Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Hyundai Sonata

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 187 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V124000

Suspension

Component
Suspension
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected
188,282
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-16
Owners notified
2009-07-17

Defect description

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.

Safety risk

IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V105000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
145,355
Reported to NHTSA
2002-04-09
Owners notified
2002-05-28

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.

Safety risk

NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V347000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
86,513
Reported to NHTSA
2001-11-06
Owners notified
2002-05-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V259001

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
165,977
Reported to NHTSA
2000-09-11
Owners notified
2000-11-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure: frame and members2699,579 mi
Air bags1852,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1142,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1089,000 mi
Suspension10114,000 mi
Air bags: frontal7200,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Seat belts: front: anchorage5—
Steering5114,000 mi
Structure5130,000 mi
Unknown or other5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine449,961 mi
Suspension: front4158,000 mi
Tires450,367 mi
Vehicle speed control489,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module350,823 mi
Air bags: side/window3143,208 mi
Electrical system: wiring349,961 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3165,000 mi
Electrical system245,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2127,647 mi
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: starter assembly2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Tires: tread/belt2103,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system148,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner195,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage169,500 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Power train152,500 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1123,184 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Service brakes, hydraulic152,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: column195,000 mi
Structure: body175,800 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1123,184 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm169,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system149,961 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear177,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior149,961 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels: rim1193,500 mi

The 1998 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 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.