1996 HYUNDAI Sonata Problems

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Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 complaints

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

Jul 23, 2001

VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO AUTO REPAIR CENTER FOR THE SAME REOCCURRING PROBLEM AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT TIMES. CAR CUTS OFF AT CRUISE SPEEDS CAR/ BUCKS AND RESTARTS, CAR DIES WHEN YOU TURN CORNERS AT LOW SPEEDS AND YOU MUST PUT CAR IN NUTREL TO RESTART. *AK

Oct 19, 1999

VALVE COVER GASKETS FAILED.

Nov 19, 1997

WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN 65MPH AND TURNS CORNERS THE CAR STALLS. OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO START IT UP AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, AND THERE IS STILL STALLING. *AK

Jul 31, 1997

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

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, 202-328-7700, 1825 CONNECTICUT AVE NW, STE 330, WASHINGTON, DC 20009. *YH

Apr 10, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Mar 21, 2002

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. ONE OF THE AIR BAGS WAS REPLACED, BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. THE VEHICLE WILL BE SERVICED THE 4TH TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

Oct 08, 1998

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED BATTERY BLOWING UP WHILE SITTING IN VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS IDLING. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THE BATTERY IN PIECES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Aug 21, 1998

SPARK PLUGS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, CAUSING SLUGGISH ACCELERATION.

Nov 19, 1997

IGNITION SWITCH SHORT-CIRCUITED.

Jan 09, 1997

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

HEADLIGHTS BLINK FOR NO APPARENT REASON SINCE NEW IN JULY 2006 ON MY AZERA LIMITED. *TR

Jun 18, 2008

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH RIGHT TAIL LIGHT FAILURE. BULB WOULD LAST EIGHT MONTH OR LESS. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPLACING BULB AT THE COST TO CONSUMER.*AK

Aug 21, 1998

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NLM

Feb 05, 2001

WATER LEAKS FROM UNDERHOOD INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Sep 08, 1998

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 complaints

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE SHIMMIES AND SHAKES . THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Aug 25, 1998

BRAKES MAKE SQUEAKING NOISE AND PEDAL GOES TOO FAR TOWARDS THE FLOOR, REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER PROBLEMS STILL EXIST.

Nov 19, 1997

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWO TIMES.

Jul 29, 1998

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Nov 19, 1997

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR RECALL REPAIR 97V-026 FOR THE INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

Feb 05, 2001

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

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 TAKE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *AK

Jan 02, 2001

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH TRANSMISSION STOPPED CHANGING GEARS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DECELERATE, AND LOSING ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. ALSO, HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER AND ALTERNATOR. *AK AXLE BROKE , DEFROST MALFUNCTIONS AND CASSETTE PLAYER FAILED. *YH

Jul 27, 2000

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

CAR WANTS TO LURCH FORWARD WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFIC LIGHT .NEW TRANSMISSION IN CAR . PROBLEM STILL APPEARS.*AK

Jun 05, 2000

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE POWER-STEERING PUMP S LEAKING DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR, AND SHORTING IT OUT. DEALER LOOKED AT IT THREE TIMES AND REPLACED THE HIGH PSI LINE GOING INTO THE PUMP, AS WELL AS THE CRUSH WASHERS. THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PSI LINE AGAIN, AND IT OCCURRED THREE MORE TIMES AND THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEREFORE WE HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR THREE MORE TIMES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I, THE OWNER, BUILT A GUARD OVER THE ALTERNATOR TO PREVENT THE FLUID FROM LEAKING INTO THE ALTERNATOR. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS, BUT IT TOOK THE ENGINEERING OF MYSELF TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

Oct 21, 1999

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FAILED.

Sep 22, 1998

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Aug 21, 1998

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. AS SOON AS CONSUMER SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO VIBRATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Aug 21, 1998

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

VEHICLE WOULD STALL EVERY TIME A/C IS USED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AT THIS TIME. *AK

Aug 21, 1998

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TRANSMISSION, BRAKE, ENGINE, AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE.

Jan 06, 1998

TIRES

1 complaint

TIRE FELL OFF DUE TO MISSING BOLT.

Nov 19, 1997

4.6/5.0

89 reviews

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

1996 HYUNDAI Sonata VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your HYUNDAI dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata have?

The 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata currently has 29 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata?

The most common problems reported for the 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata?

You can report safety problems with your 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 1996 HYUNDAI Sonata. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.