FaultScore report
Owners have filed 72 complaints about the 1998 Hyundai Accent with NHTSA between 1998 and 2014. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 26 of 28 worst.
FaultScore 38/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Hyundai Accent.
How this is worked out72
Complaints
8
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
52,500 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
6%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 50,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
5 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,510 mi
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Median failure at 40,510 miles
Median failure at 36,360 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Hyundai Accent 4-DR. | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FUEL TANK CRACKING
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD 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 COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the evaporative emission control systems may apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. Minor fuel tank distortion could 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 could notice a gasoline odor. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If it is cracked, a new fuel tank will be installed. A new fuel filler cap that decreases the amount of vacuum inside the fuel tank will also be installed.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #8008850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE, 1998. FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, ENGINE CHECK SENSOR WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A WHILE. SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC FOUND A PROBLEM AND FIXED IT AND TURNED OFF THE LIGHT; SOMETIMES HE TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR; SOMETIMES HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON. LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MAY 15, 2001, WHEN THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP B/C THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY'D REPLACED THE PULSE GENERATOR. THERE HAVE BEEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE PAST; SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY COINCIDED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM. AFTER 3 YEARS AND MANY VISITS TO THE MECHANIC FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M FACING THE END OF MY WARRANTY AND THE LATEST EXPLANATION FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM IS THAT THE SENSOR IS "TOUCHY." IGNORING THE LIGHT IN THE FUTURE IS AN UNACCEPTEABLE AND UNSAFE SOLUTION, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS AS "TOUCHY" AS IT IS "FAULTY."
NHTSA complaint #745773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE, 1998. FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, ENGINE CHECK SENSOR WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A WHILE. SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC FOUND A PROBLEM AND FIXED IT AND TURNED OFF THE LIGHT; SOMETIMES HE TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR; SOMETIMES HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON. LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MAY 15, 2001, WHEN THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP B/C THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY'D REPLACED THE PULSE GENERATOR. THERE HAVE BEEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE PAST; SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY COINCIDED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM. AFTER 3 YEARS AND MANY VISITS TO THE MECHANIC FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M FACING THE END OF MY WARRANTY AND THE LATEST EXPLANATION FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM IS THAT THE SENSOR IS "TOUCHY." IGNORING THE LIGHT IN THE FUTURE IS AN UNACCEPTEABLE AND UNSAFE SOLUTION, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS AS "TOUCHY" AS IT IS "FAULTY."
NHTSA complaint #745773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING AT 62 MPH ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT HAD HAZARD LIGHTS ON. CONSUMER TRIED TO GO AROUND, THERE WAS SNOW ON GROUND/NOT ON ROAD, BUT ON SIDE OF ROAD, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL, AND TWO OTHER GUARDRAILS ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD. NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK CONSUMER HIT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON.
NHTSA complaint #884728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING AND MAKING A SUDDEN STOP CONUSMER'S VEHICLE RUNNING INTO TAIL END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #881215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & LOST CONTROL. HIT A DITCH HEAD-N. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STOPPING. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #865628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON YOUR WEB SITE I FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR(FUEL TANK)IF MY MECHANIC FIX IT WILL THE MANUFACTURE REIMBURSE ME. IT IS A EMERGENCY BECAUSE IT LEAKS OUT NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10572585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE IN HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECT WAS ON RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNERS HAD THE RECALL ALREADY REPAIRED; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS BEFORE, THEN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED WITH A DEFECTED PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS BELOW 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #10223786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50-75 MPH) THE OVERDRIVE WOULD DISSENGAGE. IN TURRN THE RPM WOULD RAMP UP. THIS WOULD HAPPEN RANDOMLY. SOMTIMES PULLING OFF AND TURNING CAR OFF AND STARTING IT AGAIN TEMPORARILY FIXED PROBLEM. FINALLY, WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. HE FOUND THAT THE WIRING UNER THE STICK (AUTOMATIC) WERE BARE AND TOUCHING. HE FIXED THE WIRING AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. I HAVE NOTED MANY OTHER ENTRIES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10183909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50-75 MPH) THE OVERDRIVE WOULD DISSENGAGE. IN TURRN THE RPM WOULD RAMP UP. THIS WOULD HAPPEN RANDOMLY. SOMTIMES PULLING OFF AND TURNING CAR OFF AND STARTING IT AGAIN TEMPORARILY FIXED PROBLEM. FINALLY, WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. HE FOUND THAT THE WIRING UNER THE STICK (AUTOMATIC) WERE BARE AND TOUCHING. HE FIXED THE WIRING AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. I HAVE NOTED MANY OTHER ENTRIES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10183909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 50 MY RPM IS AROUND 4000 A FEW MONTHS LATER DECEMBER 2003 TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. NOW JANUARY 2005 RPM IS ACTING UP AGAIN, I HAD MY CAR CHECKED OUT AT THE GARAGE WHERE MY TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN AND THEY SEE NO PROBLEM WITH IT AT ALL, THEY THINK MAYBE IT IS ELECTRICAL???? DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS....I HATE CARS!