Model year record

1996 Hyundai Elantra recalls & problems

The 1996 Hyundai Elantra has 3 safety recalls and 100 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (23 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints100filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJul 21, 2000

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 00V0950027,111 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

Fuel system, gasolineMar 28, 2000

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 00V09500184,020 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

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

1996 Hyundai Elantra 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

Elantra

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Elantra Wagon

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Elantra

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Elantra Wagon

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Emission control	23	0	2	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	20	2	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; Wiring › Front underhood	18	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Windshield wiper/washer	14	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	14	7	0	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Carburetor system	13	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	7	0	1	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members	5	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Master cylinder	5	2	0	0	—
TiresValve	3	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	2	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Turn signal › Flasher unit	2	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Tires › Valve
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VALVE STEMS ON THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY FAIL AND CAUSE THE TIRES TO FLATTEN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VALVE STEM FAILED AND FLATTENED THE TIRE. ON MAY 22, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VALVE STEM FAILED AGAIN, THE TIRE LOST AIR, AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TIRES, THEY WERE FINE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE VALVE STEM. THE STORE FROM WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED STATED THAT THE RIM WAS BENT AND THE TIRE WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY. FOUR VALVE STEMS WERE LOST IN FIVE WEEKS. THE CONTACT WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, ONLY THE VALVE STEMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Apr 29, 2008 · 98,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM - LOCATION POINT THAT CONNECTS TO THE LINKAGE STRIPPED CAUSING IT IN WET WEATHER TO SEND THE WIPERS TO GO COMPLETELY GO OUT PASS THE END OF WINDSHIELD. *TR
Mar 31, 2008 · 98,500 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. FOUR YEARS LATER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). TWO YEARS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR GASOLINE POISONING. AFTER BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL, SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HER FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL IN 2004. SHE…
May 16, 1998 · 36,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND WINDOW HANDLE(MANUAL WINDOWS) BROKE. THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL USAGE--JUST NORMAL WEAR. HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR PLASTIC HANDLES ARE POORLY MADE. WHAT IF I HAVE TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY???*AK
Sep 1, 2004 · 77,500 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00V09002 CONCERNING FUEL TANKS, BUT NEVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. SIX MONTHS LATER CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE ALREADY. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT RECALL REPAIRS WAS NEVER PERFORMED BECAUSE HE NEVER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
Apr 20, 2004
Air bags › Frontal
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR COLLISION. *LA THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. *JB
Feb 24, 2004
Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH VEHICLE SHOOK HEAVILY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. DEALER INDICATED ONE OF THE SCREWS WHICH HELD THE STRUT FELL OFF. *AK
Jan 13, 2004 · 100,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CUT OFF. IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO RESTART VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Dec 26, 2003 · 70,000 miles

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

FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36OpenLed to recall 00V095001
There is no summary currently available
SQ00003 · opened Feb 2, 2000
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREClosedLed to recall 97V026000
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 14, 1997, HYUNDAI STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 HYUNDAI VEHICLES (CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-97 ELANTRA, ACCENT, SONATA AND TIBURON MODELS BUILT THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 1996 -- SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 97V-026 FOR DETAILS) WILL BE RECALLED FOR A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.HYUNDAI STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY NOT OPERATE IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF THE MOTOR'S CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WITH SOLDERING FLUX DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS.HYUNDAI WILL REMEDY THE DEFECT BY CLEANING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS TO REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS.
PE97002 · opened Jan 17, 1997 · closed Feb 27, 1997