Two problems related to axle shaft have been reported for the 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The car (1999 Sonata GLS v6) had a front end alignment done by sears July 6, 2008 at kenosha WI. The failure occurred (July 14, 2008) when the car was being driven into the hospital parking garage (waukegan illinois). The car speed was 5 mph when it made a grinding sound and jolted to a stop. Sparks from under the car were witnessed by security guard who it reported to the driver of car. The car would not start and had to be pushed out of road to prevent blocking traffic. Inspection of the vehicle showed the subframe broke from corrosion causing the engine to drop then breaking the axle shaft. The car would not start and had to towed back to home by aaa. Currently have complaint at Hyundai dealer where car was purchased. Working with Hyundai service manager who states first he has heard of it. The auto technician employed at the shop states is a common item. The car has been in the shop several times for intermittent air bag light that would come on and remain on. The air bag light could not be found what was causing the problem.
Hi, I bought my 1999 Hyundai Sonata from a private person Nov. 2007. I was driving the car to the store when all of a sudden the right front wheel went back into the wheel well. I had it towed to a garage to lift it to see what happened. The engine cradle was so rotted that my half shaft pulled out and broke. The control arm completely rotted off the cradle. This is what I can plainly see as a safety hazard. I could have had a wreck had I been going any faster.