1998 Hyundai Sonata Problems
- Complaints
- 49filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
- 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 1998 Hyundai Sonata (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1998 Hyundai Sonata. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 12 complaints (24% of the total), followed by fuel system (10) and visibility (9). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tank assembly 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.
- Fuel system10 20%
- Air bags6 12%
- Electrical system4 8.2%
- Engine cooling4 8.2%
- Brakes3 6.1%
- Other or unknown2 4.1%
- Steering2 4.1%
Also reported: Body and structure (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “When driving out of my parking lot, two pieces of equipment fell off of my vehicle. One looked like a belt and the other a small drum. My automatic transmission would no longer function and I was forced to coast into a parking spot in the lot.”
NHTSA complaint #10152507, filed 2006-03, 42,000 milesFuel system: “We purchased a used 1998 Sonata gl for my daughter in may 2006. In about july 2006 she noticed that she seemed to be using more fuel than usual. Also that her and her friends noticed a strong smell of gasoline. Checking under the vehicle I notice that the fuel tank was wet on the drivers side near the rear tire and smelled of gasoline. We took the car to be repaired. The mechanic upon removing the tank noted that on the top left of the tank (if you were facing the rear of the car) had been patched previously with some kind of epoxy. We have no idea when this repair was done. …”
NHTSA complaint #10174592, filed 2006-11, 99,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Dt: the drivers side door latch broke. Caller had to roll down the window to get the door opened. For about 6 months the handle had a hairline crack in it, and now the handle had 4 cracks. It is not strong enough to open the latch. Dealer and manufacturerr have not been contacted yet. Also caller had to replace all 4 of the window rollwers.”
NHTSA complaint #10130555, filed 2005-07, 70,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “I bought my Hyundai in 2004. My 1998 Hyundai Sonata vehicle driver and passenger interior part of doors are stuck. I had the passenger side front door repaired the same year. It stuck again in 2006 and has been that way to this day. My problem now is that the driver side door is now stuck as of july 10 2010. I cannot afford repairs at the moment because the car just cut off while driving friday, july 16, 2010 and hopefully I can afford the repairs to get it working again. I must climb over the seat to the back and go out of the rear passenger door. …”
NHTSA complaint #10343844, filed 2010-07, 281,884 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Hyundai Sonata. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonata · sedan | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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 | 5-speed manual | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sonata FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sonata FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 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
- 00V314001Oct 2, 2000Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Hyundai Sonata 1997–1998, Accent 1998, Accent GT 1997
Vehicle description: accent gt model vehicles equipped with dohc engines manufactured from december 19, 1996 through june 30, 1997; 1998 accent model vehicles manufactured from may 6, 1997 through june 25, 1998; 1997 sonata vehicles manufactured from august…
Recall details for the 1998 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. 22 on record; the latest 10 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…
- 10217251Jul 28, 2022Engine cooling. Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.
- 10217258Jul 14, 2022Tires. Effective June 2, 2008, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 (FMVSS 110) established a threshold for correcting load carrying capacity information indicated on tire placards when vehicle weight…
- 10196546May 21, 2021Transmission and drivetrain. Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or other drivability…
- 10190044Mar 30, 2021Engine cooling, Equipment. This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection…
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021Equipment, Brakes. This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10189989Mar 10, 2021Engine cooling, Equipment. 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…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020Equipment, Exterior lighting. This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The TSB illustrates the…
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 | 1,153 | 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 1998 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1998 Hyundai Sonata as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Hyundai Sonata is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 12 complaints (24% of the total), followed by fuel system with 10.
Has the 1998 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 1998 Hyundai Sonata get?
The EPA rates the 1998 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Hyundai Sonata reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 100,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.