Owners have filed 75 complaints
about the 1998 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA between 1998 and 2008.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 31 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 — 10
Against the median year of the Hyundai Elantra. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 96
18.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 19
11% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 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.
Gasoline
1432.6%
Automatic Transmission
1023.3%
Frontal
614.0%
Latch
37.0%
Front
37.0%
Tank Assembly
37.0%
Tread/Belt
24.7%
Module
24.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
666.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
222.2%
NHTSA crash tests
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.
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1998 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR.
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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.
Sep 1998peak 8Oct 2008
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 95,000 milesAppling, GA1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO SETS OF FIRESTONE SUPREME TIRES FOR TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES. ALL EIGHT TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION, EACH OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. DEALER ONLY HONORED THE WARRANTY FOR THE FIRST SEVEN TIRES. THE LAST TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER'S CHILD. ON THE EIGHTH TIRE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE HAD TO SEND THE TIRE AND ALL CLAIM INFORMATION TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE, TO BE TREATED AS A PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM. FIRESTONE, SUPREME SI, P185/ 65 R14 855 M+S. CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT THE LEGAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE INTERVENED AND TOOK OVER THE CLAIM FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS BECAUSE OF THE CHILD INJURY , AND REJECTED THE CLAIM , STATING THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE. THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE TIRE MUST HAVE BEEN UNDER INFLATED, AND IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SERVICING OF THE TIRES, AND THAT TIRES PLUS WAS RESPONSIBLE. THE EIGHTH TIRE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE THIS INCIDENT BY A MANUFACTURER'S REPAIR AT TIRES PLUS. PREVIOUS PROBLEMS FOUND WITH FIRESTONE TIRES HAD CONSUMER FILE COMPLIANT 6365296 WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10127533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nitro, WVCrash
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
CONSUMER STATED REAR VIEW MIRROR POPPED OUT, HITTING THE CONSUMER, AND CAUSING A COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10033606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE APPLING BRAKES VEHICLE KEEP MOVING FOWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. PH
NHTSA complaint #10002067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Averill Park, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 15-20 MPH IMPACT, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #889087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS TRAVELING 35-40MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH STOP SIGN, AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THEN, ELANTRA REAR ENDED FIRST VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER RECEIVED EMERGENCY TREATMENT. VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #876175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopemills, NCCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY TRAVELING 75 MPH CONSUMER, ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT, APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY AND VEHICLE SWERVED, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE OTHER LANE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #860101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 62,000 milesMidland, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR DOWNSHIFTS END ENGINE REVS. IF PUT INTO REVERSE, FORWARD TRANSMISSION CAN THEN USUALLY BE SELECTED. CAN PUT FOOT ON GAS AND ENGINE/TRANSMISSION WILL "IDLE/REV".
NHTSA complaint #10245304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesTopeka, KS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
AFTER ENTERING A HIGHWAY MY ELANTRA CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY FROM 65 MPH AND THE ENGINE DIED. I LATER HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE SIDE I SWERVED INTO AND I'M SURE THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I HEARD A WOMAN COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION THAT HAPPENED TO HER TWICE TO A DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WHILE SHE WAS HAVING THE TRANSMISSION ON HER ELANTRA CHECKED OUT. I THINK THIS PROBLEM RESULTS FROM THERE BEING NO LOCK ON THE SHIFTER BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE. IT TAKES VERY LITTLE EFFORT TO POP THE SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL (LIKE A COAT SLEEVE) AND I THINK I TOUCHED IT WHILE REACHING FOR MY RADIO.THIS SENT THE ENGINE INTO VERY HIGH REVS WHICH CAUSED THE VACUUM SYSTEM TO FAIL AND THEN CAUSED THE POWER BRAKES TO FALL TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10187849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesCoama, PR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD PROBLEMS FILLING THE GAS TANK. WHEN HE TRIED TO FILL THE GAS TANK THE GAS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SPILL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS MECHANICS, EACH MECHANIC GAVE A DIFFERENT REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CORRECTING THE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10145112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1998 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS SPORADIC AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE VEHICLE WILL JERK TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP AS IF SOMEONE HAS PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND HAPPENS WHETHER OR NOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE AS IT FRIGHTENS ME TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH. I USE MY VEHICLE FREQUENTLY FOR MY EMPLOYMENT AND HAVE BEEN RENTING A VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS UNCOMMON AS IT APPEARS TO BE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON HYUNDAI (ACCENT)AND ELANTRAS WHERE THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THE SAME. I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY TO THE DRIVER OF THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, BUT ALSO TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND. I HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS DURING THE DOWNSHIFT, BUT LUCKILY NO ACCIDENTS. I HAVE READ ARTICLES WHERE THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AS MANY AS FOUR TIMES IN ONE YEAR AND STILL THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. AS YOU KNOW, TRUST WORTHY AUTO MECHANICS ARE A RARE BREED, AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GO THROUGH NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACEMENTS WHILE THEY TRY TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ANY INFORMATION AVAILABLE SEEMS TO COST AT LEAST $24.95 TO OBTAIN AND I STILL DON'T KNOW IF I AM GETTING THE INFORMATION I NEED. I KNOW THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HIDE THE DETAILS FROM CONSUMERS. THE LAST TIME I DROVE MY VEHICLE, I ARRIVED HOME IN TEARS, SHAKING FROM HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL SO TIGHTLY IN CASE IT DECIDED TO JERK TO A STOP. