1989 Hyundai Sonata problems

Common 1989 Hyundai Sonata problems

The Hyundai Sonata from 1989, based on complaints from owners, faced several common problems:

• Brake Lights Malfunction: Owners reported issues with the brake lights not illuminating correctly, which is a safety concern as it affects visibility for other drivers on the road.

• Suspension Corrosion: Corrosion-related suspension failures were noted, posing a risk of suspension components failing while driving, impacting the vehicle's handling and safety.

• Engine Problems: The Theta II GDI engine in 2011 to 2014 models faced significant issues, including engine failures, airbags not deploying, and cars rolling away even after engine replacements.

• Panoramic Sunroof Issues: The 2015 Sonata introduced a new panoramic sunroof that had complaints of detaching while driving, posing a safety hazard for occupants and other road users.

• Turn Signal Software Glitch: A recall was issued for a turn signal software glitch that could illuminate the opposite turn signal, potentially causing confusion for other drivers on the road.

• Steering Wheel Clicking: Steering issues were reported in 2011 models, with complaints of a clicking and wobbling steering wheel, likely due to a faulty steering wheel column coupling.

• Premature Timing Chain Tensioner and Timing Belt Failure: Owners reported premature failures of the timing chain tensioner and timing belt, which are critical components for the engine's operation and performance.

• Engine Seizure: The 2011 and 2012 models faced engine seizure issues, with reports of engines losing power and completely seizing, leading to potential safety hazards and costly repairs.

• Shifting Problems: Some owners experienced difficulties shifting gears due to a faulty speed sensor, resulting in grinding, shuddering, and clunking noises during gear changes.

These problems highlight various safety, performance, and reliability issues that owners of the Hyundai Sonata from 1989 and subsequent model years have encountered, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections and maintenance to address these concerns.

What is the common problem of Hyundai Sonata?

Old and new Sonata model years had similar issues with their timing chain tensioner, which produced rattling noises upon engine startup. Many owners also reported a broken timing belt, which damaged the crankshaft position sensor.

Are old Hyundai Sonatas reliable?

Buy: 2003-2004 Hyundai Sonata

Many reviews say it's a very reliable car with little to no issues. And with a price tag of $586-$3,132, you're looking at an excellent value proposition.

Is Hyundai Sonata high maintenance?

A Hyundai Sonata will cost about $5,998 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular sedan models by $1,098. There is also a 17.73% chance that a Sonata will require a major repair during that time.

Is Hyundai Sonata expensive to maintain?

The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Hyundai Sonata is $458, compared to an average of $526 for midsize cars and $652 for all vehicle models.

1989 Hyundai Sonata car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Hyundai Sonata problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Engine and engine cooling problems
• Power train problems
• Latches/locks/linkages problems
• Seat belts problems
• Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Hyundai Sonata vehicle components and the number of complaints received.