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Hyundai Sonata 2007 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2007 Hyundai Sonata? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2007 Hyundai Sonata issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2007 Hyundai Sonata in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Hyundai, Audi, Peugeot, Citroen, Holden, Jeep announce recalls
Manufacturers including Hyundai, Holden, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen and Audi have all issued safety recalls for various models, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
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Bull bar for a Sonata?

I'm not aware of anyone doing a bar for the Sonata. I would suggest you call the bar manufacturers directly, they might be able to point you in the right direction.

Used Hyundai Sonata review: 1993-2010

Hyundai Sonata is a medium to large South Korean car that hasn’t enjoyed the sales success of its smaller brothers. It’s popular with those who are happy to give up prestige and dynamic handling and get a lot of car for a modest price.

Styling of the original Sonata was on the unusual side as the South Korean company was keen on establishing its own theme. These were often said to be ‘too Asian’ or ‘too Korean’ by buyers outside the home market, so Hyundai moved to more European lines. There was still a touch of Korean in their shape. Sonata buyers were on the conservative side, hence the not particularly imaginative bodies.

That all changed in May 2010 when a radical new Hyundai ‘Sonata’ arrived in Australia. So great was the change in direction that the name Sonata was replaced by Hyundai i45. Oddly enough, while the style grabbed plenty of attention the Hyundai i45 wasn’t a huge success downunder either. The i45’s main competitor turned out to be the smaller and cheaper Hyundai i40. Imports of the i45 ceased early in 2013.

Sonata is sold only as a four-door sedan. It can hold five adults if they don’t mind a bit of rubbing at the hips. Mum and dad in the front and three children in the rear is a common load and the big Hyundai can handle it with ease. Boot space is good thanks to the use of front-wheel drive, unlike Commodore and Falcon the Sonata doesn’t lose load area because there’s a differential under the rear floor.

Most Sonatas have a four-cylinder engine though a V6 was offered for several years. The six was imported to try and lift the image of the Sonata, perhaps hopefully to entice buyers down from Commodores and Falcons. In a moment of madness, Hyundai dropped the four-cylinder from the range in June 2000, buyers stayed away in droves and the four-cylinder made a comeback in September 2001.

The four-cylinder engines had capacities of 2.0 and 2.4 litres. Both could be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual.

The V6 began as a 3.0-litre unit, then went back to 2.5 litres with the 1998 Sonata. The 2.5-litre engine is a much more modern, smoother powerplant and is a hidden secret in used-car land. Both sixes sat only sat beside a five-speed auto.

Quality of build is not to the very high standard of Japanese cars. Body finish is usually good enough, but interiors can be on the rough and ready side in older models. They improved rapidly over the years and recent models are far better than the originals. The i45 isn’t being examined in this used-car feature, it will come later. Suffice to say it’s built to a high quality.

Spare parts prices are reasonable and we no longer hear the complaints about availability that bugged the Hyundai range in the earlier years. Hyundai Sonata is relatively easy for the home mechanic to work on, but make sure you have a workshop manual close handy because even simple cars are complicated these days, if that makes sense… We recommend you leave safety-related items to the professionals. Insurance costs for the Sonata are generally low as this isn't the sort of car to appeal to the hoon element.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Look in the cabin for signs of poor workmanship and premature wear. These problems are much more likely in older Sonatas than recent ones.

Check the top of the dashboard, the rear parcel shelf and the top edges of the door trim. Also look at the condition of the seat bases and carpet.

The four-cylinder engine normally starts promptly and is reasonably smooth even when cold. The V6 should start equally easily and should be almost imperceptible at idle once it has warmed up.

Automatic transmissions which are slow to go into gear or which have harsh shifts may be due for an expensive overhaul.

Manual gearboxes don't have the smoothest of actions but if you think it’s too bad get a professional inspection.

Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly and don't grab at any one wheel. If ABS is installed check that there's a pulsing through the pedal as it operates.

