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2001 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 205 owner complaints about the 2001 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the structure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2001 Hyundai Sonata
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1% below the Sonata median · #17 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20544 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage112kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 25, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Hyundai Sonata has problems

205 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure695
Air bags4718
Suspension291
Engine and engine cooling230
Service brakes, hydraulic204
Power train181
Vehicle speed control134
Steering101
Visibility90
15 other systems434

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2001 Hyundai Sonata recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Suspension

Recall 09V-124 · Apr 16, 2009 · 188,282 vehicles

Risk. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: side/window

Recall 02V-105 · Apr 9, 2002 · 145,355 vehicles

Risk. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 01V-347 · Nov 6, 2001 · 86,513 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

112kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 54 structure complaints. 39% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles21under 100k miles33100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Sonata year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonata median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings

2001 Hyundai Sonata 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Hyundai Sonata side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Hyundai Sonata, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSIONEA08016 · closed Apr 20, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-124
  2. FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSIONPE08029 · closed Aug 21, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sonata owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Upper rear control arm is connected to the subframe of the car and it’s rotted/ rusted out where the bushing goes to hold the control arm in place. Where am I supposed to mount the bushing now since it’s no longer there.
Complaint 11444930 · Dec 25, 2021
CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY SEPARATED/ BROKE FROM THE SUBFRAME. CALLED HYUNDAI AS MECHANIC SAID THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED UNDER A RECALL THAT CAME OUT SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR "BECAUSE OF A POTENTIAL CORROSION RISK INVOLVING THE FRONT SUB-FRAME...CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE…
Complaint 11113063 · Jul 23, 2018 · 130,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH WAS CRUMBLING DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT…
Complaint 11057343 · Dec 29, 2017 · 133,000 miles

Own a 2001 Sonata?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.