I have a 2007 Sonata SE with a 3.3 L engine. Sounds like the same design in
both models. The other day while going around a corner with ripples in the road I noticed the rear of the car start to slide a little. This sound like a safety issue to me. Maybe they are waiting for a person to get killed before they do anything.

Maybe more bad press and a drop in sales would help. I was thinking a looking at a Azera in the Spring, but that will not happen now. May have to look elsewhere.

If anyone out there is looking at the Hyundia do not just think of thwe warrantee
because they can use the excuse it is by design.

Ed G

Now wait a minute Ed. Lets not kick the dog out of the dog house. Every new model has a flaw. Sometimes it takes two or three years to get the kinks out. Azera has a few flaws and now we need to see if Hyundai will take action to take care of the problems. Sonata has also changed the sytle of their cars the last few years. So yes there may be a few problems but this too will pass.

Lets not get too negative yet. My brother bought a Mustang and has had all sorts of problems with the car. Does that mean all Fords are bad?

heypal, well, you're close about all Fords being bad...just kidding. But, let's not be too tough on Ed. We all, on this forum, have the same problem with the "clunk". As everyone has said, let's see what Hyundai says...but nothing yet, not even an acknowledgement that I'm aware of.
Back to the issue...I'm not sure if the clunk is in the front, rear, or both. Also, I'm wondering if the issue has been corrected after a certain date of manufacture. I know my car was manufactured May 27, 2006 (on driver side door jamb/pillar). Anyone have a recent manufactered date??

May 10, 2006 Azera

Horrible clunking noise.

Best part, the road I take everyday to work makes the clunking so fast, it becomes a rattle/clunk.

Interesting thing.... took to dealer. They said they couldn't hear the noise. They asked me to come back in to drive it with them. When I got there, the service manager was just ending a call with hyundai. They refused to ride in the car with me to hear it, and told me that the noise is normal.

The work order:
"NPF, suspension is operating to manufacturer specifications".

I'd love to see the engineering document that states "Car shall make clunking rattling noise when driving over small pavement irregularities"

If this is so normal, why is it that everyone is having the problem with just the right front suspension??????

From this experience, it seems hyundai is directing their dealers to sweep this under the rug. Cut your dealer a break, hyundai is the problem here.

Some of the azera owners state they contacted hyundai about this months ago. I called it in about a week ago, and they played the "we never heard of that issue before" bs.

So this is how they get good JD Powers ratings. Have defects and broken cars that you refuse to repair, voila! less problems per vehicle.

We have tough lemon laws in Ohio, I am very close to pursuing this route.

FYI Hyundai: Ohio Lemon Law Section E - "Nonconformity" means any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a motor vehicle and does not conform to the express warranty of the manufacturer or distributor."

Your "specifications" are irrelevant. Your failure to acknowledge, much less fix the issues with our cars has a rediculously large impact on value of the vehicle.

Ok, maybe Ed does have a point we do have the clunk thing going on. My car was made in June 2006. Sometimes the cluck sounds like it is coming from the right front and other times it sounds like it may be in the right back. Most likely it is on both sides but since I drive the car I only hear it on the right side.

I hope Hyundai doesn't play it off and lets it go. It would be ashame if they do. I for one would like to see a fix on the problem. Currently we will wait and see it dronrs receives a notice back from Hyundai. My dealer here in Ohio is aware of the problem and has contacted Hyundai about the clunk. No word yet back from HYundai. So the bottom like is...wait and see.

heypal,
I have not heard anything from Hyundai in response to my email. I have spoken to my sales manager and he was going to go out in an Azera to hear for himself. He has actually not driven one. He drives a Sonata LX and has heard the noisy rear suspension but was not that concerned. I would suggest that those of you who are truly "crazy" over this suspension noise should consider contacting the editors of the various motor magazines, especially the ones that are test driving the Azera. That may be the one way to shake Hyundai loose from the silence. In reality our dealerships can't do anything unless Hyundai corporate makes the first move.

Don

Don - I think your approach makes a lot of sence. I would guess many Azzera owners are probably in this for the long haul, so why be hostile to a service manager when you would rather have him as a friend. Also, a high volume of requests from owners to Hyundai should ultimately get a response.

