1998 Hyundai Sonata problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Hyundai Sonata sits mid-pack among Sonata years: 68 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 206, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (13), transmission (12), and visibility & wipers (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Sonata years?

Sonata NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Fuel System	13	19%	▼ down
Transmission	12	18%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	10	15%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	7	10%	▲ up
Airbags	6	9%	▼ down
Engine	4	6%	▼ down
Electrical System	4	6%	— flat
Brakes	3	4%	▲ up
Other	2	3%	▼ down
Steering	2	3%	▲ up
Body & Structure	2	3%	— flat
Seats	1	1%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	1%	▼ down
Lighting	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 1998 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V314001Fuel SystemOctober 2, 2000 · 66,086 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF IT IS CRACKED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP THAT DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 SONATA FUEL TANKS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CRACKING. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, THE CAUSE FOR THE CRACKING HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AFTER HYUNDAI HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE AND CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TRANSMISSION BOTH TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. 1ST TIME UNDER WARRANTY, THIS TIME IT'S NOT AND APPARENTLY IT IS OKAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER BEING REPLACED, BRAKES WERE SERVICED AND FIXED, WINDOWS FIXED NOT UNDER WARRANTY,ALSO MY GAS COVER BECAME LOOSE & FELL OFF WHILE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 17, 1999

“WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN, WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNIG, THE TRANMISSION DROPS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO GO FORWARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD GO IN REVERSE. ALSO, BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND WHEN CONSUMER LETS HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKES THERE IS A SQEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. IN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 12, 1999

“DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE. CALLER HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO GET THE DOOR OPENED. FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE HANDLE HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK IN IT, AND NOW THE HANDLE HAD 4 CRACKS. IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO OPEN THE LATCH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURERR HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. ALSO CALLER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 8, 2005

“DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE. CALLER HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO GET THE DOOR OPENED. FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE HANDLE HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK IN IT, AND NOW THE HANDLE HAD 4 CRACKS. IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO OPEN THE LATCH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURERR HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. ALSO CALLER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · January 8, 2005

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 15 MPH, DRIVER IN FRONT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS REALLY FOGGY OUTSIDE, AND CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE BRAKES, AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE'S BUMPER, AND AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER FELT THAT AIRBAGS SHOULDN'T HAVE DEPLOYED. DLR SAID AN AIRBAG SPECIALIST WOULD…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 28, 2000 · crash

1998 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 1998 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 68 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sonata year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 Sonata problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (13 complaints), transmission (12 complaints), visibility & wipers (10 complaints).

Does the 1998 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000. The cleanest record among Sonata years belongs to 1988.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

How does 1998 compare to other Sonata years?

What are the most common 1998 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Does the 1998 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 1998 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

What are the most common 1998 Sonata problems?

Does the 1998 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

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