1999 Hyundai Sonata GLS body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08016 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10735598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I OWN A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA AND WAS INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTING THROUGH, PRESENTING A SEVERE SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. THERE IS CURRENTLY A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SHOWING FOR THE 2001-2004 MODEL FROM YOUR INVESTIGATION. SHOULDN'T THE 1999 BE INCLUDED DUE TO IT HAVING MANY COMPLAINTS DUE TO THIS CORROSION ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARYLAND AND OWNED IN VIRGINIA FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. IT ALSO HAS BEEN IN OUT OF VIRGINIA FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS WHERE SALT IS APPLIED TO ROADWAYS LIKELY CONTRIBUTING THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10505528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

VEHICLE HAD DEVELOPED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, AND I SCHEDULED AN ALIGNMENT. THE MORNING BEFORE THE SCHEDULED ALIGNMENT, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO GO TO WORK WHEN THE RIGHT INNER CV JOINT DISINTEGRATED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED SEVERE SUBFRAME CORROSION RESULTING IN THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT SEPARATING FROM THE SUBFRAME, CAUSING THE CV JOINT TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. NHTSA AND HYUNDAI ISSUED A RECALL IN 2009, CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000. HOWEVER, THE STATE I RESIDE IN (NEBRASKA) IS NOT LISTED AS A "SALT BELT" STATE AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. NEBRASKA DOES INDEED USE SALT ON THE ROADS, AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FAULT AND POTENTIAL RESULTS MATCHES EXACTLY WITH THE RUST AND CORROSION ON MY VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME AND THE RESULTS. I BELIEVE IT LIKELY THAT THERE ARE OTHER MOTORISTS IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA WHO ARE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES WITH THIS HIDDEN AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS FAULT. THE HYUNDAI DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO HELP ME SO FAR WITH A FAULT RESOLUTION PER THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10361117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I HAVE A DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME ON A 1999 SONATA PURCHASED NEW IN IOWA AND DRIVEN THERE FOR 4 YEARS. IT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE CAUSING STEERING CONTROL ARMS AND DRIVE AXLE TO BREAK LOOSE FROM VEHICLE AND MAKING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 089. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 09V124000. I AM GETTING NO RESPONSE AS TO IF THEY WILL COVER THIS DAMAGE AND REPLACE SUBFRAME FROM THE LOCAL DEALER TAMIAMI HYUNDAI IN NAPLES, FL AND HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER 3 TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND IT WOULD HAVE ROLLED. NEVER SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE WAS TOLD OF THIS RECALL AND THEY CURRENTLY STATE THE VIN OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING SHOWN IN THE RECALL LIST, BUT IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN IOWA SO IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #10359329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I OWN A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA AND WAS INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED THROUGH, PRESENTING A SEVERE SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. THERE IS CURRENTLY A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO THIS CORROSION ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND DRIVEN IN MINNESOTA FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS WHERE SALT IS APPLIED TO ROADWAYS LIKELY CONTRIBUTING THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN GEORGIA AND THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10302041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

ON 1 OCT 2009 MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS FROM HIS HIGH SCHOOL TO PICK UP HIS SISTER AT THE DAYCARE JUST DOWN THE ROAD. UPON PULLING INTO THE DAYCARE PARKING LOT HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY. HE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT TO SEE IF HE HAD HIT SOMETHING OR TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED. UPON INSPECTION THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE A-FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT OF THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO BREAK COMPLETELY OFF. THANKFULLY HE WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED OR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR EVEN FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPON RESEARCH IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 THAT ADDRESSES THIS SAME ISSUE, HOWEVER IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOESN'T COVER A RECALL OF THE 1999 MODEL AND WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT THOMAS.KEYSER@JCSE.MIL OR AT 813-451-6532. I?M HIGHLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY FOR ANYONE THAT DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY RECALL CAMPAIGN AS THIS VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY TITLED IN MISSOURI.

