1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

138

Owner Complaints

11 Crashes 4 Fires 2 Deaths

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

11

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

The 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has received a total of 138 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR. 11 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (16 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (15 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (10 complaints).

Recalls for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, potentially affecting up to 166,096 vehicles.

Recall 00V095002 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

| 7,111 vehicles affected

Defect: 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, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE...

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

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Recall 00V095001 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

| 84,020 vehicles affected

Defect: 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, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE...

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

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Recall 97V026000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

| 74,965 vehicles affected

Defect: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

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Owner Complaints for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

138 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 16 2 Fires
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 15 1 Crash
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 10 6 Crashes 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 9
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 7 1 Fire
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 6
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 4
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 3
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 3
Air Bags
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury 2 Deaths
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Electrical System
Complaints: 1
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblymounting
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventional
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assemblypedalhand Levermotorcycle
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Tiresvalve
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherswitchwiring
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10232398 | TIRES:VALVE | | 98,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VALVE STEMS ON THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY FAIL AND CAUSE THE TIRES TO FLATTEN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VALVE STEM FAILED AND FLATTENED THE TIRE. ON MAY 22, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VALVE STEM FAILED AGAIN, THE TIRE LOST AIR, AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TIRES, THEY WERE FINE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE VALVE STEM. THE STORE FROM WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED STATED THAT THE RIM WAS BENT AND THE TIRE WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY. FOUR VALVE STEMS WERE LOST IN FIVE WEEKS. THE CONTACT WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, ONLY THE VALVE STEMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 07/22/08 *BF UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF
#10223452 | VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES | | 98,500 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM - LOCATION POINT THAT CONNECTS TO THE LINKAGE STRIPPED CAUSING IT IN WET WEATHER TO SEND THE WIPERS TO GO COMPLETELY GO OUT PASS THE END OF WINDSHIELD. *TR
#10217674 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | | 36,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. FOUR YEARS LATER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). TWO YEARS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR GASOLINE POISONING. AFTER BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL, SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HER FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL IN 2004. SHE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. SHE HAS A COPY OF ALL THE WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 04/18/08 *BF
#10098160 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | | 77,500 miles
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND WINDOW HANDLE(MANUAL WINDOWS) BROKE. THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL USAGE--JUST NORMAL WEAR. HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR PLASTIC HANDLES ARE POORLY MADE. WHAT IF I HAVE TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY???*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00V09002 CONCERNING FUEL TANKS, BUT NEVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. SIX MONTHS LATER CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE ALREADY. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT RECALL REPAIRS WAS NEVER PERFORMED BECAUSE HE NEVER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK

View all Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

Hyundai Motor America has issued 11 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

0340007 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

ATA SOLENOID DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0740, P0741, P0742, P0743, P0745, P0747, P0748, P0750, P0752, P0753, P0755, P0757, P0758, P0760, P0765. *TT *MJ

135 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OXYGEN SENSORS. *SC

0240016 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SUBJECT REGARDING AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OIL LEAKING FROM OIL PAN GASKET. *JG

9940008 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN OIL LEAK BEHIND THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TT

9807-9820004 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SPECIFICATIONS ON CYLINDER HEAD BOLT TORQUE. *YC

9809002 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOVAL PROCEDURES ON HDS CABLE CONNECTOR COVER-END. *TT

97100197003 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER CHANGE. *YC

970901400131 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

MODIFIED TRANSAXLE CONTROL MODULES. *YC

9640010 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT REGARDING HARSH SHIFTING UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. *TT

9790005 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

AUDIO SYSTEM CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT. *TW

Showing 10 of 11 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1996 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.

Investigation PE97002 — VISIBILITY Closed

Opened:

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI ELANTRA

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Other HYUNDAI Models

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