2000 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 24, 2022 · 276 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sonata years
More complaints than other years 15th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 276 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Hyundai Sonata. That ranks 15th out of 32 Sonata model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (109 complaints, 39%), typically at around 116,297 miles. Complaints mention 20 crashes, 9 fires, 15 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Sonata 2.5 T-GDI N Line (VIII, Facelift). Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2000 Hyundai Sonata problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Structure109 · ~116,297 mi
Suspension64 · ~118,750 mi
Air Bags43 · ~65,500 mi
Electrical System37 · ~90,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling31 · ~72,950 mi
Power Train19 · ~72,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10 · ~100,000 mi
Steering8 · ~114,580 mi
Vehicle Speed Control7 · ~61,000 mi
Visibility6
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Structure problems10939%116,297“sub frame” (29%)$2,450
Suspension problems6423%118,750“sub frame” (22%)$1,300
Air Bags4316%65,500——
Electrical System3713%90,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling3111%72,950——
Power Train197%72,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic104%100,000——
Steering83%114,580——
Vehicle Speed Control73%61,000——
Visibility62%———
Wheels62%108,000——
Seat Belts52%———
Tires52%122,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline31%111,500——
Unknown or Other31%———
Equipment21%103,500——
Exterior Lighting21%———
Seats21%86,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)10%150,000——
Fuel/propulsion System10%133,000——
Service Brakes10%197,700——
Service Brakes, Air10%12,400——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2008, with 59 complaints
2000: 122000122001: 11112002: 312002312003: 15152004: 232004232005: 14142006: 7200672007: 14142008: 592008592009: 46462010: 212010212011: 332012: 5201252013: 442014: 4201442015: 222017: 2201722018: 112019: 1201912022: 11

n = 276 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2000 Hyundai Sonata recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

SuspensionApr 16, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V124000 · 188,282 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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 risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:side/windowApr 9, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V105000 · 145,355 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Non-deployment of the srs side impact air bag could increase the risk of injury during a side impact crash.

Fix: 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.

Air bagsNov 6, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V347000 · 86,513 vehicles

Problem: 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).

Risk: This condition could prevent seat mounted side impact air bag deployment during an accident where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the srs side impact air bags could increase the risk of injury during an accident where side impact air bag deployment is intended.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:wiringSep 11, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V259001 · 165,977 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will re-route the maf sensor connector wiring harness.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Front sub-frame corrosion (EA08016) — opened Aug 21, 2008, closed Apr 20, 2009, led to recall 09V124000.
  • Front sub-frame corrosion (PE08029) — opened Apr 22, 2008, closed Aug 21, 2008.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Rt passenger side wheel clunks when turning, loud noise when moving took to dealer they found nothing wrong. I returned to dealer again a couple weeks later to confirm my a arm needs repairs, safety issues airbag’s light remaining lit told repairs not available for year and make iwas told to deal…

Air Bags · received Mar 24, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11458173

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…

Structure · received Mar 8, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11185436

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…

Air Bags · received Jun 10, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11100758

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…

Suspension · received Mar 10, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10960047

"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.

Air Bags · received Feb 27, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10957154

Other Hyundai Sonata years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Hyundai Sonata?

Owners most often report structure, suspension, air bags problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 109 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2000 Hyundai Sonata?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2000 Hyundai Sonata a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sonata model years, the 2000 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.