HI: I have a chance to buy a 2001 Sonata with under 40,000 miles. My MSN Auto section gives the car good marks for overall reliability but from 1999 until 2003 each review warns that the timing belt is an issue and could cause damage to the engine valves if it breaks.

Folks, is this a real constant concern with the Sonata???? I want to buy the car for my daughter but don't want her stuck on the highway. A quick reply would really be appreciated!!

most cars on the road have timing belts. as long as the belt is changed at the proper service intervals there is not a problem. it is quite often the case that owners ignore this issue and the belt can then snap which will cause engine damage

BTW welcome to the forums :00000732:

it is however a very real concern. ive been through 3 myself. plan on replacing them every 50k 3yr at the most and give them a good check every 10k and sooner as the mileage/time goes on. if you do a search youll find that and a myriad of sensor problems are the real downfalls of these cars. cost of all belt changes is around $5-600. figure that into the price of the car since your miles are up their and and it is a bit older. this is only a real problem for the 4cylinders however. kia optima is the same car so check reviews on that also. they arent nearly as nice to kias as hyundias but they are the same vehicle. and welcome to the forums. its a wealth of info and help.

As long as you keep up on maintaince and change the timing belt, the car should be alright.

That is correct, approximately every 50-60K miles it needs to be changed. If it snaps, it can lead to crazy problems like bent valves and etc. Dont be worried, same thing on 60% of the other vehicles out there.

Dear ken,

A Sonata with under 40,000 miles will be a reliable vehicle for your daughter.

Nearly every overhead cam engine has a rubber timing belt. These are quiet and reliable, but do need to be changed per the maintenance schedule. This is not a hard replacement, and many owners do this in their home garage.

Byron

I wish I had known this before buying mine. It doesnt happen to all of them,but be warned that more often then not this is true for this car.
If it werent for the sensor problems,I would love this car a ton.

Just wanted to thank everyone that responded to my question!!

You folks are great!

I'm going to go down to look at the 2001 tomorrow. Let me bug you one more time, if the timing belt issue is just regular maintenance, ARE THE SENSORY RELAY
SWITCHES more of a concern - do they go out as often as some owners have
suggested.

Not trying to generate a controversy here, I've just never considered a Sonata before and like to nail down all my concerns before buying.
Thanks again for the help! Ken

no they are not an issue, sure they can fail sometimes so for that matter anything can, check the service records for the vehicle you're buying and stop fretting

crank sensor is the worst to go. basically when it goes the car wont start and you should just get a timing belt change in the process. ive had the speed sensor go twice already but thats on a 5sp. cost is about $80 and i do the labor. speedo stops working and check engine light are about all it does. i let those go until inspection time. reverse light sensor 3 times. i think about $40 and i do the labor. just no reverse lights are the issues and again i wait till inspection time. egr sensor went once, $30 to replace. if the price is right its not a bad car with such low miles but i go under the belief that these cars arent ment to be resold. the cost is high compared to the resale value. i think i paid 13k for mine and within a few years it was worth 3500 now i think its 1800. not that bad since i planned on keeping it till it died but if i wanted to get rid of it id lose my shirt. maintence records are worth every penny but i doubt that car has any. most of the people i talk to and have seen dont develop any real issue till over 50k. if it was me id check the timing belt, any past engine codes, front brakes closely (mine went in 50k and i do all highway, the pads fell off the backing, not good) and tires though i got 80k out of the originals. most of the controls seem solid so all those should work.

To add a little bit more about the timing belt... It's a good idea to consult the owner's manual about the change intervals. I bought my 02 Sonata at 115,000 kms and had no record of it being changed. I changed it around 130,000 kms and the mechanic showed it to me and said it was about time to change it but not really crucial yet. I think they would hold for 100,000 kms and beyond.
I am not sure what Byron means by saying it's not a hard replacement. You have to take apart a lot of stuff to get to the timing belt, and it takes an experienced pro at least 2-3 hours to do it.

Overall, I am VERY PLEASED with my 02 Sonata. I've been having it for about 2 years now and made 50,000 kms on it. Other than the belt change and transmission fluid change (both voluntary), and scheduled oil changes I have no other expences (besides GAS! ;)