I also purchased a 2009 Hyundai Sonata, white with tinted windows, looks great, now all of a sudden the wheels are starting to rust, very obvious and looks cheap. I can not imagine that Hyundai is going to tell me, “yes, we expect all new car owners to purchase new wheels after 2 years”! No way….has anyone heard anything? I think I am heading to dealer today after work…
my 2007 Sonata wheels rusted within 18 months of buying the car. I asked the dealer about it and they said they had no other complaints and it is not covered by the warranty. They said if I buy 4 new tires from them they would paint the wheels. My tires were no where near worn out yet. I declined their ‘offer’ and still have my rusty wheels on my car that is always in a garage, at home and at work. Is Hyundai ready to admit they has a wheel rust problem?
I need to call the dealer again and this time ask to speak to Hyundai directly. What’s interesting is the rust does not appear to show where the hubcap covers the wheel. A friend thought it had to do with UV exposure due to sunlight.
Have not made it back to dealer yet…the point that it is not happening to many other cars is the reason they “should” fix the problem. I am not good at taking no for and answer so we’ll see how it goes. I agree Keith, no rust under hubcap, I did read that it may be a result of the salt used on roads…but either way not seeing on other vehicles so it should not happen to these. If it’s not on all vehicles then it is manufactuerer problem that needs to be handled by dealer, if it’s mutliptle vehicles of a specific time frame it needs to be a recall and still handled by dealer….may head that way today after work, I’ll let you know. You could always print this off and show your dealer if it promotes any validity.
My 2008 Sonata has the same problem–very ugly. I live in Charlotte, NC. I called the dealer and they said people have been painting them. I don’t really want to hassle with that. I am going to contact Hyundai and see what they say since I have the extended warranty (10 Years, 100K Miles). In any event, while I don’t expect the steel wheels to look new forever, the amount of rust showing is unusual and indicates a manufacturing defect.
So I finally made it to the dealer, explained that the car is really nice, just tinted windows and bam, major eye sore with the rust. Explained that I have seen plenty of older models and other makes without this problem salt or no salt. They sent me to their Service tech who contacted their regional Manager (supposedly) and scheduled me in. They gave me a new 2011 Sonata loaner for 4 days while they sanded and painted my Sonata wheels at NO CHARGE. Always good when the people your taking care of by shopping them takes care of you. I would even print this off and take it to the dealer to prove other dealers are covering this. Unless your specific dealer expects everyone to purchase new wheels every 2 years. Best of luck everyone, and keep in mind that dealers are always way more willing to work with “nice” people so be nice!!!
I purchased a NEW 2008 Sonata and I have the rust problem also! I keep my car spotless inside and out and the rusted wheels are just terrible looking! Mentioned it to the dealer where I have always taken it for scheduled maintenance and the guy just said, yea, you have steel wheels and it is a problem. I have always kept my car garaged. I drove my Honda Accord over 200,000 miles and never a speck of rust. I am single and can not buy new wheels on a new car I bought expecting to have for years to come
I have a 2007 Entourage and have this exact problem! I went back to the dealer and they said I was the first person they’ve seen with this problem. Next I emailed Hyundai and explained my problem. They told me to go back to the dealer. The manager supposedly had to contact the Hyundai representative about it. Got a call yesterday that the rep. said there is nothing they can do about it. I wrote ANOTHER email to Hyundai telling them that I will never buy another Hyundai again. I love my van but they have not been helpful at all. They have given me no suggestions – they don’t even have the option of me getting different hubcaps. I’m interested to see what kind of reply I get next. Glad I found this site.
Hi. I’m sorry to hear you are having those issues. I was able to get my wheels redone ands I have a video on this blog showing the before and after pics. I don’t know if you’re watched it yet. I don’t know if it made a difference being under warranty or not.
Same story from Oneonta NY. Bought a 2008 Sonata – now wheels are rusty and don’t look like the auto I otherwise enjoy. I will call dealer soon.
Bob Harder
Hi–I have the same issue with my 2010 Sonata. All four wheels are rusted. Car is barely 2 years old. Will be addressing with the dealer in the next few weeks and will post a follow up. Thanks.
I have a 2009 Santa Fe with rusty wheels. They are so ugly. I took the car to the dealership in Carrollton, TX. Waiting 1 1/2 weeks so far for a response.
I have a 2009 Sonata as well. Wheels started rusting around 25k miles. Took it to the dealer and they just repainted them (no charge but they did not get them sanded). Of course, its 6 months later and the rust is coming back.
I think there is a problem with how the wheels were made and finished that is causing this.
Dealer said Hyundai won’t cover this but they are giving me a number to call at corporate. I am going this route. Will keep you guys informed. Never had steel wheels do this before and certainly not at 25k. Major eyesore and rust isn’t good for anything.
Dianna
Hi, I just bought a used 2007 Tucson on 1/30/13 and found your site looking for info on the rusted wheels. Since I bought it at a Honda dealer, they have no interest in helping me. The rest of the car is in mint condition with only 11k miles. Anyone have any updates since 9/12 above? I had my caddy and Jimmy for over 10 yrs. each with not a speck of rust. The Tucson has always been in FLA so no road salt at fault. I’d appreciate any info/suggestions.
Hi Dianna. I’ve had people tell me that it appears the wheels were not coated properly during manufacturing. If you still have factory warranty you could talk to Hyundai, however, I don’t know what they will do. I think I lucked out with the service dept I was dealing with.
