2008 Hyundai Sonata Problems

Car has a B1448 (ACTIVE) Passenger Occupant Detecting System (PODS) Circuit Fault Related to the passenger detecting pad in the front passenger seat problems started at 120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V161000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for a diagnostic test prior to the recall repair. The contact declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

Passenger side sun visor suddenly rotated down and will not stay up. This blocks drivers view. A few weeks prior to total failure, the visor would not stay completely up but was only about 10 degrees down. There is a plastic tube with a metal tube inside which the visor pivots on. The plastic tube is broken allowing it to hang straight down. If/when the same breakage occurs on the drivers side it could cause an accident due to blocking vision.

The driver side sun visor on my 2008 hyundai sonata is defective. The visor will not stay up and hangs down obstructing the drivers vision. This is a serious safety issue! This seems to be an issue on many 2008 hyundai sonatas The only recall is for 2006-2007. Yet this dangerous issue is happening on other years. Please resolve this

On November 4, 2024 while coming to a stop in traffic, the brake pedal went to the floor without any warning. Just prior to using the brakes, there was no feeling of softness in the pedal, and no indication a low pedal situation, and there was no indicator of pending brake failure. The brake light indicator only lit when the brake pedal went to the floor. I was fortunate that I did not rear end the vehicle ahead, or more seriously had there been a jay walker, because i quickly pumped the brake pedal with what little braking I had while shifting the automatic transmission to second gear. I was able to slowly drive ten miles home in second gear while using the hand brakes. eom

Hello, I recently purchased a 2008 Hyundai Sonata in Germany and entered the VIN on your website. I noticed that there is an outstanding recall, Manufacturer Recall Number 110 and NHTSA Recall Number 13V113000. I contacted the local dealership in Frankfurt and they informed me that I needed to coordinate with Hyundai North America because my vehicle had U.S. specifications. I contacted [email protected] in July 2021 and provided all of the information/documentation requested. Hyundai assigned a Consumer Affairs Case number: 18365036 and assured me that they would send the part to the dealership in Frankfurt ad that they would notify me once the part arrived so that they could take care of the recall. I never heard back or received any further updates. In December 2021, while I was in the U.S., I called Hyundai and requested to speak to someone at their Executive Office that handled complaints. I spoke with "Momo" who informed me that my case had been closed. I provided my contact information, including email, and asked that she look at the numerous email strings related to my case, including one that confirmed that the issue would be resolved. "Momo" assured me that she would escalate the matter and that someone would contact me to resolve the issue. I have not heard from Hyundai since my conversation with "Momo" and have sent a couple of emails requesting an update but haven't received a response. I would respectfully request that a formal investigation be initiated by your office to look into the negligent and unresponsive attitude by Hyundai towards recalls. My experience has reinforced the concern that I had that Hyundai is not committed to the safety of the American consumer and a complete disregard to your office's authority. Hyundai has al of the information that they need to take fix the issue with their vehicle but choose to ignore it. I have bent over backwards to provide everything requested and Hyundai has the string of emails to confirm.

Bought in 2023 @ 98k miles. Have had trouble with 1.it would only start in drive, then that seems to have self corrected. 2. In drive, car would not accelerate properly, and would slow as though I was braking, but no foot on brake. Had rear brake sensor replaced, seemed better for a while. 3. Developed oil leak at 120 miles which valvoline characterized as "not serious...just keep checking it and topping it off." So, have been doing that. Today after oil change, it began running rough, lots of vibration, then the shifting problem, sluggishness, and new..smoke from under hood on driver's side. No check engine lights at all. Nothing registered as hot or overheating. Turned off car, checked oil and trans fluid, both in proper range for warm engine. Let car sit and cool for an hour. Decided I had parked too close to the propane tanks for a smoking car, so I decided to start car just to back it into a space across the lot. Car had no issues- No smoke, no jerking or vibration, no sluggishness, no phantom braking. This car has done this same thing about once every 6 months since I've had it. Changed a tire sensor, that seemed to fix it once. Stopped using cruise control altogether, that seemed to help once. My brother is an ASE certified high school auto mechanics teacher who ran his own shop for 20 years and worked on trucks for VDOT for another 7 years and he cannot diagnose it. I know it has something to do with not being in the correct gear, but it's not reliable, and I have a hard time believing it's just my vehicle.

MY ERVIN CEASED UP ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. IT THRU AN ENGIN ROD.THE ENGIN OIL MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING. NOW AFTER JUST BUYING THIS CAR USED, THERE ARE NO ENGINES AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. TOO MANY HAVE BLOWN UP. AND HYUNDAI SAYS THEY ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. SAME ENGIN AS THE FAILURES WITH THE FATALITIES.I AM STUCK.

