2004 Sonata v4 Vibrates

Discussion in 'Hyundai Sonata' started by Nessie, Nov 16, 2004.

  1. Nessie

    Nessie Guest

    Hi,

    I bought a year end 2004 Sonata sedan v4. Test drove it around a huge
    parking lot and some side streets but not in city traffic. First week
    into the purchase I noticed a bad vibration through the seats and the
    stearing wheel when the car is braked or parked and running. It's very
    annoying. None of my other hyundai's did this and I've had 3 others,
    from a 2000 elantra wagon, elantra 03 GT manual, Accent 2003 (my son's
    car). Over 375.00 a month for a car that vibrates, that's terrible. My
    Elantra GT was so quiet I had to check sometimes to make sure it was
    still running at red lights etc.,

    The dealer is saying this is normal for this v4 engine. It really
    doesn't seem normal for any engine to sound so loud or the vehicle to
    vibrate. I've read a few other complaints like mine, and then others
    who say no vibration at all. So it's normal for some to vibrate, but
    other's not? It doesn't make sense. Anyone else? I'm about to try to
    evoke the lemon process, I'll bet it's going to be gruesome and
    extremely stressfull. Any suggestions? TIA

    Joan
     
    Nessie, Nov 16, 2004
    #1
  2. Nessie

    Bob Guest

    It shouldn't vibrate. Take it back or try another dealer. Hyundai
    doesn't make a "v4" engine. Maybe you mean I4? (Inline 4).
     
    Bob, Nov 16, 2004
    #2
  3. Nessie

    Jody Guest

    thats bull plop,

    i rode in a 4 cyl sonaat many times and its was , quiet,smooth.
    thyre giving u the runaround, do you have another dealer close by? also,
    phone hyundai usa...
     
    Jody, Nov 17, 2004
    #3
  4. Nessie

    Nessie Guest

    My mistake, it's the straight 4 automatic with the versa-shift
    thingie. It's a great ride, as long as I'm moving. The vibrations
    start as soon as I hit the brakes to slow down and continue as long as
    it's idling. It vibrates throughout the seating and right through the
    steering wheel. It's even visible. They are telling me it's normal.
    What a bunch of bull.

    It's back in the service department right now. Unfortunately in
    Colorado there is no return period after you sign the contract, not
    even a three day period as in other states. It's just not fair. This
    is third time into the service dept. for the same complaint and each
    time they find something else wrong, like an erg (?) valve or steering
    pump, but nothing that will fix the vibration.

    Last time in they gave me a gls v6 for a loaner car. It had no
    vibrations and engine was very smooth. My engine is very noisy with a
    whole array of different pings and ticks and what sounds like timming
    problems. I just don't know. I'm very depressed about this. Anyhow,
    has anyone gone through the lemon negotiating process with Hyundai
    USA? TIA

    Joan
     
    Nessie, Nov 17, 2004
    #4
  5. Nessie

    Bob Guest

    Don't give up. It's a brand new car, Hyundai will fix it. I suggest you
    try another dealer if you can.
     
    Bob, Nov 17, 2004
    #5
  6. The 72 hour return period on purchases is federal law, though I'm not
    sure if it applies to cars or not, as there are other items that are
    exempted.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Nov 17, 2004
    #6
  7. Nessie

    Nessie Guest

    I brought it home on a Saturday after signing the paperwork. By Monday
    I was ready to return it and took it back to the dealer that evening.
    That's when I found out Colorado has exempted vehicles from the 3 day
    return policy. Hopefully Hyundai will fix it or replace it, if not I'm
    ready to pursue. I'll update as this goes on.

    One thing this has taught me. In states without the 3 day grace, test
    drive the vehicle, several of the same model, out in the streets and
    on the highways, even if it takes an hour or so. The problem with my
    car wasn't apparent until the drive home from the dealer with several
    stops at red lights etc. The short test drive around their parking lot
    and side streets just didn't cut it. Buyer beware.

    JR
     
    Nessie, Nov 17, 2004
    #7
  8. Nessie

    Bob Guest

    Not in California. All dealers have a sign in the dealership saying
    "There is NO 3 day 'coolong off' period in California."
     
