IllustrationENGINE STALLS IN MORNING WHEN COLD, TRANSMISSION SLIPS,POOR GAS MILAGE. *AK
1989 Hyundai Sonata
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sonata years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 11 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
11 reportsDURING 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.
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR STALLED, CONSUMER GOT OUT CAR TO MAKE PHONE CALL AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
ENGINE FAILED. *SD
THERE IS A TEMPERATURE SENSOR THAT HAS FAILED CAUSING HIGH RPM'S IN THE VEHICLE. TT
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.
BOLT ON FRAME THAT CONTROLS THE CHASSIS WEAR OUT TROUGH THE FRAME. TT
A/C RECEIVER DRYER FAILED. *AW
Official recalls
393V196000 · Seat Belts
Nov 29, 1993
THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.
90V037000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Feb 21, 1990
THE SPRING CLAMP TANGS ON THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE MAY CONTACT AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE DAMAGED HOSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: ROTATE SPRING CLAMP TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH FUEL HOSE; REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES.
90V038000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Feb 21, 1990
INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE COULD CAUSE THE SAFETY CATCH ON THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH STRIKER TO BIND.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE HOOD LATCH STRIKER ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE94043 · Charging System Failures
Opened May 27, 1994 · Closed Oct 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE93061 · Pass.restraint System Fail
Opened Jul 8, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available