Manufacturer has REFUSED to return My calls. Dragged me down there for an appointment, made me wait. Just to tell me they didn't order the specific part even though I made the appointment months in advanced.... and to call back in a week. That was September (6 months ago). I called, multiple times. Either I get no answer, voice mail, hung up on, laughed at OR told that they will urgently call me right back. All to no call back . I've reached out on social media, email, called managers, no one has followed up, Horne Hyundai AZ is a joke! And so is the surrounding certified dealers. No one has reached out and I've tried all outlets to dealers (somewhat) near me. No one finds this serious so if I get injured on the campus much longer and i will regret it.

I put the car in reverse while parked in a parking lot, when I put the car in reverse, the car took off at a high rate of speed striking one vehicle and continued at a high speed in reverse about 20 or 30 feet also hitting a return cart station, knocking it over and the car still proceeded to crash into a large parked pickup truck causing significant damage to the truck and also my vehicle. The brakes would not stop the car. The car finally stopped after the hard impact with the truck. My car has been deemed a total by my insurance.

Car has a B1448 (ACTIVE) Passenger Occupant Detecting System (PODS) Circuit Fault Related to the passenger detecting pad in the front passenger seat problems started at 120,000 miles

The car was parked and turned off, not being driven and ignited on its own. The entire front end of the vehicle was on fire, according to the fire department it was some type of electrical short that started the fire. Vehicle was totaled out as it was a complete loss.

"AIR BAG" light stays on. Passenger side seatbelt light blinks on and off. Likely a Sensor issue, but seems to be a recurring problem with 2008 Sonatas.

THE PASSENGER BUCKLE WAS REPLACED IN APRIL 2017 AFTER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. OCTOBER 2019 WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE AIRBAG LIGHT CHECKED AND THEY AGAIN SAY THE PASSENGER BUCKLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED BY HYUNDAI 15 YEAR WARRANTY ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE ISSUES. CODE IS B1518. THEY SAY IT HAS TO FLASH A DIFFERENT CODE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. PAID $406 IN 2017 FOR THE REPAIR AND WILL NEED TO PAY $480 TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. I RARELY USE THE PASSENGER SEATING BECAUSE I USUALLY DRIVE ALONE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

I find replacing the light bulbs for head lights and brake lights and flood lights more often than any other cars I have owned. The steering wheel makes a noise when turning left. And a noise is getting louder not sure what it’s related to.

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR ARE ANGLED TOO LOW WHILE USING LOW-BEAMS AND THE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT IS BAD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AND I AM NOW AWARE THAT I CAN FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST IT. HIGH-BEAMS SEEM TO FUNCTION OK.

THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS CAME OFF AND SO HAS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS CAME OFF AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS TOTALLY INOPERABLE. THIS S A TOTAL SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A CAR CRASH GOD FORBID OR EVEN THE CAR CATCHING FIRE. GETTING TO SAFETY WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT. I CANT AFFORD TO CONTINUING FIXING AN ISSUE THAT IS DEFECTED TO BEGIN WITH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS DOESN'T ILLUMINATE ALL TIME WHEN ENGAGED AND MY AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ON AND MY CAR SWAYS IN THE BACK DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM BEING RUSTED

FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE AND FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR HANDLE HAVE FALLEN OFF. TO GET INTO CAR TO DRIVE ANYWHERE I MUST CLIMB THROUGH CAR FROM BACK SEAT. RECALLS DO EXIST FOR LATER YEARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

Took vehicle to independent Hyundai factory trained technician due to air bag light. Was advised this is due to failure of Occupant Classification System sensor in front passenger seat. This is related to NHTSA Campaign 08V161000, but technician advised my VIN was not listed under this recall. Technician advised me to contact Hyundai due to the recall and inquire if my vehicle could be covered, since leaving unaddressed could cause injury or death during collision. Manufacturer is aware of issue due to previous recall cited above. Spoke with Hyundai customer service phone line on 12/13/2022 and informed of issue, asking if the recall would cover my vehicle even though my VIN was not indicated in the previous recall. Customer service advised this could not be done. Asked customer service to file complaint about known safety issue and was given case #20713402. Customer service advised I could pay for repairs out of pocket and receive refund if recall was later issued. Action requested: expand recall 08V161000 to include additional 2008 Hyundai Sonatas exhibiting same manufacturer defect which is a risk to public safety.

WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME, I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND THE AIRBAGS LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. I DROVE IT WORK AND HOPING THE AIRBAG LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND IT DID NOT. I TOOK THE PROBLEM TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. A LITTLE HISTORY, MY AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON BACK IN 2012, CASE #10352554, THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR IT. THE DEALERSHIP SENT THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT TO CALIFORNIA FOR REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. NOW JUMP FORWARD 2017, MY AIRBAGS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THE PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL BACK IN 2012. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THE PROBLEM NOW HAD TO DO WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR (CUSHION) FOR THE AIRBAGS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN ORDER FOR MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THIS HYUNDAI VEHICLE AND A SECONDARY PROBLEM RELATED TO THE AIRBAG RECALL. I FEEL THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER TO PREVENT ANY INJURY OR DEATH.

The contact's grandson owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, the rear end of the vehicle started fishtailing from left to right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rod and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FROM TIME TO TIME. I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUES ON 2008 MODEL. HOWEVER BY MY VIN NUMBER IT WON'T SHOW THAT NEEDS AN ATTENTION ON IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. ALSO, THERE IS MOOSE ON THE FRONT SIDE , PASSENGER SIDE. ON THE BACK THE CAR WIGGLES OVER 60MPH OR IF I HAVE 3 PEOPLE ON THE BACK. THANKS

Bought in 2023 @ 98k miles. Have had trouble with 1.it would only start in drive, then that seems to have self corrected. 2. In drive, car would not accelerate properly, and would slow as though I was braking, but no foot on brake. Had rear brake sensor replaced, seemed better for a while. 3. Developed oil leak at 120 miles which valvoline characterized as "not serious...just keep checking it and topping it off." So, have been doing that. Today after oil change, it began running rough, lots of vibration, then the shifting problem, sluggishness, and new..smoke from under hood on driver's side. No check engine lights at all. Nothing registered as hot or overheating. Turned off car, checked oil and trans fluid, both in proper range for warm engine. Let car sit and cool for an hour. Decided I had parked too close to the propane tanks for a smoking car, so I decided to start car just to back it into a space across the lot. Car had no issues- No smoke, no jerking or vibration, no sluggishness, no phantom braking. This car has done this same thing about once every 6 months since I've had it. Changed a tire sensor, that seemed to fix it once. Stopped using cruise control altogether, that seemed to help once. My brother is an ASE certified high school auto mechanics teacher who ran his own shop for 20 years and worked on trucks for VDOT for another 7 years and he cannot diagnose it. I know it has something to do with not being in the correct gear, but it's not reliable, and I have a hard time believing it's just my vehicle.

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA 6CYL DOHC 3.3L / 152812 WATER PUMP WENT OUT. REPLACED IT. THEN WATER ENDED UP IN THE OIL THAT GOT INTO THE LIFTERS. ENDED UP GETTING ANOTHER MOTOR. THEN MY A/C STOPPED WORKING (DIDN'T BLOW COOL OR COLD AIR). CHANGED OIL AND OIL FILTER MYSELF ALONG WITH THE OIL SENSOR ( CONNECTED TO OIL FILTER SPOT) THAT WAS LEAKING BAD AS LONG AS THE CAR WAS RUNNING.I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, IN FRONT OF A LOADED 18 WHEELER, DRIVING 75 THEN MY CAR JERKED REAL HARD THEN DROPPED DOWN TO 40. I HAD TO PULL OVER ILLEGALLY TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT BY THE TRUCK. AS I WAS CATCHING MY BREATH I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP IT MADE A WEIRD TICK NOISE. HAVEN'T HEARD THAT NOISE SINCE. WHEN I PULLED OFF IT HESITATED TO CHANGE GEARS FROM 2 TO 3. IT FINALLY CHANGED AND DID NOT COME OUT OF 3RD. GOT IT TOWED HOME. HAD MY MOMS BOYFRIEND TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. HE DROVE IT AND IT WAS FINE. NEXT MORNING STARTED CAR AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER. (LOW VOLUME) FINALLY IT WENT AWAY. WHEN I HEADED TO WORK, IT HESITATED AT FIRST. THE VACUUM NOISE CAME BACK AND WAS LOUDER. THEN I SPED UP TO 50, IT HARD JERKED AGAIN, AND STAYED IN 3RD GEAR. AS I WENT FURTHER LOSS POWER IN INSIDE LANE OF HIGHWAY AND CAR WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. LIKE IT DIDN'T KNOW I WAS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. STARTED SHAKING AT AROUND 20 MILES AN HOUR. PULLED OVER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED A FRIEND TO PULL ME BACK HOME. IT WAS REVERSING FINE BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. SO I CHANGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (WHOLE PEDAL) THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. SO THEN I CHANGED THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP/ INJECTOR. STILL HAVE ALL PARTS BY THE WAY. THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM EITHER. PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND IT GAVE A CODE FOR ECM AND OXYGEN SENSOR. ESC LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS TPMS, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I COULD MOVE FORWARD BUT IT WAS LIKE I WASN'T. THIS ALL STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. ...UPDATED 06/13/17 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR DRIVER 'S SIDE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE PRESSURE READING. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

