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FaultScore report

1993 Hyundai Elantra problems

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 1993 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 33 of 33 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Hyundai Elantra All 1993 cars
B

FaultScore 28/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Hyundai Elantra.

How this is worked out

The numbers

39

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 5 vs 50 Severity 66 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 5
Against the median year of the Hyundai Elantra. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 66
12.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1993 compares with every other Hyundai Elantra

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1993 Hyundai Elantra

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 8 20.5%

Median failure at 120,700 miles

Brakes 7 17.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain 5 12.8%

Median failure at 120,700 miles

Seat Belts 4 10.3%
Suspension 4 10.3%
Doors, Latches & Locks 3 7.7%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Electrical System 3 7.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Other & Unspecified 1 2.6%
Equipment & Accessories 1 2.6%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.6%
Lights 1 2.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.6%

Exactly what failed

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.

Engine 5 23.8%
Latch 3 14.3%
Rotor 3 14.3%
Warning Light/Devices 2 9.5%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 2 9.5%
Rear 2 9.5%
Buckle Assembly 2 9.5%
Automatic Transmission 2 9.5%

When owners complained

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.

Jan 1995 peak 6 Jul 2003

NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Hyundai Elantra

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.

1 investigation is still open.

SQ96017 Opened 22 Nov 1996 Still open STRUCTURE

REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE

ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CANADIAN RECALL.FURTHERMORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO EVALUATE HYUNDAI'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE THE UNITE STATES POPULATION.

PE95060 Opened 9 Dec 1995 Closed 21 Mar 1996 EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

SCISSOR JACK FAILURE

Recalls on the 1993 Hyundai Elantra

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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1996156 23,578 units in Canada

Suspension

THE BOLTS FASTENING THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM TO THE CHASSIS MAY FAIL. IF ONE OF THESE BOLTS FAIL, THE TRAILING ARM MAY BECOME DETACHED ON ONE SIDE, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO MOVE REARWARD OF ITS INTENDED POSITION. THIS COULD CHANGE THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED BOLTS ON BOTH MOUNTING POSITIONS OF THE TRAILING ARMS.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Miramar, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON,AND THERE WAS FIRE DROPPING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND POPPED HOOD UP, FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WIRES FROM THE STARTER BURNED, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #844833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bridgeport, CT Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

WHEN OPENED, THE HOOD FLEW UP AND BENT AND FLEW BACKWARD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND BREAKING IT.

NHTSA complaint #979679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bridgeport, CT Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

WHEN OPENED, THE HOOD FLEW UP AND BENT AND FLEW BACKWARD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND BREAKING IT.

NHTSA complaint #979679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Albans, WV 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CHILDS FINGER GOT CAUGHT IN THE HOLE ON THE MALE PART OF THE SEATBELT FLAT PLATE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Albans, WV 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CHILDS FINGER GOT CAUGHT IN THE HOLE ON THE MALE PART OF THE SEATBELT FLAT PLATE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 120,700 miles Fairfield, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN 5 TIMES IN A 3 MONTHS PERIOD. ALSO THE PULLEY AND BELT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE MONTH. IF THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY FOR MORE THAT 10 MINS THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OT.

NHTSA complaint #10029145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,700 miles Fairfield, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN 5 TIMES IN A 3 MONTHS PERIOD. ALSO THE PULLEY AND BELT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE MONTH. IF THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY FOR MORE THAT 10 MINS THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO OT.

NHTSA complaint #10029145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Augusta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING. SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY WEEK. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 5-6 TIMES FOR STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP & SOME OTHER PARTS. PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER FOUND RECALL 94V09, HOWEVER THIS RECALL IS FOR 1994 MODELS AND CONSUMER OWNS A 1993, CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER OF THIS RECALL AND THEY STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD STILL BE CHARGED FOR REPAIRS, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER STALLING STILL OCCURS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #890251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Augusta, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING. SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY WEEK. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 5-6 TIMES FOR STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP & SOME OTHER PARTS. PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER FOUND RECALL 94V09, HOWEVER THIS RECALL IS FOR 1994 MODELS AND CONSUMER OWNS A 1993, CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER OF THIS RECALL AND THEY STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD STILL BE CHARGED FOR REPAIRS, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER STALLING STILL OCCURS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #890251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Augusta, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING. SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY WEEK. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 5-6 TIMES FOR STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP & SOME OTHER PARTS. PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER FOUND RECALL 94V09, HOWEVER THIS RECALL IS FOR 1994 MODELS AND CONSUMER OWNS A 1993, CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER OF THIS RECALL AND THEY STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD STILL BE CHARGED FOR REPAIRS, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER STALLING STILL OCCURS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #890251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hampton, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING STEAM STARTED COMING FROM ENGINE DUE TO OVERHEATING. DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET.

NHTSA complaint #852190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Framinhgam, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

PROGRESSIVE DETERIORATION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. REPAIR EQUAL TO BOOK VALUE.

NHTSA complaint #713521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monroe, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT INDICATION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #850545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olmito, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BECAME DISABLED AS I WAS DRIVING ON HYWY. A/C BELT BROKE AT SAME TIME. CAR WOULD NOT OPERATE AND HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE TOW CAR HOME.TOOK CAR TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. AUTO REPAIR SERVICEMAN DID VISUAL CHECK, ATTEMPTED TO START ENGINE AND ENGINE TURNED OVER WEAKLY. SERVICEMAN REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO ENGINE COMPRESSION WHICH POINTED TO TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS. A KNOCKING SOUND INDICATED THAT AT TIME ENGINE FAILED THERE WAS DAMAGE TO VALVE(S). I INFORMED HIM THAT A BELT HAD BUSTED AND TO PLEASE LOOK INTO IT. HE DID AND HAD ME START ENGINE SO HE COULD VISUALLY CHECK CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. HE ADDED THAT IT TOO(CRANKSHAFT PULLEY) APPEARED TO BE VIBRATING AND NEEDED SERVICING. THE BUSTED BELT WAS THE A/C BELT. SERVICEMAN INFORMED ME THAT IN ORDER TO ASCERTAIN DEGREE OF DAMAGE THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN APART TO ACCESS HEADS AND VALVES. HE ESTIMATED REPAIRS WOULD RUN CLOSE TO $1,500. OR MORE. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER A MONTH AGO. THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS METICULOUS ABOUT KEEPING IT MAINTAINED AND PROVIDED ALL INVOICES OF WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. HE HAD JUST REPLACED TIMING CHAIN A YEAR AGO. HAVE NOT HAD WORK DONE AS I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS.

NHTSA complaint #710408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miramar, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON,AND THERE WAS FIRE DROPPING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND POPPED HOOD UP, FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WIRES FROM THE STARTER BURNED, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #844833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooksville, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE FAILED CAUSING BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND BOIL BRAKE FLUIDE. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL DUE TO HEAVY LOAD PUT ON IT BY BRAKES STAYING PARTIAL ENGAGED.

NHTSA complaint #709124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seymour, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #528663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES GRIND OR SQUEAL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #830886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A MALFUNCTION OCCURS WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS/TAIL LIGHTS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO SHORT CIRCUIT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #830899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seymour, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #528663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seymour, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND BELTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #528663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seymour, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #528663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seymour, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND BELTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #528663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seymour, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #528663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Attleboro, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE TIMES. (ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT).

NHTSA complaint #537284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Klamath, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

BALL JOINTS LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #528344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Klamath, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #528344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Klamath, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

STEERING STABILIZER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #528344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ankara,Turkey, UN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE ELANTRA THE OWNER IS MENTIONING HAS HAD MANY FAULTS (NOT SPECIFIED).

NHTSA complaint #520612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterbury, CT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH STARTED TO HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON ROAD. HAD IT REPLACED. THEN 2ND TRANSMISSION FAILED. MANUFACTURER SAID WILLNOT REPLACE DUE TO ODOMETER HAS OVER 60,000 MILES. DOES NOT KNOW CAUSE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #816144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.