VehicleVerdict

2000 Hyundai Sonata problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 378 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Sonata year — the 2000 model ranks #15 of 41 Sonata years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 113 reports (30% of the total).

378

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Sonata years?

Sonata NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted4,608 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 18 complaints1990: 25 complaints1991: 41 complaints1992: 43 complaints1993: 46 complaints1994: 7 complaints1995: 93 complaints1996: 37 complaints1997: 74 complaints1998: 68 complaints1999: 187 complaints2000: 378 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 407 complaints2003: 249 complaints2004: 288 complaints2005: 217 complaints2006: 1,422 complaints2007: 906 complaints2008: 554 complaints2009: 612 complaints2010: 415 complaints2011: 4,608 complaints2012: 2,272 complaints2013: 2,635 complaints2014: 1,077 complaints2015: 1,636 complaints2016: 991 complaints2017: 991 complaints2018: 540 complaints2019: 205 complaints2020: 254 complaints2021: 169 complaints2022: 138 complaints2023: 136 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 20 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Sonata NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Hyundai Sonata problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure11330%
Suspension6517%
Airbags4412%
Electrical System4111%
Engine339%
Transmission195%
Brakes123%
Tires & Wheels113%
Steering92%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Speed Control72%
Seat Belts51%
Other41%
Fuel System41%
Seats21%
Lighting21%

Does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V124000SuspensionApril 16, 2009 · 188,282 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.

Consequence

IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

02V105000AirbagsApril 9, 2002 · 145,355 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.

Consequence

NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

01V347000AirbagsNovember 6, 2001 · 86,513 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

00V259001Electrical SystemSeptember 11, 2000 · 165,977 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2000 HYUNDAI SONATA- FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RECALLED DUE TO DETERIORATION FROM ICE AND SALT. I LIVE IN MAINE. MY ENTIRE SUBFRAME, FRONT AND REAR IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DETERIORATED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT, BUT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 12, 2010

“I HAVE A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SUBFRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THERE IS ANOTHER HUGE HOLE ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL. I KNOW HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED A RECALL, BUT IT DOES NOT AFFECT MY STATE-TN. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND STUDENT WHO HAS PUT A LOT OF MONEY IN THAT CAR.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 30, 2009 · crash

“I WAS HEADING EASTBOUND GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. AN SUV WAS HEADING WESTBOUND AND ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE SUV STRUCK MY VEHICLE AND TOTALED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE SIDE AND FRONT AIRBAGS. I AM LUCKY I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BECAUSE OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 30, 2012 · crash

“SATURDAY ,07/19/03 I PARKED MY HUYNDAY SONATA 4DOORS, 4 CYLINDERS AT BEST BUY PLANTATION (FL) PARKING LOT @ 1:00PM TO VISIT MY AT&T WIRELESS STAFFER AT THIS STORE. WHEN COMING BACK @ 2:30PM THE CAR HAD GOT ON FIRE. THE HOOD WAS OPENED BY PLANTATION FIRE DEPARMENT TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. EVERYTHING WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 19, 2003 · fire

“ THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 7, 2004 · fire

2000 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 2000 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 378 complaints put the 2000 model at #15 of 41 Sonata years. It is one of the Sonata years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Sonata problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (113 complaints), suspension (65 complaints), airbags (44 complaints).

Does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Hyundai Sonata under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000. The cleanest record among Sonata years belongs to 1988.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.