Hyundai Sonata warning

koolaid117 · 09-16-06, 04:34 AM

My wife has a 2000 Hyundai Sonata that she bought new in 1999. It has 68k on it, is garaged year round, and in early August the cradle underneath the car that is the support for the suspension and the motor was completely rusted and actually broke on the right side!! I only noticed this because the steering wheel was turned slightly to the left when going straight giving the impression that the car was out of alignment.

After having "discussions" with the dealership. They agreed to fix the car at no cost to us and after doing some research on the internet and some Hyundai sites we found that this is happening to other owners. My wife talked to one man that told her that a Hyundai field tech explained that it was a design flaw in the cradle and the drainage holes weren't in the right place and that water gets trapped in there causing the rust.

Just wanted to get the word out there in case anyone else has a Sonata about that old or so. I wasn't able to find out anything about this samw problem on the newer Sonatas.

Jim

Mac · 09-16-06, 01:59 PM

The fact they're willing to repair it at no cost says much. Was there a formal recall to address this problem or are they just doing an informal "fix 'em as you find 'em"?

If Hyundai fixes rust on their cars for free, I'll have to see if I can find the remains of a Pony and see what they say!

-Mac

koolaid117 · 09-16-06, 04:18 PM

I think they are doing a fix'em as they find'em kind of thing. I couldn't find a recall on it and (of course) the Hyundai dealership said there wasn't one either. Not sure if I mentioned it before, but the car was out of the warranty and initially they stated that this was not going to be covered.

You're right though, Mac. It says alot about them fixing it for free.

Jim

JBsC5 · 09-16-06, 07:36 PM

How did they fix it?

BTW...glad to hear they stood behind the product.

Every manufacturer should do that. IMO

koolaid117 · 09-17-06, 09:43 AM

They replaced the cradle with a new one. They didn't say if it was a re-designed one or not. My guess is probably not because they never acknowledged to us that there was a problem.

jrose7004 · 09-18-06, 03:57 PM

Sounds to me that they should put out a recall for all such cars, if they don't it could cause a serious accident!

kingman · 09-20-06, 10:37 AM

It's crazy but every review that l have read on the new Sonata is stella and ranks #4.

I only read the reviews because l had to rent a car while out of town and the only sedan left was the new Sonata with the big engine (235hp) and it was the top of the line model or nest to the top model.

It was really a fine riding car compared to the previous model !

That is why our domestic car sales are tanking! And the Sonata is built here!

Alan

Pseudomind · 09-20-06, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingman

That is why our domestic car sales are tanking! And the Sonata is built here!

Alan

Alan,

This brings up a good point as there are other foreign car manufactures located in the US, who also are building their cars completely here and are affecting the US manufactures. These cars are being built by Americans, here in America, so I would say there are other issues which need to be addressed which are affecting GM and Ford.

I know the cars built for Toyota at their Georgetown plant use all of their steel from American plants and 75% of their parts come from, or are made by American vendors.

GM and Ford do not even use 100% American made parts. So instead of performing some blame game. Lets look at the real issues which affect GM and Ford.

I would say the big three, but I do not know how Daimler-Chrysler is considered anymore as relating to the big three.

Just my 1/50 of a $

kingman · 09-20-06, 11:08 AM

Your right and that topic is so comlex because we will never know the real truth except the UAW is to big of a burden for the big three.

The import companies that are building here have less of a burden because they have a smaller retired base.

The UAW will have to come to some kind of agreement with the big three or the big three will have to do something drastic!

Alan

Dirtfarmer · 09-20-06, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingman

That is why our domestic car sales are tanking! And the Sonata is built here!

As of 2004 (the latest numbers I could find) the Sonata consisted of 3% domestic content.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudomind

This brings up a good point as there are other foreign car manufactures located in the US, who also are building their cars completely here and are affecting the US manufactures. These cars are being built by Americans, here in America, so I would say there are other issues which need to be addressed which are affecting GM and Ford.

I know the cars built for Toyota at their Georgetown plant use all of their steel from American plants and 75% of their parts come from, or are made by American vendors.

GM and Ford do not even use 100% American made parts. So instead of performing some blame game. Lets look at the real issues which affect GM and Ford.

The Camry on the other hand is much better with 70% domestic content (again, 2004 numbers).

American cars are not made of 100% domestic parts. Neither are Hondas, Mazdas, Toyotas, etc.

I personally don't recall anyone arguing that American cars were made of 100% domestic parts. The argument is that on average, American makers use more domestic parts than foreign makers by a large margin.

kingman · 09-20-06, 01:31 PM

I have no idea what percentages of the imported brands use for parts but they all use domestic labor. This is their single biggest expense and growing.
That is why the big three are making deals with people for early retirement.

Those who take the deal will have to speak to their CPA's to see if for them it's a deal or not.

In the textile business these workers would just be fired with nothing other then a pink slip!

If they had to have all of their benefits then then their weekly checks would have to be cut by 35%. This is not a bona fide fact but just something that l remember hearing on a CNN business report.

Alan

Dirtfarmer · 09-20-06, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingman

...UAW is to big of a burden for the big three.

The import companies that are building here have less of a burden because they have a smaller retired base.

A very good point.

2004 Domestic Content by Maker

Ford Motor Co. 87.5%
GM 80.1%
Daimler Crysler 78.0%
Isuzu 55.0%
Honda 52.8%
Nissan 43.7%
Toyota 42.9%
Mazda 35.9%
Mitsubishi 31.3%
Subaru 26.0%
BMW 10.6%
Suzuki 5.0%
Volkswagen 3.5%
Hyundai 3.1%
Porsche 0.0%

kingman · 09-20-06, 02:44 PM

That's right Porsche is the most profitable cr company in the world for years.

Alan