MYRModel Year Report

1999 Hyundai Sonata

▲ Better than typical
1999 Hyundai Sonata
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:18:23.159Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Sonata Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 66 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1998 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2004 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2010 2011: 3368 complaints 2012: 1551 complaints 2013: 1895 complaints 2014: 740 complaints 2015: 1123 complaints 2016: 717 complaints 2016 2017: 758 complaints 2018: 364 complaints 2019: 153 complaints 2020: 165 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2022: 88 complaints 2022 2023: 83 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
1999: 124 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199566
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113368
20121551
20131895
2014740
20151123
2016717
2017758
2018364
2019153
2020165
2021119
202288
202383
202441
202515
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 21%

21% of complaints: structure — 26 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
AIR BAGS 15%

15% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

L WAS STOPPED ON TRAFFIC ON HIGH WAY ,AND SOME ONE, HIT ME ON THE BACK ,THE GUY WAS SO FAST PROBLEM MORE THAN 75 MPH ,THAN MY CAR FLOAT 20 FOOT ,AND HIT THE CAR ON MY FRONT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR OPEN , SO THE QUESTION IS HYUNDAI...

NHTSA ODI report, 20140107

CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL AND HIT A SOLID BARRIER AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030204

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 10 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE HEARD NOISES AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS MISALIGNED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL PULLING ABNORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121206

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120525

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20001118 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Campaign 00V259001 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020527 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR B

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27,

Campaign 01V347000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020528 — air bags

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR V

Campaign 02V105000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030326 — DP (closed 20030801)

IMPROPER FRONTAL AIR BAG PERFORMANCE

I 20080422 — PE (closed 20080821)

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION

I 20080821 — EA (closed 20090420)

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION

R 20090717 — suspension

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, M

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPO

Campaign 09V124000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V259001 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V347000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V105000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V124000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Hyundai Sonata is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Hyundai Sonata?

The most-reported component is structure:frame and members, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Hyundai Sonata have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.