1996 Hyundai ELANTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
92,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 41 complaints (17.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 14.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 12.2% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 32 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2008 | 3 |
2000: 18; 2001: 7; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2008: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10019099 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
TRANS. SLIPS. WHEN YOU RELEASE GAS PEDAL AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ATTEMPT TO REGAIN ACCELERATION TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY,THERE IS AT LEAST A 5 SEC. PAUSE. I AM NOW GOING IN TO A SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSES DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER AND NO REVERSE GEAR PRESENT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053366 · 2004-01-05 (January 5, 2004)
WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CUT OFF. IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO RESTART VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 767789 · 2002-09-26 (September 26, 2002)
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN TURNING , SLOWING OR STOPPING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746056 · 2001-05-29 (May 29, 2001)
BOTH FRONT ROTORS HAVE MULTIPLE HAIRLINE CRACKS -NEVER BEEN CUT WITH PLENTY OF BRAKE LINING LEFT -- ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING NOT STOP AND GO . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748116 · 2001-07-09 (July 9, 2001)
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PAD SEPARATED FROM BACKING PAD WHILE DRIVING. SITUATION RESULTED IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY WHEN BRAKES WHERE UTILIZED. BRAKE PADS HAD APPROX 25 - 35% LIFE REMAINING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013238 · 2002-07-03 (July 3, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM IS RECCURRING. *JB OXYGEN SENSOR AND COIL PACK WERE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTORS WERE CLEANED, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED UNTIL DEALER FOUND BATTERY HAD DEAD CELL. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 878314 · 2001-01-17 (January 17, 2001)
WHENEVER DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD DIE OUT. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS 5 TIMES. EACH TIME MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. CHECKED COILS/AIR/ OIL FILTERS/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND FUEL SYSTEM. NOTHING RESOLVED STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 878314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217674 · 2008-02-11 (February 11, 2008)
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 WOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217674 at NHTSA ↗