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1998 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 55 owner complaints about the 1998 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

82
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years78% below the Elantra median · #31 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints5513 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage73kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Hyundai Elantra 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
Power train130
Engine and engine cooling120
Air bags75
Fuel system, gasoline40
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Latches/locks/linkages30
Suspension30
Tires31
Visibility21
7 other systems102

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

0 recalls

1998 Hyundai Elantra recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1998 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

1998 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

1998 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1998 Hyundai Elantra side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Elantra owners report

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

CAR DOWNSHIFTS END ENGINE REVS. IF PUT INTO REVERSE, FORWARD TRANSMISSION CAN THEN USUALLY BE SELECTED. CAN PUT FOOT ON GAS AND ENGINE/TRANSMISSION WILL "IDLE/REV". *TR
Complaint 10245304 · Oct 13, 2008 · 62,000 miles
AFTER ENTERING A HIGHWAY MY ELANTRA CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY FROM 65 MPH AND THE ENGINE DIED. I LATER HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE SIDE I SWERVED INTO AND I'M SURE THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I HEARD A WOMAN COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION THAT…
Complaint 10187849 · Apr 14, 2007 · 65,000 miles
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1998 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS SPORADIC AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE VEHICLE WILL JERK TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP AS IF SOMEONE HAS PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT VARIOUS…
Complaint 10135255 · Sep 3, 2005 · 96,000 miles

Own a 1998 Elantra?

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