1999 Hyundai Sonata: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 124 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (26% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving home from work on jan 30th, 2015 and the car started pulling to the right. The next day, sat the 31st, I jacked up the right front of the car to see why the car steered to the right. I found the lower wheel assembly attachment to the frame had come loose. That was because the frame had three of four sides rusted thru. The condition could have caused a more severe accident if the attachment to the frame had pulled completely apart. I will check with hyundai to see what they can do about it. Thanks for listening. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2015
“L was stopped on traffic on high way ,and some one, hit me on the back ,the guy was so fast problem more than 75 mph ,than my car float 20 foot ,and hit the car on my front and my air bags did not deploy or open , so the question is hyundai sonata 1999 usually have this problem , ???? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2014
“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 had to drive it home which was luckily only 2 minutes down the road, I had to drive 10mph smelling burning rubber. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 speed. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was being examined by an independent repair shop and she was informed that the front sub-frame was corroded. The manufacturer was then notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09v124000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 125,764.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that the front passenger side axle fractured while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was towed to his residence where he noticed that the sub frame was also rusted. The vehicle was not repaired or inspected. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09v124000 (suspension) and any repairs would be at the contact's expense. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileage was approximately 113,000.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2010
“I was leaving parking spot in a parking lot, traveling approx 5 mph. The steering wheel was straight but car was veering to the right. I put it in reverse and had the same issue. I put it back into drive and steering wheel was shaking. I got it towed to the shop, where they told me the engine cradle is completely corroded. The engine had fallen, breaking the control arm and tore apart the axle. The car is currently sitting in the shop waiting for parts. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 hyundai sonata. While driving out of a parking space at 5 mph the engine cradle fell down, broke the control arm and tore the axle apart. The steering wheel would only move to the right. When the vehicle was shifted in reverse, it would also move to the right. He noticed that the axle bushing, cv boot and grease were on the ground. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that the engine cradle was corroded which caused the engine to fall. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified about the failure. The failure and current mileages were 185,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 hyundai sonata. He took the vehicle to the dealer for recall 09v124000 suspension front sub-frame. The vehicle was functioning normally prior to the repair. The vehicle currently doesn't drive straight and when he engaged the brakes it veered off of the road. He contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that they would not pay for the vehicle alignment. The failure and the current mileages were 154,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 hyundai sonata. He stated that he took the vehicle to the dealer for recall 09v124000 suspension front sub-frame. The vehicle has not driven straight since the repair was performed instead it veers from side to side. He contacted the manufacturer who stated that hey would not pay for the alignment. The failure and the current mileages were 154,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 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 1999 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
NHTSA has 124 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The most complained-about area is structure (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Hyundai Sonata problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 98,723 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Hyundai Sonata have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. 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.