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1999 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 124 owner complaints about the 1999 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the structure. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

63
CarFlaw IndexSolid year41% below the Sonata median · #25 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12426 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage105kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 3, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Hyundai Sonata has problems

124 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
Structure362
Air bags3111
Engine and engine cooling234
Suspension170
Power train141
Electrical system113
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Seat belts62
Steering61
8 other systems234

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

4 recalls

1999 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

Suspension

Recall 09V-124 · Apr 16, 2009 · 188,282 vehicles

Risk. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: side/window

Recall 02V-105 · Apr 9, 2002 · 145,355 vehicles

Risk. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 01V-347 · Nov 6, 2001 · 86,513 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.

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.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

105kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 33 structure complaints. 48% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles16under 100k miles17100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1999 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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Hyundai Sonata, and the recalls they led to.

  1. IMPROPER FRONTAL AIR BAG PERFORMANCEDP03001 · closed Aug 1, 2003
    No recall
  2. FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSIONEA08016 · closed Apr 20, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-124
  3. FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSIONPE08029 · closed Aug 21, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sonata owners report

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

AFTER REMOVING THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL I NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT SEVERELY RUSTED, & THE SUB FRAME CRACKED READY TO BREAK. I KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY NEBRASKA ALONG WITH OTHER STATES WERE NOT INCLUDED. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER, & DRIVEN VERY…
Complaint 10575446 · Mar 28, 2014 · 75,800 miles
THE SUB FRAME/K FRAME ON MY 99 HYUNDAI SONATA RUSTED OUT CAUSING MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE TO FACE OUTWARDS ALMOST COMING OFF AND DAMAGING MY LEFT CONTROL ARM. I HEARD A LOUD POP AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS THEN REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COCKED AT 180. I…
Complaint 10552133 · Nov 13, 2013 · 213,627 miles
I WAS PULLING IN A SHOPPING CENTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND GOT OUT OF CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS CAVED IN, HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC, HE SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T GOING AT A HIGHER…
Complaint 10549738 · Oct 28, 2013 · 165,000 miles

Own a 1999 Sonata?

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