1989 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Hyundai Sonata, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE STALLS IN MORNING WHEN COLD, TRANSMISSION SLIPS,POOR GAS MILAGE. *AK
ENGINE FAILED. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE STALLS IN MORNING WHEN COLD, TRANSMISSION SLIPS,POOR GAS MILAGE. *AK
A/C RECEIVER DRYER FAILED. *AW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOLTS HOLDING HOOD FELL OUT, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP OBSCURING VISION. *DSH
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 35 MPH. THE FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER IN PLACE, UPON IMPACT. *AK
MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS STICK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOLT ON FRAME THAT CONTROLS THE CHASSIS WEAR OUT TROUGH THE FRAME. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C RECEIVER DRYER FAILED. *AW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR STALLED, CONSUMER GOT OUT CAR TO MAKE PHONE CALL AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C RECEIVER DRYER FAILED. *AW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .