2000 Hyundai Sonata Base 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

The worst car I have ever owned!

Faults:

Broken Crank-shaft at 60,000 miles (for those who don't know: The crank shaft is the central component of the rotating assembly of the engine, a part that simply does not break, except on Hyundais) This is a loop-hole in the famous warranty!

The driver's window has broken three times.

The passenger window has broken once.

Replaced the O2 sensor twice.

Brakes squeal, even though rotors and pads have been replaced.

Car would not start after filling at service station, the problem was repaired as part of a recall.

Both rear wheel hub assemblys have gone bad with the right rear tire almost coming compleatly off of the car on the highway!

The car burns copious amounts of oil, even more than my 1970 VW Beetle!

The radio/CD player cuts on and off on it's own.

The air bag does not function and the part is simply too expensive for us to replace.

The paint began to flake off within a year.

General Comments:

It is truly a shame when my old VW Beetle is the most reliable of our two cars. I am currently attempting to sell this car, however no one will purchase it for the low $3,000 I'm asking. It would seem that everyone already knows about the extreme lack of quality and lax service inherent with Hyundai.

The dealerships know that they will have a gret deal of service work and will use a mind boggling aray of excuses not to work on your car. Also that fabulous warranty they tout does not cover the most frequent faults.

I' am a Soldier and will not leave my wife with this car when I go to Iraq later this year. It's not safe, and I would rather be in debt purchasing a Honda, than worrying about her with this car.

Most of the repairs/parts have been paid for out of pocket due to lack of dealer support. The parts are expensive and in some cases hard to come by. Resale value on this car is nill, and forget about having a trade-in, most dealers will run from you.

If you are thinking about purchasing this car don't. If like me, you are already stuck then sell this car immediately! Notice that you never see a Hyundai dealer driving a Hyundai!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th May, 2005

14th Jun 2005, 13:47

I write to express a most recent event in my life - specifically regarding a (new) Hyundai car I purchased August 31, 2002

2000 Hyundai Sonata GLS from North America

Summary:

Sell it before your five year warranty runs out

Faults:

The driver side window came off the track.

The radio turns off and on by itself.

The passenger side window shifts as it moves.

Two sensors have gone bad. The bad sensors make the car stall at every stop.

The brakes and rotors are squealing.

The plugs and wires went bad before their guaranteed 50,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car looks great, and is very comfortable. I feel safe riding in it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd May, 2005

21st Jun 2005, 11:40

Oh my, this sounds just like my car!!

Alternator gone, timing belt destroyed my engine, and had to get new one. Engine lights have been on since, and they say I need new crankshaft sensor. My car stalls at stops. or when driving slowly. What else? oh ya, passenger window broke last year too. I've put more money into my car then I paid for it, in a year!

20th Oct 2006, 21:17

Timing belt is the most important regular maintenance item on ANY car that is YOUR responsibility to have replaced and is in no way Hyundai's fault.

27th Dec 2006, 15:19

Had the same problem with the radio. Thought I had a ghost riding with me. After the 3rd time it stopped turning on by itself. Very expensive to have tuned ($239) as they must practically pull the engine to get to the spark plugs. Had the motors in both front side windows replaced. Have gone through 2 transmission control modules ($600 each). Down shifts or sticks in 3rd gear and then the check engine light comes on. No one seems to be able to find the cause. Been to a mechanic, an electrician, and a transmission shop.

I love the way the car looks and the way it rides. 134,000+ miles. But it does have a lot of petty little problems.

15th Aug 2009, 22:00

I guess I have lucked out. I have been the proud owner of Sonata 2000 GLS 6 cyl for nine years, and other than the radio problem (radio turns itself on and off when I hit a bump on the road) I have not had any major mechanical problems, other than the normal routine maintenance required, which I have kept up.

Sorry that you had bad experiences with yours.

16th Aug 2009, 11:32

Um, all new Hyundai vehicles come with a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty. I believe this has always been the standard, but I'm not 100% positive.