RoadVitals

1989 Hyundai Sonata

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Apr 4, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Nov 29, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Hyundai Sonata, most frequently naming the engine, transmission and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 10 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine533.3%
  • Transmission213.3%
  • Interior & seats213.3%
  • Seat belts213.3%
  • Body & structure16.7%
  • Powertrain (other)16.7%
  • Electrical16.7%
  • Heating & air conditioning16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V196000

SEAT BELTS

Nov 29, 1993
100,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
The 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov
90V037000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Feb 21, 1990
43,590 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SPRING CLAMP TANGS ON THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE MAY CONTACT AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE.
The risk: FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE DAMAGED HOSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: ROTATE SPRING CLAMP TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH FUEL HOSE; REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov
90V038000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Feb 21, 1990
39,361 units potentially affected
The defect: INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE COULD CAUSE THE SAFETY CATCH ON THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH STRIKER TO BIND.
The 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.
The remedy: REPLACE HOOD LATCH STRIKER ASSEMBLY.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94043ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES

Opened May 27, 1994
Closed Oct 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PE93061ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PASS.RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

Opened Jul 8, 1993
Closed Nov 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 93V196000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 4, 2001

ENGINE STALLS IN MORNING WHEN COLD, TRANSMISSION SLIPS,POOR GAS MILAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
743502
Seat belts
Filed Oct 17, 1996
Crash reported

DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 35 MPH. THE FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER IN PLACE, UPON IMPACT. *AK

NHTSA ID
803653
Incident
Oct 10, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Oct 16, 1996

MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS STICK.

NHTSA ID
509934
Incident
Oct 10, 1996
Electrical
Filed Apr 4, 1996
Fire reported

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR STALLED, CONSUMER GOT OUT CAR TO MAKE PHONE CALL AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ID
982321
Incident
Apr 2, 1996
Engine
Filed Jan 4, 1996

ENGINE FAILED. *SD

NHTSA ID
500620
Incident
Nov 29, 1995
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 1995

THERE IS A TEMPERATURE SENSOR THAT HAS FAILED CAUSING HIGH RPM'S IN THE VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA ID
975680
Incident
Nov 29, 1995
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 12, 1995

BOLTS HOLDING HOOD FELL OUT, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP OBSCURING VISION. *DSH

NHTSA ID
483929
Incident
Aug 1, 1995
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 15, 1995

RECALL RELATED,90V038000 WENT FOR APPOINTMENT OF 5/27/95 DEALERSHIP HAS NOTIFICATION LETTER, NEVER RECEIVED PART, EXPERIENCE PROBLEM ON 6/11/95 HOOD FLY UP.

NHTSA ID
967035
Incident
Jun 10, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-BD-002H

VISIBILITY

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

21-EM-003H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.

20-BR-002H

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.

20-SS-004H

TIRES; WHEELS

This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the “Tire Balance Data Sheet” must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) data. The Data Sheet can be found at the end of this bulletin.

20-EE-003H

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: • A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. • A 30 Day alert - vehicle has not started and reported an SOC in 30 days.

19-BE-011H-1

BACK OVER PREVENTION; LANE DEPARTURE

The Blind Spot Detection (BSD) or Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) is a system that measures the speed of and distance from the following vehicles by using two magnetic wave radar sensors attached in the rear bumper. The BSD/BCW detects vehicles within the blind spot zone and gives off an alarm (visual and audible). The two magnetic radar sensors provide these functions for BSD/BCW: ? Senses other vehicles in the BSD/BCW zone and turns on the BSD/BCW warning lamp for the driver. The warning lamp starts blinking, along with an audible sound, when the driver turns on the turn signal lamp to enter the lane where another vehicle is driving.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Sonata by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026210—
2025150036.9
2024431047.2
2023852054.5
2022913058.3
20211274164.0
20201704160.0
20191560256.7
20183661257.9
20177613364.3
20167206468.1
20151,1379469.1
20147427768.1
20131,9029969.4
20121,5568766.6
20113,37214863.6
20103452356.5
20094602357.4
20084255459.3
20076967559.0
20061,04711559.2
20051651045.6
20042021152.1
20031996364.9
20023197465.7
20012053259.9
20002764259.4
19991244361.4
1998491040.2
1997492050.1
1996231036.9
1995662054.0
1994310—
1993261036.4
1992221147.5
1991291257.2
1990163247.4
1989Viewing113263.4
1988001—
1987101—
1986001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.