1991 Hyundai Sonata problems
The Hyundai Sonata (Korean: 현대 쏘나타) is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata, which was introduced in 1985, was a facelifted version of the Hyundai Stellar with an engine upgrade, and was withdrawn from the market in two years due to poor customer reaction. While the nameplate was originally only sold in South Korea, the second generation of 1988 was widely exported.
The Sonata is currently manufactured in South Korea where their headquarters are located, China and Pakistan. It was named after the musical term, sonata.
First generation (Y1; 1985)
The first Sonata was introduced to compete with the Daewoo Royale series and was a more luxurious version of the Stellar. It included cruise control, power seats, head lamp washers, power brakes, electric operated adjustable side mirrors and chrome bumper trims. The Sonata was available with two trim options in Korea: Luxury and Super (the latter only available with a 2.0-liter engine). In the domestic market Hyundai attempted to sell the Sonata as an executive car using catchphrases like "Luxury car for VIP"; however, as the Sonata was based on the Stellar without any major changes, it was seen by the public as no more than a luxury version of the Stellar. In 1987 Hyundai added two tone color schemes and a trip computer option, but sales soon went down and the car was discontinued in December of that year. The Sonata was sold only in the South Korean domestic market. The vehicle was unveiled in South Korea on 4 November 1985.
Engine choices included 1.6-liter Mitsubishi Saturn (only available outside the domestic market), 1.8- and 2.0-liter Mitsubishi Sirius inline-fours. The latter unit also found its way into the 1987 and later Stellar, and in MPI form the 1986 Hyundai Grandeur. The body was a largely unchanged Hyundai Stellar.
It was sold in New Zealand (right hand drive) with the 1.6-liter Mitsubishi engine with the five-speed manual gearbox; an automatic transmission was an optional extra. The original importer was a unit of the Auckland-based Giltrap Motor Group.
The final version of the Stellar was known as the Stellar 88 and was launched to celebrate the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Afterwards, Hyundai discontinued the Stellar and replaced it with the all-new Sonata.
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Common 1991 Hyundai Sonata problems
The Hyundai Sonata, first introduced in 1985, has been a popular midsize car option for many drivers.
One of the most significant problems reported by Hyundai Sonata owners is engine problems, particularly in the 2011 model year. The 2011 Sonata has the most overall complaints, and the worst category is engine problems. The most-reported problem is also with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata for engine seized. The average cost to fix this issue is $5,100, with an average mileage of 96,000 mi. This problem is also common in other model years, including 2010 and 2012, with similar costs and mileage.
Another common problem reported by Hyundai Sonata owners is brake issues, particularly in the seventh generation of the Sonata. Some drivers have experienced brake light problems, oil leaks, and electric issues, including the speaker system. These problems can be dangerous and potentially affect the car's power output, reducing its safety.
Transmission faults are also a common issue reported by Hyundai Sonata owners, particularly in the seventh generation. Some drivers have experienced harsh shifting, seemingly caused by low transmission fluid levels. However, it turned out to be a software error, and drivers who had their Sonata's transmission control unit software updated didn't face much of this issue. There was also a 2022 transmission-related recall to replace the transmission fluid pump and upgrade the software.
The Hyundai Sonata also has a history of seatbelt problems, particularly in the sixth and seventh-generation vehicles. Some drivers have reported problems with the driver restraint system, with poor quality of the seatbelt connections pointing to the safety problem. Hyundai has issued two recalls to fix this issue, and now the seatbelts in any Sonata generation are accordant with regulations.
Another common problem reported by Hyundai Sonata owners is the timing belt issue. This problem is common for Hyundai Sonata cars of all generations since the belt is used instead of a more durable timing chain. Drivers should always check the timing belt and properly replace it if needed. Even new Sonata vehicles have this issue, and if the timing belt goes bad, it puts your entire engine at risk.
In summary, the Hyundai Sonata has had several common problems reported by owners, including engine issues, brakes, transmission faults, seatbelt problems, and timing belt issues. These problems can be dangerous and potentially affect the car's safety and performance. It is essential to check these issues before buying a used Sonata and ensure that they are properly addressed to avoid any potential problems.
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.
