MYRModel Year Report

1996 Hyundai Elantra

▲ Better than typical
1996 Hyundai Elantra
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:59:31.824Z

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
100
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1996 100 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 315 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2012 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 385 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2017: 769 complaints 2017 2018: 284 complaints 2019: 251 complaints 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 132 complaints 2022: 102 complaints 2022 2023: 100 complaints 2024: 56 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1996 100 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2001 2002: 342 complaints 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 315 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2010 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2013 2014: 385 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 769 complaints 2018: 284 complaints 2019: 251 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 132 complaints 2022: 102 complaints 2022 2023: 100 complaints 2024: 56 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1994 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1996 100 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 315 complaints 2008 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2010 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2012 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 385 complaints 2014 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 769 complaints 2018: 284 complaints 2018 2019: 251 complaints 2020: 253 complaints 2020 2021: 132 complaints 2022: 102 complaints 2022 2023: 100 complaints 2024: 56 complaints 2024 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026

1996: 100 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199478
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008315
2009253
2010380
2011433
2012652
20131,312
2014385
2015262
2016293
2017769
2018284
2019251
2020253
2021132
2022102
2023100
202456
202522
20263

Known problem areas

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

Engine and engine cooling

22% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and emission control.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle stalls when turning , slowing or stopping. Nlm

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-15

Power train

20% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While parked the vehicle went into reverse, causing a crash. Please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-02-12

Consumer's daughter was driving and the clutch didn't work,causing an accident; vehicle also has other problems . Please describe .

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-11-22

Electrical system

18% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and front underhood.

Air bags

14% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Visibility

14% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1997-01-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-02-27 Windshield wiper failure
  2. 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 →

  3. I
    2000-02-02SQOpen Fuel cap replacement campaign 36
  4. R
    2000-04-28Fuel system, gasoline00V095001 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied…

    Remedy: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2000-09-18Fuel system, gasoline00V095002 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied…

    Remedy: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V026000 · Visibility
  • Recall 00V095001 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 00V095002 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Hyundai Elantra is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Hyundai Elantra have?
3 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.