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10107646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 50 MY RPM IS AROUND 4000 A FEW MONTHS LATER DECEMBER 2003 TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. NOW JANUARY 2005 RPM IS ACTING UP AGAIN, I HAD MY CAR CHECKED OUT AT THE GARAGE WHERE MY TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN AND THEY SEE NO PROBLEM WITH IT AT ALL, THEY THINK MAYBE IT IS ELECTRICAL???? DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS....I HATE CARS!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10107646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR SEAT BELTS DON'T EXTRACT. DRIVERS SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACE THREE TIMES, JUST REPLACED AND WITHIN A WEEK WAS DOING IT AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10107534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
A CRACK WAS PRODUCED IN THE FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FUEL FUMES SEEPED THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10095115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED, AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE FUEL FILTER CAP REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER CAP SINCE THERE WAS NO CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURE REFUSED TO COOPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10089293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND EACH TIME I WOULD STATE HOW THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR JERKS AND THEN IT RESUMES NORMALLY AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME ISSUE AND THEIR DEALERSHIPS ALL SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM AND IT HAD NEVER BEEN REPORTED BEFORE. NHTSA NEEDS TO GET ON THE CASE AND NOTIFY WHOMEVER NEEDS TO BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10064529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND I AM CONCERNED IF THIS CRACK WILL AFFECT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #10055037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE ACCELERATING THERE IS A LOUD BANGING NOISE LIKE THE VEHICLE IS BEING KICKED IN THE REAR, AND ENGINE IS STALLING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10029953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE CAN BE LEFT IN ANY POSITION AND IT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS.
NHTSA complaint #10026947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JERKED THEN CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. *AK *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10024350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE STARTER WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT BRAKES, OUTER TIE RODS AND THE ENGINE WERE ALL REPLACED. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE STARTER WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT BRAKES, OUTER TIE RODS AND THE ENGINE WERE ALL REPLACED. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE STARTER WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT BRAKES, OUTER TIE RODS AND THE ENGINE WERE ALL REPLACED. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE STARTER WAS REPLACED SIX TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT BRAKES, OUTER TIE RODS AND THE ENGINE WERE ALL REPLACED. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE GEARS WERE CHANGED, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10009017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETER STATING IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES IF A CRACK DEVELOPES IN FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES LIGHT WAS ON PRIOR TO RECEIVING LETTER. DEALER STATED THEY WERE CHARGING FOR HER FOR CHECKING THE ENGINE LIGHT. CONSUMER FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A RECALL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8020021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NHTSA RECALL 00V314001 FUEL TANK; EASTRIDGE AUTO PLEX IN CASPER WY., THE CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO MAKE 2 TRIPS, ONE TRIP FOR INSPECTING THE FUEL TANK AND IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT WHICH TIME IT WOULD BE ORDERED. THE OWNER WOULD HAVE TO RESCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. THE RECALL LETTER DOES NOT STATE THIS AS PROCEDURE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8019479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING WAS SMELLING GAS COMING FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CONSUMER VERY UPSET BECAUSE RECEIVED A FOLLOW-UP RECALL LETTER 00V314001 REGARDING LEAK IN FUEL TANK. CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED ORIGINAL RECALL LETTER.
NHTSA complaint #8018354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
PRIOR TO THE RECALL, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE FUEL FILTER CAP WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, CONSUMER STATED THAT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TESED THE SAME CODE WOULD APPEAR, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM IS HAVING TO DO WITH THE RECALL WHICH SEEMS THAT WHAT EVER THE DEALER IS DOING IS NOT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #564484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #8008850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
PRIOR TO THE RECALL, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE FUEL FILTER CAP WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, CONSUMER STATED THAT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TESED THE SAME CODE WOULD APPEAR, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM IS HAVING TO DO WITH THE RECALL WHICH SEEMS THAT WHAT EVER THE DEALER IS DOING IS NOT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #564484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.