1996 Hyundai Sonata Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 22%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Hyundai Sonata, 22% of the 23 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. Axle broke , defrost malfunctions and cassette player failed.”
NHTSA complaint #866162, filed 2000-07“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #713643, filed 1999-10“Consumer experienced battery blowing up while sitting in vehicle and the engine was idling. Consumer heard a loud noise, look under the hood and found the battery in pieces. Dealer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #827047, filed 1998-08Related service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This 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…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 19 | 40% |
| 2023 | 12 | 14% |
| 2022 | 17 | 18% |
| 2021 | 18 | 13% |
| 2020 | 40 | 22% |
| 2019 | 12 | 7% |
| 2018 | 60 | 16% |
| 2017 | 65 | 8% |
| 2016 | 89 | 12% |
| 2015 | 168 | 15% |
| 2014 | 135 | 18% |
| 2013 | 261 | 14% |
| 2012 | 235 | 15% |
| 2011 | 444 | 13% |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% |
| 2009 | 61 | 13% |
| 2008 | 32 | 8% |
| 2007 | 51 | 7% |
| 2006 | 86 | 8% |
| 2005 | 19 | 12% |
| 2004 | 17 | 8% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 23 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 37 | 13% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1993 | 7 | 27% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 5 | 17% |
| 1990 | 3 | 19% |
| 1989 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1996 Hyundai Sonata
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology