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1996 Hyundai AccentProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 101 owner complaints about the 1996 Hyundai Accent, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

43
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Accent median · #6 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10132 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage109kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 2, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Hyundai Accent has problems

101 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension241
Power train220
Air bags2116
Visibility90
Tires70
Structure70
Service brakes, hydraulic60
Seat belts52
Latches/locks/linkages50
8 other systems200

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1996 Hyundai Accent recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Control arm: lower arm

Recall 02V-341 · Dec 20, 2002 · 46,828 vehicles

Risk. SEVERE CORROSION COULD RESULT IN PERFORATION AND POTENTIAL FRACTURE OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Springs: coil springs

Recall 98V-245 · Oct 6, 1998 · 64,967 vehicles

Risk. IF THE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKS, IT CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROM ITS SEATED POSITION, AND CAN CONTACT A TIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: motor

Recall 97V-026 · Feb 26, 1997 · 74,965 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower arm

Recall 96V-113 · Jul 1, 1996 · 23,070 vehicles

Risk. THE SHIFTED LOCATION CAN RESULT IN IMPROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Accent year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Accent median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Hyundai Accent safety ratings

1996 Hyundai Accent 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Hyundai Accent, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATEDEA00001 · closed Mar 9, 2001
    No recall
  2. FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMPE02055 · closed Dec 20, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-341
  3. PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIESPE99046 · closed Jan 5, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Accent owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED, THE TIRE TURNED SIDEWAYS INTO THE FENDER AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE…
Complaint 10398467 · May 2, 2011 · 120,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE SUSPENSION SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED. HE WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND DROVE BACK INTO HIS DRIVEWAY. THE…
Complaint 10204199 · Sep 26, 2007 · 109,477 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL # 02V341000 FOR THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS REPLACED IN 2005 AND THE LEFT SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 8, 2006,…
Complaint 10164898 · Aug 8, 2006 · 73,000 miles

Own a 1996 Accent?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.