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1994 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 76 owner complaints about the 1994 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

71
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years59% below the Elantra median · #29 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7637 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem31Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 10, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Hyundai Elantra has problems

76 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
Air bags3119
Electrical system161
Power train90
Engine and engine cooling81
Structure70
Service brakes, hydraulic52
Exterior lighting30
Steering32
Visibility30
9 other systems122

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

2 recalls

1994 Hyundai Elantra 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

Air bags: frontal

Recall 95V-101 · May 24, 1995 · 14,651 vehicles

Risk. AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MIGHT PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM ACTIVATING DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 94V-090 · May 11, 1994 · 600 vehicles

Risk. ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

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

1994 vs. every other Elantra 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 Elantra median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1994 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

1994 Hyundai Elantra 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Hyundai Elantra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SCISSOR JACK FAILUREPE95060 · closed Mar 21, 1996
    No recall
  2. REAR SUSPENSION FAILURESQ96017 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Elantra owners report

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

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH ON A DOWNWARD INCLINE AND WITH NO WARNING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, DISTRACTING CONSUMER'S VIEW, AND CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Complaint 8018297 · Sep 10, 2002
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER REPLACEMENT AND RECALL WORK, SYSTEM STILL FAILS. OWNER HAS OTHER ISSUES TO FURTHER DESCRIBE. TT
Complaint 977825 · Jan 19, 1996
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT 12:00 (FRONTAL) COLLISION AT 35MPH. TT CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THAT AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY UNDER 40-45 MPH.*JB
Complaint 972935 · Oct 4, 1995

Own a 1994 Elantra?

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