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1999 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

49 reports with mileage · 79 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

What owners actually said

128 reports
10,000 miles · Jul 5, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED AND SOME TIME POWER DOES NOT GET TRANMITTED TO WHEELS WHEN ACCELERTOR PADEL IS PRESSED. THIS BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS WHILE CHANGING LANES OR MERGING INTO HIGHWAYS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10080355

81,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Power Train

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SHIFT PROPERLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT HARD WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10068635

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

I PURCHASED A USED HYUNDAI ELANTRA (1999). DUE TO CREDIT ISSUES I UNDERSTAND SO HAD A VERY SLIM CHOICE OF VEHICLES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE I CHOSE HAD A "25 POINT INSPECTION" COMPLETED ON IT, AND IT IS IN "GREAT" SHAPE. WHEN I TOOK IT FOR TEST DRIVE I MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE BRAKES GRINDING, AGAIN I WAS REASSURED BY LU…

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I PURCHASED A USED HYUNDAI ELANTRA (1999). DUE TO CREDIT ISSUES I UNDERSTAND SO HAD A VERY SLIM CHOICE OF VEHICLES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE I CHOSE HAD A "25 POINT INSPECTION" COMPLETED ON IT, AND IT IS IN "GREAT" SHAPE. WHEN I TOOK IT FOR TEST DRIVE I MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE BRAKES GRINDING, AGAIN I WAS REASSURED BY LUVERT ALLEN THAT THIS "INSPECTION" HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ONCE I GOT HOME I NOTICED MORE PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE BRAKES PADS ARE JUST GRINDING ON METAL, AND IT SEEMS AS IF ONE OF THE AXLES IS READY TO BREAK. WHEN I CALLED BACK DAVE PHILLIPS CLAIMED I WAS HAVING "BUYERS REMORSE", AND THAT I "GOT WHAT I PAID FOR". ALTHOUGH THIS LEMON, IS PAST THE LEMON LAW STATUS YOU WOULD HOPE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BUSINESS ETHICS. NO ONE WAS WILLING TO HELP ME, WHEN I EXPRESSED MY SAFETY CONCERNS, DAVE PHILLIPS AGAIN SAID IT WAS "BUYERS REMORSE" AND I WAS "OVER REACTING". PERSONALLY WHEN IT HAS TO DO WITH VEHICLE SAFETY I CAN'T BELIEVE A CAR "PROFESSIONAL" WOULD SAY THAT A CUSTOMER WAS OVERREACTING WHEN EXPRESSING HER SAFETY CONCERNS IN THE VEHICLE HE SOLD HER. *JB I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 24 HRS. AS SOON AS I LEFT THAT LOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LUVERT ALLEN SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT IF THIS HAPPENS WE CAN TAKE IT BACK. THAT TOO WAS A LIE. SINCE WE DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT IS...HOW DID THEY PUT IT.."MY PROBLEM". I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET HELP THESE AND THEY REFUSE, WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS IS SO CARELESS WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT SOUTH TOWN RIVERDALE I GUESS MY QUESTION HAS BEEN ANSWERED.

NHTSA ODI #10063806

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY WENT OUT. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED WATER SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE WIRES, BUT COULD FIND NO CRACKS IN THE LIGHT COVERS. ALSO, ENGINE OIL AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DEALER MADE SOME REPAIRS, BUT THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO STAY ON. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10057408

100 miles · Jan 5, 2004
Power Train

I PURCHASE MY CAR A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, SEPT 0F 1999, SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR NOT ACCELERATING WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR DECELERATING WHILE DRIVING, I'VE CONTACTED HYUNDAI NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET HYUNDAI TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVE…

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I PURCHASE MY CAR A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, SEPT 0F 1999, SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR NOT ACCELERATING WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR DECELERATING WHILE DRIVING, I'VE CONTACTED HYUNDAI NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET HYUNDAI TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I'VE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 99V178000, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS RECALL, EVEN AFTER TELLING HYUNDAI MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING ALL THE PROBLEMS MENTION IN THIS RECALL, I INFORMED HYNUDAI THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PUTTING MY FAMILIES LIFE AT RISK, AND THIS PROBLEM IS NOW ACCURRING EVERY TIME I DRIVE. I DONE ALL THE THINGS HYUNDAI RECOMMENDED WHICH WAS HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH SO FAR I'VE HAD 2 DONE, AND GETTTING A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE .AFTER THE FIRST DIAGNOTIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER RESET ITSELF, SO THAT NOW NO PROBLEM SHOWS, AND THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT GO IN AND CHECK WITHOUT THE DIAGNOSTIC SHOWING A PROBLEM, I THINK THIS IS A DESPECTIVE PRACTICE SINCE THE COMPUTER RESETTING NOW HIDES ANY PRE-EXTISTING PROBLEMS. THIS SITUATION IS CAUSING ME A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF STRESS AND FEAR FOR MY FAMILY SAFETY AND I FEEL I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT IS NOW UNDRIVABLE AND THAT HYUNDAI IS PUTTING MY FAMILIES LIFE AT RISK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052395

45,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Power Train

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED REPEATEDLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050353

65,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FUELING, THE PUMP SHUTS OFF APPROXIMATELY EVERY FIFTY CENTS OF GASOLINE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT A REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK MUST BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TROUBLE PUMPING GAS. VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCING JERKI…

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WHEN FUELING, THE PUMP SHUTS OFF APPROXIMATELY EVERY FIFTY CENTS OF GASOLINE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT A REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK MUST BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TROUBLE PUMPING GAS. VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCING JERKING UPON ACCELERATION AS WELL AS FREQUENT STALLING. REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT FUEL TANK MUST BE REPLACED.*MR

NHTSA ODI #10047838

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10038607

35,681 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

NAR 9-8-03. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER . THE DEALER FIGURED THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE FUEL DELIVERY RELATED AND ASKED PERMISSION TO PURSUE A REMEDY. THE DEALER REMOVED THE FUEL TANK AND FLUSHED THE FUEL LINES AND INJECTORS AND REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. WHE…

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NAR 9-8-03. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER . THE DEALER FIGURED THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE FUEL DELIVERY RELATED AND ASKED PERMISSION TO PURSUE A REMEDY. THE DEALER REMOVED THE FUEL TANK AND FLUSHED THE FUEL LINES AND INJECTORS AND REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER IT OPERATED AS IT SHOULD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10039879

90,000 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFireInjury

WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONSUMER'S, AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022036

Official recalls

2

00V259001 · Electrical System:wiring

Sep 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

99V178000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jul 7, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, BRAKE, AND KICKDOWN SERVO, ALLOWING THEM TO SLIP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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