1993 Hyundai Sonata recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 SONATA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V196000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; PASSIVE RESTRAINT; BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MOTORIZED PASSIVERESTRAINT SYSTEMS.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREE UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT HYUNDAI SERVICE AT 1-313-747-6600. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAYTRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (10), Transmission / drivetrain (9), Electrical system (8), Steering (4), Lights (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/24/2005 · Engine
DT: JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND IT STARTED SMOKING. ALSO, FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF IT, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO BROTHER'S HOUSE. DEALER HASDNOT LOOKED AT VEHICLE. *AK
02/19/2001 · Engine
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.*AK
01/26/2001 · Seat belts
ACTUALLY A QUESTION RE A CURRENT RECALL: 93V196000. I'M GETTING A RUNAROUND FROM HYUNDAI. THEY SAY MY VIN IS FOR A CANADIAN VEHICLE (?) AND SO THEY CAN'T ASSIST WITH THE SEAT BELT TRACKING PROBLEM. I WONDER IF THAT'S LEGITIMATE, OR BOGUS. PLEASE ADVISE VIA EMAIL. *AK
11/06/2000 · Steering
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),…
10/16/2000 · Steering
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
09/05/2000 · Lights
TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN LEAVING DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS DID NOT WORK CIRCLED AROUND THE BLOCK AND DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. MR. RAY MARSHALL ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SIGNALS WERE WORKI…
09/05/2000 · Lights
TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE INTO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION DONE. WHEN LEAVING DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS DID NOT WORK CIRCLED AROUND THE BLOCK AND DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. MR. RAY MARSHALL ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SIGNALS WERE WORKI…
12/08/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
NO SUMMARY