NHTSA complaint #10286010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. COULD BARELY DRIVE TO THE SHOP. THEY FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE TIRE WHICH WERE NEW JUST 3 MONTHS AGO WERE TOTALLY BALD. THE CAR, A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA, IS NOW NOT DRIVABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10275119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS A BAD GRINDING NOISE WHEN EVER WE TURNED A CORNER. THIS HAPPENED AS MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK. I TOOK IT TO TEST DRIVE AND WAS SURPRISED WITH HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO CONTROL. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. HE WAS ABLE TO FIND A USED SUB FRAME TO REPLACE IT AND I DID SAVE THE OLD SUB FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10266750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS HYDROPLANING WITHOUT IT RAINING OR SNOWING. FELT LIKE IT THE STEERING WAS OUT OF CONTROL. NOTICED THAT RIGHT TIRE WAS STICKING OUT OF THE WELL SO I WENT TO HAVE THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED AND ALIGNED. WHILE REPLACING FRONT TIRES THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TIRES BEND INWARD. THEY COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT AS HE FELT SOMETHING WAS BROKEN ON THE FRAME. REFERRED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD HOLES THROUGHOUT DUE TO RUST AND ROT. HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEELS OR ENGINE COULD FALL OUT AT ANYTIME. ALSO INFORMED THAT A SUBFRAME SHOULD NOT RUST OR ROT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THIS SUBFRAME ISSUE. CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI NATIONAL LINE DIRECTLY AND OPENED UP A CASE# 3505497. AWAITING THE OUTCOME AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10258188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU. I CAUGHT IT BEFORE I WRECKED THE CAR OR RAN INTO SOMEONE DUE TO IT RESTING APART. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IT IS VERY SAFE AND LEFT ALONE COULD CAUSE FATAL INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10253901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I HAVE A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH BROKE DOWN YESTERDAY DUE BADLY RUSTED HUGE HOLE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME. THIS MADE THE VEHICLE DISABLED AND CAN NOT BE DRIVEN. THIS ALSO RESULTED IN THE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL JOINTS THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE WHOLE FRONT FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF EXPENSE TO FIX THE CAR. I WAS READING ABOUT THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR THE SONATA CARS THAT WERE MADE DURING THE 1999-2002 WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THE NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING THE MATTER. PLEASE ADVICE ME THE FURTHER COURSES OF ACTION.

NHTSA complaint #10250144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE GETTING MISALIGNED AND THE CAR KEEPS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. FINALLY TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH WHERE ALL THE SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS ARE BARELY HOLDING IN ITS PLACE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE AT THIS MOMENT DUE TO ITS REPAIR COST VS WHAT THE VEHICLE IS WORTH.

NHTSA complaint #10248783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA OF A PROBLEM AND THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS UNTIL MY "BACKYARD" MECHANIC, WHILE HE WAS REPLACING MY BRAKE ROTORS, MENTIONED THE FRAME WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CONNECTS TO THE FRAME WAS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY FIXED IT AND TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE COMPLETE FRONT SUB FRAME, THEY ALSO CALLED IT THE ENGINE CRADLE, AND ON THE PAPERWORK THEY REPLACED 62405-38100 CROSS MEMBER AND TWO BOLTS. THEY COMMENTED "150542 REPLACE THE K FRAME IT IS VERY RUSTY" THE DEALER ASSURED ME THEY COMPLETELY INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO OTHER RUST OF CONSEQUENCE. THEY ALSO ASSURED ME NO COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED OR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS PERFORMED WITH NO COST TO ME.

NHTSA complaint #10241777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE "HALF-DOLLAR" SIZED HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE ALSO CRACKS IN THE FRAME. HE CALLED SEVERAL JUNK YARDS TO FIND A FRAME FOR THE VEHICLE. EACH ONE STATED THAT THEY WERE HARD TO FIND DUE TO THE "TREND" OF RUST AND CORROSION ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATA (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08029). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #10237668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CORROSION OF FRONT SUB-FRAME LET TO SEPARATION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM SUB FRAME. THIS CAUSED RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE AND LOSS OF STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10237690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I WAS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOPLIGHT. THE CAR MADE A LOUD BAND AND WAS DISABLED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS BENT. AFTER GETTING HOME AND JACKING THE CAR UP THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE RUSTY FRAME. I THINK THIS CAUSE A CVC JOINT FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10237091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT BY THE CONTROL ARM ON HER VEHICLE. SHE FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TIRE HAS FALLEN OFF DUE TO THE ROTTED OUT FRAME AND A SERIOUS CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #10236932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I FOUND THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING 1999 SONATA SUBFRAME RUSTING. I WAS INFORMED TODAY 8/2/08 WHILE GETTING MY OIL CHANGED,THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUSTING. THIS COMPONENT IS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION,ENGINE,ETC. IS HYUNDAI RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART,SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE?

NHTSA complaint #10236730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS FAILED PA STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A RUSTED K FRAME ( FRAME THAT SUPPORTS FRONT SUSPENSION & MOTOR). THIS IS A 9 YEAR OLD CAR ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 205,000. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ON A 9 YEAR OLD CAR FROM PA. WE WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM SONATA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AS I SAID, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.

