1991 Hyundai Sonata recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 SONATA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V196000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; PASSIVE RESTRAINT; BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MOTORIZED PASSIVERESTRAINT SYSTEMS.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREE UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT HYUNDAI SERVICE AT 1-313-747-6600. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAYTRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Hyundai Sonata owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (10), Engine (9), Transmission / drivetrain (8), Electrical system (8), Brakes (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/29/2003 · Airbags · crash
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 W…
03/19/2002 · Seat belts
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
06/07/2000 · Seat belts
INTERIOR SYSTEM PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELTS FAILED, PRIOR TO RECALL NO #93V196000.*ET
06/05/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 3 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP! TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, CONDITION WORSENS WITH COLD WEATHER.*AK
03/11/1999 · Brakes
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.
11/18/1998 · Engine
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
04/03/1998 · Electrical system · fire
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
03/25/1998 · Electrical system
STARTER FAILED TWICE/REPLACED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *AK