2000 Hyundai Sonata: pulls to one side

Filed Oct 13, 2009 · Suspension · 141,908 miles · KY

I was using the as normal, then the car began to pull to the right. My first thought was that I needed an alignment, but as I was pulling into a store I heard a pop and then the right wheel would not roll. I then contacted a tow truck to have it towed. I got the car a hyundai sonata lifted on jacks and jack stands an noticed rust and corrosion on the subframe and seen that the arms connecting the wheel components to the frame had broken.

Filed Sep 25, 2009 · Body · 130,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle began pulling to the right while driving approximately 35 MPH. She was only able to drive straight when she forced the steering wheel in that direction. She expected the failure to be related to the alignment; however, a local mechanic stated that the subframe was covered with rust, and completely broken in half on both the driver and passenger side. The passenger side control arms were also separated from the frame. She has been unable to notify the dealer and the manufacturer of the failure. Photos are available upon request. The current and failure mileages were approximately 130,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2009 · Body, Steering · 105,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 hyundai sonata. While driving between 44-55 MPH, the vehicle began pulling to the left without assistance. The contact experienced difficulty steering the vehicle and had to exert great effort to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle steered only in one direction without warning. The contact made several attempts to correct the steering before it resumed normal operation. In addition, the contact heard a metal noise outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they stated that the front subframe detached from the body due to rust corrosion. The federal safety agency campaign id number 09v124000 (suspension) was referenced. The vehicle is in the process of being repaired. The contact was displeased to know that a wheel alignment was required in conjunction to the recall repair. The authorized dealer would not assume financial responsibility for the wheel alignment. The failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was unavailable. Updated 10/21/09. *lj the consumer stated the remedy was not sufficient without a front wheel alignment. The consumer stated the vehicle was fine until the frame broke. The consumer paid for the alignment out of pocket. Updated 10/20/09

Filed Jun 16, 2009 · Body · 100,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle pulls hard to the right. He noticed that the wheel was bent at a 45 degree angle. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop and the technician noticed holes in the frame next to the wheel. The tire shop replaced the entire front end of the vehicle. The contact feels that there are other vehicles experiencing this same failure and are unsafe to drive. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 128,165 miles · MD

I have a 2000 sonata with 128,165 miles with a sub-frame rust problem. The right side lower control a-arm is separating from the sub-frame with more than one rust hole evident in the sub-frame. It was discovered by our local alignment shop. Took the car to them for an alignment because the car pulls to the right and tires squeal while negotiating right turns. Upon their inspection they pointed out the rust and a-arm separation from the sub-frame as well as pointed out how the wheel actually was sitting more than an inch rearward. After they pointed that out it was very obvious the wheel was not even close to being centered in the wheel well. Nothing has been repaired as I am researching options available; specifically to see if hyundai will correct this safety issue.

Filed Mar 5, 2009 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · NJ

2000 hyundai sonata, 1200000 miles noticed car was pulling to the right ion snow covered roads, did not drive to work next day on highway, son was taking to repair facility, right front wheel collapsed. Lucky was not on highway, repair facility says front suspension/frame was rusted through.

Filed Feb 12, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 89,000 miles · MA

2000 hyundai sonata, subframe rotted out and lower control arm mounts broke off, it was discovered during a pre-alignment inspection after the car started pulling to the right.

Filed Feb 5, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 113,549 miles · WI

2 weeks ago I noticed the car pulling to the right as if the alignment was off. As I was driving the car started pulling very hard to the right and could hear the tire squealing. I slowed down to turn into a parking lot and the car dropped slightly and wouldn't move. It was making a grinding sound. I noticed the tire on the passenger side wasn't aligned properly. It was broken. After having the car towed to a auto shop. (cv pros) ed told me that the problem happened because the frame rusted out. He showed me where the rust broke the front suspension bar is what I think he called it. He said that was the reason that the wheel came loose and that a car of only 9 years old should not rust completely through in that amount of time. After checking the web sight "lemon laws" I found where there were many complaint of 1999 through 2002 hyundai sonatas prompted a federal probe because of the same problem.

Filed Sep 21, 2008 · Body · 127,000 miles · MO

Noise noted when attempting right turn. Drove & came to stop-heard loud noise from right front end - car pulled right & tire popped out. Car undriveable. After exam by mechanic, it was noted the right front car frame had snapped in half. Car has never been involved in car crash - I am the original owner. With that particular defect, had it gone over a pothole on the interstate hwy @ hwy speed, it could have very likely caused a fatality accident.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Body, Electrical · 103,000 miles · IL

Two big problems, first the current the entire frame on the ride side has completely rusted out and the bottom fell out of the car - before this happened the car was pulling to the right the car was unable to be driven and a frame is hard to locate because I was told this is a common problem with these cars - a 2000 hyundai shouldn't completely rust from the inside - there is no rust on the car and it was kept in a garage I am in communication with the company to see what will be done, judging from pas experiences - nothing second issue: we had many problems involving the electric system the car would go dead for no apparent reason the car alarm would get stuck and you couldn't get in the car or start it the dashboard lights go in and out (mostly out now).

Filed Mar 18, 2008 · Body · 124,000 miles · IL

I've had a 2000 hyundai sonata for a little over a year, and recently I had to take it in for what I thought was just an alignment problem because the inside of my tires where wearing out too fast. So I took it to a local shop to have it looked at, and they told me that the engine/trans cradle(sub-frame) was almost totally rust out and that it has been that way for a very long time(which also meant that the dealer I got the loan from sold me the car knowing it was in bad shape). It was rusted out so bad that the control arms where about to fall off and that the car was very unsafe to drive. The dealer I got the car from does not cover those parts under the service agreement(the car is out of manufacturer's warranty with over 137000 miles). So I took the car to a frame shop that wanted over $1800 to install the cradle and control arms. The end of the story is that I'm still drive the car, because its my only way to work, and still trying to save money to get the thing fixed. I'm just wandering which pot hole I hit is going to knock the control arms off the rest of the way.

Filed Jan 31, 2008 · Body · 120,000 miles · TN

I'm seeking help getting hyundai USA motor co. To pay for the repairs necessary to make my 2000 sonata safe to drive and to try and start an investigation of the need of a recall on all similar sonata models 1999 ' 2001 and possibly 2002 ' 2005 as well. The problem is the front sub-frame was not designed with sufficient corrosion resistance and is rotting away. Hyundai customer affairs (1‑800‑633‑5151) states that because the vehicle is 8 years old and has 120k miles on it that it is out of warranty. I believe that an automobile manufacturer has certain liabilities for safety and the structural integrity of the vehicles they produce beyond the normal warranty period. The first I new of the issue was when I hit a pothole in a parking lot and the car immediately started pulling to the right. The next morning I jacked the front of the car up thinking a wheel bearing was gone or something. I was shocked when I looked under the car and saw the 'elbow' that comes from the floorboard area to the wheel was rotted through on the corner and splitting down the seam. The driver's side is also corroded but not nearly as bad. I called hyundai consumer affairs and was instructed to take it to the nearest dealer for evaluation. They informed me that the sub-frame needed to be replaced and would cost $2300. After several phone calls back to consumer affairs they won't change their opinion that because it's out of warranty they are not responsible. Since they have had to fix this on other vehicles shouldn't the dealers be on the lookout for the corroded sub-frame. My sonata was at the dealer several times between 2003 -2006 and the vehicle was still under warranty. My main concern is there are people out there driving cars that the frame has been weakened by corrosion and could have a catastrophic failure. If I had hit a pothole on the interstate instead of in a parking lot, my wife's lawyer could very well be addressing this issue instead of me.