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.
The worst 1996 Hyundai Sonata problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine6
- Transmission5
- Electrical4
- Airbags3
- Brakes3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine6
- Transmission5
- Electrical4
- Airbags3
- Brakes3
- Body2
- Visibility2
- Acceleration1
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Recalls 1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
- Risk
- This contamination interferes with the electrical circuit continuity and prevents the windshield wiper motor from operating. Inoperative windshield wipers can contribute to reduced visibility during inclement weather increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.
Recall number 97V026000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata 41
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 regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the...
- This bulletin provides information on tire maintenance best practices and procedures for dealers and...
- This bulletin describes the general guidelines to help disinfect and protect vehicle exterior/interior...
- This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: • A Battery SOC alert
- The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following...
- This bulletin describes the general guidelines to disinfect and protect vehicle interior surfaces using...
1996 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 26 | 21-22 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 23 | 19 |
What 1996 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While traveling on highway and without prior warning airbag light appeared on dashboard. Dealership is aware of problem.
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.
Consumer was charged for recall repair 97v‑026 for the inoperative windshield wipers, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm
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.
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.
Car wants to lurch forward when stopped at a trafic light .new transmission in car . Problem still appears.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 1996 Hyundai Sonata
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1996 Hyundai Sonata
Is the 1996 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1996 Hyundai Sonata, fewer than a typical Sonata model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
Engine and cooling, with 6 complaints. Next is transmission (5).
How many recalls does the 1996 Hyundai Sonata have?
1 recall, covering visibility.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad engine?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (1,012 complaints), 2013 (778 complaints) and 2015 (651 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Hyundai Sonata get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 26 highway.
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