    Bob, Nov 17, 2004
    #8
  9. Nessie

    LandB Guest

    I am not sure what the lemon laws are for your state, buy by the very fact
    that the dealership is working on your car, they are admitting that
    SOMETHING is wrong with it. Here in Indiana, three tries and they are out.
    I know someone that had a similar problem with a Ford van, and it really was
    normal for the 6 Cyl. model, but since the dealer attempted to repair it,
    and billed the company for warranty repair work, the dealer was forced to
    give the customer a brand new van, which by the time the dealer did it, the
    van was a year old and had thousands of miles. He still got a new van and
    comtinued the old van's payments. A lawyer told the dealership since they
    worked on the van, and charged the manufacturer for repairs, that if the
    problem was normal, the dealer was committing fraud. I would definitely
    keep on the dealer, and absolutely keep all records of repair attempts by
    the dealer. Good Luck.

    This place, when working, has a list of the individual state lemon laws.
    http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon.html
     
    LandB, Nov 17, 2004
    #9
  10. Nessie

    Nessie Guest

    Apparently there is little protection for the auto consumer in some
    states. I've heard horrific stories about folks trying to get the
    lemon law invoked, taking a year or more to deal with the process.

    At least you get some signs posted, there was no mention of a no
    return policy during the financing/sale process. I grew up in a state
    which did allow a three day period. I was really shocked.

    But it's looking better. The dealership called my hubby an hour ago at
    work and said they were keeping it an extra day as one of the techs
    thinks he knows how to fix the problem. This after we told him of all
    the reports we read on the net about the vibrations in some of the
    2004 4's, and making it clear that we would be calling Hyundai USA for
    the grievance process. Thanks for the tips!

    JR
     
    Nessie, Nov 17, 2004
    #10
  11. Nessie

    hyundaitech Guest

    So far, everything I've read sounds normal. The 4 cylinder engine is noisy
    and vibrates the entire car when stopped. It happens in every one I drive.


    The dealer is working on the car and doing things to try to "fix" it in
    the hopes that they can make you happy with your car. They sold it to you
    and really would like you to be a return customer some day. If the right
    person at Hyundai gets involved, they may be able to direct the dealer to
    do things which may minimize the vibration. These could be things that
    Hyundai engineering is studying or just things to try.

    Sorry you didn't ask about the four before buying it. I would have
    definitely recommended the v6 partially for the difficulties you're having
    now. But, the dealer is trying to make it better. Best of luck, and I
    hope they make the car meet your expectations.
     
    hyundaitech, Nov 18, 2004
    #11
  12. Joan,

    Be sure to make the service department be very specific in describing
    your repeat problem on the service ticket. Example: "Customer returned
    vehicle second time for vibration problem". Try to make sure the
    process by which you get the vibration and specifically where it it felt
    inside the vehicle is actually documented on the service ticket. If you
    have a "three-strike lemon law in your state you be much better off.

    I drove Saturns for several years in Vermont between 1996 and 2001. We
    did a dealer buyback through factory arbitration (one after a year of
    them not being able to correct our problem) three times (different year
    models). The first was stressful because we made it harder than it
    needed to be. The next two were a piece of cake. The third was for one
    noisy lifter that would quiet down after the motor was up to normal
    operating temp. Factory rep looked and listened and stated that the
    noise was "with-in acceptable level". I told the manager of the
    dealership that my sons Saturn did not tap until it got hot and neither
    did any of our Saturn owning friends. This time I told the manager to
    call Spring Hill and make the arrangements for us. A week later I was
    asked to come to the dealership to listen to the motor of the
    replacement vehicle and test drive it to make sure it seemed OK. It was
    fine and we drove it many miles over the next three years.

    I believe that it may be better to lay the ground rules with the manager
    of the dealership and explain that you expect to get a decent, properly
    functioning vehicle for your money, otherwise you will immediately start
    arbitration for replacement. My dealer knew very well that every day I
    was dissatisfied with my car more and more people were hearing about it.
    I never raised my voice and or threatened them and was treated very
    well. If you have a jerk for a manager you always have your State's
    lemon law (hopefully you have one) Just don't let them drag it out!
    Arbitration usually asks you to agree to allowing the dealer to make one
    last attempt to make things right for you. If they are not able to fix
    it on that last time they need to put you into a vehicle that works
    properly. If the four cyl. motors are known to be a problem, use the
    opportunity to get into a V-6. You will have a different payment by a
    few dollars, but, at least you be out of you present clunker.

