RoadVitals

1999 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
23
Latest Dec 11, 2011
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 124 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Hyundai Sonata submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+5 more
Filed Dec 11, 2011

I PURCHASED MY 1999 SONATA FROM A USED CAR DEALER & HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, ITS BEEN A NIGHTMARE, ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER!!!! THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT HAD SEVERELY MELTED, ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ABS/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON, & HAVE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THE HALF SHAFT ON BOTH DRIVERS/PASSENGER SIDE, NUMEROUS TIRES, BRAKES BUT THE MOST SEVERE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WHICH PUTS MY SAFETY, MY 12 YR OLD SON & FIANCE'S SAFETY, ALONG WITH FAMILY/FRIEND'S SAFETY AT RISK IS THE COMPLETE CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME I TOO TO A MECHANIC TODAY & HE TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I CAN POTENTIALLY END UP HURTING MYSELF OR OTHER INNOCENT BYSTANDERS BECAUSE HYUNDAI MADE A DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME ESPECIALLY FOR US THAT LIVE & DRIVE IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS OF THE WINTRY/ICY ELEMENTS FOR 5+MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR IN UPSTATE NEW YORK!!! I WILL BE CALLING HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CTR & FUCCILLO HYUNDAI(LOCAL DEALER)& THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR NEW YORK. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED IF I DROVE OVER A POT HOLE RESULTING IN MY TIRE(S) FALLING OFF ESPECIALLY IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING 55MPH MY LOVED ONES OR OTHER'S LOVED ONES, & MYSELF COULD'VE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE DEAD DUE TO HYUNDAI USING A SUBFRAME THAT WOULD SEVERELY CORRODE THE SUBFRAME ESPECIALLY IN THE "SNOW BELT" STATES!!!!! I JUST HOPE THAT I DO NOT HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME HAVING HYUNDAI FIX THE PROBLEM IN A SPEEDY FASHION WITHOUT TRYING TO STRONG ARM ME INTO PAYING FOR REPAIRS THAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BECAUSE IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE NOW UNTIL IT GETS REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10439345
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
52,500 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Aug 19, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS EXCESSIVELY LOUD AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY BACK AND FORTH, THE MOTOR WOULD JUMP ABNORMALLY AND THE STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME HARD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE LOOSE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FRACTURED BUT DID NOT MAKE REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE BUT DID NOT STOP. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS THAT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,633 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10350565
Incident
Oct 15, 2009
Mileage
125,633 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 3, 2008

"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, NO ISSUE FOR FEW MONTHS, RECENTLY WHILE STOPPING AT RED LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE RPM STARTED INCREASING AND VEHICLE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD, IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE AND I WAS ABOUT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAPPENED TO ME FEW TIMES ALREADY, AND EVERYTIME IT IS SCARY. I HAD TO PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING. I TIRED TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM D TO N, AND THAT HELPED PREVENTING THE CAR FROM MOVING BUT THE RPM JUMPED EVEN HIGHER AND THE ENGINE MADE LAUD NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, THEY CONNECT IT TO THE COMPUTER AND SAID THE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR AND CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED, THAT IS $140 PARTS PLUS 4 HOURS OF LABOR. TALKED TO HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY SAID NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT, SO THEY HAVE TO DO THEIR OWN TROUBLESHOOT AND I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BILL. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 90K MILES ON IT, I DID NOT FIX IT YET, BUT I'M MINIMIZING MY DRIVING ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247565
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
89,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2008

ENGINE CRADLE SERIOUSLY RUSTED,RIGHT SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235054
Incident
May 24, 2008
Mileage
174,009 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE CORRODED AND RUSTED INTO TWO PIECES, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO DETACH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10233171
Incident
May 3, 2008
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2008

ENGINE CRADLE HAS RUSTED OUT ON 1999 SONATA, ALSO CAUSING DAMAGED CONTROL ARM ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE. REPAIR COSTS ARE OVER $2000. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE AND HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS OR COLLISIONS. WHAT LOOKED LIKE SIMPLE MISALIGNMENT OF RIGHT FRONT TIRE TURNED OUT TO BE A MUCH BIGGER SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225240
Incident
Apr 12, 2008
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 31, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OVER AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL RESTART. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT COME ON BEFORE THIS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THREE MONTHS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ID
10141325
Incident
Jul 2, 2005
Engine
Filed Feb 9, 2005

VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WHEN THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ENGINE FELL OF THE BLOCK ONTO THE GROUND, RESULTING IN NO OPERATION. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10111235
Incident
Feb 8, 2005
Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED WHEN TRYING TO TAKE OFF. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE TOOK A WHILE TO TAKE OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW HARNESS. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK . RECALL 00V259000 WAS ISSUED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10095244
Incident
Feb 1, 2004
Mileage
59,500 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2004

WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE RAN SLUGGISH, AND THEN STALLED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSORS FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS. THE PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURRING AND HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY. BASED ON CONSUMERS ASSUMPTION, THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL 00V259001 CONCERNING STALLING. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10063354
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
48,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 4, 2004

