Complaints
37
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
#24 complaints
Automatic Transmission
#33 complaints
Airbags
Considering a 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Power Steering Fluid | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Power Steering Fluid
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Hyundai Sonata Years
1996 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1996 Hyundai Sonata has 37 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (5 complaints); Automatic Transmission (4 complaints); Airbags (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata include 0 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Sonata reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Hyundai Sonata
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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