Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
My car has a rear rust problem that has left the car undriveable. The support for the wheel has rusted through and the rear wheels are tilting in. I did lose control of the car as it swayed for one side of the road to the other lane and back. My speed was about 45 MPH on a two lane road with a spead limit of 45 to 55. When I would hit a bump in the road the car swerved uncontrolably the rust is a serious safety problem that our government is ignoring. I have had the front of the car in for the original recall for the front subframe. Did you know that this recall allows the mechanic to drill holes in the subframe to help the moister escape. Sounds like a temporary fix to a serious problem because the design did not allow for moisture problems. Yet the problem is road salt according to the original law suit. But then why drill holes if the moisture is coming from the outside. …
Control arm completely separated/ broke from the subframe. Called Hyundai as mechanic said this should have been included under a recall that came out several years ago for "because of a potential corrosion risk involving the front sub-frame...corrosion May progress and the forward mounting of the lower control arm May detach from the sub-frame. If that happens, the vehicle May lose driver power to the wheels. The front wheel May make contact with the fender or wheel well." "separation of the forward mounting of the lower control arm May increase the risk of a crash" this is exactly what happened to my 17 year old daughter yesterday and fortunately she did not crash as she was not in a populated area, but it could have been much worse. Why is this particular 2001 Hyundai Sonata not covered under this recall. It needs to be covered and covered asap. Please assist. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Sonata. While making a right turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front passenger side tire. It was discovered that the control arm had fractured from the frame, which was crumbling due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and then towed to the contact's residence and to the dealer (Hyundai of chantilly, 14848 stonecroft center ct, chantilly, va 20151, [phone]). The contact was not sure if the vehicle was included or excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension). The manufacturer was to provide a follow-up response to determine their solution for the dealer's repair. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the recall but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear suspension upper control arms needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.
I was driving down my street when the drivers cv axle popped out of the transmission. I got the vehicle towed home and removed the wheel to find that the subframe was corroded completely into. I know there are recalls pertaining to this exact issue on this type of car
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 came to a complete stop after driving only 10mph, my engine cradle dropped down there for smashing through my front axel, and turning in both of my front wheels. Not realizing what happened I continued to drive to a repair shop. Both tires popped. I called a tow truck and paid an outrageous amount to get a tow to a repair shop. I was without a car for 2 weeks while they replied my vehicle which cost me almost $1,300. My insure company would not total out my vehicle because they said it was due to salt corrosion and rust (ware and tear). Did I mention I was on vacation when this happened? $$$. Now my transmission is trouble shooting somehow (151,000 miles). It's having trouble switching gears and it hits pretty hard when it finally does. I have to turn the car off and turn it back on, sometimes this helps sometimes it does. My RPM shot up to 4 or 5 which burns gas like crazy. …
Complete failure of brake system due to rust and corrosion of brake lines. The 2001 Hyundai Sonata lines came apart due to rust. Reported incident to Hyundai consumer affairs and was told it would be covered under recall notice dated: 4-14-09 id# 09V124000 action# ea08016, which included quality issues with cars suspension due to rust and corrosion. Was notified by dealer today that Hyundai was not covering the defective brake lines, because it was not specifically called out in the recall. Fortunately, my son and I were in a parking lot when the brake failure occurred, pedal went all the way to the floor and fluid leaked out of the brake line, which had rusted through. I'm not sure of the scope of this defective, but obviously had we been on the freeway this could have been a life or death experience. Thankfully god was watching over us. …
While driving the car the wheel and assembly broke free from the frame of the car which was completely rusted and dropped the car to the ground pushed the wheel assembly wheel well. After researching the make and model their is a recall pertaining to this issue but only applies to the salt belt. My car was originally sold and operated in virginia for 7 years. This issue with the sub frame is the exact same issue as the recall but due to the car not being titled in the salt belt, even though it was driven through the so called salt belt, Hyundai is saying it is not covered under the recall. I believe all cars that experience this issue should be covered under the warranty as it is a major safety issue. I was lucky I wasn't going fast as it could have jeopardized my life or anyone else's that was traveling on the road.
Related recalls
Suspension
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…
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…
Suspension complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Hyundai Sonata, 14% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is front (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Hyundai Sonata suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-124 (suspension, Apr 16, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Sonata suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.