1998 Hyundai ELANTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 34 complaints (20.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 23.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 17.6% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 17.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 25 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 | 13 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2000: 13; 2001: 5; 2002: 4; 2003: 6; 2005: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 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 10010597 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AFTER 77,000.00. THE CAR HESITATES OR GETS STUCK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LIED TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT HAD A 100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. IT TURNED OUT IT ONLY HAD A FIVE YEAR 60,000.00 MILE WARRANTY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021019 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 1998 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FAILED AT 72,000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736631 · 2000-11-20 (November 20, 2000)
COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON, ENGINE ALMOST STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. STILL GET SLOW DOWNS IN ENGINE FROM TIME TO TIME. SECOND BIG PROBLEM WAS NOT BEING ABLE TO FILL GAS TANK. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT CAR. FIRST TIME 02/99.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736823 · 2000-11-24 (November 24, 2000)
CAR STALLS WHEN GOING BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH, HAPPENS PERIODICALLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002067 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE APPLING BRAKES VEHICLE KEEP MOVING FOWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135255 · 2005-09-03 (September 3, 2005)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1998 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS SPORADIC AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE VEHICLE WILL JERK TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP AS IF SOMEONE HAS PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND HAPPENS WHETHER OR NOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE AS IT FRIGHTENS ME TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH. I USE MY VEHICLE FREQUENTLY FOR MY EMPLOYMENT AND HAVE BEEN RENTING A VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS …
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 876175 · 2000-12-07 (December 7, 2000)
WAS TRAVELING 35-40MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH STOP SIGN, AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THEN, ELANTRA REAR ENDED FIRST VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER RECEIVED EMERGENCY TREATMENT. VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145112 · 2005-12-13 (December 13, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD PROBLEMS FILLING THE GAS TANK. WHEN HE TRIED TO FILL THE GAS TANK THE GAS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SPILL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS MECHANICS, EACH MECHANIC GAVE A DIFFERENT REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CORRECTING THE DEFECT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145112 at NHTSA ↗