I also purchased a 2009 Hyundai Sonata, white with tinted windows, looks great, now all of a sudden the wheels are starting to rust, very obvious and looks cheap. I can not imagine that Hyundai is going to tell me, “yes, we expect all new car owners to purchase new wheels after 2 years”! No way….has anyone heard anything? I think I am heading to dealer today after work…
my 2007 Sonata wheels rusted within 18 months of buying the car. I asked the dealer about it and they said they had no other complaints and it is not covered by the warranty. They said if I buy 4 new tires from them they would paint the wheels. My tires were no where near worn out yet. I declined their ‘offer’ and still have my rusty wheels on my car that is always in a garage, at home and at work. Is Hyundai ready to admit they has a wheel rust problem?
I need to call the dealer again and this time ask to speak to Hyundai directly. What’s interesting is the rust does not appear to show where the hubcap covers the wheel. A friend thought it had to do with UV exposure due to sunlight.
Have not made it back to dealer yet…the point that it is not happening to many other cars is the reason they “should” fix the problem. I am not good at taking no for and answer so we’ll see how it goes. I agree Keith, no rust under hubcap, I did read that it may be a result of the salt used on roads…but either way not seeing on other vehicles so it should not happen to these. If it’s not on all vehicles then it is manufactuerer problem that needs to be handled by dealer, if it’s mutliptle vehicles of a specific time frame it needs to be a recall and still handled by dealer….may head that way today after work, I’ll let you know. You could always print this off and show your dealer if it promotes any validity.
I need to make the time to go by my dealer as well. Will post how things go. Good luck!
Pingback: Rust On Hyundai | HyundaiPhotosBlog.com
My 2008 Sonata has the same problem–very ugly. I live in Charlotte, NC. I called the dealer and they said people have been painting them. I don’t really want to hassle with that. I am going to contact Hyundai and see what they say since I have the extended warranty (10 Years, 100K Miles). In any event, while I don’t expect the steel wheels to look new forever, the amount of rust showing is unusual and indicates a manufacturing defect.
Hang in there. If any of my data or videos can help you please use them.
So I finally made it to the dealer, explained that the car is really nice, just tinted windows and bam, major eye sore with the rust. Explained that I have seen plenty of older models and other makes without this problem salt or no salt. They sent me to their Service tech who contacted their regional Manager (supposedly) and scheduled me in. They gave me a new 2011 Sonata loaner for 4 days while they sanded and painted my Sonata wheels at NO CHARGE. Always good when the people your taking care of by shopping them takes care of you. I would even print this off and take it to the dealer to prove other dealers are covering this. Unless your specific dealer expects everyone to purchase new wheels every 2 years. Best of luck everyone, and keep in mind that dealers are always way more willing to work with “nice” people so be nice!!!
I purchased a NEW 2008 Sonata and I have the rust problem also! I keep my car spotless inside and out and the rusted wheels are just terrible looking! Mentioned it to the dealer where I have always taken it for scheduled maintenance and the guy just said, yea, you have steel wheels and it is a problem. I have always kept my car garaged. I drove my Honda Accord over 200,000 miles and never a speck of rust. I am single and can not buy new wheels on a new car I bought expecting to have for years to come
I have a 2007 Entourage and have this exact problem! I went back to the dealer and they said I was the first person they’ve seen with this problem. Next I emailed Hyundai and explained my problem. They told me to go back to the dealer. The manager supposedly had to contact the Hyundai representative about it. Got a call yesterday that the rep. said there is nothing they can do about it. I wrote ANOTHER email to Hyundai telling them that I will never buy another Hyundai again. I love my van but they have not been helpful at all. They have given me no suggestions – they don’t even have the option of me getting different hubcaps. I’m interested to see what kind of reply I get next. Glad I found this site.
Hi. I’m sorry to hear you are having those issues. I was able to get my wheels redone ands I have a video on this blog showing the before and after pics. I don’t know if you’re watched it yet. I don’t know if it made a difference being under warranty or not.
Same story from Oneonta NY. Bought a 2008 Sonata – now wheels are rusty and don’t look like the auto I otherwise enjoy. I will call dealer soon.
Bob Harder
Hi–I have the same issue with my 2010 Sonata. All four wheels are rusted. Car is barely 2 years old. Will be addressing with the dealer in the next few weeks and will post a follow up. Thanks.
I have a 2009 Santa Fe with rusty wheels. They are so ugly. I took the car to the dealership in Carrollton, TX. Waiting 1 1/2 weeks so far for a response.
I have a 2009 Sonata as well. Wheels started rusting around 25k miles. Took it to the dealer and they just repainted them (no charge but they did not get them sanded). Of course, its 6 months later and the rust is coming back.
I think there is a problem with how the wheels were made and finished that is causing this.
Dealer said Hyundai won’t cover this but they are giving me a number to call at corporate. I am going this route. Will keep you guys informed. Never had steel wheels do this before and certainly not at 25k. Major eyesore and rust isn’t good for anything.
Good luck!
Dianna
Hi, I just bought a used 2007 Tucson on 1/30/13 and found your site looking for info on the rusted wheels. Since I bought it at a Honda dealer, they have no interest in helping me. The rest of the car is in mint condition with only 11k miles. Anyone have any updates since 9/12 above? I had my caddy and Jimmy for over 10 yrs. each with not a speck of rust. The Tucson has always been in FLA so no road salt at fault. I’d appreciate any info/suggestions.
Hi Dianna. I’ve had people tell me that it appears the wheels were not coated properly during manufacturing. If you still have factory warranty you could talk to Hyundai, however, I don’t know what they will do. I think I lucked out with the service dept I was dealing with.