Due to a request from a fellow member (Craig) I made a quick form that will post the submitted entries to a spreadsheet and then a webpage. The idea is to get folks to post up their results from mileage tests they have done or will do. This will at least give us a place to reference in the future.

It's nothing fancy but it works. Depending on usage I might integrate it into a regular webpage on Sonata site.

Form Entry

View Entries

It may take a couple of minutes after you post before the entry is visible on the "view entries" page. If anything's missing please let me know, but remember we're trying to keep it as simple as possible.

Feel free to post your Member Photo here!

Follow the link below for a compilation of TSBs, DIYs, How-To's, Aftermarket Parts, and other goodies. There are also owners manuals for various model years. If anyone has additional Sonata TSB, Recall, or other Technical Information for the 4G Sonata, feel free to add it here. Thanks all!

http://www.amdmaddness.com/sonata/index.htm

The Faces of Sonata is here:
http://www.jerrystout.us/faces/

I'm looking for some nice all weather mats to help protect my floor. Originally I considered getting some Weathertech's, but I searched around a little more and found these...

http://www.hyundai-parts.com/PD-U8130-3K100.aspx?MakeID=31

Has anyone dealt with the site? Can they vouch the mats are any good? Or tell me where else I could find some for around $50 that wouldn't require cutting and all to fit the Sonata?

I really do want some that are molded specifically for the Sonata. After having the ones in my Cherokee that weren't (that constantly bunched up and slid around) I do not want just generic ones or some half-**** do it yourself cutting job to make it fit...

When I bought my 08 Sonata Ltd I immediately removed the light colored carpeted Soanta mats and stored them. From that point forward I have been using the clear rubbermaid mats that are fine in the summer, fall, spring (despite the fact that they twist and have to be periodically readjusted). I have been using heavy rubber mats for the front during the winter but they look like crap once they get that dirt stain but are great at catching the pebbles and granular winter stuff. I noticed Weather Tech has custom mats that fit all over but they cost quite a bit. I am wondering what other people are doing in the way of being creative with floor mats and carpet protection.

Would a cold air intake void any warranties for 08 Hyundai Sonata???

Hey everyone. We just purchased a 2009 Sonata GLS, and while we like the stereo just fine, my husband would like to add in the 12 disc Pioneer CDX-P1250 CD changer that we had in his Accord. Does anyone have any idea on the best way to do this add, or where we could find some good info on it without having to go to Best Buy and paying for the install? Appreciate any help y'all can give us!

Cindy

Hi.
This is the weirdest problem I ever had. I can't find good working wiper blades for my 07 sonata. I bought it brand new with OEM blades and they were ok for 6-7 months. Then I replaced them and since then every blade I bought didn't work for me. They jerk, squeek, leave streaks, etc.

I tried buying smaller blades, framed or frameless, rain-x, bosch, michelin, some cheap noname stuff. They all work fine for the first couple hours or days. And then they begin to have the same problem.
I don't get it.
Then at some point I thought may be it was my pitted windshield, but couple months ago it cracked and was replaced. The problem is still there.

Do you have any idea what can be wrong? Is anybody else here having the same problems?


Thanks.

I dont normally drive at highway speeds (at least not on a daily basis) however I noticed a wind noise coming from the area of the upper windshield. After looking at that area I noticed that there is a space all the way across the top of the glass where you would normally expect a gasket to be. Has anyone else noticed this?

I took my '06 Sonata in today for the brake light switch recall. It took 5 minutes there - no problem.

The problem is that the service manager was very insistent on having an "inspection" done on the car for my "safety". This is the latest money raising scam in the Wash DC area and the manager admitted as such when I pushed right back and insisted that the car be left alone except for the purpose I brought in in for - namely the recall problem.

Last June, I took one of my other cars to a dealer for the state required safety inspection and, without telling me, they did their so-called "100 point" inspection. When I got home there were several problems including loose wheel lug nuts - they were only finger tight. I saw them pull the wheels at the garage. And, this was the condition the car was in after a state mandated "safety" inspection.

Is this dealer inspired "inspection" racket a nationwide thing now? Just Curious.