NHTSA complaint #10235067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

THE CAR (1999 SONATA GLS V6) HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE BY SEARS JULY 6, 2008 AT KENOSHA WI. THE FAILURE OCCURRED (JULY 14, 2008) WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN INTO THE HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE (WAUKEGAN ILLINOIS). THE CAR SPEED WAS 5 MPH WHEN IT MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND JOLTED TO A STOP. SPARKS FROM UNDER THE CAR WERE WITNESSED BY SECURITY GUARD WHO IT REPORTED TO THE DRIVER OF CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF ROAD TO PREVENT BLOCKING TRAFFIC. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE SHOWED THE SUBFRAME BROKE FROM CORROSION CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP THEN BREAKING THE AXLE SHAFT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO TOWED BACK TO HOME BY AAA. CURRENTLY HAVE COMPLAINT AT HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED. WORKING WITH HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER WHO STATES FIRST HE HAS HEARD OF IT. THE AUTO TECHNICIAN EMPLOYED AT THE SHOP STATES IS A COMMON ITEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR INTERMITTENT AIR BAG LIGHT THAT WOULD COME ON AND REMAIN ON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COULD NOT BE FOUND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10234848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1999 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS SUB-FRAME RUSTED CAUSING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. KEN DIXON HYUNDAI LOCATED IN WALDORF, MD ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIR WILL COST ME $3,500.00 DOLLARS AND THAT THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER HYUNDAIS' 10 YEAR, 100,000 MILE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY. MY HYUNDAI IS LESS THAN 10 YRS OLD AND THE MILEAGE IS WELL UNDER 100,00 MILES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THEREBY HYUNDAI IS CLEARLY FAILING TO HONOR THEIR DEALER WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTEST THIS DECISION AND SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM YOUR OFFICE IN RESOLVING THIS SITUATION WITH HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AND THEIR NEGLECTING TO HONOR THEIR OWN WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10234488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1999 HYUNDAI SONATA FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WAS SEVERED FROM FRAME WHILE MY DAUGHTER, WHO IS A NEW DIVER, WAS DRIVING, FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED. CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE 6 MONTHS AGO TO HAVE FRONT STRUTS REPLACED AND DEALER DID NOT INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS IN OTHER SIMILAR CARS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I CAN SEE THAT THESE CARS HAVE A PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE PULLED FROM THE ROAD BEFORE SERIOUS HARM COMES FROM THIS ISSUE. HYUNDAI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS 96,000 MILES AND HYUNDAI IS REPLACING THE SUB FRAME UNDER WARRANTY, BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING ANYONE PRIOR TO FAILURE AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10232052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I OWN A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO INSPECT A WOBBLING IN THE CAR. WHEN THEY INSPECTED IT, THEY SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT FOR "LIABILITY" REASONS. I HAVE SINCE READ OF OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I AM GOING TO SPEAK TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER TODAY TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10230018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CAR #1--PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RUSTED CREATING A FIST SIZED HOLE CAUSING VEHICLE TO STEER AIMLESSLY DUE TO INSTABILITY OF STEERING STRUCTURE: CAR #2--PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RUSTED CAUSING WHEELS TO BECOME INOPERABLE AND UNABLE TO STEER CAR IN APRIL 2008. SAME MODEL OF HYUNDAI, 2 DIFFERENT CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10227072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

ONE NIGHT ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO I HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN I DROVE MY 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA OVER A SMALL BUMP WHERE IS A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET AWAY FROM HOME. THEN THE NEXT DAY THE STEELING WHEEL SUDDENLY TILTED 45 DEGREE LEFT WHILE I WAS TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND CHECK, BOTH THE FRONT TIRES WERE OUT OF POSITION, ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT FRONT ONE WHOSE BOTTOM IS PULLED OUTWARD AND UPPER INWARD. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WHEN THEY LIFT THE CAR TO CHECK THE CONTROL ARMS WE WERE ALL SHOCKED TO SEE A HUGE RUSTING HOLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME UNDER ENGINE CRADLE, WHILE THE LEFT SIDE SUBFRAME SEEMED INTACT. IT WAS ALMOST BROKEN AND THE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THEY NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN 20+ YEARS OF SERVICE AND EVEN THE BODY SHOPS IS DOUBTFULLY CAN FIX THAT. SO I CALLED LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER IN CENTERVILLE, OH FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THESE WAS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE I SEARCHED AND FOUND MANY POSTINGS ON LINE AND AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION OF NHTSA (PE08029) FOR THIS SPECIFIC CAR FAILURE. THE MILEAGE OF MY CAR WAS AROUND 120,000 WHEN IT OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10227113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I OWN A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. I LIKE MANY OTHERS IN THE 99-2000 MY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE RIGHT SIDE SUB FRAME RUST DEFECT/SAFETY ISSUE. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A WINDING ROAD, COMING HOME FROM WORK. SHE CALLED ME AND SAID CAR WAS DISABLED. SHE STATED CAR BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT ON A CURVE, MADE A LOUD NOISE....AND BECAME DISABLED. FORTUNATELY A COUPLE PEOPLE HAD STOPPED AND HELPED HER GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT THERE THE RIGHT WHEEL WAS ANGLED IN AT THE TOP. IT WAS CLEARLY DAMAGED. THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED OUT AND WHEEL SHAFT PULLED OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TOO WAS DAMAGED. CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE LET ALONE A DEFECT.............I THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT INJURED AND THAT SO FAR IT APPEARS THAT MANY THAT HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10226112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

