Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1990 Hyundai Sonata. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:BELTS
- Summary
- THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- Consequence
- SLOWING, CHATTERING, OR FAILURE OF THE MOTORIZED SHOULDERBELT MAY DISCOURAGE USE OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURYIN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES
- Summary
- THE SPRING CLAMP TANGS ON THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE MAY CONTACT AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE.
- Consequence
- FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE DAMAGED HOSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- ROTATE SPRING CLAMP TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH FUEL HOSE; REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES.
STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:LATCHES
- Summary
- INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE COULD CAUSE THE SAFETY CATCH ON THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH STRIKER TO BIND.
- Consequence
- IF PRIMARY LATCH IS RELEASED OR IF HOOD IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED, HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; THIS WOULD BLOCK DRIVER'S VISION AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- REPLACE HOOD LATCH STRIKER ASSEMBLY.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (16)
16 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 7 | 43.8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 18.8% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 18.8% |
| Visibility | 3 | 18.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 6.3% |
| Interior lighting | 1 | 6.3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 6.3% |
| Parking brake | 1 | 6.3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 6.3% |
How 1990 compares with other Sonata years
Best and worst Sonata years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990 | 16 | 3 |
| 1991 | 29 | 1 |
| 1992 | 22 | 1 |
| 1993 | 26 | 1 |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 |
| 1995 | 66 | 2 |
| 1996 | 23 | 1 |
| 1997 | 49 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1990 Sonata for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1990 Hyundai Sonata FAQ
How many recalls does the 1990 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 93V196000 (seat belt), 90V037000 (engine), 90V038000 (latch). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1990 Hyundai Sonata problems?
Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (7), Electrical system (3), Seat belts (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1990 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1990 Sonata compare with other years?
Among the 1987–1997 Hyundai Sonata model years at least five years old, the 1987 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1995 the most (66). The 1990 drew 16. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.