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1996 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 100 owner complaints about the 1996 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

73
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years64% below the Elantra median · #30 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10016 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem20Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 26, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Hyundai Elantra has problems

100 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 cooling202
Power train202
Air bags147
Electrical system140
Visibility130
Fuel system, gasoline120
Service brakes, hydraulic52
Structure50
Tires30
10 other systems161

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

3 recalls

1996 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

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

1996 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

1996 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

1996 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 1996 Hyundai Elantra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE97002 · closed Feb 27, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-026
  2. FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36SQ00003 · still open
    Led to recall 00V-095
In owners' words

What Elantra owners report

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

WHENEVER DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD DIE OUT. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS 5 TIMES. EACH TIME MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. CHECKED COILS/AIR/ OIL FILTERS/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND FUEL SYSTEM. NOTHING RESOLVED STALLING. *AK
Complaint 878314 · Jan 17, 2001
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. HOT/COLD TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED TO WORK. ALSO, WHENEVER TRYING TO START VEHICLE, IT WOULD FAIL TO CATCH RIGHT AWAY. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT. *AK
Complaint 860174 · Apr 12, 2000
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TRYING TO PULL OUT, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF. UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND CUTTING OFF THE HEAT/RADIO AND EVERYTHING, AND WAITING TO START THE VEHICLE UP AGAIN. THE VEHICLE DID'NT GIVE ANY PRIOR WARNING.*AK
Complaint 830492 · Nov 10, 1998

Own a 1996 Elantra?

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