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Used Hyundai Sonata review: 2005-2008

There's no doubt about it, the Koreans are on the rise, and there's no better example of their emergence as carmakers on the world stage than the NF Hyundai Sonata released in 2005.  

At the time of its launch it was universally praised by motoring writers who reported that it was a marked step forward from what Hyundai had previously been producing.

The new NF Sonata delivered the things that Hyundai had built its reputation on, things like a long features list and a value-for-money deal, but it also delivered a level of refinement and quality that had been lacking in earlier models from the big Korean carmaker.

MODEL WATCH

Hyundai made no bones about it, they were looking to Europe in their efforts to improve its cars, and it showed in the NF Sonata.  It had to, of course, if it was to win sales from respected cars like the Toyota Camry, Mitsubishi 380 and Mazda6, all of which had a proven track record.
Bigger, better looking, with six airbags and a choice of four and six- cylinder engines there was plenty to like about the Sonata.

It still offered good value-for-money, but unlike earlier models the new Sonata didn't rely on that alone. It was well built, refined and smooth, and drove well.  Beyond the attractive skin the cabin offered ample room for five adults, the seats were comfy soft, and the boot was generous.

The four-cylinder engine option was a 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft all-alloy unit that pumped out a solid 118 kW at 5800 revs and 219 Nm at 4250 revs that provided adequate get up and go. For more zip there was the option of a 3.3-litre V6, also an all- alloy unit with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing.

That achieved peaks of 173 kW at 6000 revs and 304 Nm at 3500 revs, just a smidgeon short of the Commodore's V6 engine at the time.  The V6 was dropped from the range in 2008, at the same time a 2.0- litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine was added to the list of engine choices in 2008 and that produced 110 kW and 305 Nm.

Manual addicts were limited for choice in the Sonata range, as only the base four-cylinder model was available with the five-speed manual. All others had automatic transmissions.

When the diesel arrived in 2008 it was available with either a six- speed manual or a four-speed auto. Final drive on all models was through the front wheels.

Like its predecessors the Sonata was well equipped with all models boasting an enticing list of standard goodies. The base model had air, power windows, remote central locking and front fog lights, while the uprange Elite had leather trim, alloy wheels, a better sound system, an eight-way power driver's seat and reversing sensors.

On the road the suspension tuning was something of a revelation, at least to most drivers who weren't interested in punting it along too hard when its weaknesses showed up. Otherwise it was smooth and comfortable, and most bumps were soaked up with ease, while the road holding and handling were competent.

IN THE SHOP

Like all cars from the Korean Peninsula the earlier Sonatas suffered from many and varied problems, but the NF substantially raised the bar and there are no serious problems that afflict it.  The improvement is no doubt due to more thorough development and improved build quality. The result is that buyers can do so with confidence.

Even so, still look for a service record that can be verified and inspect for evidence of crash repairs.

IN A CRASH

With six airbags the Sonata was given a four-star rating by ANCAP in 2006.  All models had ABS antilock brakes and traction control, but prior to 2008 it was only the V6 models that boasted the active safety provided by electronic stability control. After that date all models had the important safety feature.

UNDER THE PUMP

The four-cylinder Sonata, which was the popular choice, delivered around 10.0 L/100 km on average, the zippier V6 a little more at around 11.0 L/100 km.  Road testers at the time reported the V6 could average around 10.5 L/ 100 km.  The diesel would do 6.0-7.0 L/100 km depending on the transmission used.

LOOK FOR

  • Pleasant looks .
  • Roomy cabin .
  • Improved fit and finish .
  • Economical engines .
  • Smooth driveability .
  • Good value-for-money

THE BOTTOM LINE

Much-improved mid-sized Korean sedan with newfound refinement, smoothness, comfort and quality is well worth a look. 70/100

Have you owned a Hyndai Sonata? Tell us your experience in the comments below.

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