Owners have filed 179 complaints
about the 1995 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 21 of 33 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Hyundai Elantra. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30.2% 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 1995 compares with every other Hyundai Elantra
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.
Frontal
2331.5%
Automatic Transmission
1317.8%
Engine
1115.1%
Gasoline
79.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
56.8%
Rotor
56.8%
Foundation Components
56.8%
Catalytic Convertor
45.5%
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.
Apr 1995peak 20Feb 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 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.
SQ96017Opened 22 Nov 1996Still openSTRUCTURE
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.
PE95060Opened 9 Dec 1995Closed 21 Mar 1996EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
SCISSOR JACK FAILURE
Recalls on the 1995 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.
United States — NHTSA
95V101000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE FROM INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE.
Risk: AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MIGHT PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM ACTIVATING DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199615623,578 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.
Recall 1995143678 units in Canada
Airbag
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAGS. DEFECT: AFFECTED VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE A TERMINAL HOLDER FITTED TO THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE CONNECTOR WHICH CONNECTS THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY TO THE AIR BAG WIRING ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE WITHIN THE TERMINAL CONNECTION TO INCREASE OVER TIME AND CAUSE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG) WARNING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. CORRECTION: A TERMINAL HOLDER WILL BE INSTALLED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Gainesville, GACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN THE CASE OF AIR BAG, I WAS HIT BY A F350 PICKUP AT 40 MILES PH AND THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT CAME AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR THE RECALL. IN THE CASE OF THE GAS PROBLEM, THE SMELL OF GAS PERMIATES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WITH NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION. IN THE CASE OF THE WIRING FAILURE, IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST , WHICH WAS DONE BY RICK CASE MAZDA IN 1999.
NHTSA complaint #741000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
IN THE CASE OF AIR BAG, I WAS HIT BY A F350 PICKUP AT 40 MILES PH AND THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT CAME AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR THE RECALL. IN THE CASE OF THE GAS PROBLEM, THE SMELL OF GAS PERMIATES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WITH NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION. IN THE CASE OF THE WIRING FAILURE, IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST , WHICH WAS DONE BY RICK CASE MAZDA IN 1999.
NHTSA complaint #741000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richton Park, ILCrashFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND WITH NO PRIOR WARNING SAW FLAMES SHOOTING UP THOUGH THE HOOD AREA. CONSUMER PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND NOTIFIED THE POLICE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #865512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bastrop, LACrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELLING NORTH BOUND, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RAN OFF THE ROAD, AND STRUCK A TREE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #861179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bastrop, LACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELLING NORTH BOUND, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RAN OFF THE ROAD, AND STRUCK A TREE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #861179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THIS VEHICLE REAR ENDED A 9 TON TRUCK @ APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. TRUCK WENT UP AND OVER VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PREVIOUSLY THIS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED ON FREEWAY AT 45 MPH WITH A RED AIR BAG LIGHT BEING THE ONLY RESULT.
NHTSA complaint #721179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Winston-Salem, NC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
SEEKING ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE A CLAIM THAT WAS DENIED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. CLAIM INVOLVES REQUEST TO SEEK AID IN GETTING A CRACKED WINDSHIELD REPAIRED WHICH WAS A RESULT OF A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10057327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE TRAVELING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK PH
NHTSA complaint #10024143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesEaston, PA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE CLUTCH IN ORDER TO SHIFT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE OFF. I AM NOW UNABLE TO USE THE CLUTCH.
NHTSA complaint #10021385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONT END OF VEHICLE DROP TO THE GROUND VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BODY SHOP TECHNICIAN NOTICE AXLE AND CHASSI HAD BROKEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA complaint #8022240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dale City, VA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8009080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huston, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN A LITTLE TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE CAR DIDN?T GO ANYWHERE, CONSUMER LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL IMMEDIATELY AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO IDLE, HIT THE GAS AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY SHIFTED TO A FORWARD GEAR. CONSUMER REPLACED THE SECOND TRANSMISSION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #8005147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. DEALER REPLACED AIR BAG MODULE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8002791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wentville, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION IS LOSING SPEED AND REVS HIGHLY. IT JERKS BEFORE IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES BEFORE BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE THIRD TIME THAT TRANSMISSION NEES TO BE REPLACED. DEALERS AND OTHER MECHANICS HAVE NOT EXPLAINED REASONS FOR ONGOING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #899302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransico, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30-35 MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO LOCK UP AND SKID ACROSS THE STREET.
