The Lemon Index2000 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2000 Hyundai Sonata is worse than average by owner complaints: 69 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 136, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 276 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 72K to 131K miles on the car (176 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 88K–137K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 93K–155K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 60K–117K miles
Recalls 4
- suspension 2009
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, MASS…
- airbags 2002
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 SID…
- airbags 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 4 recalls
- electrical 2000
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) SENSO…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding automatic transaxle oil drain plug
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFront sub-frame corrosion2008–2009
- ClosedFront sub-frame corrosion2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle was involved 25-30 mph frontal collision in which fontal driver's and passenger's and side air bags did not deploy, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
2000 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 888774
More owner reports
Air bag senor light comes on and stays on all day. Contacted dealer. Found nothing wrong.
NHTSA complaint 8011886
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the air bag light comes on and the air bag could be inoperative in the event of a vehicle accident. Dealer notified.
NHTSA complaint 8020042
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 136; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2000 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (35%), electrical (22%) and engine (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata have?
4 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 72,200 and 131,500 miles. The middle report was at 104,700 miles, from 176 complaints.
Does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Hyundai Sonata have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works