MYRModel Year Report

1996 Hyundai Accent

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Hyundai Accent
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:55:35.946Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
101
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 2 complaints 1993: 1 complaint 1995: 142 complaints 1996: 101 complaints 1996 101 1997: 55 complaints 1998: 47 complaints 1999: 61 complaints 2000: 92 complaints 2001: 112 complaints 2001 2002: 134 complaints 2003: 37 complaints 2004: 33 complaints 2005: 49 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 88 complaints 2008: 101 complaints 2009: 101 complaints 2009 2010: 87 complaints 2011: 38 complaints 2012: 153 complaints 2013: 141 complaints 2013 2014: 79 complaints 2015: 70 complaints 2016: 103 complaints 2017: 68 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 12 complaints 2021: 16 complaints 2021 2022: 17 complaints
1991: 2 complaints 1991 1993: 1 complaint 1995: 142 complaints 1996: 101 complaints 1996 101 1997: 55 complaints 1998: 47 complaints 1999: 61 complaints 1999 2000: 92 complaints 2001: 112 complaints 2001 2002: 134 complaints 2003: 37 complaints 2003 2004: 33 complaints 2005: 49 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 88 complaints 2007 2008: 101 complaints 2009: 101 complaints 2009 2010: 87 complaints 2011: 38 complaints 2011 2012: 153 complaints 2013: 141 complaints 2013 2014: 79 complaints 2015: 70 complaints 2015 2016: 103 complaints 2017: 68 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2019 2020: 12 complaints 2021: 16 complaints 2021 2022: 17 complaints
1991: 2 complaints 1991 1993: 1 complaint 1995: 142 complaints 1996: 101 complaints 1996 101 1997: 55 complaints 1998: 47 complaints 1999: 61 complaints 1999 2000: 92 complaints 2001: 112 complaints 2001 2002: 134 complaints 2003: 37 complaints 2003 2004: 33 complaints 2005: 49 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 88 complaints 2007 2008: 101 complaints 2009: 101 complaints 2009 2010: 87 complaints 2011: 38 complaints 2011 2012: 153 complaints 2013: 141 complaints 2013 2014: 79 complaints 2015: 70 complaints 2015 2016: 103 complaints 2017: 68 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2019 2020: 12 complaints 2021: 16 complaints 2021 2022: 17 complaints

1996: 101 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19912
19931
1995142
1996101
199755
199847
199961
200092
2001112
2002134
200337
200433
200549
200643
200788
2008101
2009101
201087
201138
2012153
2013141
201479
201570
2016103
201768
201819
201930
202012
202116
202217

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

27% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing lower arm and coil springs.

CRASH

Power train

23% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Air bags

21% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Was in a car crash where the front end of my vehicle struck the drivers side of another vehicle. Was travling at aproximately 35MPH. No airbag deploy. Filed a claim with Hyundai and was told the airbags were not supposed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-23

Consumer was involved in an accident, and the air bags deployed, which resulted in serious injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-24

Dual airbags did not deploy during a rearend collision, rearended another vehicle; also, passenger side shoulder belt did not properly restrain occupant.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-24

Also filed under Seat belts

Visibility

12% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and motor.

Tires

7% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 101 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1996-08-03Suspension96V113000 Through contact with road hazards and curbs, the lower control arm assembly can shift from its original position.

    Remedy: Dealers will reinforce the lower control arm member assembly attachment to the underbody.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1997-04-28Visibility97V026000 The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1998-11-25Suspension98V245000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following "Salt belt" States: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a spring guide to prevent a broken coil spring from contacting and damaging a tire.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1999-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-01-05 Passenger air bag related fatalities
  6. I
    2000-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2001-03-09 Passenger air bag related
  7. I
    2002-07-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-12-20 Front suspension lower control arm
  8. R
    2003-06-10Suspension02V341000 On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and, if necessary, will replace one or both front lower control arms if structural damage has occurred. Owner notification will begin on June 10…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Hyundai Accent — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V113000 · Suspension
  • Recall 97V026000 · Visibility
  • Recall 98V245000 · Suspension
  • Recall 02V341000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Hyundai Accent reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Hyundai Accent is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Hyundai Accent?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Hyundai Accent have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.