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1990 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 1990 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints160 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 30, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Hyundai Sonata has problems

16 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
Power train70
Visibility30
Seat belts30
Electrical system30
Latches/locks/linkages10
Parking brake10
Equipment10
Vehicle speed control10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
3 other systems30

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

3 recalls

1990 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

1990 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 1990 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
In owners' words

What Sonata owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR TWICE EVERY MONTH. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER COMPONENT WAS NOT BUILT FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. TT
Complaint 960717 · Feb 28, 1995
NO INTERLOCK SYSTEM, GRANDSON SEAR IN FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT REACHED OVER AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, VEHICLE ROLLEDOUT INTO STREET INTO A NEIGHBORS YARD. *AK
Complaint 958805 · Jan 18, 1995
THE CONSUMER IS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE; ALSO, GEARSHIFT CAN BE MOVED OUT OF PARK WHEN KEY IS NOT INSERTED. *AK
Complaint 803454 · Nov 8, 1996

Own a 1990 Sonata?

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