I drive a 2007 Sonata GLS 4dr, 4cyl - automatic; now my wife wants a new car. We bought the 2007 because of the safety features, 10 yr warranty, decent gas mileage, comfort, and price and we want the same features in a new car. We are both over age 65 and differ in height by about 8 inches so the power adjustment for the driver's seat is a real convenience.

Does it make sense to spend extra to buy a 2010 over a 2009?

My wife sometimes drives the Sonata and has no problems with it but would rather have a slightly smaller car.
Do any of Hyundai's smaller models match the safety and other good features of the Sonata?

Does any other make of car come close to the Hyundai Sonata?

Please Help!! I have a 2008 Sonata Se v6 18000 miles. I have brought my Sonata to the dealer 5 times with this issue. It all started when I brought the car in for a routine tire rotation, when I received the car back it had a nasty vibration in it. I brought the car back they re-balanced the wheels, they have balanced the wheels five times and the vibration is still present. The tires are nitrogen filled. The dealer claims the front-end is not out of alignment and the wheels are straight. I have inspected the tires the only thing with the tires is a little dry rot the car sits a lot. I've been told their are no flat spots in the tires. Now here is the weird part of this hole problem, when the weather is cooler the vibration is at it's worst. Oh they have reprogrammed my transmission 4 times for shifting problems. The service writer at hyundai is starting to think I'm nuts, I just want the car to ride smooth. If anyone knows what could be going on it would be greatly appreciated!

Can anyone (or hopefully many) give me some information that is positive with respect to the Sonata suspension issue - namely the 'thunk .. thunkaty clunk ..' issue tha I HAVE!!! and many others appear to have.
I have had my 2010 Sonata GL 5 speed manual (the basic one) with a current 1800 Km's on the clock, for about a month now and from day 3 or 4, I suppose, the noise appeared- seemingly coming from the right rear suspension area - (but is now coming from both sides rear - mostly P/S and to a lesser degree the front also - more on the P/S) The car takes upward projections from the road surface well, with a reasuring soft bump type noise (as all new/newer type cars I've been in do..) - but large cracks, manhole covers uneven pavement and potholes - well that is a completely different story - as someone else wrote "..a bit like the struts are bottoming out" - that sounds a bit like the noise I'm hearing and the feeling I'm feeling when this happens.
The demonstrator I tried, from which I 'fell in love' -- with this car - was smooth as could be - a beautiful ride. Hmmm.
Has anyone had ANY luck -although it's clear that luck has nothing to do with it.
This is driving me CRAZY mad.
The car has been back to the dealership, where it was checked out by a "suspension specialist" - RESULT: "No problem found"
Where to next???? Can anyone help, who is further down the line with this issue???
Maybe a group of people, through a lawyer - might have more success...
I live in Ottawa, Canada.

At 43K, my 2006 Sonata had a catastrophic engine failure. After rebuilding the engine (a rod shot through the block), within a year we had three more issues related to the repair. Called Hyundai Customer Service to see if they might extend my 60K warranty since it appears the fix wasn't the best their authorized service could offer. Guess what, I was told that they have no authority to do anything. It's all up to the Regional Service and Parts Manager who that don't have a number for. When I spoke to a supervisor at the Hyundai Customer Service hotline, he said he couldn't do anything, either. I asked to speak to his supervisor...and this is what he said: I don't have a supervisor, there's an office manager who does payroll and paperwork and stuff! He suggested I go to the Hyundainews.com website and look up the exec bios to see if there was someone there I could talk to! Apparently noone there really cares about the quality of the product or service!

So, if you are looking to buy a Hyundai, just beware. The customer service hotline is nothing more than an underpaid psychiatrist's office designed to listen to your complaints, but is unequipped to do much more. Don't waste your time, just go straight to your dealership -- but you'll find that unless you are able to squeeze into the lemon law, you are just stuck!

We just paid off this car, and are looking for new. Sadly, we thought it was just a blip in the usual quality of Hyundai, but it looks more like the same old Hyundai that people ran from a few years ago.

hi, i have an 06 sonata gls with the cloth seats. I've been calling junk yards, and I found a good price on a set of leather seats. The only question I have is if the cable is there for auto seats, or if I have to install the cables, or if I can even install them. Also want to make sure it won't mess up air bags.

