HyundaiSonata1992Overview/hyundai/sonata/1992/base/

1992 Hyundai Sonata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 Sonata.

The 1992 Hyundai Sonata is defined by an engine oil capacity of 4.2 qt and approved viscosities of 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-30 API. Across the model's recorded history from 1990 to 2026, this year generated 43 total owner complaints, predominantly involving Service Brakes, Hydraulic, and was subject to a single recall. While the model line reached a high of 3,368 complaints in 2011 and a low of 2 in 2026, the 1992 iteration's limited issue volume places it significantly nearer to the vehicle's historical minimum than its peak complaint years.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181992

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2703 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonata of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.9–10.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.90 sec — 1990 GLS V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1990GLS V6 3.0L V69.90 sec17.20 sec143 hpFWD
1989GLS 2.4L I-410.50 sec17.30 secFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Rack & Pinion Assembly (inspect)
Every 52,500 miFuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1992 Hyundai Sonata sits at a relatively stable point in the first generation’s federal record, with 43 complaints—down slightly from 1991’s peak of 45 but still elevated compared to the 31 complaints in 1993. Recalls and investigations remained minimal (one each), mirroring the preceding and following years, while technical service bulletins (TSBs) rose modestly to 13, suggesting ongoing refinement rather than acute defects. Complaint trends for the 1992 model cluster around hydraulic brakes, engine cooling, visibility, and seat belts, though the data doesn’t specify root causes. Compared to the sharp complaint spikes seen later in the generation (e.g., 1995’s 78 complaints), 1992 appears to be a middling year—neither the worst nor the most trouble-free. With no fire-related complaints and only one crash-related report, the year avoids the most severe safety flags. **Takeaway: The 1992 Sonata is a reasonable, if unremarkable, used buy within its generation, offering no red flags but requiring typical due diligence on brake and cooling system condition.**

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
13
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
43
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 43 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Visibility5
Seat Belts4
Suspension4
Power Train4
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Steering3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

93V196000Seat BeltsReported 29/11/1993

THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT CAN TRAVEL SLOWLY OR CHATTER IN THE TRACK AND MAY EVENTUALLY STOP TRACKING AND BECOME INOPERATIVE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL LUBRICATE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY AND, IF ANY SYSTEMS ARE FOUND INOPERATIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED, AS REQUIRED.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
23-BD-002H2023-01-30VisibilityThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
21-EM-003H2021-03-10Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain…
20-BR-002H2020-11-30Service BrakesThis bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear…
20-SS-004H2020-11-19WheelsThis bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize…
20-EE-003H2020-04-23EquipmentThis bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: •…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1992 Sonata take?

4.2 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SM, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Sonata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.