Model year record

1996 Hyundai Sonata

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 37 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V026000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
74,965
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-28

Defect description

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Safety risk

THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5
Power train: automatic transmission4
Air bags3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front1
Tires1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1995 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1997 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.