1997 Hyundai Accent

▲ Better than typical

1997 Hyundai Accent
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:54:25.121Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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 PER YEAR

1997: 55 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1991	2
1993	1
1995	142
1996	101
1997	55
1998	47
1999	61
2000	92
2001	112
2002	134
2003	37
2004	33
2005	49
2006	43
2007	88
2008	101
2009	101
2010	87
2011	37
2012	152
2013	140
2014	78
2015	69
2016	99
2017	67
2018	19
2019	29
2020	12
2021	16
2022	16

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. ALSO, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GUIDING ARM WAS VERY WEAK. THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20041130

CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN HE REAR ENDED A PONTIAC. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SLOWLY INFLATED. THE BLOCK DID NOT MOVE PROPERLY, IT WAS STUCK ON THE LEFT SIDE, ALLOWING THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI report, 19981106

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 3 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970428 — visibility

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.

Campaign 97V026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981125 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING GUIDE TO PREVENT A BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING AND DAMAGING A TIRE.

Campaign 98V245000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990707 — PE (closed 20000105)

PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIES

I 20000105 — EA (closed 20010309)

PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED

I 20000916 — RQ (closed 20001020)

FUEL TANK CRACKING

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Hyundai Accent — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (6 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (4 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 97V026000 (visibility) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V245000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ▲ 2011 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

◆ 2012 ◆ 1995 ◆ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Hyundai Accent reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Hyundai Accent is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Hyundai Accent?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Hyundai Accent have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.