1998 Hyundai Sonata Fuel System Problems
10 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Fuel System Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Fix: 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.
Owner Complaints (10)
Your gas tank has developed cracks that kept reappearing even after you replaced it with a used tank from an older model — the new tank started leaking within 3 months in the same area. When you discovered a recall for this issue and brought it to the dealer, they refused to fix it under warranty, claiming they'd already added a check valve in 2006 to prevent this problem. Despite appeals to Hyundai's regional and national offices, the recall was denied, leaving you with a leaking and potentially dangerous fuel tank. The fix will likely require either a proper fuel tank replacement or a complete fuel system inspection to identify and repair the source of the cracks.
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Your car is leaking gasoline from the fuel tank, which you may notice as wet spots under the vehicle and a strong gas smell. The tank has cracked on the driver's side, and previous repair attempts using epoxy patches, tank replacement, and welding have all failed to stop the leak. Fixing this will likely require a complete fuel tank replacement with a new OEM part and inspection of related fuel lines and connections.
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You noticed a gas smell and discovered a leak coming from your fuel tank. The dealer identified a hole in the tank and found a recall (#00V314001) for fuel tank issues on your model, but refused to repair it because your vehicle wasn't included in that specific recall. You believe the tank should be replaced under the recall anyway. Fixing this will likely involve removing and replacing the fuel tank assembly.
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Your fuel tank has developed a crack. A recall was issued for this make, model, and year due to this issue, but your specific vehicle wasn't included in the recall based on its VIN. A cracked fuel tank can leak gasoline and create a safety hazard. Repairing this will likely require fuel tank replacement or a professional fuel system repair.
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A CRACK ON THE GAS TANK. ALSO, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.*AK
WE HAD GOTTEN THE RECALL LETTER FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE GAS TANK ON THE VEHICLE WE WERE TOLD IT HAD A CRACK IN IT AT THE TIME WE TOOK IT FOR THE FIRST RECALL LETTER FOR THIS VEHICLE,WE CAN ONLY FILL THE FUEL TANK TO 3/4 HASH MARK AND BELOW THAT PIONT IN ORDER NOT TO LEAK.
FUEL PUMP LEAKED FUEL INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO SEIZE. *AK
FUEL PUMP LEAKED FUEL INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO SEIZE. *AK
THE VEHICLE IS BEING RECALLED FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM, 00V-314, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SINCE HE LIVES IN PR THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE RECALL SERVICE ON THE ISLAND. NLM
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 1999. ON 2/26/99 I SENT THE VEHICLE TO JIM CLICK (520-292-3790) TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED BECAUSE OF GASOLINE LEAKING. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A CRACKED FUEL TANK. ON 11/29/99 TOOK THE CAR BACK TO JIM CLICK BECAUSE GAS WAS LEAKING OUT. THEY DETERMINED AGAIN THAT THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED. ON 7/15/00 ONCE AGAIN, GAS IN LEAKING AND MAKING A PUDDLE. TOOK IT TO JIM CLICK AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY CAN PUT ANOTHER GAS TANK ON THE CAR BUT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK