2000 Hyundai Sonata: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 276 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (34% of complaints); the 1998 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 276 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I understand there is an airbag recall on some model cars, I drive a 2000 hyundai sonata gls that has an airbag light activated on the dashboard. I don't know if the airbag is defective, I should not drive it, or what to do, please advise. This airbag lite on the dashboard goes on as soon as I start the engine, and stays on all the time the engine is running, this airbag light does not go off until I turn the engine off.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
“Steering and stability unstable. Mechanic tells me that the rear sub frame is rusty and cracked. The entire frame was replaced around 2010 because of a recall. When you hit a bump lose traction and becomes unstable. Want to know if the replacement frame has a warranty. Want to keep the car still runs great. 170,000 miles”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 hyundai sonata. While driving 5 mph, the front passenger side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an auto shop where the failure was diagnosed as a control arm failure and rusted subframe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“"takada recall " transmission don't shift check engine light is on it is suck in 3rd gear next time start car no check engine light car shifts but bangs hard in and out of next gear then check engine light comes on and car is stuck in third gear.also air bag light is on all time.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
“While slowing down to make a turn on side road, the lower left control arm pulled completely out of the frame. Inspection after found large hole rusted completely through the frame rail. Inspected right side and frame has same type of rusted and missing frame segments. Thankfully this happened at low speed and not on the interstate where outcome could have been very bad. Doing some research I have found that this appears to have been a known problem with this model for several years beginning with 1999 model. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2015
“The fuel tank on 2000 hyundai sonata is cracked and leaking gasoline. There is a strong gas odor in the cabin. The fire department and hazmat team responded. I could have been killed in an explosion if the gas vapors ignited. There is a recall for the previous model year hyundai sonata. The fuel tank can crack and leak gasoline. That is what happened to my 2000 sonata. The car is now at a dealership where they are replacing the subrame because it has a recall for sever rust. They do not want to recall the issue with the rusted, cracked fuel tank. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2014
“When driving to work the wheel start to pull. When I got to work I took a look at the frame there was a 2 inch crack in one side and a 1/4 inch by 20 inch crack in the other side. When I touch it the frame was rotten. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2014
“Air bag light came on and stayed on. Dealer (taylor hyundai) denied that there was an air bag recall on this model. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the front end of the vehicle collapsed into the passenger's side wheel. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 09v124000 (suspension) and contacted the manufacturer, who advised that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Returned by usps on 10-17-2013. Second attempt on 10-31-2013 failed. *kb”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service when he was informed that the driver's side upper strut mount had penetrated through the mounts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sonata by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
NHTSA has 276 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Hyundai Sonata. The most complained-about area is structure (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Hyundai Sonata problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 105,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.