NHTSA vehicle safety data
2001 Hyundai Sonata Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2001 Hyundai Sonata has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 205 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2001 Hyundai Sonata owner complaints
Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Hyundai Sonata, describing incidents dated December 26, 2000 to October 1, 2021.
Most-cited components
- Structure 69 complaints
- Air Bags 47 complaints
- Suspension 29 complaints
- Engine 24 complaints
- Service Brakes 23 complaints
- Power Train 17 complaints
Of the 205 complaints on file, 27 report a crash; across all 205 complaints, owners report 21 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11444930 · Filed
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.
ODI #11220217 · Filed
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…
ODI #11155290 · Filed
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
Owner-reported
2001 Hyundai Sonata mileage at failure
136 of the 205 complaints on file for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Median 110,000 miles | Middle half 90,000–135,000 miles | Based on 54 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Hyundai Sonata in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA08-016: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION
Closed April 20, 2009
- Preliminary Evaluation PE08-029: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION
Closed August 21, 2008
FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION
NHTSA #09V124000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice
Reported April 16, 2009 · Hyundai Motor Company
Potentially affected: 188,282 vehicles
Hyundai campaign 089 · Owners notified July 17, 2009 · Vehicles built September 15, 1998 – November 20, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 089.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
HYUNDAI/AIR BAG WIRING
NHTSA #02V105000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice
Reported April 9, 2002 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 145,355 vehicles
Owners notified May 28, 2002 · Vehicles built March 1, 1998 – July 23, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
HYUNDAI/SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT
NHTSA #01V347000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice
Reported November 6, 2001 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 86,513 vehicles
Owners notified May 27, 2002 · Vehicles built March 1, 1998 – November 22, 2000 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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).
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Hyundai Sonata model years
Check your 2001 Hyundai Sonata VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Sonata at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Hyundai VIN