MYRModel Year Report

1997 Hyundai Accent

▲ Better than typical
1997 Hyundai Accent
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:15.398Z

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
55
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 2 complaints 1991 1993: 1 complaint 1995: 142 complaints 1996: 101 complaints 1997: 55 complaints 1997 55 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 1995 1996: 101 complaints 1997: 55 complaints 1997 55 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 1995 1996: 101 complaints 1997: 55 complaints 1997 55 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

1997: 55 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.

Engine and engine cooling

29% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH

Power train

25% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and pedal/hand lever(motorcycle).

Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the vehicle will heavily jerk and then the engine light will come on and will stay on the remainder of the time vehicle is being operated. Dealer notified.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-24

Air bags

20% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and on-off switch assembly.

CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-30

Also filed under Steering

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, 1998-11-06

Electrical system

18% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing starter assembly and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Alternator failed, causing vehicle fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-02-20

Suspension

13% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing coil springs and macpherson strut.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. I
    1999-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-01-05 Passenger air bag related fatalities
  4. I
    2000-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2001-03-09 Passenger air bag related
  5. I
    2000-09-16Recall queryClosed 2000-10-20 Fuel tank cracking

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Hyundai Accent — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V026000 · Visibility
  • Recall 98V245000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Hyundai Accent have?
2 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.