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I have no doubt that some are having some problems. We just need to realize that because we might have a problem, or not, that doesn't mean that our situation will apply to all, especially when there is evidence to disprove our point.
If your car does not have this problems be happy.
...all of the cars have the same attributes but some owners think it's a significant problem whilst others don't.
I'd be willing to bet that if those that say there's a problem had somebody that says it isn't a problem go along for a ride, the person going along for the ride would say, "Yeah, my car does the same thing...so?"
I paid 15K for my 09 Sonata. It's performing to my expectation for such and I'm happy with the balance of car versus price point.
Thanks
What I do know is that are enough out witha problem and the biggest problem of all bar none, is THAT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND DO ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. I have brought this too their attention and NOTHING !!!!!!!!!!!! hAS BEEN DONE ABOUT. So the rest of the car is pretty great, so I guess we just have to live with the problem, becasue it is never going to addresed and it has been the same as back as the '02 and continuing til now.
I have an '05 and it is quiet. Rides great. Not a performance handler, but good for a "family" 4 dr sedan. A buddy has an '03, same quality of quietness, ride & handling.
Nevertheless, there is still a harder thumping sound when driving over rough pavement (on smooth roads it's fine).
BTW, at 81 years of age, this is not my first car. And, (laugh) I hope it's not my last.
the car rides like a 10 year old car. thumping and bucking over small bumps.
Otherwise the car is great its a shame that Hyundai got this wrong and will not fix the problem.
Make sure you drive it over bumps, pot holes etc.
I don't know if all the cars are the same. Read all the posts.
I hate my car. Good luck.
The car is beautiful.... both interior and exterior.
On a smooth road it rides fine...BUT, unfortunately, there aren't many smooth roads in NJ...
On the positive side...with all the "thumping" you probably won't fall asleep behind the wheel.
Along with that, our Airbag light stays on all the time and the ABS/ESC lights keeps coming on after driving for a few minutes. Awhile back we had to have the timing chain tensioner replaced after grinding noises at start up. The Dealer kept saying they did not hear anything and then they would say it was "normal" during the same conversation. After three attempts of trying to get it fixed and letting the dealership know that there was indeed a TSB for that problem, they finally heard the noise and fixed it.
Is there any TSB's for the ABS/ESC lights as well as the Airbag lights?
What did you end up with?
If anything the car I have now at 6k miles is worse- the clunking and rattling has gotten this car rattled off my list!
2006: 3 GLS models (1 rental), 1 LX model
2007: 1 GLS model, 2 SE models (1 rental)
2008: 1 GLS model (rental)
2009: 1 GLS model
I own a 2006 GLS V6.
On all types of road surfaces, none of the above Sonatas I drove had an uncomfortable ride nor excessive noise. The SE and LX models had lower-profile tires on 17" rims, which transmitted a little more noise/impact over expansion joints and potholes compared to the GLS models with 16" tires/rims.
Other vehicles I've driven extensively: 1989 Lincoln Continental, 1988 Lincoln Mark VII, 1991 Cadillac Sedan Deville, 1994 and 1996 Ford Thunderbirds, 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1993 Buick Lesabre, 1999 Lexus GS300, 1999 Buick Park Avenue, 1996 Lincoln Town Car, 1994 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup (hard suspension), 1987 Dodge Ram D250 cargo van (hard suspension), 1991 Dodge Ram D250 pickup upgraded to 1-ton rear springs (extremely hard suspension), 2001 Hyundai Accent, 2006 Honda Accord EX, 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5, 2007 Toyota Camry LE.
To sum it up, I've driven vehicles with suspensions so soft that they seemed to float over any imperfections in the road. I've also driven vehicles with suspensions so rough that I could feel my brain rattle inside my skull while driving over just moderately rough pavement. The only modern midsize car I've experienced that has a "pillowy" ride is the Camry. The Altima and Accord both have a firmer ride. The Sonata's ride and handling seem to be somewhere in the middle - not super-soft and numb/disconnected like the Camry, but softer and not as nimble feeling as the Altima and Accord.
These, of course, are just my experiences and impressions - to be taken with a grain of salt just like everything else posted in these forums.
I've heard that the noise is strut mounts, the struts themselves and also something with sway bars. Has anyone FIXED it? Granted, these are new cars but given stories of limited/no success with dealers this is one big wart (to me) that shouldn't be tough to fix. If there was an alternate brand of strut mount or bushing I'd consider it, as for me this noise is annoying enough to prevent buying the car.
Thanks
Where the parts you had replaced the struts and strut mounts?
Was this on the front only? My car seems to make this noise from the rear as well.
I let the rear wheels only go over bumps and hear it from behind.
- Although I did not experience a transmission problem with the camry, my drive was rather limited because the car smelled like a cigarette and I made it a short drive. It was, however, the nicest of the cars I drove.
- I know what is meant by the sonata "thunk". That was no-brainer for me. The sonata could also use a little more pep and an upgrade of interior materials.
- The accord 6 cyl vcm is not something I am interested in dealing with. I felt as though an a/c pump was constantly switching off and on. Over time, that would get the best of me. For $28k I would not have expected that from honda. I'm not doubting honda on their horsepower rating, but I think some of those 271 horses were pretty tired and did not show an interest in propelling the car. AND they still haven't taken care of the road noise issue either. I wouldn't think that would be so hard, but since they've had it for years I assume it is not a priority for honda.
- I have driven an altima, but there is no dealer near me. I think the CVT would take some getting used to, but I also thought the interior of the one I drove was pretty cheap. The altima was, however, by far the most powerful car I drove! It could pass as an eight cylinder. The other issue on an altima would be figuring out what options to get. I am convinced that options packages for the altima were written by the people who write the IRS tax codes - very confusing.
So I thought about the new camaro until I read that it was made by the CAW (canadian auto workers). I won't own another union-built car. In a short search I learned that the plant making the new camaro is known for being one of the "top quality producers in north america". Then I read a list of the cars they produced. I will just say there was a disconnect! I saw nothing on the list of their products that was "known for being a quality vehicle". I'll keep looking, but am not anxious to "buy problems". Maybe I'll just keep the accord.