Complaints
68
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#111 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:60,333 mi
#27 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Avg mileage:99,000 mi
#37 complaints
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
Avg mileage:56,500 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Hyundai Sonata.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 11 | — | — | 60,333 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 7 | — | — | 99,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 | — | — | 56,500 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 6 | — | — | 78,440 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filling/Charging | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Pitman | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 1 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,333
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,000
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,500
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,440
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filling/Charging
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Pitman
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Side/Rear Glass
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
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 1998 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Hyundai Sonata Years
1998 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1998 Hyundai Sonata has 68 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Hyundai Sonata?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (11 complaints, avg 60,333 mi); Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly (7 complaints, avg 99,000 mi); Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls (7 complaints, avg 56,500 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Hyundai Sonata?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 71,703 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Hyundai Sonata include 3 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 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 1998 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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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