Thanks!

Hello all.//

Frequent lurker 1st time poster...I recently bought a brand new 2009 Sonata Limited V6 in Cocoa. I bought the vehicle brand new with only 14 miles on the ODO. After I got it home and was able to clean & detail, I noticed that the left rear door had been repainted. I immediately called the dealer and they looked in all the records (or so they say) and told me that nothing had been damaged on the vehicle. I called Hyundai USA and filed a complaint. I also took the vehicle to another Hyundai dealership and the body shop and service manager confirmed that in fact the door had been repainted (by using a millimeter paint depth tool and visual confirmation) . They looked on the Hyundai website and did not find any warranty PO's on this vehicle, which indicated that it wasn't damage in shipping since it would have been repaired by the purchasing dealer and reported as a claim to Hyundai and it would have shown on the website. My complaint was upgraded to the regional office and I received a call from someone there and they were going to do some further investigation. My questions here as follows (please chime in if you have 1st hand knowledge or experience with this matter):

#1. Is it possible it was damaged at the factory and repainted there? Are they putting out that kind of crap in Alabama? With a casual glance you wouldn't notice the repaint, but you can see remnants of overspray on the b pillar and if you look closely down the panel you can see a difference in the orange peel and there are a few waves in the surface.

#2. Why is no one able to pinpoint where this vehicle was repainted?

#3. I am getting the feeling that Hyundai is not going to replace the vehicle, but only offer to repaint the door/body. I am a picky person, and there is no amount of painting that would make me feel good about keeping this vehicle...it is not factory paint and will never match the entire car. Does anyone have experience with damaged/repainted vehicles?

#4. Is there anything I can do or say to Hyundai to get them to exchange this vehicle? I did call my State attorney generals office and they said that in our state, the dealer/manufacturer has to disclose any type of damage that exceeds $300 on a new vehicle (which they didn't). In addition, the state representative told me that there is another issue and that is the "presumption of condition", which means that I would have never purchased the vehicle had I known the door had been repainted. It is assumed that when you buy a new vehicle it is in fact "new" and undamaged.

I personally don't want to sue my dealer or have the State attorney general office investigate the matter because it is time consuming and distracting. I just want someone to accept that the vehicle was damaged and repainted somewhere along the way before it was delivered to me and replace it with another one that is similar. Heck, I even offered to throw a little money at it to get the monkey off my back. I expressed my view that I am a 1st time Hyundai buyer and that I usually buy 1-2 vehicles every year and that if I'm not treated fairly on this matter, I will never buy another Hyundai.

I hope for the best, but I'm expecting something less. Please add your suggestions or inputs.

Cheers, Nick

The only reason I would bring the car to a dealer for an oil change is they claim that they lube the Chassis. To me an oil change is simple enough to do in my garage but I don't know what the Chassis is or how to lube it, or if it is even required, or if this is all BS anyways. Maybe they don't even do that. The manual doesn't even mention this. Is it something thats required? Does it require a special lube gun or something?

Hi guys i dont know if anyone has had this problem with the factory nav but mine after 3 months decides to freeze restart and turn on and off all by itself .. I live in NY and it got cold for a week and all of a sudden my nav dies lol not really sure if the weather change an issue but thats the only thing that has changed lol ... but seriously now I have had an 09 sonata for about 3 months fully loaded love the car! but the nav is so effed up lol It freezes and restarts and sometimes it doesnt work at all. I noticed it last week driving home from an aunt house in NJ that i missed the turn since it told me to go straight when i couldnt anymore lol ... I brought it to my service center and they stated the Nav units are on back order. If anyone has had this issue when they fixed it have you had any new issues? I really love my car and kinda hate that this would happend with a factory nav.

When I hook my iPod cable into the AUX/iPod connector in the center console, it reads it as a USB and not as an iPod. Because of this, it doesn't show artist name/album, etc it shows the 4 character file names.

Also, I had some issues with my iPod not long ago and had to reset it because it wasn't syncing and adding my new music. I've fixed this problem within my iPod, but my car only seems to be recognizing my old songs (like my iPod was a while ago).

Any ideas are HUGELY appreciated!!!

Thanks!

