1993 Hyundai Sonata Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Hyundai Sonata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1993 Hyundai Sonata. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 9 complaints (35% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (9) and electrical system (7). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling9 35%
- Electrical system7 27%
- Steering3 12%
- Brakes2 7.7%
- Other or unknown2 7.7%
- Seat belts2 7.7%
- Exterior lighting1 3.9%
- Interior lighting1 3.9%
- Seats1 3.9%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #741176, filed 2001-02Transmission and drivetrain: “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”
NHTSA complaint #734408, filed 2000-10Electrical system: “When turning right with the lights on, the switch apparently shorts out all lights on the vehicle, interior and exterior. Headlights are extinguished when turn signal is applied.”
NHTSA complaint #537630, filed 1998-06Steering: “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…”
NHTSA complaint #735806, filed 2000-11Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 Hyundai Sonata version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sonata FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sonata FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V196000Nov 29, 1993Seat beltsCovers: Hyundai Sonata 1989–1994
The motorized shoulder belt can travel slowly or chatter in the track and may eventually stop tracking and become inoperative.
Recall details for the 1993 Hyundai Sonata → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10230904Jan 30, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates…
- 10189989Mar 10, 2021Equipment, Engine cooling. This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020Brakes. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
- 10183960Nov 19, 2020Wheels, Tires. This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully…
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day alert - vehicle has not…
- 10169370Nov 4, 2019Lane departure, Back-over prevention (rear camera). The Blind Spot Detection (BSD) or Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) is a system that measures the speed of and distance from the following vehicles by using two magnetic wave radar sensors attached…
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
Other model years of the Hyundai Sonata
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | 19,025 | 0 | 5 | 29 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 47 | 2,000 | 1 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 88 | 18,500 | 2 | 5 | 31 | 18 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 95 | 31,000 | 3 | 5 | 31 | 20 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 135 | 41,000 | 4 | 5 | 31 | 28 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 182 | 2,778 | 4 | 5 | 31 | 49 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 162 | 24,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 375 | 21,250 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 39 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 768 | 55,000 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 59 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 728 | 63,000 | 6 | 5 | 28 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 1,154 | 56,000 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 750 | 70,000 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 1,917 | 78,000 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 1,559 | 80,000 | 8 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 3,380 | 75,000 | 14 | 4–5 | 26 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 345 | 65,000 | 2 | — | 25 | 18 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 460 | 68,000 | 2 | — | 25 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 425 | 62,000 | 3 | — | 24 | 45 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 696 | 64,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,047 | 70,000 | 9 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 165 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 202 | 85,500 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 199 | 65,252 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 320 | 89,288 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 205 | 86,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 276 | 104,696 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 124 | 98,723 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 49 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 49 | 72,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 23 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 66 | 125,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 26 | — | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 22 | 94,600 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 29 | — | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 16 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 11 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Hyundai Sonata model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1993 Hyundai Sonata as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Hyundai Sonata is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 9 complaints (35% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 9.
Has the 1993 Hyundai Sonata been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Hyundai Sonata get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Hyundai Sonata (Sonata, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.