I recently purchased a 2007 Sonata GLS with 150k miles and now I’m worried after reading some negative reviews about Hyundai on forums. The car appears to be well-maintained and has no issues at the moment. Some say 2007 was a good year, while others think it wasn’t. Is anyone else driving a 2007 Sonata?
I wouldn’t stress too much. I have a 2013 GLS (one of the affected years), and after getting the engine replaced in 2018, it’s been running perfectly without any issues. That’s not to say something won’t happen, but for now, it’s been a dream.
People are quick to share negative experiences, which is why you see so many bad posts about Hyundais on forums. Plus, not everyone uses forums, so it’s just a small group sharing those complaints.
Did you get a pre-purchase inspection? If not, it’s worth taking it to a trusted local mechanic for a post-purchase check. Let them know you bought it with 150k miles so they can focus on maintenance items for that mileage. Address any major issues they find or ones that could become a problem later.
Whether it was a mistake or not doesn’t have to be negative. Every decision has consequences, good or bad. It might need some work, or it could be reliable for a while. Just be ready to take care of what’s necessary, you know?
I have a 2006 Sonata V6, which I drove for over 212k miles, and I can share some maintenance tips. Key issues include timing chain tensioners, front shocks, and lower control arms. Regular fluid and oil changes are essential, using SP3 fluid for the transmission and changing oil every 3k miles. I suggest using conventional oil, checking suspension, and doing repairs yourself to save money. With proper maintenance, the car can last long. The main concerns are with newer post-2011 engines.
I didn’t get it inspected beforehand since the owners had the Carfax and maintenance records, and it seemed well cared for, though I probably should have. I’ll take it to my local mechanic for an oil change and ask them to check it over as well. Hopefully, it turns out to be a good car.
Honestly, it’s a hit or miss at this point, but you might be okay. I’ve heard older models had better engines, but it’s hard to know what’s true. Check the Hyundai Recall page and run your VIN to see if it’s affected.
I have a 2018 Hyundai Sonata, and though it’s not on the recall list, I’ve had engine problems. It’s best to avoid Hyundai and Kia now. If you can’t return it, don’t worry until something happens. Just get an oil change every 3,000 miles to keep the engine lubricated, as these cars often burn oil quickly.
I checked the VIN, and luckily, there are no recalls on this car. The last oil change was 5,000 miles ago with synthetic oil, so I’ll go ahead and schedule a new one soon.