If they had a solution that was cost effective, they would have TSB'd it already. Perhaps the solutions discovered so far are too cost prohibitive for Hyundai to announce yet.

Bottom-line this is their top-of-the-line car. They can ill afford bad reveiws in the auto mags or in forums such as this.While I certainly do not want to tolerate the clunking in a brand new car, I am willing to give Hyundai a chance to develop an efficient/effective solution.

I really can't see this being a big deal for Hyundai. Suspension noise can be one of only a few things. Stuts, springs, shocks. Could very well be the shocks. Spring not likely matter of fact is there even a spring under the car for each wheel? I never looked. But a shock could be the problem.

Letters are the best way to getting things resolved. Is there a address all of us can write to the company that will get to the proper people to get this situation addressed? If there is lets find out put it in print and start writting.

I own a Hyundai Sonata and a Kia SEDONA. I don`t own an Azera. B
But I know a fair amount about the front suspension noise problem. Seems as if the heavier cars in the Hyundai/Kia family suffer from this problem. It has shown up in the Azera as well as the KIA Amanti and the Kia Sedona. Over at the Kia Forums website OVER 18,000 POSTS ARE ABOUT THE KIA SEDONA FRONT END - SUSPENSION NOISE. Go there yourself if you like:

http://www.kia-forums.com/kia-carnival-sed...ont-struts.html

There is no smoke without fire - and 18,000+ posts is sure a lot of smoke and chatter when it about one specific problem in one particular model car.

I have participated in the above forum as my Sedona has the problem. It is very annoying - sounds like a tennis ball being shaken inside the can - it NEVER goes away. You just learn to live with it.

As I hope to buy an Azera; I checked out the forum and was dismayed to learn that the Azera - that is, a certain percentage of Azeras - have the same or a similar problem.

Here is my advise - distilled from the collective knowledge of those 18,000+ posts on the Kia forum about Sedona suspension noise.

1. Get off your high horses, fellows. Don't think that going into the dealer and bellowing about how much you paid for this car and how it is brand spanking new will get the problem solved. The dealer is not really equipped to deal with the problem; and the manufacturer may well go into DENIAL.

2. Learn as much about the problem as you can. Do you really know what causes it? Go read the Kia Sedona and Amanti forums on the same problem. They are your car's cousins. The designs are similar as are certain components. Same or similar genes, so to speak.

3. The problem in Kia Sedonas was in every model year they made that particular design vehicle - from 2002 thru and including 2005 - 4 entire model years. Kia never solved the problem. It never got better. NO TSB WAS EVER ISSUED ON IT.

4. Here comes the bad news - THE PROBLEM IN THE KIA SEDONA IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CHASSIS/FRAME. IT IS DESIGNED AND BUILT IN AT THE FACTORY. It can't simply be solved by changing the struts; or the strut mountings; or the springs or the spring mountings. IT'S THERE TO STAY.

5. Either learn to live with it or bail out now while your Azera has some value.

Will this keep me from buying another Sedona; Sonata, or Azera - Heck no. They are great cars and their makers are well-meaning. They simply made a mistake in the design. It is not life threatening; just annoying.

good luck to all.

Walterk,
You have made a very profound statement in regard to this "problem". In addition your summation is probably one of the more sensible commentaries on the suspension issue. I have a 2006 Sonata LX as well as an Azera Limited. Would I purchase these cars after knowing what I already know about both cars, YOU BET I WOULD. I have found so many excellent features with both cars that allows me to go on and enjoy the driving experience without making myself or my wife crazy. I do have a report from a Sonata owner who has had shocks installed and claims that his problem is over and that Hyundai indicates that these parts are becoming available. For the Sonata new part is 55311-3K051 plus brackets.
From another post for the Azera struts are 54611-3K050 and the insulator assemblies are 54630-3K000. Both posters claim that the suspension problems were solved. My suggestion to all is to discuss this with the service manager of your respective dealerships. A bit of advice, do it in a non adversarial manner, it gets you further. :57:

Don

You know something Don, the last few days I haven't heard that clunk in my suspension. It has been pretty cold here in Cincinnati so maybe that has something to do with the noise. I was out an about last night and drove the Azera around town and didn't hear any knock or hollow clunk sound. The car was as quiet as can be.

