Model year record
The 1991 Hyundai Sonata has 1 safety recall and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (9 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
| City / highway | 18 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
| City / highway | 16 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Seat beltsFront › Retractor | 9 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor; Engine › Gasoline | 8 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines | 7 | — |
| Electrical systemStarter assembly; Ignition › Switch | 7 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Drum | 3 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor | 1 | — |
| SteeringRack and pinion › Rack | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
LTR EXPRESSING HIS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WAY NHTSA PROCESSED HIS PETITION FOR A HEARING...*MR THE CONSUMER SENT A PETITION FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. *TS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED THREE TIMES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
RECALL 93 V 196 000/PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELTS: SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAS STOP TRACKING AND BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *YH
INTERIOR SYSTEM PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELTS FAILED, PRIOR TO RECALL NO #93V196000.*ET
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 3 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP! TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, CONDITION WORSENS WITH COLD WEATHER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN, AND KEEP CHANGING INTO DIFFERENT GEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK.
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. ALSO, ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LEAK. CONSUMER HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS EVERY SINCE DAY ONE. *AK
DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM CAR, TURNED OFF IGNITION, RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OWNER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE, BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHCLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK
STARTER FAILED TWICE/REPLACED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
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