2004 Sonata v4 Vibrates

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

 

It shouldn't vibrate. Take it back or try another dealer. Hyundai
doesn't make a "v4" engine. Maybe you mean I4? (Inline 4).

 

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...

 

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

 

Don't give up. It's a brand new car, Hyundai will fix it. I suggest you
try another dealer if you can.

 

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.

 

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

 

Not in California. All dealers have a sign in the dealership saying
"There is NO 3 day 'coolong off' period in California."

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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----

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.