RoadVitals

1995 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.
66
Latest Aug 18, 2010
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.
2
Latest Aug 23, 1995
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.
0
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.
15
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 66 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Hyundai Sonata, most frequently naming the transmission, airbags and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 34 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

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

2 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
95V163000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

Aug 23, 1995
356 units potentially affected
The defect: ONE OR BOTH OF THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER SPRING SEATS ARE NOT SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE SHOCK ABSORBER AND CAN SLIDE LOWER ONTO THE SHOCK ABSORBER THAN INTENDED. THE REAR SPRING WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLE BODY AT ITS NORMAL HEIGHT.
The risk: LOSS OF REAR SPRING SUPPORT CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS ARE FROM THE SUSPECT PRODUCTION. IF THE SHOCK ABSORBERS ARE FROM THE SUSPECT PRODUCTION, THE SHOCK ABSORBER/SPRING SEAT ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov
94V166000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Sep 1, 1994
4,842 units potentially affected
The defect: THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE LEFT REAR DOOR STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAPACITY IS "1,100 POUNDS". THIS INFORMATION IS INCORRECT. THE CORRECT VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT IS 860 POUNDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: LOADING OF THE VEHICLE BEYOND THE CAPACITY WEIGHT CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: HYUNDAI WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A NEW LABEL SHOWING THE CORRECT VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 66
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 18, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 HYUNDAI SONATA GL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 60 MPH WHEN THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT MANUALLY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10350240
Incident
Aug 2, 2010
Mileage
125,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 20, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

I'M THE OWNER OF A 1995 HYUNDAI SONATA, 2.0L DOHC, AUTOMATIC. DRIVING ON A ICY ROAD IN MICHIGAN THE TRANNY DOWNSHIFTED BY ITSELF FROM 4TH(OD) TO 1ST GEAR AND LOCKED IN 1ST GEAR THROWING ME IN A SNOW BANK! IF IT WASN'T FOR THE SNOW BANK TO STOP THE CAR, I WOULD'VE ENDED IN FRONT OF A INCOMING SEMI! THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD HARSH SHIFTS/DOWNSHIFTS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT I NEVER HAD ANTICIPATED LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A HYNUDAI TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THAT 1995 MODEL TRANSMISSIONS CONTROL UNITS MAY NEED TO BE REFLASHED WITH NEWER VERSION SOFTWARE OR REPLACED WITH NEWER UNITS. APPARENTLY HYUNDAI DIDN'T MAKE A PRIORITY IN NOTIFYING THE OWNERS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER CAUSING ERRATIC SHIFTS/DOWNSHIFTS! AFTER TALKING TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUE I GOT THE FOLLOWING ANSWER: "THE 1995 MODEL SONATA IS KNOWN FOR RANDOM TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND LIMPING MODE ISSUES? .." I WAS SPEECHLESS KNOWING OTHER PEOPLE OWN AND DRIVE THIS MODEL AND THAT SAME THING MAY HAPPEN TO THEM. PLEASE, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218593
Incident
Feb 10, 2008
Mileage
142,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 1, 2006

1995 HYUNDAI SONATA SUB-FRAME BROKE IN HALF WHILE MOVING. *KB THE CONSUME STATED THE REPLACEMENT CROSS MEMBER HAS NOW FORMED A CRACK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10168017
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 9, 2004
1 injury reported

SPEED CONTROL ISSUE: THE VEHICLE IDLE IS ROUGH & IRREGULAR, STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, $$$..EXPENSIVE REPAIRS-SAME PROBLEMS. THE STALLINGS ACCOUNTS FOR SEVERAL NEAR REAR-END COLLISIONS. FINALLY,ON NOV.8,2004. I PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR,THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE FROM 0 TO 40 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS,ALMOST CRASHED INTO SOME PARKED VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL & BRAKES APPLIED TO STOP THIS OUT-OF -CONTROL VEHICLE. A NON-EXPERIENCE DRIVER WOULD OF CRASHED, INJURING SELF,OTHER(S) & PROPERTY. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A PARKING SPOT WERE IT WILL REMAIN UNTIL EXAMINED. NOW,THE THROTTLE LINKAGE IS STUCK IN THE OPEN-POSITION. RESOLUTION: WHAT MUST BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS "DEATH-TRAP" ISSUE?? SHOULD THE HYUNDAI COMPANY BE NOTIFIED??*AK

NHTSA ID
10098507
Incident
Nov 8, 2004
Mileage
107,263 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 17, 2004

MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PULL FORWARD ONLY IN REVERSE AND I HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS TRANSMISSION AND THERES A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THE EXACT SAME CAR AS I DO THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. YOU CANT FIND LOCAL MECHANICS TO WORK ON THEM BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS SO COMPLEX. AND BEINGS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA ARE HAVEING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME CAR THE COMPANY SHOULD HONOR THEIR COMPANY AND ADMIT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY AND RECALL THEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081263
Incident
Jan 8, 2004
Transmission
Filed Aug 30, 2002

CONSUMER HAS 2 SONATAS, SAME YEAR, THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURES, ONE OCCURRED AT 96266 MILES AND THE OTHER AT 130294 MILES. *SLC

NHTSA ID
567304
Incident
Aug 1, 2000
Engine
Filed May 9, 2002

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL . TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AND HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. TOOK VEHICLE AGAIN TO DEALER WHO INDICATED VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *AK CONSUMER STATES CAMSHAFT SEALS WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE OIL LEAK. *SLC

NHTSA ID
8009494
Incident
Mar 29, 2000
Transmission
Filed Aug 6, 2001

TRASMISSION FAILED--LASTED 1 MONTH FAILED GAIN--NEEDED NEW COMPUTER BOARD AND TRANSMISSION A 2ND TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
749960
Incident
May 28, 2000

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
1995Viewing662054.0
1994310—
1993261036.4
1992221147.5
1991291257.2
1990163247.4
1989113263.4
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.