Just about 2 months ago i exit my vehicle after parking up. As i exit i smelled a burning smell and heard sparks so i stepped away from vehicle asap and then the horn start honking and lights flashing on own. Then the car started up by itself and started to run without me in car and keys in my hand. Police came from noise distubing and took the battery off to stop. After that i couldnt start car so had towed in shop for 5 weeks. Hot out of shop and can start now but now my a.c. and windows doesnt work because mechanic said that something keep blowing those fuses out and if he puts yhem back in then the car will go back to not starting. I am guessing this is part of the recall.

FUEL LINE LEAKING UNDER DRIVERS SIDE, PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING. WHY WOULDNT THE MANUFACTURER MAKE THE LINES FROM A MATERIAL THAT CANNOT CORRODE OR RUST.

I find replacing the light bulbs for head lights and brake lights and flood lights more often than any other cars I have owned. The steering wheel makes a noise when turning left. And a noise is getting louder not sure what it’s related to.

The contact's grandson owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds and driving over a bump in the roadway, the rear end of the vehicle started fishtailing from left to right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rod and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY A SERVICE FLAG WAS SENT TO DEALERSHIPS AND JUST "FLUSH" THE TRANSMISSION. 5 DAYS LATER AND 550 MILES FROM HOME, THE CAR BROKE DOWN, WAS TOWED AND ADVISED I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. STILL SITTING OUT OF STATE WAITING FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, HIS CHILD WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD, STRUCK A UTILITY BOX, AND DROVE OVER A BICYCLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE UTILITY BOX, THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS ALMOST TORN OFF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER SENT A PACKET WITH PAPERWORK ASKING FOR THE VEHICLE DESCRIPTION, INSURANCE REPORTS, AND PICTURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE COLLISION CENTER BEING REPAIRED. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 19,000. UPDATED 06/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB

VISOR ABOVE DRIVER WILL NOT STAY UP. WHENEVER DRIVING HAVE TO PUT THE VISOR TO THE SIDE TO HAVE A CLEAR VISION OF THE STREET. THIS IS A HAZARD EVEN WHEN THE SUN IS NOT SHINING. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE SUN VISORS CONTINUE TO FALL DOWN OR SAG. I'VE HAD BOTH VISORS REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. LUCKILY, MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED AGAIN SINCE THEN, AND NOW MY SONATA IS OUT OF WARRANTY (I HAVE EXCEEDED 60K MILES). MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE VISOR TENSION ROD LOSES TENSION OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY FAILS RESULTING IN VISOR SAG. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT VISORS HAVEN'T BEEN RE-ENGINEERED, THIS ACCORDING TO A HYUNDAI REP. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO SEE THE HAZARD HERE -- THE VISOR CAN BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VIEW OR WORSE SCALP YOU IF IN AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DOES HYUNDAI DO? THEY CHECK YOUR WARRANTY STATUS AND REPLACE IT WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PART, OR WORSE, IF OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY OFFER TO SELL YOU A REPLACEMENT AT $85.00. REALLY!! THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY AS DOES APPARENTLY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION, WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA FOR FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A RECALL. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE? AND WHY ARE HYUNDAI CONSUMERS STUCK PAYING FOR A SAFETY DEFECT THAT IS UNAMBIGUOUSLY CLEAR? IF YOU DON?T BELIEVE ME, TALK TO ANY OWNER OF AN ?06, ?07, OR ?08 SONATA. THIS IS REALLY UPSETTING TO ME BECAUSE I THOUGHT HYUNDAI WAS DOING A GOOD JOB. NOW, I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS. ISSUE A RECALL ALREADY!! THE P/N FOR THE RIGHT SIDE VISOR IS 85202 0A750QDQQH BY HYUNDAI AMERICA. I DON'T HAVE THE OPTION TO SELECT THAT UNDER THE EQUIPMENT TAB SO I POSTED IT HERE. *TT