Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Hyundai Sonata, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Power train5
- Electrical system5
- Equipment3
- Air bags3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Structure2
- Visibility2
- Exterior lighting1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the United Kingdom
2 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 5 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
8 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata.
| 1997045 10 Mar 1997 | Visual System THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SOLDERING FLUX. THIS CONTAMINATION COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ELECTRICAL … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Hyundai told its dealers about the 1996 Hyundai Sonata: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 633884 | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE FOR CLIFFORD AND DEI SECURITY SYSTEM. *JG |
| 631997 | INFORMATION ON EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION. *SLC |
| 605660 | INFORMATION CONCERNING FAULT CODES CAUSED BY THE TRANSAXLE TESTER. *AK |
| 605659 | EXPERIENCING MILD ENGINE SURGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT |
| 605658 | CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE HARSH SHIFTING UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 604210 | SUBJECT ON AIRBAG REPAIR KIT PART NUMBERS. *TT |
| 604011 | INFORMATION ON FUEL INJECTOR CONFIGURATION. *YC |
| 601635 | SHOP MANUAL ON DOHC SPARK PLUG WIRE ROUTING. *YC |
| 601628 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WIND NOISE IN THE AREA AROUND THE RIGHT |
| 54312 | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND IDLE SWITCH ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. *YC |
| 54311 | MODIFIED TRANSAXLE CONTROL MODULES. *YC |
| 54309 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATION. *YC |
| 54161 | PROVIDED PROCEDURES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A BLOCK HEATER. *YC |
| 54113 | SHOP MANUAL CORRECTION ON CYLINDER HEAD BOLT TORQUE SPECIFICATION. *YC |
| 52649 | AUDIO SYSTEM CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT. *TW |
| 52648 | IDLE SPEED CONTROL ACTUATOR (SHOP MANUAL CORRECTION). *TW |
| 51905 | SHIFT CONDITION CAUSED BY SHORT CIRCUIT IN INHIBITOR SWITCH. *TW |
| 51903 | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. *TW |
| 51894 | MODIFIED TRANSAXLE CONTROL MODULES. *TW |
| 51307 | THE CYLINDER HEAD TORQUE SEQUENCE FOR IN-LINE 4 CYLINDER ENGINES NOTED IN THE LISTED SHOP MANUALS IS INCORRECT. *JD |
| 51304 | RECALL 97V-026 - THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR THERMAL SWITCH CIRCUIT CONTACT POINTS MUST BE CLEANED ON CERTAIN HYUNDAI VEHICLES WHICH FALL INTO THE FOLLOWING PRODUTION RANGES TO CORRECT A POSSIBLE INTERMITTENT INTERRUPTION OF WIPER OPERATION- A WIPER MOTOR SERVICE KIT (PART #00305-CMP00-30) WILL BE SENT TO EACH DEALERSHIP CONTAINING THE SUPPLIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE- EACH KIT CAN SERVICE UP TO TEN (10) VEHICLES- ADDITIONAL KITS CAN BE ORDERED FROM YOUR FACING PDC- MODEL/PRODUCTION DATE RANGE: ACCENT 3/04/96 THROUGH 10/18/96- ELANTRA (SADAN & WAGON) 11/20/95 THROUGH 10/18/96- SON |
| 50577 | MILD ENGINE SURGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TW |
| 10230904 | This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation. |
| 10189989 | This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below. |
| 10183963 | This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)