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1997 Hyundai AccentProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 55 owner complaints about the 1997 Hyundai Accent, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year34% below the Accent median · #18 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5513 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem15Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 13, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Hyundai Accent has problems

55 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
Engine and engine cooling151
Power train130
Air bags116
Suspension70
Electrical system61
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Fuel system, gasoline31
Visibility20
Equipment20
7 other systems82

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

2 recalls

1997 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

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 →

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

1997 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

1997 Hyundai Accent safety ratings

1997 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 1997 Hyundai Accent, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATEDEA00001 · closed Mar 9, 2001
    No recall
  2. PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIESPE99046 · closed Jan 5, 2000
    No recall
  3. FUEL TANK CRACKINGRQ00017 · closed Oct 20, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-095
In owners' words

What Accent owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING 55MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Complaint 899751 · Nov 30, 2001
ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, ALL FOUR WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN ONTO THE DOORS. WINDOWS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *AK
Complaint 864792 · Jul 5, 2000
WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER. DEALER HAS REPLACED STARTER/ COMPUTER AN D CRANKSHAFT, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Complaint 849419 · Sep 30, 1999

Own a 1997 Accent?

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