Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (28% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Air Bags complaints here are 3.3× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 119 · 28% | Recalled | Recall 08V161000 |
| Visibility | 67 · 15.8% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 48 · 11.3% | Investigation closed | DP22003 |
| Electrical System | 30 · 7.1% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 30 · 7.1% | No official action | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 30 · 7.1% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 425 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 08V161000 · 2008 · reported 04/10/2008
MISCLASSIFICATION OF A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · 2013 · reported 04/01/2013
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08E021000 · 2008 · reported 03/07/2008
IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V354000 · 2013 · reported 08/12/2013
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY WITH OR WITHOUT THE…”NHTSA complaint 10418191 — filed 08/09/2011 · AIR BAGS
“2008 HYUNDAI SONATA RED AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. PROBLEM BEGAN ON 11/28/10 AT APPROX. 61000 RECORDED…”NHTSA complaint 10392549 — filed 03/22/2011 · AIR BAGS
“THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REMAINS OFF EVEN WHEN OCCUPIED BY MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (115LBS) AND WIFE (125LBS). HYUNDAI INITIALLY CLAIMED THE SEAT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10377608 — filed 01/17/2011 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 119 of 425 NHTSA complaints (28%), followed by visibility (67), engine (48), electrical system (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
425 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08V161000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
