AI DamageHyundai Sonata GLS: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Hyundai Sonata GLS across 1 model years: 46 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 76% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 24% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 2% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 2% of all complaints
- Structure: 35 complaints (76% of all).
- Suspension: 11 complaints (24% of all).
- Air bags: 6 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (11% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (7% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 46 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My airbag did not deploy in a traffic accident. The car was total june 1, 2003.
I own a 1999 hyundai sonata and was informed by my mechanic that the front sub frame on the passenger side is rusting through, presenting a severe safety risk to the driver and passengers. There is currently a manufacturer's recall showing for the 2001-2004 model from your investigation.
1999 hyundai sonat gls airbag warning light continues to come on after being worked on by hyundai dealer 10-15 times. Was worked on without issue while under warranty with no success. Once extended warrenty expired, the dealer then knew that the car needed a new wire harness for about $1000.
Investigation revealed severe subframe corrosion resulting in the control arm mount separating from the subframe, causing the cv joint to fail and the vehicle to become inoperable. Nhtsa and hyundai issued a recall in 2009, campaign id number: 09v124000.
It has completely rusted out on the passenger front side causing steering control arms and drive axle to break loose from vehicle and making vehicle inoperable. This should be covered under hyundai recall campaign 089. Nhtsa campaign id no. 09v124000.
My mechanic noticed rusty area around suspension control arm, etc. Labeled it as a priority repair for safety reasons. I previously had the complete rear wheel hub replaced because of corrosion a few years ago, too. I have not gone to a hyundai dealer yet so I'm not sure how to proceed from here.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.