1996 Hyundai Accent Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Hyundai Accent, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension2419.0%
- Transmission2217.5%
- Airbags2116.7%
- Visibility97.1%
- Brakes75.6%
- Body & structure75.6%
- Tires & wheels75.6%
- Seat belts54.0%
- Electrical54.0%
- Interior & seats54.0%
- Exterior lighting43.2%
- Engine43.2%
- Steering32.4%
- Driver assistance10.8%
- Heating & air conditioning10.8%
- Fuel system10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED, THE TIRE TURNED SIDEWAYS INTO THE FENDER AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED RECALL 02V341000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE SUSPENSION SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED. HE WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND DROVE BACK INTO HIS DRIVEWAY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V341000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD REPLACE SOME OF THE PARTS AND WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,477. UPDATED 03/06/08. *LJ
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS IN A CAR CRASH WHERE THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WAS TRAVLING AT APROXIMATELY 35MPH. NO AIRBAG DEPLOY. FILED A CLAIM WITH HYUNDAI AND WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY. THEN SOLD THE CAR TO A FRIEND OF MINE. SHE THEN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND APROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, SHE WAS T-BONED IN THE SAME VEHICLE. THE JAWS OF LIFE WERE NEEDED TO GET HER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. NO AIRBAG DEPLOY. *LA
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES.*JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS COMING OFF THE TRACK. FIRST TIME WINDOW WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. YEAR LATER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED TWICE, AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY. *AK
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY ON RAINY NIGHT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, APPLIED BRAKES AND WENT INTO A DITCH. CONTACTED DEALER MAY THE NECESSARY REPAIR FOR A RECALL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN VEHICLE'S DOOR BY LIFTING THE HANDLE, A SPRING POPPED OUT. THIS RESULTED IN DOOR HANDLE NOT OPERATING. THIS WAS THE THIRD HANDLE THAT BROKE. *AK
DOOR HANDLES INSIDE AND OUT ARE MADE OF VERY CHEAP MATERIAL AND BREAK EASILY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT MAKING IT HARD TO STEER.TIRES AND STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH TREAD ON PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE SOMEHOW. DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 96, HYUNDAI, ACCENT. TIRE MILEAGE 23, 175. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO A UNIROYAL DEALERSHIP. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT TREAD SEPARATION WAS NORMAL. PLEASE LIST DOT # AND TIRE SIZE.*AK FINALLY, THE DEALER OFFERED FOUR FREE TIRES TO THE CUSTOMER. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THREE OF INSIDE DOOR HANDLES DID NOT WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PREVIOUSLY BROKE . BUT HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, DOOR BROKE AGAIN. ALSO, BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE/BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, AND FRONT PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. CONSUMER IS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK PASSENGERS' SEATBELTS.*AK
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 50MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED, THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME. *AK
I HAVE A 1996 HYUNDIA ACCENT ,I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO ORDER ONE ,BUT THIS LAST TIME HE HAD PLENTY IN STOCK ,HE SAID HE KEEPS A GOOD STOCK BECAUSE SO MANY BREAK.THIS WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU WERE IN A WRECK AND COULD NOT GET OUT. IN LOUISIANA YOU CAN NOT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER WITH OUT THIS HANDLE IN WORKING ORDER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURES CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCED SINCE OWNERSHIP. MJS
LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP LENS BROKEN .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON REPEATEDLY AFTER O2 SENSORS ARE CHANGED. WENT TO FOUR DEALERS NONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. FIRST OCCURRED AT 16805 MILES(7/24/98),19583 MILES, (2/4/99).23,077MILES (6/14/00)24,349 MILES (6/27/00),25368 MILES(7/13/00)34,934 MILES (10/20/00{GAVE UP!}58454 MILES (8/29/01), AT 95,000 PROBLEM STILL THERE. HAD SENSORS CHANGED7X NOT FIX PROBLEM.
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED TWICE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THIS WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE SALT USED ON ROADS DURING WINTER.
WHILE TRAVELING 30MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI TECH., MY WARRANTY WOULD BE NULLIFIED. HYUNDAI NULLIFIED MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 1MONTH LATER. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI'S CUST SERV.IN CA. THAT I HAD NO RIGHT TO CALL MY SITUATION AN EMERGENCY,ONLY THEY HAD THAT RIGHT. I ASKED THEM AND ALL CONCERNED WHY THEY HAD ME TOW THE CAR KNOWING MY LOCAL TECH HAD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND THEY KNEW THAT. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE ANOTHER TECH TOUCHED THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY DID NOT TAKE TRANSMISSIONS APART BUT SWITCH TO NEW TRANS. THEY WOULD CHRG. ME AT 1/2 PRICE.A "NEW" TRANSMISSION AND P/UP OF THE CAR WAS8/24/2001. ON THE WAY HOME,THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN ON SMALL INCLINES FR 55 -45. IT STARTED STALLING WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT BACK ON 1/9/2001 AND NO CODES FROM DIAGNOSTIC MACH. AND THE TECH SAW THAT A HOSE NEEDED CLEANING FOR THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. ALMOST HOME,THE CAR JERKED, STALLED, CHANGED GEARS;REVED UP AND WOULD CHOKE WHEN ACCELERATING.IT THREATENS TO GO OFF AND SOMETIMES DOES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 0-ANYTHING. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO BRING IT BACK, BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL STOP ON THE ROAD LIKE IT DID 1/9/2002 WHEN A TRUCK ALMOST HIT ME. THE CAR IS IN WORSE SHAPE NOW THEN BEFORE. I KNOW THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED AT HYUNDAI FROM MORE THAN I. WE ALL SEEM TO VOID WARRANTY,1996 ACCENT'S TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE,GEARS SHIFTING PROBLEMS,NO CODES OR FINDINGS WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERV.&RUDE REPS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE NOISE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL LINE FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .