MYRModel Year Report

1997 Hyundai Accent

▲ Better than typical
1997 Hyundai Accent
RENDERED 2026-09-16T18:53:23.102Z

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

Complaints per year, Hyundai Accent Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1991: 2 complaints 1991 1993: 1 complaints 1995: 142 complaints 1996: 101 complaints 1997: 55 complaints 1997 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: 69 complaints 2016: 100 complaints 2017: 68 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 12 complaints 2021: 16 complaints 2021 2022: 16 complaints 2022
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
201569
2016100
201768
201819
201930
202012
202116
202216

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 29%

29% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 25%

25% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file, 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. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020924

AIR BAGS 20%

20% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and on-off switch assembly.

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

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, 19981106

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing starter assembly and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ALTERNATOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980220

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and macpherson strut.

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 (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V026000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V245000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2019 ▲ 2004 ▲ 2011

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, 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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.