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1998 Hyundai AccentProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 47 owner complaints about the 1998 Hyundai Accent, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

68
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years52% below the Accent median · #21 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints476 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage70kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 15, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Hyundai Accent has problems

47 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 cooling150
Fuel system, gasoline110
Power train80
Electrical system81
Air bags55
Steering31
Seat belts20
Fuel system, other20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
5 other systems50

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

1 recall

1998 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.

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

1998 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

1998 Hyundai Accent safety ratings

1998 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Hyundai Accent, and the recalls they led to.

  1. 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.

I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND EACH TIME I WOULD STATE HOW THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR JERKS AND THEN IT RESUMES NORMALLY AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME ISSUE AND THEIR…
Complaint 10064529 · Apr 4, 2004 · 73,000 miles
THE STARTER WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT BRAKES, OUTER TIE RODS AND THE ENGINE WERE ALL REPLACED. *TS *JB
Complaint 10011642 · Apr 4, 2003 · 40,510 miles
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETER STATING IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES IF A CRACK DEVELOPES IN FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES LIGHT WAS ON PRIOR TO RECEIVING LETTER. DEALER STATED THEY WERE CHARGING FOR HER FOR CHECKING THE ENGINE LIGHT. CONSUMER FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A RECALL. NLM
Complaint 8020021 · Oct 2, 2002

Own a 1998 Accent?

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