Suspension Noise, 09 Sonata Ltd. Options

[LemonLaw]

Canadian Driver Full Review Of Test Drive of 2009 Sonata

The full article is linked above, but to cut to the chase, here's the relevant passage:

If there’s a fault, it’s in the undercarriage; while the ride reaches a nice balance between comfort and agility, the suspension rattles over rough pavement, and there’s wheel hop over bumps. If your roads are glass-smooth you’ll probably never know it, but in my rural area they’re frost-heaved, and the rattles and bumps made themselves known most of the time. I’ve noticed this on a few Hyundai models, and it gives them a cheap undertone that could use some improvement.

Just wanted to put this out there so some of you don't think it's your imagination if you've experienced this problem or are experiencing it regularly.

[mcx]

thanks for that article..i have a 09 Sonata and it annoys the **** out of me that my old 91 Camry has a better ride.

[Sonnie Parker]

Have you guys called yet... it is important that everyone with issues call and let Hyundai know. The more calls they get, the quicker a fix will be available.

For those that have an issue with the 2009 suspension noise (or I suppose any year model), please call the following person:

1-800-633-5151

After you get the prompts, speak the words: CASE MANAGER

Then ask for Paula (ID#54323)

Please inform her of the issue. If she is not available... talk to whoever is and explain your problem thoroughly.

They are stating it is a characteristic of the car, but if enough people complain they will most likely issue a TSB for it.

Please let us know if you called and the response you got.

Thanks!

[LemonLaw]

thanks for that article..i have a 09 Sonata and it annoys the **** out of me that my old 91 Camry has a better ride.

Glad to be of some help, and I appreciate the positive feedback and not being labeled a troll for trying to get journalistic comments out there for all to see, so that those who do have an agenda and ulterior motives won't have credibility in calling anyone who remarks on the suspension issues of certain Hyundai models a 'troll,' or similar pejorative terms.

[dandaroy]

I am not overly sensitive about the suspension and fortunately where I live the roads fairly smooth. Over small bumps, I do not notice that much problem, but when the bump is moderate, there is definitely a cheap feel and sound of the suspension going over it. Sounds like it is 100,000 mile car and the shocks are shot, when they are not. Not a good design nor is the transmission shift. Actually I am having serious buyers remorse, but cannot get rid of it due to HUGE depreciation.

This post has been edited by dandaroy: Apr 24 2009, 06:42 PM

[19webster44]

On April 9 Shawn stated: "But really they are really working on this concern!"

I'd just like to know how you can make that statement with such certainty, Shawn?

[MED]

I am not overly sensitive about the suspension and fortunately where I live the roads fairly smooth. Over small bumps, I do not notice that much problem, but when the bump is moderate, there is definitely a cheap feel and sound of the suspension going over it. Sounds like it is 100,000 mile car and the shocks are shot, when they are not. Not a good design nor is the transmission shift. Actually I am having serious buyers remorse, but cannot get rid of it due to HUGE depreciation.

I feel ya there! That squeak in my wheel keeps coming back. Why can't they put in new parts? They're too cheap to do so.

This post has been edited by MED: May 29 2009, 12:18 PM

[charlesj123]

Good news for all of us with rear suspension noise!

New designed rear struts are coming for my car for trial. Upper Hyundai technical advisers are aware of the issue and acknowledged. I'm going to be the first in Canada to get them apparently.

A highly skilled mechanic at my dealer helps them to troubleshoot this problem and he told me that the struts have a major alignment problem with the upper tower causing excessive bending on the strut assy and doesn't operate freely.

They should come in a week or two and I'll post back when trying them.

Stay tuned!

Charles

[mojakarykatura]

keep us updated - my 09 sonata is louder than our old malibu - 12 years older car and less noise (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[kaptain_zero]

Good news for all of us with rear suspension noise!
Charles

Well, as my Sonata is my 3rd Hyundai, I can attest to the fact that sometimes Hyundai takes a bit of time to *get to it* but they ARE listening and they DO care about what we say. I remember my 2001 Elantra..... dang back door handle mechanism froze up due to water getting into the control cable.... Hyundai eventually fixed it and I was happy.... they weren't! They fixed again......... then they fixed it a third time with even more changes.... I never had a problem after the first fix but it seems that Hyundai wants to make SURE that once they fix something, it stays FIXED! I can't say I've had any major issues with noise from my suspension except for washboard roads that can rattle my cage and ears a bit. I've got the Canadian SE Sport with the 17" alloy wheels and genuine "goat cheese" Kumho tires (Goat Cheese is an old Norwegian mechanics insult regarding the grip of less than perfect all season tires, in winter driving conditions.) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grin.gif)

