Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 1999 Hyundai Sonata, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Hyundai Sonata year.
Over 5 years this costs $3,500 more in fuel than an average new vehicle.
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
Risk: IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V124000
Issue: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
Campaign 00V259001
Issue: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 01V347000
Issue: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.
Risk: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 02V105000
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model year, which is common for older, low-volume and heavy-duty vehicles.
The parts named most often across 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
1 injured
6 crashes · 17 injured
1 fire
1 fire
1 crash
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON JAN 30TH, 2015 AND THE CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, SAT THE 31ST, I JACKED UP THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHY THE CAR STEERED TO THE RIGHT. I FOUND THE LOWER WHEEL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE FRAME HAD COME LOOSE. THAT WAS BECAUSE THE FRAME HAD THREE OF FOUR SIDES RUSTED THRU. THE CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A MORE SEVERE ACCIDENT IF THE ATTACHMENT TO THE FRAME HAD PULLED COMPLETELY APART. I WILL CHECK WITH HYUNDAI TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THANKS FOR LISTENING. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AFTER REMOVING THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL I NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT SEVERELY RUSTED, & THE SUB FRAME CRACKED READY TO BREAK. I KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY NEBRASKA ALONG WITH OTHER STATES WERE NOT INCLUDED. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER, & DRIVEN VERY LITTLE IN SALT/ SNOW CONDITIONS. SHE PURCHASED @ APPROX. 80 YEARS OF AGE. NHTSA SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AGAIN. WATER BEING TRAPPED IN THE SUB FRAMES IS THE REAL PROBLEM, SALT MAY HAVE ONLY MADE THE FAILURE HAPPENED A BIT SOONER. I HAVE TALKED WITH HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, & WAS TOLD THE CAR WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I LIVE 8 MILES AWAY FROM IOWA, WHICH IS COVERED BY THE RECALL. OMAHA DOES USE SALT ON THE STREETS. 14 -15 YEARS FOR A SUB FRAME TO ROT AWAY SEEMS QUITE SHORT. THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN DEFECT NOT ALLOWING THE WATER TO GET OUT. NO STATES SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT! WHO DOESN'T WASH THEIR CAR REGULARLY? HOW MANY 1999-2004 MODELS OF THIS CAR ARE STILL ON THE ROAD? FORTUNATELY FOR OUR FAMILY WE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SIGNIFICANTLY OUT OF POSITION, & BOTH FRONT WHEELS LEANING IN AT THE TOP. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME WOULD NOT PRETTY AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOOKED AT THE PICTURES I TOOK OF BOTH SIDES ON THIS CAR SEEM TO AGREE, WE WERE PROBABLY ONLY A FEW MORE CHUCK HOLES AWAY! WILL HYUNDAI NOTIFY CURRENT OWNERS OF ANY OF THESE CARS REGARDLESS OF WHICH STATE & REMEDY CORRECTLY?? WILL HYUNDAI, OR GOVERNMENT PUT OUT TSB'S OR PSA'S ALERTING ANY CURRENT OWNERS OF THE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CONDITION WHICH MAY COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE? *TR
L WAS STOPPED ON TRAFFIC ON HIGH WAY ,AND SOME ONE, HIT ME ON THE BACK ,THE GUY WAS SO FAST PROBLEM MORE THAN 75 MPH ,THAN MY CAR FLOAT 20 FOOT ,AND HIT THE CAR ON MY FRONT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR OPEN , SO THE QUESTION IS HYUNDAI SONATA 1999 USUALLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM , ???? *TR
THE SUB FRAME/K FRAME ON MY 99 HYUNDAI SONATA RUSTED OUT CAUSING MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE TO FACE OUTWARDS ALMOST COMING OFF AND DAMAGING MY LEFT CONTROL ARM. I HEARD A LOUD POP AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS THEN REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COCKED AT 180. I HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME WHICH WAS LUCKILY ONLY 2 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, I HAD TO DRIVE 10MPH SMELLING BURNING RUBBER. *TR
I WAS PULLING IN A SHOPPING CENTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND GOT OUT OF CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS CAVED IN, HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC, HE SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE HEARD NOISES AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS MISALIGNED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL PULLING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THERE WERE ALSO HOLES NEXT TO THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE SUB FRAME IN PLACE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTAC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000: SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,764.
I PURCHASED MY 1999 SONATA FROM A USED CAR DEALER & HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, ITS BEEN A NIGHTMARE, ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER!!!! THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT HAD SEVERELY MELTED, ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ABS/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON, & HAVE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THE HALF SHAFT ON BOTH DRIVERS/PASSENGER SIDE, NUMEROUS TIRES, BRAKES BUT THE MOST SEVERE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WHICH PUTS MY SAFETY, MY 12 YR OLD SON & FIANCE'S SAFETY, ALONG WITH FAMILY/FRIEND'S SAFETY AT RISK IS THE COMPLETE CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME I TOO TO A MECHANIC TODAY & HE TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR FOR ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I CAN POTENTIALLY END UP HURTING MYSELF OR OTHER INNOCENT BYSTANDERS BECAUSE HYUNDAI MADE A DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME ESPECIALLY FOR US THAT LIVE & DRIVE IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS OF THE WINTRY/ICY ELEMENTS FOR 5+MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR IN UPSTATE NEW YORK!!! I WILL BE CALLING HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CTR & FUCCILLO HYUNDAI(LOCAL DEALER)& THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR NEW YORK. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED IF I DROVE OVER A POT HOLE RESULTING IN MY TIRE(S) FALLING OFF ESPECIALLY IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING 55MPH MY LOVED ONES OR OTHER'S LOVED ONES, & MYSELF COULD'VE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE DEAD DUE TO HYUNDAI USING A SUBFRAME THAT WOULD SEVERELY CORRODE THE SUBFRAME ESPECIALLY IN THE "SNOW BELT" STATES!!!!! I JUST HOPE THAT I DO NOT HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME HAVING HYUNDAI FIX THE PROBLEM IN A SPEEDY FASHION WITHOUT TRYING TO STRONG ARM ME INTO PAYING FOR REPAIRS THAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BECAUSE IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE NOW UNTIL IT GETS REPAIRED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 HYUNDIA SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD REQUIRE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO AVOID TURNING IN A 360 DEGREE WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE CONTACT REACHED HER DESTINATION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS POSITIONED SLIGHTLY INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SALES CENTER, AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HER THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND CONNECTING PARTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY CORRODED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUB-FRAME CROSS MEMBER WOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT THE ADDITIONAL REPAIR COST OF $10,000 WAS THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE HE NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION) AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING AND THE ENGINE STAYED ON. SHE ALSO NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE HALF SHAFT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 09V124000, SUSPENSION BECAUSE HE DOES NOT LIVE IN ANY OF THE STATES THAT WERE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LIVES IN KANSAS WHICH BORDERS MISSOURI. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V124000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS EXCESSIVELY LOUD AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY BACK AND FORTH, THE MOTOR WOULD JUMP ABNORMALLY AND THE STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME HARD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE LOOSE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FRACTURED BUT DID NOT MAKE REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE BUT DID NOT STOP. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS THAT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,633 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Showing 12 of 135 complaints.