GB Girl

i have a 08 Sonata with 28K miles on it. all 4 OEM tyres (michelin Energy MXV4 S8) are almost to their Wear mark...is the normal? i am not a aggressive driver at all. most driving is 80% interstate, 20% city. hyundai warranty document states to go to a Michelin tyre dealer for any tyre issues. when i went to Sam's club yesterday, the guy showed me that there is no tread warranty on this tyre from Michelin......28K is too early to changes tyres in my book.....what have others experienced with these tyres....any advice on where to go from here??

Thanks

Anyone know of a place to buy both the left and right sun visor. Mine broke last week, Thursday evening, which is October 1st. The passenger side broke a few days before. I took it to the dealer this morning to have them replaced and was informed that the sun visor recall was stopped as of October 1st. He had a form on his desk, looked like they stopped quite a few recalls across a few models.

Quoted $199 for both visors.

I figured I could get better pricing online. Though I'm not having much luck finding them.

I didn't find a single one on ebay.
none on sharkracing.com
none on rockauto.com

Any recommendations of other shops to look at?

Thanks for your help.

I have a 2006 Sonata and I want to buy a remote for the keyless entry because I bought the car used and it did not come with one. I am aware that I will have to get it programed by the dealer but I want to know the model # of the remote so I get the right one. it has the red flashing light on the dash so Im asumming it has key less entry, is there anyway I could verify this for sure?

Thanks
Jeff A

Hi,
I was told that if you add washers to the front of the bucket seats on the sonata it will raise
it slightly resulting in more comfy position will also reduce leg pain on longer trips. Is this true?
if so what size washers are needed and how many? Thanks

Yep, got it lowered today! I love it.

I have considered switching pretty to synthetic for my next oilchange (or the next), so I'm just wondering how many people here have done so. I know my grandfather swears by it. I forget exactly why they had the head off of his Grand Prix, but he's been using it since he got it new in 1999 and he said the rocker arms looked brand new. No buildup or anything, they just looked wet.

Hi, I'm getting used to my recently acquired 2009 GLS V6. I've very pleased with the car - it was purchased used with 12,100 miles on it and I'm close to 14,000 miles now. I've learned a few things about it so far, but one has me a little curious. In most every car I've owned manufactured in the last 15 years or so, the transmission programming is such that the engine is essentially decoupled from the drivetrain when you lift off the gas to coast down. This is for fuel economy reasons. In this car, it doesn't appear to do so until at a very slow speed. So, if I'm on the highway and I have gotten to, say 70 mph - as I lift off the gas I feel the enging slowing the car down. If I shift to neutral, then the tranny disengages and coasts better. I notice, however that somewhere between 20 and 30 mph, the drivetrain does disengage automatically. Odd that it does it a low speeds, but not higher speeds.

My fuel economy is quite good, so there are no problems. I'm just wondering if this is normal, however - or if there's one of the sensors in the tranny not telling the tranny to disengage when it shoud.

Do you other '09 V6 Sonatas feel that as well? Thanks!

Hi All: Remember that old test pattern on TV years ago? My NAV / Infinity screen is showing that. Rolling horizontal lines then the screen goes totally blank. No NAV at all -- but strangely, I hear just fine. XM / FM / AM / CD all auditory is fine. Just no video at all. The screen is that. Rolling horizontal lines top to bottom. Your thoughts? Thanks. 2009 Sonata Limited.

The ABS and ESC Off lights on my dash have been sporaidcally coming on and then going off when I turn the car off.

Today they came on when I was going to lunch and after I turned the engine off, went in and ate, come back and started the car they were off again.

It wasn't 5 minutes and I noticed they were back on.

I have an apointment Monday morning at the dealer to check it out.

Has anyone else had theis happen and let me know what to probably expect?





I have also posted the thread below on what HID kit I am looking to get, but still have questions.

I don't get many answers in the DIY side of the site, so that's why I am including it in tis post. Any comments are appreciated.


After reading numberous posts and links for the HID upgrade, here are the last sets of questions I will hopefully have.

I got a quote from hidguy.net for the low and high beam kits. I have decided to go with the 5000K.

No HID fogs for me.


