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Research · Midsize Cars

2001 Hyundai SonataRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 219 owner complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata. Most complaints involve structure (69) and air bags (47). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Apr 2009
Owner complaints
219
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Apr 16, 2009NHTSA 09V124000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 9, 2002NHTSA 02V105000

Air bags

Free remedy

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).

Air bagsReported Nov 6, 2001NHTSA 01V347000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

219 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2000 – Dec 2021
  1. Structure69
  2. Air bags47
  3. Suspension30
  4. Engine and engine cooling25
  5. Power train20
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  7. Vehicle speed control14
  8. Electrical system13
  9. Steering11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sonata model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199624
199752
199850
1999170
2000278
2001219
2002326
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,380
20121,559
20131,917
2014751
20151,156
2016728
2017769
2018375
2019162
2020183
2021135
202296
202388
202448
202517
20263
Crashes reported
28
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
21
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

69 reports3 crashes
“Upper rear control arm is connected to the subframe of the car and it’s rotted/ rusted out where the bushing goes to hold the control arm in place. Where am I supposed to mount the bushing now since it’s no longer there.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 25, 2021Suspension, StructureODI 11444930

Air bags

47 reports17 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2018Air bagsODI 11075013

Suspension

30 reports
“RECENTLY I HAD A SITUATION WHERE I WAS DRIVING ON COUNTY ROAD WAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY COLLAPSED AND CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. TO SAY THE LEAST, I WAS A LITTLE SHOOK UP. I GOT OUT THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HAD LODGED AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL. THE CAR WOULD GO INTO GEAR BUT IT WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE SO I TURNED IT OFF. A DRIVER OF A GREEN SEDAN CAR WAS BEHIND ME AND I WAS TRYING TO WAVE HER AROUND ME BUT SHE STOPPED AND ASSISTED ME INTO GETTING MY CAR OFF THE STREET BY PUSHING MY CAR WHILE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I AM ONLY TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI THOMPSON THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER IT WAS TOWED THERE. I WENT THERE THE NEXT DAY AND THE CAR DID START BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHICH WAS A SURPRISE TO ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AND TALK TO YOU TO SEE IF THAT DAMAGE WOULD BE COVER UNDER THE RECALL FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE CRADLE. AFTER HYUNDAI THOMPSON REPAIRED MY CAR I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR A ROARING NOISE CAUSED BY THE WHEEL BEARING IN THE WHEEL THAT JAMMED AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL WHEN THE AXLE SNAPPED OFF THE SUBFRAME.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2019Suspension, Wheels, Unknown or otherODI 11220217
All 2001 Sonata problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonata
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
Sonata
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
Sonata
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
Sonata
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
  • Sonata
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4228
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Sonata questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Hyundai Sonata have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners filed 219 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (69), air bags (47), suspension (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Hyundai Sonata get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Hyundai Sonata at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026