Discussion Thread

 Response
02/19/2007 04:09 PM



Thank you for contacting Hyundai Motor America.

We would like to review your concern regarding your new 2007 Sonata. Due to the information provided in your email we feel that a detailed phone conversation is needed.

So that we may better assist you, please call our toll-free customer service number at 1-800-633-5151, Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Pacific Time, with the following information–

1. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
2. Current mileage
3. Concern you are experiencing
4. Name and location of servicing Hyundai Dealer

Thank you for using Hyundai E-Mail Support. 
Ext 54341 File number 1035735


 Customer 02/18/2007 10:55 PM


Please help clear up some questions I have with a new 2007 SE V6 Hyundai Sonata (Premium Package) that was bought a week ago (Feb 10th 2007) and only had 5 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase.

1) The driver’s cloth power seat has a big opening in the cloth on the left side that I can put my whole hand in and pull out the wires that go to the power seat. I am told by the salesperson at the dealership that this is the design of the Sonata even though we could not find any other Hyundai cloth power seat that had this opening. Is it normal for the Sonata cloth power seats to have a six inch separation in it’s cloth that you can tear out the foam and wires?

2) The car had a gallon of gas in the tank when I drove it off the sales lot. I drove two blocks away and put 14 gallons of gas in the tank (the most the gas tank would take). I was pulling away from the gas station and this awful noise was coming from the back of the new Sonata. I would lightly step on the brakes and you could heard loud crushing noises and then sloshing noises. I drove the car for another 25 miles and it was clear the crushing noises were the back brakes and sloshing noise was the full tank of gas moving back and forth/ back and forth/ back and forth. I could also hear all the plastic pieces of the dashboard and doors shifting back and forth in the front interior cabin while driving. The salesperson told me again that all these noises were normal, but I don’t remember hearing these noises while test driving three other Sonatas (of course the other test cars didn’t have a full tank of gas). Is it normal for this car to be SO noisy? When the
gas level got down below half full most of the noises were what I was use to in my old car, but after filling up the gas tank again the loud noise level came back.

3) The second day driving the car it became apparent the front end alignment was not right. The car drifts to the left 70 percent of the time and about 20 percent of time will change and start pulling to the right for no clear reason. Only 10 percent of the time I am driving straight ahead without needing to correct the steering wheel. I am consistently correcting the steering wheel so the car doesn’t drift from side to side. I never had to do this with my other cars, so is this something unique with the Sonata that I have to get use to?

4) On the third day I had to use the rear defroster for the first time and discovered that the top 6 defroster lines didn’t work. The service man at the dealership asked me if I had cut the lines because the defroster lines were commonly damaged by owners trying to wash their car’s back inside window. I was never near the car’s back inside window so I didn’t damage the defroster lines, BUT is it possible to damage this car’s defroster lines by washing the window? For future reference, how do you wash the inside back window?

5) Would someone know how to turn the headlights on WITHOUT turning the ignition key (or needing to run the engine)? I never check this while test driving the Hyundai, but discovered it a few days later that I could not turn my headlights on unless the ignition key was turned to “On”. All my prior car’s head lights could be turned on without involving the ignition. I talked to 25 other people who own non Hyundai cars and all these people said their car’s headlights can be turned on without the ignition key. Maybe I am missing something because it doesn’t make sense why a car manufacturer would design a car that made the engine idle when the owner wanted to use the illumination of the headlights.

6) The engine is very noisy and rough running for a car that only has now 250 miles, is this also normal?  In my old cars it was very rare that I could hear the engine noise while sitting in the interior cabin.  The noise is almost like the car doesn't have oil going to the engine while idling in traffic or standing still when the engine is still on.   Maybe my old cars had better insulation, because this car is SO Noisy.

Thanks,
A new Hyundai owner
Denver CO

quote:

ORIGINAL: GOLD07

please  tell us where to find the TSB T28 or give us a copy

quote:

ORIGINAL: hyundai tech

Campaign T28 was a rear shock absorber recall performed by dealers for the thumping noise in rear when hitting bumps.We have a TSB on 4 cylinder sonatas for the brake noise from rear which we replace pads. Azera has a washer to put behind the axle for a snapping noise. Personally I have not seen that many noises from Sonata's or Azera's.

quote:

ORIGINAL: hyundai tech

First does your vehicle apply for the T28 campaign? If not and the noise is from the rear shocks then you might persue the matter through the proper channels.Talk to the service manager and then if you cant get anywhere with them contact consumer affairs and discuss the matter.One piece of advice be nice and not rude when discussing your concerns. I have seen it many times where a customer looses there cool and everyone shuts them out. Granted you are upset about your car making noise, remember patience and understanding that the proper channels and procedures have to be followed when performing  warranty work. Ride with the service manager and let him/her here the noise you have and leave it up to them to get the vehicle fixed. I stop in the middle of my work about 5 times a week to discuss or ride with customers about concerns on there vehicle. I have had people be very nice about it and then I have had people also yell at me. I am going to find the problem quicker with those who are nice cause I can ask them certain questions about the concern and they will respond and I dont have to be on the defensive all the time. Hyundai does have a sheet that customers fill out on noise concerns that makes it much easier to diagnose. Try this before you have to pay for shocks.There is no reason you should have to pay for a warranty part.