Low Beam
http://www.hidguy.net/index.php?main_page=...;products_id=18

High Beam
http://www.hidguy.net/index.php?main_page=...;products_id=13



My questions is if you do both the low and high beam, do you have to mount 4 ballists? If so where is the best place to mount 4 at?

If I go with this kit is it just a plug and play or is there something that else that has to be done that is not in the insrtuctions?

Any help is really appreciated.


Thanks,
Jimmy

I wanted to create a topic for this. I read a post on here where another 09 owner had what he thought was a cold weather related squeak coming from the passenger side dash / windshield area. Mine does this and it's highly annoying. Here's what I've observed:

- seems to happen in cold temps, though I can't say what "cold" is...<40F perhaps?
- noticeable over bumps or whenever the car frame twists as a result of uneven road surface
- source seems to be the dash / windshield interface on the passenger side
- it's *possible* it may be coming from the top of the windshield as well
- it's very noticeable and highly irritating

Are you experiencing this, either with an 09 or earlier model?

I cut a pool noodle and shoved it down between the glass and dash hoping the pressure would relieve whatever is rubbing. It appeared to work until the temps dropped into the 20s. Then it returned.

I have a visit with the dealer scheduled and will update this thread.

I have a 2009 GLS, 5MT Sonata.

My driver's side vanity mirror cracked, funny because I never use it. I am just trying to keep the car in perfect condition, whether it's a mirror or other part.

The warranty doesn't cover this and I was told I must replace the entire visor (100 CAD + labour)

I am thinking in going to a local glass shop to cut a new mirror with same size and thickness of the one broken and replace it that way. I went to HMAService.com but I was unable to find the dimensions for the mirror or how to replaced it.

The mirror sits in a plastic housing within the visor and once I get the new cut mirror from a glass shop I am thinking of trying to pop the housing out of the visor but not sure in how to do this and if this may affect the vanity light or any other component.

Does anyone know the vanity mirror dimensions and also has anyone replaced the mirror by himself?

Thanks!

Hi folks. Been reading up on some old posts here and saw that there were a couple people who have upgraded their brake system with the R1 Eseries found on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...RK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I was wondering if anyone else has any input on these from firsthand experience. I am looking to improve my brake system whether it be pads, rotors, pads and rotors to achieve my goal of more responsive brakes. I don't really dig the soft and cushy that my 08 V6 SE provides. It's really strange because when I bought my car in late 07, the first car I test drove which I fell in love with was the exact same specs but the brakes were incredible and sensitive. However that car threw a CEL at the end of the test drive so they brought me out a comparable model, but the only difference was the brakes seemed to be squishier but not bad enough to make me ask them for another car. Now after I got my wife her 09 Sonata GLS 4cyl, I am realizing it was an issue I probably should have addressed. Thus the reasoning for my pursuit of better brakes lol.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Well, it happened. Guess it has happened to others, but no answers yet. We had a 3-gallon jug of water on the back floor that tipped over around a corner and broke out a speaker grill. I think the speaker itself is fine.

I'd like to know two things from those who have taken off the door panel and/or replaced the rear door speakers with aftermarket.

1) Can the rear speaker grill be taken off and replaced withOUT removing the entire interior door panel? If so, how?
2) Anyone know where I can find a beige (we have tan leather in the LX) panel for purchase aside from the dealer?

Thanks!

My other option is to repair it, but to do that, I still need to get it off and carefully glue the grill piece and the cracks back into place. Knowing if the panel can be removed by itself and how would be awesome!

Steve

What is the difference between these versions of the Sonata? Is it just trim and interior?

