no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
1998 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 49 owner complaints about the 1998 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 18, 2010. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Hyundai Sonata has problems
49 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
12Power train
10Fuel system, gasoline
9Visibility
7Latches/locks/linkages
6Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system
4Engine and engine cooling
3Service brakes, hydraulic
2Steering
65 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 12 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 10 | 0 |
| Visibility | 9 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 6 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1998 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.
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
1998 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
11162922263662349491242762053201992021651,0476964254603453,3801,5591,9217501,157730769375163183135988848174
'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
NHTSA crash tests
1998 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings
1998 Hyundai Sonata 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Sonata owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
WHEN DRIVING OUT OF MY PARKING LOT, TWO PIECES OF EQUIPMENT FELL OFF OF MY VEHICLE. ONE LOOKED LIKE A BELT AND THE OTHER A SMALL DRUM. MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION AND I WAS FORCED TO COAST INTO A PARKING SPOT IN THE LOT. *JB
1998 HYUNDAI SONATA 4 CYLINDER WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REPEATEDLY WOULD GO INTO NEUTRAL IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS LIKE FREEWAY MERGE. ONLY WAY TO ENGAGE DRIVE AGAIN WAS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RE-SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION HAD TO FIND WAY OFF ROAD AND SHUT OFF ENGINE AND…
FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT #10102430, PASENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE/OUTSIDE, AFTER REMOVING INSIDE DOOR PANEL FISHED OUT A BROKEN SPRING RUSTED THROUGH, WAS ABLE TO REPAIR WITH $.50 SPRING FROM LOCAL HARDWARE STORE, CHECKED DRIVERS SIDE AND FOUND SAME SPRING ABOUT TO RUST THROUGH, IF HYUNDAI…
Own a 1998 Sonata?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.