Darnest thing I even saw but even today very quiet.

Don,

Getting back to the clunk in the suspension a problem on some of the Azera's would it be a good idea to write a letter or contact JD Powers and Associates explaing the problem and maybe they will in turn contact the proper people and Hyundai. Just a shot as it seems that so far Hyundai has not paid attention to the complaint. I was about ready to emial JD Powers today but held off until I wrote this thread over here on the Azera forum board.

JD Powers gave Hyundai some positive publicy but there is a problem that needs to be resolved here first before more consumers buy a defective product. Lets face it $30,000 plus dollars could easily be spent for a Avelon, BMW, Camry, or an American made car that doesn't have a clunk in the suspension. JD Powers is giving Azera the tumbs up when it really should rethink the award. :amen:

I just purchased a 2007 Limited with the Ultimate package. It is not here yet (on the truck somewhere). They put me in a 2006 Limited with the Ultimate package to drive until my 2007 comes in.

THe loaner I am driving has under 200 miles and has the noise that you are speaking about. My 2006 Sonata has a similar noise that comes from the rear of the car when rolling over small bumps under 20 MPH.

heypal,
I'm glad to hear that your Azera seems to have quieted itself. Mine seems not to be as "noisy" as before. I would suggest that everyone first deal with their Service Manager and discuss the "fixes" that have been mentioned on the boards with the respective strut assembly #'s. If then there is no resolution then contacting JD Power and even more importantly the respective Editors of the various car magazines. They wield a lot of power and pressure and letters to the editor would be a good idea also. Remember this would only be a last resort. Sit with the service department first.
Don

I cannot comment on the Sonata as I only drove one twice and nither time did I pay much attention to the suspension noise. The Sonata reminds me of a Accord only with more options and a better price. The Azera is more of a nicer car, heavier with more moxy.

The clunk noise is not as bad as it was the first of the week but then again it is pretty cold here in Cincy. Maybe the cold has something to do with the noise. We will see.

As far as JD Powers I will hold off until I speak to the service department when I take my car in for the first service. The way I driving the car that won't be until late January. I'm in the beverage business and this is my busy time of the year coming up and I will be spending more time at work and less time on the road.

Don I think JD Powers is a good start as they rate automobiles to consumers. It is an honor to get a award from this group and they need to be aware of this issue. I agree first the dealer but if Hyundai doesn't respond back soon then I think a letter to JD Powers is a postive step in the right direction.

Walter55 I hope your Sonata doesn't start with the clunking noise when you pick it up. If it does then you will be in the same boat with all of the Azera owners. If it wasn't for the clunking noise I think my Azera is a great car inside and out. Man I love the heater as it tosses out plenty of heat on a cold night. What a ride and what a sound system. I love my new toy.

Go Romo and the Cowboys on Sunday

Well, my 2007 came in and it is wonderful. The suspension noise is GONE! The 2007 does not have the noise, and in fact, it is much quieter in every way as compared to the 2006.

Lots of improvements in the sound, and the way the car handles. Not as "floaty" as the 2006. In fact, it is not floaty at all. Nice solid firm feel. Also, you can feel the road better in the steering. The 2006 seemed like it had too much assist. The 2007 has less assist which allows you to feel the road better.


Mark
Ball Ground, GA

This post has been edited by markn455: Nov 27 2006, 06:06 AM

Well if the 2007 doesn't have the clunk then it can be fixed. Surely Hyundai knows about the problem and found a solution so 2006 Azera owners should be able to get this issue resolved at the dealer.

mine's noisey too. sounds like my millenia that had bad ball joints and my pos chrysler lhs.

No clunking with our 07 either. Just a mild faint suspension noise that seems normal, when driving across rougher roadways. The primary noise we notice is the key fob clattering against the dash and steering column. I'm going to find a fix for it.

Ha yea, my fob bounces a lot. Drives me nuts.