1996 Hyundai Sonata
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 6 of 23 complaints (26%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 66 in 1995 to 23 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,450 | 2,850–3,300 | 2,950–3,450 | 2,950–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–21 | 19–22 | 18–21 | 18–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–19 / 22–26 | 16–19 / 23–26 | 16–19 / 22–26 | 15–19 / 22–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–494 | 404–468 | 423–494 | 423–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 66 | 23 | 49 | 49 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 0 | 5 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Hyundai Sonata have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
Engine: 6 of 23 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA rates it 19–22 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Hyundai Sonata?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 97V026000 · Mar 3, 1997
Defect: 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.