Hyundai Sonata Door Handle Recall
Hyundai announced today that they are recalling 91,000 Sonata's made in 2002 and 2003. The recall is a result of an interior door handle manufacturing problem. Specifically Sonata models equipped with chrome interior door handles.
The recalled handles have a defect where after extended use will begin to crack, causing the chrome plating to separate. After separation the handle becomes extremely sharp and poses a lasceration risk to the user. So if you are driving a Sonata manufacturered in the affected years, get your vehicle into the nearest Hyundai dealership to have the handles replaced for free.
All affected Sonata owners will be contacted by certified letter with specific recall information. Please discuss this recall in our automotive forums.
August 11th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I would recommend not having this work performed. I just recently had this “repair” performed, it was awful work. They replaced the driver-side door handle, but “wrapped” the other handles with silver looking stickers that are terrible! If I knew that it was going to look as bad as it does, I would have just opted to cut my fingers on the defective handle. I called Hyundai and expressed my disappointment, but after a few days of waiting, they came back and told me that they couldn’t help me. I’m extremely disappointed in Hyundai, and seriously doubt that I will be buying another vehicle from them if this is how they solve issues.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:28 am
I just had the “repair” work done too and was so angry I came online to see what I could find out. I got all four handles wrapped. I had been filing the handles down b/c everyone was getting razor slits in their fingers. So since I did the filing I couldn ‘t get a total replacement…hence the wraps. It looked like crap. It was some clear cellophane thing which I prompted pulled off and it left a rather decent looking silver overlay. I don’t think the service people knew what to do with the wrap. I called Hyundai too…no luck there either. It’s too bad b/c I really love my Sonata.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:30 am
Sorry to hear that Justin and Dianne.
It would seem to me they would actually replace the handles, instead of pissing off paying customers. Consider this, how does a flaw like this even make it past inspection?
October 29th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Lack of foresight probably, especially since most models don’t get tested for very long periods of time.