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10135255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesAppling, GA1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO SETS OF FIRESTONE SUPREME TIRES FOR TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES. ALL EIGHT TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION, EACH OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. DEALER ONLY HONORED THE WARRANTY FOR THE FIRST SEVEN TIRES. THE LAST TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER'S CHILD. ON THE EIGHTH TIRE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE HAD TO SEND THE TIRE AND ALL CLAIM INFORMATION TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE, TO BE TREATED AS A PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM. FIRESTONE, SUPREME SI, P185/ 65 R14 855 M+S. CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT THE LEGAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE INTERVENED AND TOOK OVER THE CLAIM FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS BECAUSE OF THE CHILD INJURY , AND REJECTED THE CLAIM , STATING THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE. THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE TIRE MUST HAVE BEEN UNDER INFLATED, AND IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SERVICING OF THE TIRES, AND THAT TIRES PLUS WAS RESPONSIBLE. THE EIGHTH TIRE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE THIS INCIDENT BY A MANUFACTURER'S REPAIR AT TIRES PLUS. PREVIOUS PROBLEMS FOUND WITH FIRESTONE TIRES HAD CONSUMER FILE COMPLIANT 6365296 WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10127533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesLeavittsburg, OH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LATCH INSIDE HAS BROKEN SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN TO EXIT CAR. I HAVE HAD THE HANDLE REPLACE 5 TIMES. WHEN WEATHER IS COLD, I CAN'T EXIT VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS FREEZE. I FEAR AN ACCIDENT MIGHT TRAP ME IN MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10109981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carriere, MS
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES ARE OF POOR CONSTRUCTION AND BREAK EASILY AND INHIBIT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES ONCE AND NEED TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10036956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nitro, WVCrash
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
CONSUMER STATED REAR VIEW MIRROR POPPED OUT, HITTING THE CONSUMER, AND CAUSING A COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10033606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesLevittown, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DIED AT 74,000 MILES. NO REVERSE, SLIPS OUT OF FIRST. 8JB
NHTSA complaint #10023235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesDrexel Hill, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 1998 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FAILED AT 72,000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10021019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesManasssas, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AFTER 77,000.00. THE CAR HESITATES OR GETS STUCK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LIED TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT HAD A 100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. IT TURNED OUT IT ONLY HAD A FIVE YEAR 60,000.00 MILE WARRANTY. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE APPLING BRAKES VEHICLE KEEP MOVING FOWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. PH
NHTSA complaint #10002067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Anne, IL
TIRES
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 63 MPH WHEN THE RUBBER STARTED PEELING AWAY FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT, THE RUBBER PEELED AWAY AND CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER AND SIDE MOLDING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *SCC (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #567283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8014941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED.TS
NHTSA complaint #8014950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loueyville, KY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO OPEN VEHICLE FROM OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #8008173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sparks, NV
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
OVERDRIVE WAS COMPLETELY GONE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT FOUR TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Opelika, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED 7 TIMES AT 20 - 40 MPH. NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. FELT LIKE BRAKES WERE APPLIED VERY HARD WHEN VEHICLE STALLED.
NHTSA complaint #893275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Averill Park, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 15-20 MPH IMPACT, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #889087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVERS INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. DRIVER HAD TO ROLL WINDOWN DOWN TO EXIT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #882507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #878094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS TRAVELING 35-40MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH STOP SIGN, AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THEN, ELANTRA REAR ENDED FIRST VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER RECEIVED EMERGENCY TREATMENT. VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #876175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR STALLS WHEN GOING BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH, HAPPENS PERIODICALLY.
NHTSA complaint #736823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ancram, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON, ENGINE ALMOST STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. STILL GET SLOW DOWNS IN ENGINE FROM TIME TO TIME. SECOND BIG PROBLEM WAS NOT BEING ABLE TO FILL GAS TANK. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT CAR. FIRST TIME 02/99.
NHTSA complaint #736631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ancram, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON, ENGINE ALMOST STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. STILL GET SLOW DOWNS IN ENGINE FROM TIME TO TIME. SECOND BIG PROBLEM WAS NOT BEING ABLE TO FILL GAS TANK. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT CAR. FIRST TIME 02/99.
NHTSA complaint #736631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
