2001 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sonata years
- About as many complaints as other years 16th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Hyundai Sonata. That ranks 16th out of 32 Sonata model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (69 complaints, 34%), typically at around 114,000 miles. Complaints mention 27 crashes, 21 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
_%E2%80%93_f1_08012026.jpg){kind=link}
- 205owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 27complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2001 Hyundai Sonata problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure problems | 69 | 34% | 114,000 | “sub frame” (23%) | — |
| Air Bags | 47 | 23% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 29 | 14% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 23 | 11% | 71,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 20 | 10% | 40,903 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 9% | 69,334 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 6% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 10 | 5% | 119,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 9 | 4% | 44,001 | — | — |
| Visibility | 9 | 4% | 62,150 | — | — |
| Wheels | 6 | 3% | 151,035 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 2% | 69,700 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 2% | 158,725 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 2% | 90,426 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | 95,061 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 1% | 174,283 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | 82,960 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 1% | 41,806 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | 201,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 0% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0% | 28,159 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 0% | 160,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | 66,667 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 0% | 63,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2001 Hyundai Sonata recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension
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/window
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 bags
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.
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.
Upper rear control arm is connected to the subframe of the car and itâs rotted/ rusted out where the bushing goes to hold the control arm in place. Where am I supposed to mount the bushing now since itâs no longer there.
Recently i had a situation where i was driving on county road way and my car suddenly collapsed and came to an immediate stop. To say the least, i was a little shook up. I got out the car and noticed that the driver side wheel had lodged against the wheel well. The car would go into gear but it was…
I was driving down my street when the drivers cv axle popped out of the transmission. I got the vehicle towed home and removed the wheel to find that the subframe was corroded completely into. I know there are recalls pertaining to this exact issue on this type of car
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…
Airbag red light comes on when starting the engine. Restraining strap in rear-left seat does not engage.
Other Hyundai Sonata years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sonata | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 Sonata | 17 | 0 |
| 2024 Sonata | 46 | 1 |
| 2023 Sonata | 87 | 2 |
| 2022 Sonata | 94 | 3 |
| 2021 Sonata | 134 | 4 |
| 2020 Sonata | 179 | 4 |
| 2019 Sonata | 162 | 0 |
| 2018 Sonata | 374 | 1 |
| 2017 Sonata | 765 | 3 |
| 2016 Sonata | 727 | 6 |
| 2015 Sonata | 1,151 | 9 |
| 2014 Sonata | 749 | 7 |
| 2013 Sonata | 1,915 | 9 |
| 2012 Sonata | 1,557 | 8 |
| 2011 Sonata | 3,377 | 14 |
| 2010 Sonata | 345 | 2 |
| 2009 Sonata | 460 | 2 |
| 2008 Sonata | 425 | 3 |
| 2007 Sonata | 696 | 5 |
| 2006 Sonata | 1,047 | 9 |
| 2005 Sonata | 165 | 1 |
| 2004 Sonata | 202 | 1 |
| 2003 Sonata | 199 | 6 |
| 2002 Sonata | 319 | 7 |
| 2001 | 205 | 3 |
| 2000 Sonata | 276 | 4 |
| 1999 Sonata | 124 | 4 |
| 1998 Sonata | 49 | 1 |
| 1997 Sonata | 49 | 2 |
| 1996 Sonata | 23 | 1 |
| 1995 Sonata | 66 | 2 |
See all Hyundai Sonata problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.
Similar Hyundai models
Embed this 2001 Hyundai Sonata badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Hyundai Sonata?
Owners most often report structure, air bags, suspension problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 69 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Hyundai Sonata?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2001 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 2001 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.