1994 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 1994 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: Seats (2), Steering (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Seat belts (1), Equipment (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
04/11/1996 · Steering
THE DRIVIER SIDE SEAT RETRACTOR SOMETIMES DOESN'T RETRACT, SOMETIMES THE RETRACTOR LOCK YOU IN. *AK CONSUMER STATES BELT LOCKS SO HARD ONE CAN NOT MOVE. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, HARD TO TURN AND NOISY. DOOR WINDOW WOULD NOT COME UP INTERMITTENTLY, WINDOW SWITCH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. ANTENNA WOULD NOT GO UP…
12/01/1995 · Seats
BOTH FRONT SEAT RAILS ARE WEAKENING ALLOWING SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
06/06/1995 · Engine
OIL IS DISAPPEARING WITH CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR MONTHS TRYING TO DETECT CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT