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1989 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 1989 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints113 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem5Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 4, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Hyundai Sonata has problems

11 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling51
Power train20
Seat belts21
Latches/locks/linkages20
Equipment10
Structure10
Electrical system11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1989 Hyundai Sonata recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 93V-196 · Nov 29, 1993 · 100,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Recall 90V-037 · Feb 21, 1990 · 43,590 vehicles

Risk. FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE DAMAGED HOSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 90V-038 · Feb 21, 1990 · 39,361 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Sonata year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonata median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Hyundai Sonata, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PASS.RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILPE93061 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-196
  2. CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURESPE94043 · closed Oct 31, 1994
    No recall

Own a 1989 Sonata?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.