"How reliable is the 1991 Hyundai Sonata?"

"Based on 41 NHTSA complaints, the 1991 Hyundai Sonata has a median complaint mileage of 0 miles. The most common issue is Seat Belts."

"What are common problems with the 1991 Hyundai Sonata?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1991 Hyundai Sonata is Seat Belts, accounting for a significant portion of the 41 total complaints filed."

1991 Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 41 complaints

Total Complaints

Seat Belts

Top Issue

Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Seat Belts

Automatic Transmission

Catalytic Convertor

Unknown Or Other

Engine

Retractor

Gasoline

Switch

Starter Assembly

Cooling Unit And Lines

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX A PROBLEM ON THE CAR THAT WAS RECALLED. PLEASE DESCRIBE RECALL FURTHER. TT"

"DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO DATE OF VEHICLE, LATER RETRACTED STATEMENT, STILL NOT FIXED. TT"

"TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE DEVELOPED A LEAK AND SPRAYED FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING A FIRE. TT"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

NY: 10 MD: 5 NJ: 4 CA: 4 OH: 2 TX: 2 GA: 2 OK: 2 CT: 1 LA: 1

Who Files Complaints?

24.4%

Original Owners

75.6%

Second+ Owners

Hyundai Sonata — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	25	-	Automatic Transmission	0
1992	43	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1993	46	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1995	93	107,263	Frontal	17
1996	37	-	Gasoline	0
1997	74	86,000	Tank Assembly	6
1998	68	80,000	Automatic Transmission	3
1999	187	95,000	Frame And Members	25
2000	378	108,000	Frame And Members	22
2001	293	89,863	Frame And Members	34
2002	407	94,724	Frame And Members	50
2003	247	70,178	Air Bags	28
2004	285	91,138	Suspension	36
2005	217	80,000	Air Bags	44
2006	1422	73,838	Air Bags	55
2007	905	67,000	Air Bags	45
2008	554	65,000	Air Bags	24
2009	610	68,783	Service Brakes	29
2010	415	65,000	Body	23
2011	4582	75,702	Steering	194
2012	2254	80,000	Engine	86
2013	2602	79,000	Engine	138
2014	1061	70,000	Engine	48
2015	1611	53,758	Engine	60
2016	960	62,100	Engine	37
2017	964	53,900	Engine	46
2018	519	19,862	Engine	26
2019	182	23,000	Engine	11
2020	236	2,700	Fuel/Propulsion System	8
2021	156	24,725	Engine	11
2022	123	13,500	Power Train	14
2023	130	11,000	Fuel/Propulsion System	12
2024	61	2,000	Electrical System	3

Active Recalls (1)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Seat Belts

Campaign 93V196000 | 29/11/1993

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.

DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.

General Vehicle Maintenance

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly

Compare Hyundai Sonata

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Vehicle Rankings

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28