Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

Thanks to the help of this forum and its members, for which I am very grateful, the current Sonata has been fairly well represented, with over 100 owners signed up. But more participants would still be helpful, especially for the 2007 and 2008. The larger the sample size, the more accurate the results and the more detail I can provide.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

This post has been edited by mkaresh: Jan 5 2008, 01:48 PM

Why, you're like a mini J.D. Powers & Associates, just without the associates!.

For your stats, my LX has been in the shop over 10 times. 5 times for the same problem, I have no reliability issues. Its a Hyundai & will break down. I hope you factor in the value of a 10 YR/100,000 Mile Service partnership!.

i think you like going in just for the donuts :P

so any idea how many Sonata's need to be entered before we can apply data ?

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/index.php?showtopic=6686&hl=

I'm already collecting data on the 2006, have been for some time. That's how I was able to include some results in the OP this time around. Ten repair trips certainly is unusual, for any car these days.

Also collecting data on the 2007. It's earlier years I haven't started with yet.

Difference with J.D. Power is that anyone who helps with the research gets free access to the results. With J.D., it doesn't matter if you fill out a survey, you don't get access to usefully detailed results--they provide those only to manufacturers willing and able to pay thousands for them.

Details on how to participate: Vehicle reliability research

This post has been edited by mkaresh: Jan 22 2007, 05:36 PM

Let's see. 3 LOF's
New Window Washer Fluid Motor
Squeaking Front End (3X)
Door Panel Rattle/Window Control Unit replacement (5X)
Fog Light replacement (Filled up with Water)
Rusted Rotor Replacement
Service Recall for Cupholder, Door Handle, & Transmission adjustment

And I know I might be forgetting one other service somewhere!. :trophy:

In one and a half years 3 trips to the dealer. Washer motor, serious leak in the steering, side mirror, and the one recall on the seat part. 4 years of owning the V6 Accord I traded in - zero trips to the dealer.

NOT HAPPY. Mix in the horrible gas mileage I am getting - would not recommend Hyundai to anyone. Have talked several people out of getting one based on my experience. See my gas guzzling experience in the other thread on mpg.

My site also has a fuel economy survey. With a number of models one or two people report extremely bad fuel economy. I've followed up some of these times to see if the entry was incorrect. But they always say that their mileage really was that bad. I have no way to explain it.

On the reliability issues, a forum like this one can make them seem more common than they actually are, as people who've had issues are more likely to end up here and even if only one in a thousand people has so many problems, it's still easy to have a few such people post on a forum like this one. The question them becomes what percentage of owners get lemons. I intend to provide this stat in the future, but it'll be a while since it will require an especially large sample.

For this reason my reliability survey only collects data on problems that occur after someone signs up, with the exception of the very first month.

There is a separate repair history survey, though, for those who want to report past problems. I haven't posted the results of this survey yet, but will in the next month or two (waiting for more responses first).

Still looking for more Sonatas, especially 2007s.

The answer most likely is driving habits - the V-6 has a lot of available horsepower (235 hp).

In my area at least - people are always pushing the envelope in their driving habits. This means, among other things, jackrabbit starts and at least 35% over the speed limit. The V-6 would drink gas under those circumstances.

The worst drivers are the large SUV's and pickup trucks - they must be floorboarding those things to get as quick off the line at a light as they do.

On the other hand, I find that the drivers of high-powered V8 sedans often accelerate very slowly. They keep my 130-horse Mazda from getting me where I need to go :thumbsup:

Still looking for more Sonatas to participate in this research.

Early returns to the current survey indicate that the repair rate for the 2006 will remain low with the May update. With more responses, these results would be even more precise.

But I'd like to also provide results for the 2007--only 21 of those enrolled so far, which isn't enough to provide results in May. August is a possibility, though, if more people participate.

Next set of results in a couple weeks. Can always use more participants.

2002 model. Owned for 4 years, zero problems, no times in shop. About 24000 miles.
2007 model. 3 months ownership. Zero problems, no times in shop. About 1500 miles.
Gas milage, if you buy a 3.3L engine, you can expect to burn a lot of gas. Although big difference between racing driver mode and chauffer mode. Cruising at steady 60 mph, I get 32-34 mpg. Not bad for 3.3L. I was only getting 38 mpg from a 2.0L Ford.

From more stuff I've been reading about the Sonata 2.4 engine, I'm coming to the conclusion, which must refer to the 3.3 as well, and probably ANY other car. Have been reading LOTS of complaints about low gas mileage on the (Edmunds) Accord forum...

You can get as close to the official EPA gas mileage reading -- and beyond -- as long as you REALLY drive it gently, accelerate slowly, keep it at steady speed of 55mph.

ANY aggressive acceleration, any speed beyond that, any short trips when the engine doesn't have the opportunity to warm up efficiently -- and you are DRAMATICALY reducing your MPG readings.

I'm seeing complaints about fuel economy with many cars on many forums. Some of the numbers I read seem hard to believe.

Current counts for the Sonata in TrueDelta's panel:
2006: 53
2007: 25 -- especially need more of these

Latest results later this week.

With any car there is bound to be problems but Hyundai is only second to Lexus in quality right now. I've seen the stats but I forgot where I found them. I have had my '06 Sonata for over a year now with alomst 18,000 miles and no trips to the dealer except for oil changes. Between the Sonata's, Santa fe's and the Tiburon I have owned, I have had little to no problems with any of them.

This is my second hyundai. My first was an 03 elantra gt. At 23000 miles I traded it on an 06 sonata lx. The elantra was never back to the shop other than oil changes. The lx at 2400 miles had 1 event. The outside temp sensor went wacky. I removed it and cleaned it up. There was lots of dirt on and in it due to it's location. That was it . It's perfect now. No dealer trips with the lx.I drive the car hard. The slow shifts with the auto trans are annoying.When I drtive easy I'm getting 24 mpg mixed city hwy and 31 hwy.