Hi all,

I am the owner of a new 09 Sonata v6 limit. Right from the first day I picked up my car from the dealership it exhibits a problem which is drifting to the left on the highway. What I mean is when I am on a highway and on a straight stretch, once I line up the car going straight and let go of the steering wheel the car will drift to the left. In a matter of seconds my car will cross the left hand divider line. What that means is I have to constantly correct the direction of the vehicle. I know the drifting is not caused by road crowning because I always tested on the middle lane of a 3 lane highway; plus my wife's car doesn't have the drifting problem driving on the same road. I have taken the car back to the original dealership where I purchased the car 4 times and the problem is still not fixed (1st visit: checked alignment and tire pressure. 2nd visit: swapped all 4 tires with stock unit. 3rd visit: re-alignment. 4th visit: replace right front struct which is .1 degree off specification; acceptable range is 4.2 - 4.6 and the orginal right front struct was 4.1) Not to mention the dealership is about 20 miles one way from my house. I then contacted Hyundai Consumer Affair and it connected me with a second dealership. I dropped off my car to that second dealership this morning. The service manager and I went out for test drive and he agreed there was a drifting issue. He said he would checked the alignment and if the alignment is ok then there is not much more he can do. He claimed that it is a common problem with Sonata and that's just a Hyundai engineering thing. So I am wondering if anyone of you out there also have the same drifing problem with your Sonata. Or am I just being BS around.

I thank you for any suggestion or opinion in advance!

Hey all,this is my first post so i hope it goes well. Anyway i have an 2008 Sonata SE 4cyl. With a manual trans. I am getting a strange sound that sounds like a cross between a squeal and a whine. It is most noticable when I have backed out onto the street and go into first while straightening my wheels and accelerating. It only last for a second or two then everything fine and it drives great. I've had it in the shop 2 or 3 times but as Murphy's law goes it worked fine there. Has anybody ever had this problem or have any ideas ? If more info. is needed I'll post it. Thanks in advance for any help.

Well, it seems my USB port is dead.
I bought the car 2 months ago, and the USB is dead.
Bummer.

2 days ago, iPod stopped working. The nav unit had a connection error and didn't recognize the ipod.
It recharged the iPod just fine, though.
So, today I tried usb memry stick.
The led on the memory stick got the light on, but the nav unit says nothing is connected.

I'm bringing it in tomorrow morning.
I hope it wouldn't take long to fix it.

DANG!!!!

*got some day shots up*

Worked on this all day today thanks to great resources out there on the web.

Used VHT niteshades + VHT quick coat clear coat.

I went the whole nine yards of wetsanding in between painting and clearcoating and buffin at the end with maguires plastX for the ultimate shine finish rather than the matte look.

My one word of advice... buy a buffer!!! Spent waaaaay too much time and effort hand buffing at the end and I don't recommend you put yourself through the same torture!

Total time: 9 hrs. Mainly curing time, grabbed dinner, watched Dexter.

I plan on getting my wife to bust our her DSLR tomorrow so I can get some high quality shots in case anyones interested. Here are some teaser taken from my iPhone. Sorry for the low lighting.

I noticed this last friday, there is a slow drip comming from the engine but its not coolant,oil or fuel. I dont even think its wiper fluid. From lookin into the engine bay it seems to be comming from a 90' bend plastic pipe near the firewall closer to the right front wheel. Could it just be condensation run off or something more severe? Should i take it to hyundai and have them look at it?

thanks in advance.

Folks,

After I moved to Denver from Wichita, I am noticing two things:

1. The shifting is a bit rougher in comparison (1 --> 2 most pronounced and some 2 ----> 3). Not that the shifting was smooth to begin with in Wichita (I have ranted many times before), but I am definitely noticing a bit more hesitancy. However, I think the up and down terrain may be accentuating the problem.

2. Also the powertrain does not seem as smooth as it was in Wichita. This effect is subtle though.

I am thinking if the altitude has anything to do with this? Does the car have to tuned different for Denver? Please let me know.

And what is up with the 85 Octane rating? I have never seen this anywhere.

OK I have no idea what happened here. So my buddy brings out his new 4 door V6 Genesis all stock with 20's. Of course after a long talk I get him to race me several times. Now Earlier that day I said my car felt a little slow but boy was I surprised of the out come. So I had him race my buddies A4 who runs mid to low 13's at the track. meth injection, 21psi of boost, tune ect..... Holy crap was I surprised again. This Hyundai must be the Hyundai from **** or something. I did not expect to see it beat him. So either the Hyundai's are really under rated or this one was very special! I told him after an oil change tranny flush and I clean my filter I want a rematch. LOL
with me


with the Audi

Has anyone taken their Sonata in for the recall about the brake light switch? My notice said to plan on leaving the car there!!! For a brake light switch replacement? It can't take that long. I could change out the one in my Jetta (regularly ( ) in about one minute.