1990 Hyundai Sonata: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Hyundai Sonata: 3 recalls, 16 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #90V037000 · 1990 · 43,590 vehicles
What's wrong: The spring clamp tangs on the coolant bypass hose May contact and possibly damage the engine fuel supply hose.
Why it matters: Fuel could leak from the damaged hose into the engine compartment and could result in a fire.
The fix: Rotate spring clamp to prevent contact with fuel hose; replace damaged hoses.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #90V038000 · 1990 · 39,361 vehicles
What's wrong: Insufficient clearance could cause the safety catch on the secondary hood latch striker to bind.
Why it matters: If primary latch is released or if hood is not completely closed, hood could fly open while vehicle is in motion; this would block driver's vision and could result in an accident.
The fix: Replace hood latch striker assembly.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #93V196000 · 1993 · 100,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The motorized shoulder belt can travel slowly or chatter in the track and May eventually stop tracking and become inoperative.
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4).
- Seat belts (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Hyundai Sonata has 16 owner complaints, ranking #35 of 37 Sonata model years for complaints (well below the 435 average). Complaints peaked in 1995 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (29 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Hyundai Sonata.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Hyundai Sonata problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (7), seat belts (3), electrical (3).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Hyundai Sonata get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Hyundai Sonata repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.