1991 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:
- Seat belts problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1991 Hyundai Sonata vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1991 Hyundai Sonata
The NHTSA has received 45 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1991 Hyundai Sonata. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1991 Hyundai Sonata vehicles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-03-01
- VIN: 2HMBS32T0MB
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: INTERIOR SYSTEM PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELTS FAILED, PRIOR TO RECALL NO #93V196000.*ET
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-20
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 3 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP! TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, CONDITION WORSENS WITH COLD WEATHER.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-29
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-26
- VIN: 2HMBF22F1MB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-31
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2HMBF32S9MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-02-26
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: STARTER FAILED TWICE/REPLACED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-04
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2HMBF32TXMB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ALL OVER EXHAUST SYSTEM CREATING SMOKE AND SMALL FIRE.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-05-16
- VIN: 2HMBF22S4MB
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING RACK FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2HMBF22S4MB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: PREMATURE WEAR OF PISTON RINGS, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-04-10
- VIN: 2HMBF22S6MB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, WHEN DRIVING THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2HMBF3258MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION STUCK IN START POSITION, CAUSING STARTER TO BURN OUT/CATCH FIRE.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-01-01
- VIN: 2HMBF3258MB
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MOTORBELT STUCK IN TRACK, CAUSING MOTOR TO BURN OUT.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-23
- VIN: 2HMBF22S9MB
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: ROSENAU AND GLASSMEN HYUNDAI 93V196. DRIVER SEAT BELT BROKE. RECALL ORDER DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2HMBF22S0MB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT A COMPLETE STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-01
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONVERTER HANGER FELL APART.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-01
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: OIL PAN RUSTY, CAUSING IT TO LEAK.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-01
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR PROBLEMS.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-01
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BATTERY FAILED.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-01
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: SPEEDOMETER CABLE LOOSE, CAUSING SPEEDOMETER TO FAIL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-01
- VIN: 2HMBF22T6MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION COIL FAILED.
1991 Hyundai Sonata recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1991 Hyundai Sonata.
- Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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.
Negative 1991 Hyundai Sonata car reviews
Positive 1991 Hyundai Sonata car reviews
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I'm so glad I chose the Hyundai! It blew away the competition during the test drive and made me feel like king of the road. Not only did I save 4k, but I also got the best riding vehicle in its class. The only thing that could make it even better would be a v6 engine.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1991 Hyundai Sonata problems:
2002 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Complaints - 8 Issues
... known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2002 Hyundai Sonata ... common issues based on car owner complaints ... 1991 Hyundai Sonata problems. (1).
How reliable are Hyundai cars after 100,000 miles? - Quora
Jun 19, 2018 ... What are common problems with Hyundai cars? ... Hyundai did not build its own engine until 1991 ... reliability (think Hyundai Sonata or Elantra).
2003 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Complaints - 8 Issues
... known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2003 Hyundai Sonata ... common issues based on car owner complaints ... 1991 Hyundai Sonata problems. (1).
I am planning to buy a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. This car has been ...
Oct 2, 2022 ... What are common problems with Hyundai cars? ... Former Analyst (retired) (1991 ... Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Turbo, or do you think I will have problems?
2005 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Complaints - 6 Issues
... known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2005 Hyundai Sonata ... common issues based on car owner complaints ... 1991 Hyundai Sonata problems. (1).
Other years of Hyundai Sonata
Are you having problems with your 1991 Hyundai Sonata?
Colt Jakubowski 2024-04-24
This car has always been reliable and started for me without any issues. However, I have noticed that the engine has started burning oil, which is a concern for me. It seems premature for a car that has only done 93000 miles. I wonder if the 4 CYL engine was not appropriate for the Sonata. Additionally, the power windows don't operate very well.
Fredrick Beahan 2024-02-19
This car belonged to my parents and has only 89000 miles on it. I use it to commute about 90 miles daily, mostly on the highway. It's an okay commuter car, but it does have a few issues. The torque converter was defective, but it was replaced under warranty. There is also a problem with the ignition switch, which I bypassed with a push button. It can be hesitant to start, and the air vents are a bit cheesy and have fallen apart. However, the air conditioner still works, although the outside air vent is jammed open. Unfortunately, there is a water leak that has rusted the AC blower fan, but I put some oil in it to quiet it down for now. On humid days, the windows can fog up easily. If you're considering buying this car, make sure you know its complete history.