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Model year record

1997 Hyundai Accent recalls & problems

The 1997 Hyundai Accent has 2 safety recalls and 55 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (17 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints55filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

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.

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

1997 Hyundai Accent 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot 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 (SOHC)

28mpg combined
City / highway24 / 33 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Accent (SOHC)

27mpg combined
City / highway23 / 33 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine17100—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)14000—
Air bagsFrontal; On-off switch assembly11604—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Starter assembly10010—
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Front › Macpherson strut7000—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5000—
Unknown or other3010—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly3010—
SteeringLinkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm2101—
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Recreational vehicle/trailer2000—
VisibilityWindshield; Sun/moon roof assembly2000—
Vehicle speed control1100—

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

Recent owner complaints

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