1999 Hyundai Sonata GLS
KMHWF35V5XA054022
Vehicle history report for the 1999 Hyundai Sonata GLS (VIN KMHWF35V5XA054022). Burgundy. 174,316 mi reported. Registered in Or. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1999 Hyundai Sonata data →
MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1999 Hyundai Sonata.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1999 Hyundai Sonata costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN KMHWF35V5XA054022
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 4
SUSPENSION
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. RO…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLA
NHTSA Campaign #09V124000 · 16/04/2009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA Campaign #00V259001 · 11/09/2000AIR BAGS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZ
NHTSA Campaign #01V347000 · 06/11/2001AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG D…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WI
NHTSA Campaign #02V105000 · 09/04/2002We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Hyundai Sonata, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash 🚑 3 reported injuries
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 135
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1999 Hyundai Sonata.
STEERING,SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON JAN 30TH, 2015 AND THE CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, SAT THE 31ST, I JACKED UP THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHY THE CAR STEERED TO THE RIGHT. I FOUND THE LOWER WHEEL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE FRAME HAD COME LOOSE. THAT WAS BECAUSE THE FRAME HAD THREE OF FOUR SIDES RUSTED THRU. THE CONDITION COULD HAVE C…
NHTSA ODI #10680767STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
AFTER REMOVING THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL I NOTICED THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT SEVERELY RUSTED, & THE SUB FRAME CRACKED READY TO BREAK. I KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY NEBRASKA ALONG WITH OTHER STATES WERE NOT INCLUDED. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER, & DRIVEN VERY LITTLE IN SALT/ SNOW CONDITIONS. SHE PURCHASED @ APPROX. 80…
NHTSA ODI #10575446AIR BAGS
L WAS STOPPED ON TRAFFIC ON HIGH WAY ,AND SOME ONE, HIT ME ON THE BACK ,THE GUY WAS SO FAST PROBLEM MORE THAN 75 MPH ,THAN MY CAR FLOAT 20 FOOT ,AND HIT THE CAR ON MY FRONT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR OPEN , SO THE QUESTION IS HYUNDAI SONATA 1999 USUALLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM , ???? *TR
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10558957STRUCTURE
THE SUB FRAME/K FRAME ON MY 99 HYUNDAI SONATA RUSTED OUT CAUSING MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE TO FACE OUTWARDS ALMOST COMING OFF AND DAMAGING MY LEFT CONTROL ARM. I HEARD A LOUD POP AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS THEN REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COCKED AT 180. I HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME WHICH WAS LUCKILY ONLY 2 MINUTES DOWN THE …
NHTSA ODI #10552133SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
I WAS PULLING IN A SHOPPING CENTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND GOT OUT OF CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS CAVED IN, HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC, HE SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549738SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE HEARD NOISES AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS MISALIGNED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL PULLING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THERE WERE ALSO HOLES NEXT TO THE BOLTS THAT …
NHTSA ODI #10487546SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENS…
NHTSA ODI #10459660STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,TIRES
I PURCHASED MY 1999 SONATA FROM A USED CAR DEALER & HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, ITS BEEN A NIGHTMARE, ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER!!!! THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT HAD SEVERELY MELTED, ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ABS/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON, & HAVE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THE HALF SHAFT ON BOTH DRIVERS/PASSE…
NHTSA ODI #10439345+ 127 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN KMHWF35V5XA054022 valid?
KMHWF35V5XA054022 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in South Korea. It decodes to the 1999 Hyundai Sonata.
Does the 1999 Hyundai Sonata have any open safety recalls?
Yes — 4 open NHTSA safety recalls are on record for the 1999 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are carried out free by any franchised dealer; see the recall details above.
What fuel economy does the 1999 Hyundai Sonata get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 1999 Hyundai Sonata at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway).
Data last checked 28 Sep 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.