ON 1/7/08 WHILE DRIVING '99 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS TO WORK, PULLED RIGHT PROCEEDING DOWN ROAD. POSSIBLE LEAK FROM BRAKE CYLINDERS/ BRAKE LINES, NOTHING. RETURN TRIP, VEHICLE EXTREMELY ERRATIC STEERING. TOOK TO DEALER OF PURCHASE (BB HYUNDAI, SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ). DELIVERED ON 1/07/08 BY DRIVING VEHICLE. VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER/ CONTROL, DRIVING SPEED 25-30 MPH. VEHICLE DELIVERED TO BB W/96062 MILES. SERVICE MGR (LC) TOOK INFORMATION REGARDING PROBLEM - DIAGNOSTIC COST OF $95 +TAX. AGREEMENT MADE TO DETERMINE FAILURE. INFORMED BY SERVICE MGR OF PROBLEM - SUB-FRAME RUSTED AWAY - COST IN EXCESS $3400. WHY NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (10 YR OR 100,000 MILES) -"RUST' WAS COVERED. TOLD AUTO NOT ALLOWED ON ROAD. QUESTION ABSENCE OF WARRANTY SINCE SUB-FRAME REQUIRED PART OF FRONT DRIVEN AUTO. RESPONSE GIVEN - BUY A NEW CAR. REFUSED AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE SUB-FRAME. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA CORPORATE CS (J) PROBLEM CONVEYED /WHY NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. REPLY-"YOU MUST LIVE BY WATER,YOU ARE IN NJ, WHY IT RUSTED OUT". TOLD ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. REC'D CALL (LC) CONTACT FROM HYUNDAI, REP TO REVIEW NEXT DAY, WITH CALL FROM LC. ON 1/11/08, NO RESULTS FROM LC, TO CALL BACK. LC CALL AT 1PM, HYUNDAI, AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE, TO COVER COST OF SUB-FRAME, NOT LABOR; COSTS UNKNOWN. RECALL HYUNDAI(D) "I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM!', TRANSFER TO J -ADVISED TO 'JUMP ON OFFER". RECALL LC, COST UNKNOWN. COSTS REQUIRED BY DIR/PARTS/ HYUNDAI. RECALL HYUNDAI (T)"HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF PROBLEM - RUSTING SUB-FRAMES, WORKING ON SAME". REQUEST SUPERVISOR, COMPANY POLICY DIRECTIVE, PARTS DIRECTOR WITH AUTHORITY. CONTACT BBB, 1/12/08, CALL LC, NO COST VALUE FROM MAINTANENCE SUPERVISOR COST. LC CALL@ 4 PM - COST $850, NEED OKAY TO CONTINUE. RECALL LC 5 PM - OK. INFORMED NEW SUB-FRAME WOULD NOT ARRIVE UNTIL 1/16-1/17/18. REQUESTED OLD SUB-FRAME UPON PAYMENT OF LABOR - UNABLE TO COMPLY WAS THE ANSWER.

NHTSA complaint #10214772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I HAVE AN 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA MY ALIGNMENT WAS OFF FROM A POT HOLE. SO I TOOK IT TO GET IT REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT THE ARM CAME OUT OF IT. THEY SAID IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT ONLY HAS 85,225 MILES ON THE CAR TO REPLACE THE CRADLE IT IS 1,800.00. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI THEY SAID MY WARRANTY IS UP AND THERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT. I FOUND THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF SONATA. ITS HAS CAUSED ONE WRECK THAT I NOW OF. THERE IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE CRADLE. THERE IS ONLY ONE HOLE IN THE FRONT TO LET WATER IN AND OUT SO IF THE WATER GOES IN THE AIR BLOWS IT TO THE BACK AND THERE'S WHERE IT STAYS AND THAT'S THE RUST STARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10214421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.