AIR BOX THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE AIR HOSE FELL OFF THE ENGINE, AND LAID IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE STALLING . THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE SECOND TIME THE CHECK LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON AT ALL. DEALERSHIP RECONNECTED THE AIR BOX. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072052
Incident
Mar 20, 2004
Mileage
48,192 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Jan 14, 2004

AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO GEARS, AND STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND THE MECHANICS WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10054088
Incident
Aug 20, 2002
Mileage
95,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 20, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL AND HIT A SOLID BARRIER AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MODULE. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED RECALL 02V105000 RELATED TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ROUTING. THE REAR DEFOGGER BUTTON FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE A/C AND DEFOGGER WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL HEAD. THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS WOULD NOT MOVE RIGHT OR LEFT. DEALER FOUND BREAK IN WIRING IN RIGHT KICK PANEL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE. * PH *AK *TS

NHTSA ID
10006288
Incident
Nov 7, 2002
Mileage
49,961 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 23, 2003
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMERS HOME. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017466
Incident
Apr 17, 2003
AirbagsEngineSeat belts
Filed Jun 13, 2002

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEATBELT LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR 5 DAYS.*JB

NHTSA ID
8011780
Incident
Nov 13, 1999
EngineTransmission
Filed May 29, 2002

ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL ON TOP AND UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010668
Incident
Feb 1, 2002
Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2001

DROVE AT 55MPH ON GSP IN NJ ON TUESDAY 10-23-01. CAR SHUT OFF, STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF VERY BUSY FAST MOVING HIGHWAY. MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS DID NOT EVEN GO ON. CRYING AND SCREAMING AND WAVING MY ARMS FOR PEOPLE TO GO AROUND ME I PRAYED I WOULDN'T GET KILLED, AMAZINGLY I DID NOT GET HIT, LOTS OF BRAKES SCREECHING (TIRES) AND PEOPLE DRIVING ON SHOULDER AT APRX 55-60 TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ME. CRYING AND SCREAMING I MADE IT SOMEHOW TO THE NARROW SHOULDER NEXT TO THE GUARDRAIL AND PRAYED. POLICE DID NOT SHOW UP WHEN I CALLED 911, ONLY TOW TRUCK DRIVER. PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION. I CANNOT EVEN GET HYUNDAI CORP TO CALL ME BACK. THEY DO NOT CARE. THEY DO NOT CARE. THEY DO NOT CARE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. NOW I WONDER IF THE DEALER SOLD ME A USED LEMON. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR WHICH DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 30,000 MILES. I AM A VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVER. PLEASE CHECK MY DRIVING HISTORY (FILE) PLEASE HELP ME PLEASE HELP ME PLEASE HELP ME. MY EYES ARE TIRED FROM CRYING. I CANNOT HANDLE THIS. DEALER HAS MY CAR NOW. TOO TIRED AND TOO SICK TO GO ON. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER YOU MAY/CAN DO!*AK

NHTSA ID
753671
Engine
Filed May 14, 2001

LOSE POWER ( STALLS) WHEN MOVING THEN RESTARTS WITH A SURGE,CAN CONTINUE DRIVING AND STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS

NHTSA ID
745288
Incident
May 6, 2001
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical+5 more
Filed Jan 3, 2001

VEHICLE REPAIR LOG OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS DAMAGED. *TT

NHTSA ID
563893
Incident
Feb 4, 2000
Engine
Filed Nov 3, 2000

AFTER REPAIR OF RECALL 00V259000 VEHICLE'S CONDITION WORSENED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 9 DAYS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
874354
Incident
Oct 26, 2000
AirbagsEngine
Filed Oct 23, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED DEALER STATED THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF, A SHORT TIME LATER, VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER TRIED TO KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER HE HIT A CURB AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *SLC

NHTSA ID
873648
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Engine
Filed May 26, 2000

WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A STOP CONSUMER WOULD THINK THAT VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, BUT VEHICLE WOULD JUMP OR LURCH FORWARD. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED FROM 25 MPH TO 20 MPH CONSUMER WOULD FEEL THAT VEHICLE KICKED OR PULSED. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
862605
Engine
Filed May 18, 2000

I BOUGHT THIS CAR MID-APRIL OF THIS YEAR, HAD IT TWO WEEKS AND GET CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY CHILDREN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT BECAUSE OF THIS. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS CUT OFF A TOTAL OF EIGHT TIMES AND IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH THAT I HAVE HAD THIS CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK FOR SERVICE A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES AND THE MECHANICS ARE SAYING THAT THE COMPUTER ISN'T READING ANY PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR ALL WEEK TO TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY MUST DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO DIAGNOSE A REMEDY. I HAVE BEEN INCONVIENCED AND DISAPPOINTED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THIS SITUATION. WHAT WERE THEY DOING TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS BEFORE COMPUTERS WERE INVENTED? I BELIEVE THAT THEY (THE MECHANICS) NEED TO GO BACK TO THAT LONG LOST SKILL TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND FIX MY CAR. I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED IN THIS WHOLE MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
722854
Incident
May 14, 2000

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .