yhe battery and alternator were replaced.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

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