2001 Hyundai Sonata Reliability
The 2001 Hyundai Sonata has 219 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and air bags. Compared with nearby Sonata model years (1999–2003), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Sonata's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
219
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
28
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2001 Hyundai Sonata complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 model year, filed between 2000 and 2021. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 69 | 32% |
| Air bags | 47 | 21% |
| Suspension | 30 | 14% |
| Engine & cooling | 25 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 11% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 20 | 9% |
| Speed control / throttle | 14 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 6% |
2001 Hyundai Sonata recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2001 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01V347000 | Nov 6, 2001 | Air bags | 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… |
| 02V105000 | Apr 9, 2002 | Air bags — side/window | 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… |
| 09V124000 | Apr 16, 2009 | 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,… |
How the 2001 compares with nearby Sonata years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Sonata analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 170 | 4 | Body structure | Solid |
| 2000 | 278 | 4 | Body structure | Solid |
| 2001 (this page) | 219 | 3 | Body structure | Solid |
| 2002 | 326 | 7 | Body structure | Caution |
| 2003 | 199 | 6 | Air bags | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2001 Hyundai Sonata
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2001 Hyundai Sonata can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2001 Hyundai Sonata reliability FAQ
Is the 2001 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
The 2001 Hyundai Sonata has 219 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and air bags. Compared with nearby Sonata model years (1999–2003), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Sonata's typical year.
What are the most common 2001 Hyundai Sonata problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata are body structure (69), air bags (47), suspension (30), engine & cooling (25). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2001 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata, including 01V347000 (air bags) and 02V105000 (air bags — side/window). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2001 Hyundai Sonata compare with the 2000 and 2002 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2000 has 278 complaints and 4 recalls (solid); the 2002 has 326 complaints and 7 recalls (caution). The 2001 has 219 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2001 Hyundai Sonata?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Hyundai Sonata research
Other Hyundai Sonata model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2001 Sonata, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.