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1993 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 1993 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

91
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years90% below the Sonata median · #31 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints262 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 24, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Hyundai Sonata has problems

26 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 train90
Engine and engine cooling90
Electrical system70
Steering30
Seat belts20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Visibility10
Exterior lighting10
Interior lighting10
1 other systems11

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

1 recall

1993 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

1993 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
In owners' words

What Sonata owners report

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

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…
Complaint 849014 · Sep 28, 1999
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…
Complaint 735806 · Nov 6, 2000
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
Complaint 734408 · Oct 16, 2000

Own a 1993 Sonata?

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