Recalls: Hyundai EF Sonata
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Hyundai EF Sonata
- In December 1998, a recall was issued for Hyundai EF-A Sonata models manufactured between 1 May 1998 and 16 October 1998 fitted with airbags due to possible inadvertent airbag inflation (PRA 1998/3750).
- In February 2001, a recall was issued for 1999-00 Hyundai EF Sonata models fitted 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines due to the potential for the mass air flow sensor connecting wire to experience intermittent connection failures caused by engine vibrations; this could cause the engine to stall (PRA 2001/4657).
- In April 2002, a recall was issued for Hyundai EF Sonata vehicles due to the side airbag warning light inadvertently becoming activated as a result of problems with wiring connectors (PRA 2002/5289).
Problems and faults: Hyundai EF Sonata
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Hyundai EF Sonata
- Ticking noises from the Hyundai Sonata’s engine may be attributable to the hydraulic lifters; revised lifters were available to remedy this problem.
- For Hyundai EF Sonata models with the 2.4-litre engine, hard starting or rough idle after refueling may be attributable to the canister purge valve sticking; if so, it needs to be replaced.
- Automatic transmissions may not engage drive or reverse after the car has been parked for several hours because the torque converter drains down through the front pump.
- Other problems with the automatic transmission include shift flares, erratic shifting, delayed engagement and harsh shifts – these problems may have a range of causes, such as a faulty fluid temperature sensor, defective shift solenoid, low or worn out transmission fluid and blown fuses.
- Hard-shifting manual transmissions can be fixed with a countermeasure synchronizer, first and second gear and shift-fork kit.
- Squeaking and squawking noises from the front and/or rear suspension may be fixed with revised anti-sway bar bushings.
- When refueling, a restriction in the on-board vapour-recovery line may cause the petrol pump to click off.
- The climate control system may blow warm air when switched to cold and vice versa due to the temperature sensor’s aspirator hose coming off the vent.
- If the CD player ‘freezes’ or ‘locks up’, it can be reset by removing the short connector in the fuse panel for ten seconds or longer.
