Model year record

1996 Hyundai Elantra

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 138 owner complaints on file.

Hyundai Elantra, 1996–2000 generation
Pictured: the 1996–2000 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V095002

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected
7,111
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-21
Owners notified
2000-09-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V095001

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
84,020
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-28
Owners notified
2000-04-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V026000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
74,965
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-28

Defect description

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline16—
Power train: automatic transmission1570,000 mi
Air bags: frontal10—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly936,000 mi
Unknown or other7—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor6—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Structure: body: door3—
Air bags2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Fuel system, gasoline29,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission2—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2100,000 mi
Tires2—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting1—
Fuel system, other1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch177,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1154,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Structure1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Tires: valve198,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages198,500 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

SQ00003FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Other Hyundai Elantra model years

All Hyundai Elantra recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.