Used 2009 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews

worst car I've ever driven

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata I own makes noise like something is loose and the body is bouncing off the frame. It's steering and front end need to be redone. The car pulls to the left while driving on highways and when hitting even small road cracks has a jarring effect. Also while driving on smooth roads you can feel a pulsating in the steering wheel. All this still occurring after the front shocks were replaced last month.

Engin starting is not properly working.

I purchased the brand new sonata 2009 model GLS on march 2009. Current total mileage is 3545 mile. But I found the critical issue which is related to engine starting. Since we bought we had met several time "Engine starting is not properly working" Symptom: When it comes to not engine staring well, Accelerator, brake pedal is on stuck, and all electric power down include radio & clock memory was disorganized. I think the key- holder or electric system is something wrong. To be honest, I don't want to recommend this model to other person until US made Sonata include parts quality proved.

GPS Upgrade, $199.99 "Robery"

The GPS update is $199.99 per yr, I will buy a TomTom Portable GPS with lifetime Free Map Updates. Second Problem on the Hwy wind noise is too laud as if we had our windows open, poor construction. Acceleration very week, transmission problem but the dealer can't find the problem. Corporate office won't even help they will refer you to the local dealers where they continued to fail finding the problem. Good looking car but Construction & Customer Service is very poor.

Didn't buy a Lexus

Having driven the Sonata for less than a month and married with 3 kids, this car seems to deliver. Most of the cars I owned were Toyota but with the worse economy since the depression, Hyundai is right for our budget. I would suggest to visually check every nook and cranny before signing. this car is roomy and interior design is up to par, the dash board placement of gauges and knobs are intuitive. Great gas mileage. No buyers remorse yet, update you all next year.

Safety of driver and passangers

All doors unlock when placed in park! Thieves and gangs will love this feature that puts all occupants at risk as soon as they park. Evidently the makers of this lovely car felt it was too much trouble to hit the button to unlock the doors when ready to get out of the car. The only thought of your safety when moving the car not when you stop it. This car was purchased for my elderly mother whom I now amy worried about going anywhere alone because of this new feature that puts her at risk. My 06 does not have this safety risk and when dealer tried to disconect it they could only stop it from locking not stop it from unlocking. Never again will I recomend this car to anyone who values life.

Verdict is still out

Since buying this car in July, it has been in the shop 3 times for a thunk in the front end--which they are replacing parts, but it's still there and now I am dealing with an odor in the car that smells like BO (body odor). There are issues with this car and right now I am not a happy Hyundai owner. I would hold off buying a 2009 until they figure out some issues with the car. This is a brand new car, should not be in the shop already.

bump, bump, bang, bang

I did my homework when it came to buying this car.I read reviews on line and in magazines. I asked owners about their cars. I compared prices. I thought I did a good job. I test drove a couple of Sonatas also. So I should have been happy with the car. However I didn't get to test drive the cars over bumpy roads. This car makes the worst noise over bumps I have ever heard. Every wheel on this car just bangs over almost every bump I hit. I did have the dealer check out the car. They said there wasn't anything wrong. I took one of the service guys out for a ride. I really couldn't demonstrate the noise. The roads in the area are smooth. I would not recommend buying a Sonata.

Ownership after 4 months

I was initially impressed with this car, especially the price which was $16,000 cash, automatic, and nothing else. I was in route to the Honda dealer but I passed by Hyundai and asked for a test drive. I should have kept going. The mileage is greatly overrated, at least in my view. I have not achieved better than 18-19 MPG. It dos not shift very well and remains in lower gears too long. The ride quality is equally overstated. I feel every bump and pothole. It is a smooth ride only on well maintained roads. Otherwise the ride is very harsh. The build quality is not the greatest. I have noticed rattles and noises even on minor bumps. As I said, I should have kept going.

