1996 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sonata years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 30th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Hyundai Sonata. That ranks 30th out of 32 Sonata model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints, 26%). There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
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- 23owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Hyundai Sonata problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 26% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 22% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 22% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Hyundai Sonata recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Problem: The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
Risk: This contamination interferes with the electrical circuit continuity and prevents the windshield wiper motor from operating. Inoperative windshield wipers can contribute to reduced visibility during inclement weather increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
A CONSUMER?S FIVE YEAR STEP DAUGHTER WAS KILLED BY THE AIR BAG THAT DEPLOYED IN A 5 MPH COLLISION ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN IN BY CLARENCE DITLOW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY, [redacted], 1825 CONNECTICUT AVE NW…
While traveling on highway and without prior warning airbag light appeared on dashboard. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak
My engine quite at a light. There was no warning, the car had been running fine. It had been about 4,000 miles since my last oil change. *ak
Consumer was charged for recall repair 97v-026 for the inoperative windshield wipers, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm
Door lock would keep locking on its own. When either in or out of vehicle locks would either keep driver/passenger in/or locked out. Had door locks repaired 5 times, but problem keeps reappearing. Mechanic indicated to bring it in when it happens, but it's not resolved. Dealer urged consumer to…
Other Hyundai Sonata years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sonata | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 Sonata | 17 | 0 |
| 2024 Sonata | 46 | 1 |
| 2023 Sonata | 87 | 2 |
| 2022 Sonata | 94 | 3 |
| 2021 Sonata | 134 | 4 |
| 2020 Sonata | 180 | 4 |
| 2019 Sonata | 162 | 0 |
| 2018 Sonata | 374 | 1 |
| 2017 Sonata | 766 | 3 |
| 2016 Sonata | 727 | 6 |
| 2015 Sonata | 1,153 | 9 |
| 2014 Sonata | 750 | 7 |
| 2013 Sonata | 1,916 | 9 |
| 2012 Sonata | 1,558 | 8 |
| 2011 Sonata | 3,377 | 14 |
| 2010 Sonata | 345 | 2 |
| 2009 Sonata | 460 | 2 |
| 2008 Sonata | 425 | 3 |
| 2007 Sonata | 696 | 5 |
| 2006 Sonata | 1,047 | 9 |
| 2005 Sonata | 165 | 1 |
| 2004 Sonata | 202 | 1 |
| 2003 Sonata | 199 | 6 |
| 2002 Sonata | 320 | 7 |
| 2001 Sonata | 205 | 3 |
| 2000 Sonata | 276 | 4 |
| 1999 Sonata | 124 | 4 |
| 1998 Sonata | 49 | 1 |
| 1997 Sonata | 49 | 2 |
| 1996 | 23 | 1 |
| 1995 Sonata | 66 | 2 |
See all Hyundai Sonata problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.
Similar Hyundai models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 6 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Hyundai Sonata a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sonata model years, the 1996 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.