Latest Consumer Reports for Sonata 2.0T

[AcesHigh]

Originally Posted by Zebodog

Don't the Sonata Turbo and Optima Turbo share the same chassis/powertrain?

Yep same cars. Look under the front fairings of your Sonata and its labeled "Kia Motor Corp"

[New2011sonata]

Originally Posted by abghar

I just got my December 2012 Consumer reports and they are reporting similar issues with the Sonata 2.0T as Car & Driver.
They have added Sonata 2.0T in the Not Recommended Category with Models with declining reliability.

Key note is previous generation Sonata had zero unscheduled visits to the dealership while the current gen Sonata on average visits the dealership more often than not.

Do forum members agree or disagree with CR?

Based on my own experience and that of others shared on this forum, I believe there are 3 problems that are largely responsible for the decline into the "not recommended" category.

1) The left pull issue
2) Brake lamp switch failures
3) Wastegate issues

While there are remedies to these issues, they are quite serious. I had the brake lamp switch failure which completely disabled my vehicle, requiring a tow to the dealership.

It's hard to be accurate without empirical data, but I estimate that 1/4 to 1/3 of Turbo owners have had one of those issues. The Sonata Turbo is a great car, and I love mine. However, I would have to agree with CR on the reliability issues based on personal experience.

Hal

[bonsai]

There's always the imported from DE-troit Chrysler 200 for those fearful of issues.

[STEKICAR]

Originally Posted by Dunder33

"... Keep in mind, that the Consumer Reports survey is based on feedback from owners, which generally needs to be taken with a pretty big grain of salt.

"Pretty big grain of salt" you say. Those are the most valid feedback you will ever see simply because they are from actual users.

[Dunder33]

Originally Posted by STEKICAR

"Pretty big grain of salt" you say. Those are the most valid feedback you will ever see simply because they are from actual users.

I respectfully disagree. People who are pleased with a vehicle will give an honest and reliable assessment of it. However, the world is full of people who will freak out and overreact to the tiniest imperfection. I've encountered individuals in real life, as well as on numerous other car forums, who will experience a relatively minor problem, yet scream bloody murder as if their car was the biggest lemon in history.

Heck, back when I bought my old 2003 Accord it had a flaw from the factory which was causing the power steering rack to leek fluid within a few months of it being new. At the time I was pretty annoyed, having just shelled out big bucks based largely on Honda's legendary reputation for quality. So back then, I'm sure if I'd been presented with a Consumer Reports survey to complete, I would have the slammed the car for not being up to Honda's regular standards, and I would have reported that it was a total piece of crap. But guess what? After that one repair, the car was flawless for the 9 years that I owned it, needing nothing more than brakes and oil changes.

The little over reaction that many, many people experience to any perceived flaw in a new car as being "OMG, what a lemon" was the "big grain of salt" to which I was referring.

[Zebodog]

Originally Posted by AcesHigh

Yep same cars. Look under the front fairings of your Sonata and its labeled "Kia Motor Corp"

Makes you wonder how two cars that share the same powertrains and chassis can score so differently on reliability???

Do the parts magically improve when the entire car is branded as KIA?

[Zoom49]

Originally Posted by Zebodog

Makes you wonder how two cars that share the same powertrains and chassis can score so differently on reliability???

Do the parts magically improve when the entire car is branded as KIA?

Remember the 2011 and early 12 Optimas were made in Korea, all the Sonotas came from Alabama.

[big_ol_meat]

My view after 19000 miles since March -
Pros - Price, Features, Mechanically has been sound, Cosmetics, Ride Comfort (after front strut bar)
Cons - Doors seem flimsy when shutting, noisy ride, my clear coat scratches extremely bad
Overall I'm happy with my purchase. I think Hyundai cut a few corners at times but what manufacturer doesn't?

[bonsai]

What's magical in this equation is the Sonata 2.0T having a year jump on the Optima SX. In rush to release the new Sonata, w/2.0T hot on its heels, it appears as if Hyundai devoted more time unto building/selling cars as fast as possible.

After the little recall and the four steering bolt torque, if memory still serves me well, Hyundai was praised as being proactive. A mere bump n the road yet, when a percentage of cars exhibited the will to pull/drift left, from the right lane, up and over the crown Hyundai sputters, stutters and falls on it's face.

They came through the earlier recall w/flying colours, sales were up and they basically attempted to sweep this issue under the rug. A ruse taken at liberty of the owner's time and expense.

Should Kia have similar issues and their service centre proves to be as ineffective in resolving the problem to customer satisfaction then you may expect their ratings to drop also.

This is not a dig at service personnel as they didn't design or build the autos. They too are at the mercy of corporate decisions and are expected to follow company protocol.

[Zebodog]

Originally Posted by Zoom49

Remember the 2011 and early 12 Optimas were made in Korea, all the Sonotas came from Alabama.

So basically shoddy US workmanship and low standards. Got it.