1990 Hyundai SONATA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 37.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Interior Lighting: 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. 8 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 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 6; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 724188 · 2000-06-19 (June 19, 2000)
THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN ANY POSITION (DRIVE, REVERSE, ETC.) INSTEAD OF PARK POSITION ONLY. THIS ALLOWS THE CAR TO ROLL UNATTENDED IF THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LEFT IN IN ANY POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. ALSO, THE GEAR SHIFT CAN BE MOVED FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER POSITION WITH OUT THE KEY INSERTED WHICH COULD BE A DISASTER IF CHILDREN WERE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE CAR. I HAVE SENT COMPLAINTS TO HUNDAI WITH NO RESPONSE AND I HAVE SENT FORMS TO NHTSA WITH THE LAST BEING SENT ON 10/27/96 AND RECEIVED BY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003219 · 2002-01-30 (January 30, 2002)
AFTER FILLING VEHICLE'S TANK SMELLED FUEL INSIDE VEHICLE. A DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. FUEL TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BEFORE. PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958774 · 1995-01-17 (January 17, 1995)
VEHICLES DRIVER SIDE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM GETS STUCK IN MIDDLE POSITION OF MECHANISM. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958805 · 1995-01-18 (January 18, 1995)
NO INTERLOCK SYSTEM, GRANDSON SEAR IN FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT REACHED OVER AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, VEHICLE ROLLEDOUT INTO STREET INTO A NEIGHBORS YARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959685 · 1995-02-07 (February 7, 1995)
A/C CONTROL KNOB WON'T STAY IN WHEN PUSHED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959736 · 1995-02-08 (February 8, 1995)
TRANSMISSION; CAR RUN 100 TO 200 MILES CAR BREAK DOWN CAR BEEN IN SHOP ABOUT 240 TIMES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960717 · 1995-02-28 (February 28, 1995)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR TWICE EVERY MONTH. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER COMPONENT WAS NOT BUILT FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969746 · 1995-08-02 (August 2, 1995)
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969746 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 ↗