Model year record

1990 Hyundai Sonata

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 25 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V196000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
100,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-11-29
Owners notified
1994-02-14

Defect description

THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Safety risk

SLOWING, CHATTERING, OR FAILURE OF THE MOTORIZED SHOULDERBELT MAY DISCOURAGE USE OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURYIN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V037000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
43,590
Reported to NHTSA
1990-02-21
Owners notified
1990-02-26

Defect description

THE SPRING CLAMP TANGS ON THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE MAY CONTACT AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE.

Safety risk

FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE DAMAGED HOSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

ROTATE SPRING CLAMP TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH FUEL HOSE; REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V038000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
39,361
Reported to NHTSA
1990-02-21
Owners notified
1990-02-26

Defect description

INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE COULD CAUSE THE SAFETY CATCH ON THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH STRIKER TO BIND.

Safety risk

IF PRIMARY LATCH IS RELEASED OR IF HOOD IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED, HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; THIS WOULD BLOCK DRIVER'S VISION AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE HOOD LATCH STRIKER ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission3
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Seat belts2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Structure: body: door1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1989 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.