"How reliable is the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?"

"Based on 37 NHTSA complaints, the 1996 Hyundai Sonata has a median complaint mileage of 0 miles. The most common issue is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE."

"What are common problems with the 1996 Hyundai Sonata?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Hyundai Sonata is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, accounting for a significant portion of the 37 total complaints filed."

1996 Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 37 complaints

Total Complaints

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Top Issue

Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AIR BAGS

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN 65MPH AND TURNS CORNERS THE CAR STALLS. OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO START IT UP AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, AND THERE IS STILL STALLING. *AK"

"TRANSMISSION, BRAKE, ENGINE, AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28