Hyundai Sonata · model year

1993 Hyundai Sonata

46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
46
Recalls
0

The verdict

The 1993 Hyundai Sonata posts top-quartile complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.

Top 21%
fewest complaints, own model years
0
recall campaigns

The 1993HyundaiSonata carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1993 Sonata is power train:automatic transmission with 7 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (4) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (4). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 1993 Sonata, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

46
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1993 Hyundai Sonata

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

46 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
INTERIOR LIGHTING2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT2
SEAT BELTS1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1

Recent Complaints

20050624ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT: JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND IT STARTED SMOKING. ALSO, FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF IT, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO BROTHER'S HOUSE. DEALER HASDNOT LOOKED AT VEHICLE. *AK

20010301ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE ENGINE SMOKES ON START UP AND THE LIFTERS RATTLE AND KNOCK WAS IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR MONTHS. EVERY 850+ MILES BURNS A QUART OF OIL WAS TOLD THAT THE WAY THAT ENGINE WORKS.THE CAR WAS KEPT FOR FOUR MONTHS AND CAME BACK THE SAME WAY.*AK

20010131SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

ACTUALLY A QUESTION RE A CURRENT RECALL: 93V196000. I'M GETTING A RUNAROUND FROM HYUNDAI. THEY SAY MY VIN IS FOR A CANADIAN VEHICLE (?) AND SO THEY CAN'T ASSIST WITH THE SEAT BELT TRACKING PROBLEM. I WONDER IF THAT'S LEGITIMATE, OR BOGUS. PLEASE ADVISE VIA EMAIL. *AK

20001109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.*AK

20001109POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.*AK

20001109ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.*AK

20001109STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AT PURCHASE BECAUSE OF SLOW REACTION AND NOISE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HILL IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC, VALVE SEALS REPLACED AFTER CAR CONTINUALLY BLEW SMOKE FROM BURNING THE OIL, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO WORK, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS AND A ROCKER REPLACED (NO IDEA IF THIS COULD BE A SAFTEY HAZARD OR NOT BUT IT IS UNUSUAL), POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED (MECHANIC SAID WAS IN POOR CONDITION AND WAS PITTED AND SUCH)CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ONE DAY ON INTERSTATE-REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT BUT APPARENTLY NEEDS A HEAD GASKET,FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLID DOWN BUT NOT UP ONE DAY AND IS PROPPED UP INSIDE PANEL WITH BOARDS REPAIRS TOTAL TO NEARLY THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND I PAID SEVEN THOUSAND FOR THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO.*AK

20001025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS

20001025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS

20001025STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS

20001025POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS

20001025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

HAVE REPLACED TRANSMISSION, FRONT CAM, LIFTERS, ROCKER, TIMING BELT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, POWER STEERING PUMP, VALVE SEALS, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, BRAKES. TO BE REPAIRED ENGINE-WISE: REAR CAM, DRIVE AXLES, CYLINDER HEADS OR HEAD GASKETS

20000918EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN LEAVING DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS DID NOT WORK CIRCLED AROUND THE BLOCK AND DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. MR. RAY MARSHALL ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SIGNALS WERE WORKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND STATED THAT I COULD BRING THE AUTOMOBILE BACK ON TUESDAY 9/5/00.

20000914EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN LEAVING DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS DID NOT WORK CIRCLED AROUND THE BLOCK AND DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. MR. RAY MARSHALL ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SIGNALS WERE WORKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND STATED THAT I COULD BRING THE AUTOMOBILE BACK ON TUESDAY 9/5/00.

20000322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

STARTER FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO KEEP TURNING IGNITION KEY OFF AND ON TO GET VEHICLE TO START. NLM

19991208POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY

19990928POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

PROBLEMS WITH CHANGING GEARS. WOULD GO 30MPH. WOULD GET NO SPEED. TRANSMISSION MADE GRINDING NOISE. BEEN TO DEALER & HAD MECHANIC CHANGE TRANSMISSION. THE 2ND TRANSMISSION WAS SAME AS FIRST. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE AGAIN, 3 MONTHS LATER, TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME. FINALLY TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER & MECHANIC NOTICED THE MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

19990926ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL SKIP AT TIMES. SOME TIMES IT SURGES VERY BAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. OTHER TIMES THE CAR WILL MISS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. TECHNICANS AT DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND TROUBLE CODE FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO SOLVE PROBLEM. YOU MAY DRIVE 300 MILES WITH NO PROBLEM, AND THEN YOU MAY DRIVE 10 MILES AND IT SURGES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED, TUNED AND FILTERS CHANGED AND DOESN'T HELP THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID I WILL GET IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STALL COMPLETELY, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

19990926UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL SKIP AT TIMES. SOME TIMES IT SURGES VERY BAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. OTHER TIMES THE CAR WILL MISS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. TECHNICANS AT DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND TROUBLE CODE FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO SOLVE PROBLEM. YOU MAY DRIVE 300 MILES WITH NO PROBLEM, AND THEN YOU MAY DRIVE 10 MILES AND IT SURGES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED, TUNED AND FILTERS CHANGED AND DOESN'T HELP THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID I WILL GET IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STALL COMPLETELY, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

19990617ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE LEAKING OIL. NLM

Compare 1993HyundaiSonata to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 Hyundai Sonata have?
The 1993 Hyundai Sonata has 46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-complained component for the 1993 Hyundai Sonata is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1993 Hyundai Sonata safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1993 Hyundai Sonata; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.