By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Here is the latest.
My service director at the Hyundai dealership in Houston called me this morning, but a little background first. Earlier in the week I told him about everything I obtained and learned from Technishawn and the other folks on this message board and he responded positively. I faxed information to him and he also looked at this site. Since Monday he has been engaged and working on the Clunk issue.
What I received from him today:
1. The good news (or the not so good news depending on how you look at it). Apparently the Hyundai engineers have huddled up and have acknowledged that there is indeed a problem with the suspension.
2. The Hyundai engineers are not 100% sure that the new struts and strut assemblies are the cure, therefore I will not (at this time) be getting new struts on my car. This may (and I emphasize may) suggest that technishawn's fix is somewhat of an experiment. Their fear is, the dreaded clunk may come back. This may also explain why we have not yet seen a TSB issued for this problem.
3. Interestingly, my service director told me that when he calls up the old strut and strut assembly numbers on his computer a notice pops up and indicates that the parts are no longer available. Further when he entered the new part numbers, the computer did not recognize them.
5. I again suggested to my service director that he call Green Hyundai in Sringfield to discuss this issue and he said he would. Earlier in the week he gave Green Hyundai's number to his Hyundai engineer - but did not call Green himself.
4. Now my editorial comments. It is good to know that Hyundai recognizes that there is a problem. However, their reluctance not to declare the new struts and strut assemblies the fix, does not make me too happy. Their view may be similar to the story regarding the spot on the rug; you remove it and a week later it rises to the surface and is back. I have no idea how long, for those of us with the dreaded clunk, will have to wait.
Lastly, and equally important, technishawn would you kindly monitor your "fix" and let us know how your Azera is performing?
JMJK
Thanks for the update on what you've learned about the dreaded clunk problem. I know that those of us who experience it are starting to get agravated with it. Information like yours, and others, on this forum at least give us hope and cause us to feel like we're at least moving forward on this problem. Hopefully Hyundai will come out with something soon to remedy the situation for all of us who love this car so much.Even with a "clunk", its a great car.
We should not have to go through the old run around with Hyundai on a problem that everybody has. There are plenty of lawyers that would jump on a "Class Action Suit" on a slam dunk case like this.
LETS KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ACTIONS AND RESULTS!!!
I cannot imagine that Hyundai would want to put out an "almost perfect" luxury level automobile;
I can't wait until this "Clunk Issue" is behind us so that I can buy another Azera for my wife...and I will!
If I were a Hyundai official and read your post, there would be no urgency on my part in fixing the problem for the rest of us.
Their reaction is similar to the tilt side view mirror function which they corrected by eliminating the mention of the advertized feature from the owners manual
They still have not corrected the memory seat problem which requires the key to be in ignition for the feature to operate.
Not justfying Hyundai engineering in this matter, but the thought occurred to me that if the memory seat could be activated without the ignition key in place, it could also discharge the battery (or even result in a fire) in the event of a malfunction. I agree, though, if you're tall and a shorty'd been driving previously, you end up folding yourself up like a contortionist just to get in position where you can insert the ignition key. Perhaps the solution would be drum into the other principle driver that if he/she doesn't return the driver's seat to your position before shutting down the engine and exiting, you'll be doing 25 to life hard time...
As an aside I drive my 2006 Sonata LX every weekday and it has a somewhat noisy rear suspension, not excessive, but also over a washboard type of surface. Consumer Reports reported it as one of their 2 cons(noisy suspension). It didn't detract from the cars performance.
If enough people are upset then an online petition to Hyundai could be formulated, but I don't think it will ever get to that.
We all hear it, but some more than others, and I think you need to go up the "line of command" so to speak. If the dealers cannot formulate the "fix", and it's apparent that they can't or are unable to then it falls on Hyundai USA to effect a "fix".
Hyundai XL350 in fact had the memory seat feature operate from the remote control, so that the seat would reposition itself when you hit the remote. The car was supplied with two remotes which could be set for two different drivers.
carman,
I agree with you completely. My suggestion is that this board, as well as Edmund's and others should have the moderators set up a sign in for all Azera owners, as well as Sonata owners( I own an LX) to be sent to Hyundai HQ's with the stipulation that we want to have answers now as to their intentions on fixing this apparent defect in the suspension. I truly don't believe Hyundai USA wants to have this kind of bad publicity for their top of the line sedans. In the meantime we should ALL contact customer service apart from our dealer's to make them aware of our concerns. It may entail replacement of suspension components, front for the Azera and rear for the Sonata.
Don
Don
I am the owner of two(2) 2006 Hyundai vehicles purchased during the past 9 months from Hyundai of Westchester in Yonkers, NY. I own a Sonata LX (3500 miles) and an Azera Limited (1600 miles).
I am sure that you are aware of the Azera's front suspension noise and the Sonata's rear suspension noise. I am an active participant on the Hyundai-Forum's board and the Edmund's board. There are many disgruntled owners of these cars because of the apparent suspension "defects". Firstly you must understand that I have been a strong advocate for the 2 vehicles that I own and have even offered to act as a "good will ambassador" so to speak for my dealer's prospective Azera customers, as a very savvy and satisfied customer, so to speak, so I don't send this communication in an adversarial capacity. You should be aware that there are owners, of Azeras in particular, who are about ready to expand their dissatisfaction with going so far as recommending a class action lawsuit.
In any case I am certain that Hyundai is most intent in emphasizing the quality and value of its product, because I see the references to the JD Power Initial Quality awards. of which Hyundai vehicles are high up on the list, and which are prominently displayed in the dealer showrooms and in the media.
All of the owners are certain that you know this problem exists and all are awaiting your acknowledgement of this instead of the apparent silence that has enveloped this major customer concern. Many of us have had acknowledgement from service managers at the dealerships and even from regional tech reps but no word from "above".
Please, in the interest of keeping the owners of your top of the line vehicles happy and contented, I would urge you to at least acknowledge this communication and indicate that your engineers are at work to effect a "fix" for this problem. As you may be aware that almost all of us who are Azera owners and Sonata owners absolutely are enamored of these cars, so please don't destroy what can become a long-term relationship.
I do expect to hear from you in a timely fashion so that I can post the answer on the message boards so that you can avoid a massive disenchantment with 2 very fine cars, Azera and Sonata.
Sincerely,
Donald Scharoff
I am the owner of two Hyundai vehicles. One is an XG300L which I purchased new in 2001 and the second one is an Azera Limited which I purchased new in July of 2006. I love my new Azera and seldom does a day go by that I don’t speak highly of my Azera to someone who inquires about it. I am not a disgruntled Azera owner and have been very satisfied with my decision to buy it, so far.
However, I do believe there is a defect resident in the 2006 Azera. This defect is most noticeable at speeds fewer than 40 MPH over a bumpy road condition and appears to be a “thumping” or “clunking” noise emanating from the front suspension system. At first, this noise was tolerable, but its consistence has now become very aggravating.
I regularly communicate with many other Azera owners from North America via an Azera internet forum at Edmunds.com. This suspension defect is continually referenced by forum members, and has become a source of frustration for us. A large part of our frustration is the lack of acknowledgement of this defect by Hyundai USA and communicating that steps are being made to identify and rectify the defect.
My purpose in writing to you is to solicit your response to this Azera defect and to request your direction on how the defect will be rectified for Azera owners.
I eagerly await your response.
Respectfully,
Don Cash
Hopefully, other forum members will write and voice their concerns as well, and maybe we can get some attention.
Does anyone out there have a audio recorder, that they could record the sound with and post it on this forum?
As for myself, I'll be calling HMA Consumer Affairs to file an incident. My 2006 Limited Azera makes the clunking
noise, albeit not all of the time, when going over irregular (bumpy) road surfaces between the speeds of 15-30 mph.
I contacted consumer affairs about the dreaded clunk back in August and received my claim/file number.
It's about time I called again.
Thanks everyone,
JMJK
They are sitting on their hands and doing nothing to correct this issue.
If this is the case, I am very seriously interested in starting a group lawsuit. We have spent way too much money on a car that sounds like a 10 year old economy car with bad shocks.
I highly recommend anyone looking at this car to look elsewhere unless hyundai addresses this issue.
I have looked up online parts stores for the azera and it appears that there are two different front struts based on manufacture date.
I'd also be interested to know if anyone has purchased an 07 model and whether or not they have this problem.
Not sure if a legal case can be made if it is noise but something is not right. Suggest we keep bombing Hyundai and the dealers with complaints.
You are certainly right that we have a car that behaves or sounds like a 10 year old rambler. Hyundai is missing the customer on this one!
Enlighten me as to what to listen for....
(I've read most of the other post, but haven't heard what I've read described)
Thanks!
Christy
Here is what you need to do. Find a road that has a good deal of asphalt repairs where the repairs are 1 to 3 inches above the undamaged pavement. Look for a number of repairs in succession, that will help. While at a speed between 20 to 30 mph (I recommend between 20 and 25) drive over the above mentioned repairs with your passenger front tire. If you have the dreaded clunk there will be no mistaking it. It will sound like the front wheel is about to fall off or as another message post put it, it will sound like a tennis ball banging around in a one gallon plastic milk jug. I recognized the dreaded clunk the second day that I had the car. I never heard it during the test drive as I did not drive over minor asphalt repairs mentioned earlier. The pavement was smooth, rather new concrete. To the extent that you always drive on a rather smooth surface you are not likely to ever hear the dreaded clunk.
Had I heard the dreaded clunk during the test drive I would have never, never, ever purchased the car - it's that bad. If Hyundai comes up with a permenant fix I will be delighted.
JMJK
We have lousy roads in San Jose but so far no unusual noises at very low, low or moderate speeds. I did notice the headlight cutoff which is pronounced in my opinion. I will continue to listen for the noises you have mentioned. Hopefully Hyundai resolves this issue in our favor soon. I am still a loyal fan.
Hankhonest :surprise:
As much as three inches?!? (That's fully half the height of curbs in many communities.) Better yet, drive off a sheer drop of several hundred feet. If an Azera doesn't clunk when it hits the bottom, the proud owner probably got a good one...
If enough Azera owners complain to their local dealers as well as Hyundai Consumer Affairs they hopefully will take some action. If enough of us post on forums our displeasure pertaining to their slow response to this problem they should get the message, as it will ultimately effect sales.
To reiterate, my 2006 Azera Limited klunked dreadfully as delivered. Everybody riding in the car noticed it. As soon as possible I took it back to Eastside Hyundai in Kirkland, WA. Jim, the service manager, wrote on the warranty repair invoice that the "Anti-sway bar was installed upside down and was reistalled right side up." Whatever he did absolutely fixed the problem. 4500 miles later there is still no hint of inappropriate suspension noise. He told me that there was a very subtle asymetry in the bar and that it required a side-by-side comparison of two Azeras to see that my car had the bar upside down.
They definitely are hiding from the problem.
More complaints are needed. Get file numbers to document your complaint.
I'd press for a personal look-see at the suspension if my service manager said "everything is up to specifications" and the car still klunked. By definition something is different about a klunker. And the difference is most likely in the suspension... Jim said there were subtle signs (paint wear) on mine.