1989 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 22.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 22.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 2; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480064 · 1995-01-27 (January 27, 1995)
HOOD RELEASE FAILED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483929 · 1995-09-12 (September 12, 1995)
BOLTS HOLDING HOOD FELL OUT, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP OBSCURING VISION. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489927 · 1995-04-03 (April 3, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500620 · 1996-01-04 (January 4, 1996)
ENGINE FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743502 · 2001-04-04 (April 4, 2001)
ENGINE STALLS IN MORNING WHEN COLD, TRANSMISSION SLIPS,POOR GAS MILAGE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963857 · 1995-04-17 (April 17, 1995)
BOLT ON FRAME THAT CONTROLS THE CHASSIS WEAR OUT TROUGH THE FRAME. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967035 · 1995-06-15 (June 15, 1995)
RECALL RELATED,90V038000 WENT FOR APPOINTMENT OF 5/27/95 DEALERSHIP HAS NOTIFICATION LETTER, NEVER RECEIVED PART, EXPERIENCE PROBLEM ON 6/11/95 HOOD FLY UP.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975680 · 1995-11-29 (November 29, 1995)
THERE IS A TEMPERATURE SENSOR THAT HAS FAILED CAUSING HIGH RPM'S IN THE VEHICLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975680 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V037000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Reported: 1990-02-21 (February 21, 1990)
THE SPRING CLAMP TANGS ON THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE MAY CONTACT AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE.
Consequence: FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE DAMAGED HOSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: ROTATE SPRING CLAMP TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH FUEL HOSE; REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V038000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 1990-02-21 (February 21, 1990)
INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE COULD CAUSE THE SAFETY CATCH ON THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH STRIKER TO BIND.
Consequence: IF PRIMARY LATCH IS RELEASED OR IF HOOD IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED, HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; THIS WOULD BLOCK DRIVER'S VISION AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE HOOD LATCH STRIKER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V196000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1993-11-29 (November 29, 1993)
THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: 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 STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