1996 Hyundai Sonata recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
What could happen: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
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 1996 SONATA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V026000.
- 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: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Summary: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MARCH 18, 1997. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-829-9956. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (6), Transmission / drivetrain (5), Electrical system (5), Airbags (3), Equipment (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/18/2008 · Lights
HEADLIGHTS BLINK FOR NO APPARENT REASON SINCE NEW IN JULY 2006 ON MY AZERA LIMITED. *TR
04/10/2002 · Airbags
A CONSUMER?S FIVE YEAR STEP DAUGHTER WAS KILLED BY THE AIR BAG THAT DEPLOYED IN A 5 MPH COLLISION ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE, THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN IN BY CLARENCE DITLOW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY, 202-328-7700, 1825 CONNECTICUT AVE NW, STE 330, WASHINGTON, DC 20009. *YH
03/21/2002 · Airbags
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
07/23/2001 · Engine
MY ENGINE QUITE AT A LIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE. IT HAD BEEN ABOUT 4,000 MILES SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE. *AK
02/05/2001 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR RECALL REPAIR 97V-026 FOR THE INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
02/05/2001 · Body / structure
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NLM
01/02/2001 · Latches / locks
DOOR LOCK WOULD KEEP LOCKING ON ITS OWN. WHEN EITHER IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE LOCKS WOULD EITHER KEEP DRIVER/PASSENGER IN/OR LOCKED OUT. HAD DOOR LOCKS REPAIRED 5 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM KEEPS REAPPEARING. MECHANIC INDICATED TO BRING IT IN WHEN IT HAPPENS, BUT IT'S NOT RESOLVED. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *AK
07/27/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
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. *AK AXLE BROKE , DEFROST MALFUNCTIONS AND CASSETTE PLAYER FAILED. *YH