NHTSA complaint #898257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, WI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE REAR DOORS DO NOT WANT TO OPEN AND/OR UNLOCK AT TIMES. THEY STICK . TO GET OPEN (IF YOU CAN) YOU MUST PUSH IN AND LIFT UP. VERY UNSAFE WOULD NOT BEABLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE EITHER. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #752029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grove City, OH
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS STARTED. DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHY AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. DEALER WANTS TO START BY REPLACING AIR BAG PARTS UNTIL LIGHT GOES OFF (STARTING WITH THE $600 CHIP). DEALER CLAIMS RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THIS CAR IN JULY 1995. IN 1996, THIS VEHICLE WAS IN A "FENDER BENDER" BUT AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY THE AIR BAG SYSTEM SHOULD JUST FAIL OUT OF THE BLUE.
NHTSA complaint #751474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Tobacco, MD
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, CLUTCH PEDAL PEDAL BRACKET DISCONNECTED AND FELL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #893812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE DRAGS AND WHEN IT FINALLY GETS INTO GEAR IT THRUST FORWARD EXTREMELY FAST, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM REOCCURED 2 YEARS LATER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN, NOW LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
REAR AXLE BUSHING AND BOTH REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
REAR AXLE BUSHING AND BOTH REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Riley, KS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I CAN NOT SHIFT TO FIRST FROM SECOND,I HAV TO GO 3RD THEN GO TO FIRST/YOU CAN NOT DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN ,THE SMOKE GET INSIDE THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #744629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Riley, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I CAN NOT SHIFT TO FIRST FROM SECOND,I HAV TO GO 3RD THEN GO TO FIRST/YOU CAN NOT DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN ,THE SMOKE GET INSIDE THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #744629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, IN
TIRES
AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE, CONSUMER COULD SMELL A PAINT ODOR IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, THEN VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO RESTART. ALSO, AFTER DICONNECTING AIR HOSE AND RECONNECTING AIR HOSE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT, SIZE P175/65R14, CONSUMER WAS ONCE TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE, CONSUMER COULD SMELL A PAINT ODOR IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, THEN VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO RESTART. ALSO, AFTER DICONNECTING AIR HOSE AND RECONNECTING AIR HOSE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT, SIZE P175/65R14, CONSUMER WAS ONCE TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, IN
WHEELS:RIM
AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE, CONSUMER COULD SMELL A PAINT ODOR IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, THEN VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO RESTART. ALSO, AFTER DICONNECTING AIR HOSE AND RECONNECTING AIR HOSE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT, SIZE P175/65R14, CONSUMER WAS ONCE TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. DEALER RAN VEHICLE THROUGH A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND RAN CODE OUT WHICH TURNED OFF THE LIGHT. HOWEVER, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON LATER THAT DAY. DEALER DID NOT MENTION OF ANY RECALL ANNOUNCED.
NHTSA complaint #886356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN THE CASE OF AIR BAG, I WAS HIT BY A F350 PICKUP AT 40 MILES PH AND THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT CAME AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR THE RECALL. IN THE CASE OF THE GAS PROBLEM, THE SMELL OF GAS PERMIATES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WITH NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION. IN THE CASE OF THE WIRING FAILURE, IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST , WHICH WAS DONE BY RICK CASE MAZDA IN 1999.
NHTSA complaint #741000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
IN THE CASE OF AIR BAG, I WAS HIT BY A F350 PICKUP AT 40 MILES PH AND THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT CAME AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR THE RECALL. IN THE CASE OF THE GAS PROBLEM, THE SMELL OF GAS PERMIATES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WITH NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION. IN THE CASE OF THE WIRING FAILURE, IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST , WHICH WAS DONE BY RICK CASE MAZDA IN 1999.
NHTSA complaint #741000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granville, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE GAS GAUGE HAS NEVER WORKED, IT ONLY READ WHEN THE TANK IS 1/4 FULL, OTHERWISE IT READS EMPTY.
NHTSA complaint #556917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granville, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING ALONG, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHES.
NHTSA complaint #556917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.