Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Structure:frame And Members (16.6% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (09V124000).
Structure:frame And Members complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:frame And Members | 53 · 16.6% | Investigation closed | EA08016 → recall 09V124000 · PE08029 |
| Suspension | 50 · 15.7% | Recalled | Recall 09V124000 |
| Air Bags | 23 · 7.2% | Recalled | Recall 02V145000 |
| Steering | 19 · 6% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 17 · 5.3% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 14 · 4.4% | Investigation closed | EA08016 → recall 09V124000 · PE08029 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 319 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 09V124000 · 2009 · reported 04/16/2009
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V171000 · 2009 · reported 05/21/2009
THIS MAY INFLICT LACERATION INJURIES TO ANYONE USING THE DOOR HANDLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V145000 · 2002 · reported 05/24/2002
INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF A SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WHEN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH HAS NOT OCCURRED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V317000 · 2009 · reported 08/07/2009
A SHARP EDGE COULD LACERATE OR OTHERWISE INJURE A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V097000 · 2003 · reported 03/17/2003
INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE TCS WILL CAUSE AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE AT THE WHEEL WHERE THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V178000 · 2004 · reported 04/09/2004
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V369000 · 2004 · reported 07/26/2004
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH THE ENGINE CRADLE FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT. VEHICLE FAILED NH STATE INSPECTION AND IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE…”NHTSA complaint 10248519 — filed 11/11/2008 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
“SUBFRAME RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. LUCKILY THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A REPAIR OF A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT REGARDING THE 1999-2004 SONATA…”NHTSA complaint 10248003 — filed 11/08/2008 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE…”NHTSA complaint 10245566 — filed 10/15/2008 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Structure:frame and members issues are the most-reported category, cited in 53 of 319 NHTSA complaints (16.6%), followed by suspension (50), air bags (23), steering (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
319 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 31 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 54 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09V124000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
