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1991 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 29 owner complaints about the 1991 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

85
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years82% below the Sonata median · #30 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2912 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 29, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Hyundai Sonata has problems

29 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
Seat belts90
Power train72
Engine and engine cooling61
Electrical system53
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Wheels10
Steering10
Vehicle speed control11
Visibility10
1 other systems11

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

1 recall

1991 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 →

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

1991 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 1991 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 seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

RECALL 93 V 196 000/PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELTS: SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAS STOP TRACKING AND BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *YH
Complaint 8005952 · Mar 19, 2002
MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT HUNG UP IN MIDDLE OF FRAME ABOVE SHOULDER; WIRE THAT RUNS INSIDE TRACK CAME THROUGH FRAME WORK BETWEEN THE TWO WINDOWS; WIRE OFF TRACK.
Complaint 965735 · May 23, 1995
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER HAD IT LUBRICATED UNDER RECALL, BUT STILL NOT WORKING, RECEIVED RECALL LETTER # 93V196000. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Complaint 805356 · Nov 20, 1996

Own a 1991 Sonata?

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