After filling vehicle's tank smelled fuel inside vehicle. A dealer has been contacted. Fuel tank has been replaced twice before. Problem has returned. Please provide further information.
The worst 1990 Hyundai Sonata problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission7
- Electrical3
- Seat belts3
- Visibility3
- Brakes2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission7
- Electrical3
- Seat belts3
- Visibility3
- Brakes2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Lights1
- Locks1
Recalls 3
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- The motorized shoulder belt can travel slowly or chatter in the track and may eventually stop tracking and become inoperative.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will lubricate the track assembly and, if any systems are found inoperative, the system will be repaired or replaced, as required.
Recall number 93V196000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
- What is wrong
- The spring clamp tangs on the coolant bypass hose may contact and possibly damage the engine fuel supply hose.
- Risk
- Fuel could leak from the damaged hose into the engine compartment and could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Rotate spring clamp to prevent contact with fuel hose; replace damaged hoses.
Recall number 90V037000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
- What is wrong
- Insufficient clearance could cause the safety catch on the secondary hood latch striker to bind.
- Risk
- If primary latch is released or if hood is not completely closed, hood could fly open while vehicle is in motion; this would block driver's vision and could result in an accident.
- Remedy
- Replace hood latch striker assembly.
Recall number 90V038000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1990 Hyundai Sonata
Defect investigations
Charging system failures
There is no summary currently available
PE94043
Pass.restraint system fail
There is no summary currently available
PE93061
Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Hyundai Sonata 10
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the...
- This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake...
- This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration...
- This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: • A Battery SOC alert
- The Blind Spot Detection (BSD) or Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) is a system that measures the speed...
- This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-SPEED dry-type dual...
- Provided procedures for the installation of a block heater
- Shop manual correction on cylinder head bolt torque specification
- Shift condition caused by short circuit in inhibitor switch
1990 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 24-26 | 20-21 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
What 1990 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The ignition key can be removed from the steering column when the gear shift is in any position (drive, reverse, etc.) instead of park position only. This allows the car to roll unattended if the gear shift was left in in any position other than park. Also, the gear shift can be moved from park to any other position with out the key inserted which could be a disaster if children were left unattended in the car. I have sent complaints to hundai with no response and I have sent forms to the federal safety agency with the last being sent on 10/27/96 and received by you on 10/11/96 (ref no. 803454). To date I have received no other response.
I purchased this vehicle new. Through less than seven years this vehicle has needed three transmissions. I have not replaced the most recent transmission because the cost of the new transmission is more than the value of the car.
Interlock system failed allowing driver to remove key while vehicle in drive, while putting children in the car it began to roll backwards, children were removed before car went over enbankment.
Shoulder belt on both sides broke.
The door handles were broke.
When making a stop consumer applied force to the brake pedal and the vehicle jumped forward.
The driver's side door is the only door that can be opened from the outside and cannot lock the doors with the key. The rear window on the driver's side is the only window working.
Motor belt failed.
The consumer is able to remove the key out of the ignition while the car is in drive; also, gearshift can be moved out of park when key is not inserted.
Compare the 1990 Hyundai Sonata
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1990 Hyundai Sonata
Is the 1990 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 1990 Hyundai Sonata, fewer than a typical Sonata model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1990 Hyundai Sonata?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints. Next is electrical (3).
How many recalls does the 1990 Hyundai Sonata have?
3 recalls, covering seat belts, engine and engine cooling and latches/locks/linkages.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad transmission?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most transmission complaints are 2011 (173 complaints), 2015 (135 complaints) and 2012 (97 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Hyundai Sonata get?
Official estimates for the 1990 Hyundai Sonata range from 18 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 24-26 highway.
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