    Good luck,

    Paul
     
    Paul Frankfurter, Nov 18, 2004
    #12
  13. Nessie

    FerdyPooh Guest

    Isn't this the Mitsubishi built 4 cylinder engine in Sonatas? My
    understanding is that the 4 cylinder engines in the Elantras are Hyundai
    built and don't suffer from the vibe problems----
     
    FerdyPooh, Nov 18, 2004
    #13
  14. Nessie

    hyundaitech Guest

    It's a Hyundai-built Mitsubishi design. To my knowledge, the engines in 96
    and newer Elantras are Hyundai designed. And like you said, they don't
    have the same vibration woes.
     
    hyundaitech, Nov 18, 2004
    #14
  15. Nessie

    NickNike Guest

    Is this just misfiring. Does it go away when the engine is revved. Maybe the
    plugs or ignition system needs attention, at low revs one of the cylinders
    may not be firing up.
    Nick.
     
    NickNike, Nov 19, 2004
    #15
  16. Nessie

    hyundaitech Guest

    The engine vibrates so much in the 4cyl Sonata that you can feel the
    vibrations when stopped at idle in gear throughout the whole car. The
    original poster was right on in that you can typically even see the
    steering wheel vibrate.
     
    hyundaitech, Nov 19, 2004
    #16
  17. Nessie

    Nessie Guest


    I'd like to thank eveyone for their suggestions and support. I picked
    the car back up after work. The service manager refused to give me any
    paperwork, stating that as he told me the last time I brought it it
    the vibrations are normal and can not be fixed. In other words, they
    blew me off........

    So, tomorrow I'll be calling Hyundai USA to file a complaint. I don't
    know if it will matter to them that this is my 4th Hyundai or not, but
    I won't give up. The vehicle has a design problem. If it's just
    misfiring then they should have picked that up during the computer
    analysis??? At any rate I'm going to take it to a second party, an
    engine specialist type place and have them test it out. You know I
    really like the Sonata, the highway ride is sweet and the lines of the
    2004 are really nice, but when other people next to me roll up their
    windows or look over at my car because of the noise at stops, it's
    shamefull. I don't know how a company who is trying to improve their
    status in the automotive world as they claim, would let this model
    roll off the assembly lines. Thanks again for the support.

    Joan
     
    Nessie, Nov 19, 2004
    #17
  18. Nessie

    Jody Guest

    whoo jone, i dont think hyundai korea would like the idea of a new hyund
    product sounding like a diesel at a stop light. Exspecially now that theyr
    getting some recognition they deserve in the media etc...
    id rase a RUCKUS.
    U know what, now that I think about it my byfriend and I were at our local
    delership, and a salesman started a black sonata, i said doesnt it sound
    funnny?
    was going tick tick tick, when he back upp and took off the tick increased
    with engine speed...
    sound familiar?
    we also test drove a 05 accent 5 door, when we stepped out to get into the
    car, the saleman had it running, the damn thing sounded like a diesel.
    our '99 accent is whisper quiet idling and smooth, almost zero small
    vibrations from our wheel.
    i expect a lil, it aint no lexus..
    but it was loud, i did not like that at all...(the 05 accent)
    as for that sonata i wonder if its same noise your trying to describe..(the
    tick tick tick)
    to bad u couldnt use a small cassette rec/ digital rec to rec your engine
    sounds and post them on here (small mp3 file or something similar) but i
    dont know if u know how to take from that and then onto ur pc...
    it would give the guys here a lil more to go on..
    does ur door frame shake alot when doors open?
    i noticed that about a 4 cyl sonata one day when was picked up by the
    courtesy driver..
    im sure hyun will help you, sounds like you have a bad residual dealer
    dealing with you.
    i think thyre cracking down on them....
    hope all works out for u....
    jody
     
    Jody, Nov 19, 2004
    #18
  19. Nessie

    NickNike Guest

    Are you sure it's not a misfire. My wife's Lantra has just developed a
    similar fault and is definately misfireing that clears with increased revs.
    Nick.
     
    NickNike, Nov 19, 2004
    #19
  20. Nessie

    hyundaitech Guest

    The engine shouldn't be making any noises so loud it disturbs the car
    beside you. This is an engine noise, right? It's a noisy engine, but
    it's not THAT noisy. Call Hyundai customer assistance and tell them
    you're problem.

    So far, I think the vibration sounds normal, but there definitely sounds
    like an issue with the noise. I'm figuring there must be some lemon law
    issue, or the dealer would have been happy to give you paperwork.
    Document when you took it to them, what complaints you made, when you got
    it back, and the fact that they refused to give you paperwork. Check your
    owner's manual materials for the lemon law procedures in your state. I
    believe there's a listing in one of the books by state which tells you who
    to contact.
     
    hyundaitech, Nov 19, 2004
    #20
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