1996 Hyundai ACCENT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
86,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 49 complaints (18.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 12.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Structure:Body:Door: 4; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 3; Air Bags: 2; Suspension:Front: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1996: 6; 2000: 7; 2001: 10; 2002: 4; 2003: 15; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10112226 · 2005-02-27 (February 27, 2005)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR, 4TH GEAR, OR REVERSE. (INTO ANY OF THE DOWN SHIFTING POSITIONS) THERE SEEMS TO BE NO PATTERN TO PREDICT WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL APPEAR. I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ON SURFACE STREETS, FREEWAYS, AND WHEN JUST STARTING THE CAR OR MID TRIP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 74,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 756729 · 2002-01-11 (January 11, 2002)
THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP TO ME WAS IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP IN MY TOWN TOLD ME I NEEDED A TORK CONVERTER,EPC ASSEMBLY,COMPLETE PLANETARY SET UP,LEFT AXLE BEARING,HOUSING, BUSKING KIT?,MASTER KIT,FLUID,FLITER, AND AUXILLARY COOLER. I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI,WESTERN NAT'L, TAYLOR AUTOMOTIVE IN GA., AND TODEY IN CA. NOT UNTIL AFTER I CALLED WITH CHARGES WAS I TOLD HYUNDAI HAD TO DO THE REPAIRS FOR WARRANTY. CA. TOLD ME THAT I MISUNDERSTOOD MY OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN IT SAID THAT IF IT WAS UNREASONABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZ…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020051 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED WHEN THE DRIVER TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *NLM *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 109,263 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021347 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
MY CAR WITH VIN: [XXX] HAS THE PROBLEMS SPECIFIED IN RECALL #02V341000 LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS BROKEN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT [phone removed] AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CAR MEETS ALL THE CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED ON THE RECALL DESCRIPTION:THE CAR WAS MADE IN THE PERIOD STATED IN RECALL AND IS OWNED IN THE APPLICABLE REGIONS.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8002514 · 2002-01-18 (January 18, 2002)
UPON HAVING TRANSMISSION REPLACED VEHICLE STALLED, AND GEARS GOT STUCK WHEN TRYING TO GO FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8002514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857431 · 2000-02-23 (February 23, 2000)
BRAKE SYSTEM WAS GRINDING. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE HAS HAD FORTY WORK ORDERS. ALSO, RADIO MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN TURNING THE VOLUME UP THE STATION CHANGED. SEAT BELTS AND SUNVISORS DON'T WORK PROPERLY, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WINDOWS GO DOWN ABOUT 1/4 IN WHILE DRIVING. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857431 at NHTSA ↗