1991 Hyundai Sonata: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern seat belts; the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 1993
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2001
“When driving at any speed without any prior warning the engine check light came on and will not go off. Also, engine/transmission leak. Consumer have been having problems every since day one. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 1998
“Driver noticed smoke coming from car, turned off ignition, restarted the car and the key got stuck in the ignition and would not turn. A few minutes later, the car caught on fire in the engine compartment. Owner was able to put out fire, but the key would not come out of the ignition. The vehcle is being repaired. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 1998
Show 6 more owner reports
“While driving at 45 mph transmission blew out, causing the vehicle to slow down, and keep changing into different gears. Vehicle has been in the repair shop three times for transmission failure. *ak.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 1997
“While driving highway, accelerator stuck; tried to stop; lost control; spunout 6 times; lurched backwards/forwards across highway; hit 2 trees; speed 80 mp. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 1996
“The automatic transmission with gear changes and it happens when the car has not been driven in awhile. Please explain. Tt”Owner report · Power Train · May 1995
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 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”Owner report · Seat Belts
“Ltr expressing his dissatisfaction with the way NHTSA processed his petition for a hearing...*mr the consumer sent a petition for defective airbags. *ts. The consumer stated the air bag recall was performed on the vehicle, however the air bag light continued to illuminate and the vehicle was serviced three times to correct the problem. The consumer's wife was involved in a one car accident in which the air bags failed to deploy. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1991 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sonata by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1991 Hyundai Sonata. The most complained-about area is seat belts.
Does the 1991 Hyundai Sonata have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.