Model year record

1996 Hyundai Accent recalls & problems

The 1996 Hyundai Accent has 4 safety recalls and 101 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (27 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints101filed by owners

Crashes · fires17 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths14 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionDec 20, 2002

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 02V34100046,828 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. DURING WINTER MONTHS, LARGE QUANTITIES OF SALT ARE USED TO DE-ICE ROADS. THIS ROAD SALT COULD RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
Risk: SEVERE CORROSION COULD RESULT IN PERFORATION AND POTENTIAL FRACTURE OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. IF THIS FRACTURE OCCURS, THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY REMAINS CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS THROUGH THE FORWARD LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT POINT AND THROUGH THE STRUT ATTACHMENT TO THE UPPER WHEELHOUSE. REDUCED CONTROL OF THE FRONT WHEEL LOCATION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

SuspensionOct 6, 1998

Front › Springs › Coil springs

Recall 98V24500064,967 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. DURING WINTER MONTHS, THE ROAD SALT USED TO DE-ICE ROADS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION THAT CAUSES PITS TO FORM ON THE LOWER COIL OF THE FRONT SPRINGS ALLOWING CRACKS TO DEVELOP. THIS CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE LOWER SPRING COIL.
Risk: IF THE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKS, IT CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROM ITS SEATED POSITION, AND CAN CONTACT A TIRE. TIRE DAMAGE CAN RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING GUIDE TO PREVENT A BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING AND DAMAGING A TIRE.

VisibilityFeb 26, 1997

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 97V02600074,965 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Risk: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

SuspensionJul 1, 1996

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 96V11300023,070 vehicles

Problem: THROUGH CONTACT WITH ROAD HAZARDS AND CURBS, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN SHIFT FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION.
Risk: THE SHIFTED LOCATION CAN RESULT IN IMPROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MEMBER ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE UNDERBODY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1996 Hyundai Accent 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Accent

28mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Accent

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Accent

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Accent (Sporty)

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Accent

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Accent (Sporty)

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm; Front	27	1	0	0	109,263 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	25	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	22	15	2	13	—
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	12	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	7	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Pedals and linkages	7	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body	7	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Front › Retractor	5	2	0	3	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	5	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	5	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Tail lights	4	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Starter assembly	4	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension › Front
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED, THE TIRE TURNED SIDEWAYS INTO THE FENDER AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED RECALL 02V341000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Apr 27, 2011 · 120,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE SUSPENSION SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED. HE WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND DROVE BACK INTO HIS DRIVEWAY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V341000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD REPLACE SOME OF THE PARTS AND WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,477. UPDATED 03/06/08. *LJ
Sep 24, 2007 · 109,477 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL # 02V341000 FOR THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS REPLACED IN 2005 AND THE LEFT SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 8, 2006, AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER AND SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO RECALL IN THE COMPANY DATABASE. THE CONTACT SHOWED THE SERVICE DEALER A COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER.
Jul 31, 2006 · 73,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED FOR OTHER RECALLS, UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND UPPER MOUNTING BRACKETS WERE CRACKED. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 98V245000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 1999 HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
Feb 27, 2006 · 98,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm
THERE WAS A RECALL ON A 96 HYUNDAI ACCENT, RECEIVED LETTER IN MAIL ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, TOOK CAR TO REPAIR CENTER AT THAT TIME TECH SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON JAN 30,2006 WAS DRIVING CAR AND FRONT CONTROL ARM SNAPPED PERTAINING TO THE RECALL THAT WAS DONE. CALLED HYUNDAI CORP WAS JUST TOLD TO WAIT FOR PAPER WORK AND INVESTIGATION EVEN THOUGH IF I WERE GOING AT A HIGH SPEED THE POLICE OFFICER SAID THE CAR COULD HAVE FLIPPED AND CAUSED MORE DAMAGE. I HOLD HYUNDAI CORP LIABLE FOR NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY DID THE RECALL, IT SEEM TO ME LIKE THEY WERE MORE WORRIED AT OFFERING ME MORE SERVICES AT FEE THEN ACTUALLY FIXING THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME I WAS A THE SHOP. IF THEY DON'T ACT WITHIN…
Jan 29, 2006
Power train › Manual transmission
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR, 4TH GEAR, OR REVERSE. (INTO ANY OF THE DOWN SHIFTING POSITIONS) THERE SEEMS TO BE NO PATTERN TO PREDICT WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL APPEAR. I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ON SURFACE STREETS, FREEWAYS, AND WHEN JUST STARTING THE CAR OR MID TRIP. *JB
Jan 9, 2005 · 74,500 miles
Steering
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THIS WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE SALT USED ON ROADS DURING WINTER.
Mar 15, 2003 · 26,000 miles
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
WAS IN A CAR CRASH WHERE THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WAS TRAVLING AT APROXIMATELY 35MPH. NO AIRBAG DEPLOY. FILED A CLAIM WITH HYUNDAI AND WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY. THEN SOLD THE CAR TO A FRIEND OF MINE. SHE THEN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND APROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, SHE WAS T-BONED IN THE SAME VEHICLE. THE JAWS OF LIFE WERE NEEDED TO GET HER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. NO AIRBAG DEPLOY. *LA
Dec 12, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMClosedLed to recall 02V341000
ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2002 HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC. (HYUNDAI) SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 47,000 1995 AND 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH AN INTERIOR PARTITION WALL.THE PARTITION WALL RESTRICTS THE COVERAGE OF PAINT TO THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE CONTROL ARM.WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT USE ROAD SALT FOR DE-ICING, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CORRODE OVER TIME.THIS CORROSION CAN LEAD TO PERFORATION AND CAN POSSIBLY FRACTURE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PIVOT POINTS OF THE ARM.SUCH A FRACTURE LIMITS THE FRONT SUSPENSION'S ABILITY TO CONTROL FRONT TO BACK MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL.UNDER BRAKING, THE FRONT WHEEL CAN CONTACT THE WHEELHOUSE.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN SALT BELT STATES.VEHICLES WILL BE…
PE02055 · opened Jul 2, 2002 · closed Dec 20, 2002
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATEDClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA00001 · opened Jan 5, 2000 · closed Mar 9, 2001
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIESClosed
ODI IS AWARE OF SEVEN FATALITIES OF CHILDREN (EXCLUDING CHILDREN IN REAR FACING CHILD SAFETY SEATS)THAT WERE CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN MINOR OR MODERATE SEVERITY CRASHES INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES.TWO OF THE SEVEN FATALITIES OCCURRED IN PUERTO RICO.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FORFURTHER INVESTIGATION.
PE99046 · opened Jul 7, 1999 · closed Jan 5, 2000