Owners have filed 46 complaints
about the 1993 Hyundai Sonata with NHTSA between 1996 and 2005.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 30 of 32 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 3
Against the median year of the Hyundai Sonata. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 22
4.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Transmission
726.9%
Gasoline
415.4%
Engine
415.4%
Starter Assembly
311.5%
Flasher Unit
27.7%
Switch
27.7%
Pump
27.7%
Horn
27.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1996peak 5Jun 2005
Recalls on the 1993 Hyundai Sonata
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
93V196000
SEAT BELTS
THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Covington, GACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND BOTH FRONT BACK SEATS BROKE. DRIVER WAS INJURED. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO HELP. *AK
NHTSA complaint #838308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bakervlle, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND IT STARTED SMOKING. ALSO, FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF IT, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO BROTHER'S HOUSE. DEALER HASDNOT LOOKED AT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10126505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE SMOKES ON START UP AND THE LIFTERS RATTLE AND KNOCK WAS IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR MONTHS. EVERY 850+ MILES BURNS A QUART OF OIL WAS TOLD THAT THE WAY THAT ENGINE WORKS.THE CAR WAS KEPT FOR FOUR MONTHS AND CAME BACK THE SAME WAY.
NHTSA complaint #741176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Urbana, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
ACTUALLY A QUESTION RE A CURRENT RECALL: 93V196000. I'M GETTING A RUNAROUND FROM HYUNDAI. THEY SAY MY VIN IS FOR A CANADIAN VEHICLE (?) AND SO THEY CAN'T ASSIST WITH THE SEAT BELT TRACKING PROBLEM. I WONDER IF THAT'S LEGITIMATE, OR BOGUS. PLEASE ADVISE VIA EMAIL.
NHTSA complaint #739990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #735806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #735806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #735806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #735806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS
NHTSA complaint #734408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS
NHTSA complaint #734408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS
NHTSA complaint #734408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS
NHTSA complaint #734408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wapakoneta, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS
NHTSA complaint #734408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlottesville, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN LEAVING DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS DID NOT WORK CIRCLED AROUND THE BLOCK AND DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. MR. RAY MARSHALL ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SIGNALS WERE WORKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND STATED THAT I COULD BRING THE AUTOMOBILE BACK ON TUESDAY 9/5/00.
NHTSA complaint #730248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlottesville, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN LEAVING DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS DID NOT WORK CIRCLED AROUND THE BLOCK AND DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. MR. RAY MARSHALL ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SIGNALS WERE WORKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND STATED THAT I COULD BRING THE AUTOMOBILE BACK ON TUESDAY 9/5/00.
NHTSA complaint #730248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shirley, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO KEEP TURNING IGNITION KEY OFF AND ON TO GET VEHICLE TO START. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #715784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waller, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEMS WITH CHANGING GEARS. WOULD GO 30MPH. WOULD GET NO SPEED. TRANSMISSION MADE GRINDING NOISE. BEEN TO DEALER & HAD MECHANIC CHANGE TRANSMISSION. THE 2ND TRANSMISSION WAS SAME AS FIRST. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE AGAIN, 3 MONTHS LATER, TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME. FINALLY TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER & MECHANIC NOTICED THE MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #849014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL SKIP AT TIMES. SOME TIMES IT SURGES VERY BAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. OTHER TIMES THE CAR WILL MISS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. TECHNICANS AT DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND TROUBLE CODE FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO SOLVE PROBLEM. YOU MAY DRIVE 300 MILES WITH NO PROBLEM, AND THEN YOU MAY DRIVE 10 MILES AND IT SURGES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED, TUNED AND FILTERS CHANGED AND DOESN'T HELP THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID I WILL GET IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STALL COMPLETELY, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #712181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL SKIP AT TIMES. SOME TIMES IT SURGES VERY BAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. OTHER TIMES THE CAR WILL MISS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. TECHNICANS AT DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND TROUBLE CODE FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO SOLVE PROBLEM. YOU MAY DRIVE 300 MILES WITH NO PROBLEM, AND THEN YOU MAY DRIVE 10 MILES AND IT SURGES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED, TUNED AND FILTERS CHANGED AND DOESN'T HELP THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID I WILL GET IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STALL COMPLETELY, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #712181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Champlain, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE LEAKING OIL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #545784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Champlain, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING STALLING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #545784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, GACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND BOTH FRONT BACK SEATS BROKE. DRIVER WAS INJURED. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO HELP. *AK
NHTSA complaint #838308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilroy, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
NHTSA complaint #829678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crownpoint, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE TIMING BELT MALFUNCTIONED FOUR TIMES, CAUSING THE VALVES TO BEND AND ENGINE TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #835766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warr Acres, OK
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN TURNING RIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS ON, THE SWITCH APPARENTLY SHORTS OUT ALL LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTINGUISHED WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #537630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.