My Hyundai Audi

First of all, this car is a BARGAIN right now; I paid much less than Edmunds' TMV price; $4,500 under sticker! This is our 4th Hyundai; 3rd brand new. My wife is driving an 07 Santa Fe; loves it. I had an 03 Elantra GT - LOVED that car, but traded it so my wife could have the SF (cry). This Sonata is even better than the GT; incredible power, nice interior styling and comfort (partial leather seats are very comfortable and supportive); and I think the standard stereo/CD is very good. Some call the styling vanilla: I call it Hyundai's Sonata 'Audi' (the last Sonata was trying to be a Jaguar - this one succeeds better!). I also looked at the 09 Mazda6 and Malibu LTZ; chose this one.

The Honeymoon Is Over!

I purchased this car a year ago and have written two reviews, one when I first got the car, and then another at six months. This will be my final review at a year old. I'm sorry to say, but I now understand why Hyundai is not considered the same in quality as the leading Japanese manufactures. Not only have I detailed a number of options missing that the competitors offer, but numerous problems have reared their ugly head in the past year. The 09 Sonata is a nice car, but it's priced right where it should be. After my year experience with the car, I understand why Hyundai does not have the resale value of the Japanese as well. Hyundai has made great strides, but they have a ways to go.

Terrible Suspension**

Purchased 5/09. Initial impression: nice looking and fuel mileage is good for a car this size. After driving for 1 week, my impression as follows: The engine runs smooth however the 5 speed automatic transmission hangs in 5th gear overdrive at 40 mph and engine lugs. Suspension: you hear TERRIBLE road noise inside car and can FEEL any and all road imperfections in steering wheel. It's scary! Loud rattling in trunk area when riding down bumpy roads. Have had car to the dealer 2 x's for this with no satisfaction. Hyundai needs fix this Sonata model as they have done with past Sonata's and issue a recall to install proper struts/mounts. Hard rubber Michelin Tires may be part of the problem

FUN RIDE

This car continues to exceed my expectations while driving it over 14,000 miles and having and driven many cars (Saabs, Honda, Benz E300 and BMW 530i) in US and Europe. Quick when accelerating in semiauto mode and tracktion control off. On the twisties and highway the SE drives close to recent BMW 530i without sport suspension. It's similar in size to it's Japanese competitors but ouclasses them in performance and value even though has a small V6 3.3L engine. I've opened her up to about 135MPH and though less stable than 9-3 Saab and overpriced German cars (mostly air dynamic issue), performs very solid and better than V6 Accord. Nice car!

So-so car

The ride is smooth and the fuel economy is good. So far it has been very dependable, but I don't like the transmission. At times it should downshift, and it doesn't. Other times, while cruising on the interstate, it will downshift for the slightest incline. I have had this car for a year now, and it is starting to develop rattles in the dashboard. I am struggling with the dealer to fix them. I get the feeling that Hyundai is not built with the attention to detail that other, more expensive cars are. This is the first Hyundai I have owned. I would recommend it to a friend (pros outweigh the cons), but remind them that they are buying a cheap car, and not to get their expectations too high.

A good value but at what price?

Overall, my 2009 Sonata GLS has been a dependable car for a very good price. I, like many others, have the dash/windshield creaking problem. This did not fully develop until around one year of ownership. The noise is present with every movement of the car (light acceleration, braking, undulation) not just over speed bumps or potholes. Call me OCD but it is so annoying, that I am about to dump the car at a loss. The dealer did try to fix the problem by re-seating the windshield but the noise is even worse after their "fix". If you can live with sub-par build quality and rattles, then the Sonata is a good deal. I am going back to a REAL foreign car like Honda or Toyota!

Engine Light / Emissions / Gas

This is my second Hyundai - I previously had the Elantra with over 100k miles - some minor issues brought the 2009 Sonata - been in shop 3x's in last 2 weeks - dealers states it's EVP emissions - see no recall on net with other owners - at wits end with new car having issues

Love this car

2009 sedan

I have had my car for almost 8 yrs now and have no maintenance cost of any kind except tires and brakes...the car runs like a champ...It was even a rental car before I got it and still doing great