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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
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

IN-SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES (ON 3RD TRANS); PAINT PEELING ON BUMPER (DEALER REFUSTED TO PAINT);CLEAR COAT CRACKED AND BUBBLED ON SPOILER & SIDE MIRROR (DEALER REPAINTED); NOTICED A/C DIDN'T WORK RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON (REASON FOR REPLACING ENGINE COIL, ETC. AND CONVERTER); INTERIOR DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE …

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IN-SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES (ON 3RD TRANS); PAINT PEELING ON BUMPER (DEALER REFUSTED TO PAINT);CLEAR COAT CRACKED AND BUBBLED ON SPOILER & SIDE MIRROR (DEALER REPAINTED); NOTICED A/C DIDN'T WORK RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON (REASON FOR REPLACING ENGINE COIL, ETC. AND CONVERTER); INTERIOR DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BROKE; DEALER ALWAYS FIGHTS GETTING US A LOANER/RENTAL CAR (BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE SINCE ITS OUR ONLY CAR NOW!); ALWAYS IN SHOP AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME EXCEPT WHEN THEY ARE PAYING FOR US A RENTAL; MANUFACTURER CONTACTED BY PHONE IN MAY 2001, BUT OFFERED NO HELP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745919

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Power Train

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO APPROACH A COMPLETE STOP TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO POP OR SLIP OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK VERY HARD AT TIMES. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS DECELERATING BETWEEN 20-15 MPH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745816

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION (I HIT THE BACK BUMPER OF A PICKUP TRUCK). ALTHOUGH NO DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE TRUCK, MY CAR ENDED UP WITH ALMOST $5,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. NEITHER MY AIR BAGS NOR SHOULDER RESTRAINTS WORKED. I ENDED UP HITTING MY FOREHEAD ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAUSING SOME MODERATE TO SEVERE NECK TRAUMA…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION (I HIT THE BACK BUMPER OF A PICKUP TRUCK). ALTHOUGH NO DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE TRUCK, MY CAR ENDED UP WITH ALMOST $5,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. NEITHER MY AIR BAGS NOR SHOULDER RESTRAINTS WORKED. I ENDED UP HITTING MY FOREHEAD ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAUSING SOME MODERATE TO SEVERE NECK TRAUMA. I REPORTED THE FAILURE TO HYUNDAI AND SEEM TO BE GETTING NO HELP. THEY INSIST THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I STILL CAN SIT IN MY CAR AND MOVE MY CHEST FORWARD AGAINST THE SHOULDER RESTRAINTS AS FAST AS I CAN AND NEVER HAVE THE EVEN SLOW ME DOWN. HOWEVER, IF I USE MY HAND TO MOVE THE STRAPS FORWARD, THEY LOCK UP IMMEDIATELY AS THEY SHOULD. I SPOKE AGAIN TO HYUNDAI (1-800-633-5151 FILE #[XXX]) AND THEY INSIST THAT IT IS NORMAL TO MOVE FORWARD LIKE MY RESTRAINTS DO. ALL I KNOW IS THAT MY SHOULDER RESTRAINTS DO NOTAND DID NOT MOVE FORWARD IN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN IN. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER AS I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT HAS PROVEN TO ME TO BE UNSAFE. I LOOK FORWARD TO ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #745782

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE SEVERLY PULLS TO RIGHT OR LEFT, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE BATTERY. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROUGH ACCELERATION, CUTTING OFF IN IDLE, SURGING…

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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE SEVERLY PULLS TO RIGHT OR LEFT, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE BATTERY. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROUGH ACCELERATION, CUTTING OFF IN IDLE, SURGING BACK AND FORWARD. BRAKES PULSING AND SQUEALING. LATER ON THE AIR SYSTEM STOPPED COMPLETELY DUE TO THE HEATER FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO BURNED SPARK PLUG WIRES. *YH

NHTSA ODI #888814

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE BATTERY. AFETERWARDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROUGH ACCELERATION, CUTTING OFF IN IDLE, SURGING BACK AND FORWARD. BRAKES P…

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE BATTERY. AFETERWARDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROUGH ACCELERATION, CUTTING OFF IN IDLE, SURGING BACK AND FORWARD. BRAKES PULSING AND SQUEALING. LATER ON, THE AIR SYSTEM STOPPED COMPLETELY DUE TO THE HEATER FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO BURNED SPARK PLUG WIRES. *YH

NHTSA ODI #888812

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Power Train

3RD FAILURE INVOLVING TRANSMISSION OR TRANSMISSION COMPONENT SINCE CAR PURCHASED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745473

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WANTING TO STALL AT TAKE OFFS. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FIXED. I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE CAMPAIGN # 00V259 FOR ALL 1999 ELANTRAS. MY CAR HOWEVER DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE QUICK FIX UNLESS I WANT TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS ALREAD…

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I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WANTING TO STALL AT TAKE OFFS. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FIXED. I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE CAMPAIGN # 00V259 FOR ALL 1999 ELANTRAS. MY CAR HOWEVER DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE QUICK FIX UNLESS I WANT TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS ALREADY AN ISSUE WITH THE 1999'S APPARENTLY HYUNDAI NEEDS TO GO BACK FARTHER THEN THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF JULY 1998. WHY MINE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE "ALL 1999 ELANTRA" CATAGORY IS BEYOND ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745198

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WELD IN EXHAUST PIPE CRACKED. EXHAUST IS SUPPORTED ONLY AT FRONT AND AT MUFFLER. NEEDS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744830

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD LEAKAGE 3 TIMES SINCE AUGUST OF 200 THAT HAS BEEN ATTENDED TO,,,,,,,ON THE DATE OF 3/7/01 IT WAS REPRTED TO THE DEALER ONCE AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS DOWN A PINT OF FLUISD AND TO WATCH IT......WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS TO SEE THE THING PERMANENTLY REPAIRED OR REPLACED,,,,I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS,,,…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD LEAKAGE 3 TIMES SINCE AUGUST OF 200 THAT HAS BEEN ATTENDED TO,,,,,,,ON THE DATE OF 3/7/01 IT WAS REPRTED TO THE DEALER ONCE AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS DOWN A PINT OF FLUISD AND TO WATCH IT......WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS TO SEE THE THING PERMANENTLY REPAIRED OR REPLACED,,,,I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS,,,THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #742115

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR AT 15MPH AND BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881294

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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