I DID have a peculiar noise emanating from the rear of the car when I first got it...... it was a faint rattle sort of sorts. I then remembered the center armrest has a hard plastic lidded cup holder so I pulled it out and the noise was gone. When I folded the armrest back up... the noise soon returned..... fold it back down, noise gone....<sigh>. After some humming and hawing I finally traced the noise to............. wait for it........... a zipper on the back of one of the seats. The zipper used on the back of the seat for the leather/cloth cover was a bit long so they just tucked the end of it up inside the cover. There was a tiny bit of space where it and it's tab ended up and it was able to vibrate against the hard seatback. Simply pulling the excess zipper out and then tucking it back in to the side where it would be held firmly in place by the cover solved the noise problem permanently. I'm still amazed by *all* the Hyundai cars I've had for the quietness inside the cabin.... my last Elantra was so quiet that a snap in my winter parka that tended to buzz was clearly heard but it took me forever to track it down as I always thought it was the "cars fault"!

Nobody, including Hyundai is perfect, but I have to say that of all the car manufacturers that I have dealt with so far (including top line Japanese makers), none have been as attentive to my concerns as Hyundai has and that I why I continue to buy Hyundai products.

Regards

Christian

[charlesj123]

Hello Christian,

Looks like a French first name... isn't it?

I can speak proudly of my dealer, especially for the new service manager Denis. This guy really pushes on my side to get everything done and make a happy customer. Really, he took my list of bugs and eliminates them one by one. It cost them a fortune of parts and labor so far ( 2 X front suspension assy, 4000$ + labor) The problem is still not fixed by now but they keep the faith and still working on it and it didn’t cost me a penny.

I know for sure that Japaneese, Mazda for instance, are a lot more stiff and will charge whatever they can and far from perfect for the price they are asking.

I'll post back!

Charles

[Sonnie Parker]

I look forward to hearing your response on the new parts. Hopefully this will do the trick.

[Sonnie Parker]

Any news yet? I am anxious.

[mojakarykatura]

i dropped off our 09 today to get the oil change and the service manager said that canada and usa is like 2 other companies so if they have new struts there it does not mean they will be here and that so far he did not hear anything about them coming to usa (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[vasc]

Well after only 500Km ... YES!!! 500! I see myself joining the suspension noise "club". What I did was to carry 5 bags of garden soil 18L each and voila the noise is here(wonder if those "lucky" ones ever carried passengers in back seats or some load in the trunk) at every little bump in the road and I mean LITTLE dammit. It s unbelievable how it can ruin the ride pleasure. I ll have to take it to the dealer and I wonder what story they are gonna give me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) .

Hope for the best that they will come with a solution.

[marupert]

I just purchased my 2009 Sonata at the end of April and I'm also having the loud suspension issues. The description of it sounding like a 100,000 mile car is dead on. Also, when in a turn and hitting rough roads the back end feels like it is kicking hard to the outside of the turn.

[axreyb]

A highly skilled mechanic at my dealer helps them to troubleshoot this problem and he told me that the struts have a major alignment problem with the upper tower causing excessive bending on the strut assy and doesn't operate freely.

I was wondering if it was something to do with binding. I find some days there is not much noise and then the next drive it seems to be louder and ride slightly worse. I suspect things shift around a bit making the alignment problem change severity. I also don't like the whole wheel hop on the rear end when cornering and hitting bumps. I hope the upcoming fix helps that as well. If they can settle this down then I will have almost 0 complaints about the car!

[erry]

After reading this message, I noticed that my hyundai does have this noise. I personally have been to the service ceter over 20 times already trying to fix problems, and new problems keep coming up.

[MED]

After reading this message, I noticed that my hyundai does have this noise. I personally have been to the service ceter over 20 times already trying to fix problems, and new problems keep coming up.

Wow! Sounds like someone should consult a lemon lawyer. Please elaborate on your problems.

[Sonnie Parker]

I hope everyone with problems is calling Hyundai customer service and filing a complaint. The more complaints we have the quicker we will see a fix. It is imperative we all call... not just go to the service dept and complain, but call Hyundai directly. The telephone number is listed a few posts back.