1994 Hyundai Elantra 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 1994 Hyundai Elantra, 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
- Airbags3131.6%
- Electrical1616.3%
- Engine88.2%
- Transmission88.2%
- Body & structure77.1%
- Brakes66.1%
- Visibility33.1%
- Interior & seats33.1%
- Steering33.1%
- Driver assistance22.0%
- Seat belts22.0%
- Heating & air conditioning22.0%
- Exterior lighting22.0%
- Fuel system11.0%
- Suspension11.0%
- Other / unspecified11.0%
- Powertrain (other)11.0%
- Tires & wheels11.0%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH ON A DOWNWARD INCLINE AND WITH NO WARNING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, DISTRACTING CONSUMER'S VIEW, AND CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND HE HAD TO RESET MODULAR . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN BULLETIN FOR AIR BAGS; BUT, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *YC WHILE HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER, FOUND HIGH VOLTAGE AND ALSO FOUND ALTERNATOR WAS OVERHCHARGING - REPLACED ALTERNATOR. *SLC
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE IN THIS CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 52,000 MILE. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND WAS UNDER THE MILEAGE IT IS WARRANTEED FOR.
WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS REPLACED SOME PARTS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHIFTING TO REVERSE; METAL SOUND SCRAPING GROUND. *AK
MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS MANY DEFECTS, AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I FACED WAS LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY FAILED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST. THE DOOR HANDLES IN THE SUMMER GET HOT AND MELT AND FALL OFF, I'VE HAD TO REPLACED ALL DOOR HANDLES IN THE INTERIOR, SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY A/C KNOBS KEEP FALLING OFF AND BREAKING, AND THIS IS ALSO NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO AT MY COST THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. A RECENT PROBLEM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER HOSE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WIND WELL WAS FROZEN, AND NOW IS BROKEN DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FROZE UP. LAST MONTH THE HOSE SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED FOR A OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THESE CARS WHERE RECALLED IN 94 AND 95 .AND I WAS NOT TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I AM WANDERING IF THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT FOR THESE RECALLED MATTERS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE THAN WHAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT ME WITH ASAP. THANK YOU. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS MANY DEFECTS, AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I FACED WAS LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY FAILED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST. THE DOOR HANDLES IN THE SUMMER GET HOT AND MELT AND FALL OFF, I'VE HAD TO REPLACED ALL DOOR HANDLES IN THE INTERIOR, SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY A/C KNOBS KEEP FALLING OFF AND BREAKING, AND THIS IS ALSO NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO AT MY COST THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. A RECENT PROBLEM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER HOSE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WIND WELL WAS FROZEN, AND NOW IS BROKEN DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FROZE UP. LAST MONTH THE HOSE SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED FOR A OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THESE CARS WHERE RECALLED IN 94 AND 95 .AND I WAS NOT TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I AM WANDERING IF THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT FOR THESE RECALLED MATTERS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE THAN WHAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT ME WITH ASAP. THANK YOU. *AK
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 62,000 MILES. INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE FAILED TWICE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS MANY DEFECTS, AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I FACED WAS LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY FAILED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST. THE DOOR HANDLES IN THE SUMMER GET HOT AND MELT AND FALL OFF, I'VE HAD TO REPLACED ALL DOOR HANDLES IN THE INTERIOR, SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY A/C KNOBS KEEP FALLING OFF AND BREAKING, AND THIS IS ALSO NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO AT MY COST THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. A RECENT PROBLEM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER HOSE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WIND WELL WAS FROZEN, AND NOW IS BROKEN DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FROZE UP. LAST MONTH THE HOSE SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED FOR A OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THESE CARS WHERE RECALLED IN 94 AND 95 .AND I WAS NOT TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I AM WANDERING IF THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT FOR THESE RECALLED MATTERS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE THAN WHAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT ME WITH ASAP. THANK YOU. *AK
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 62,000 MILES. INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE FAILED TWICE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS MANY DEFECTS, AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I FACED WAS LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY FAILED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST. THE DOOR HANDLES IN THE SUMMER GET HOT AND MELT AND FALL OFF, I'VE HAD TO REPLACED ALL DOOR HANDLES IN THE INTERIOR, SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY A/C KNOBS KEEP FALLING OFF AND BREAKING, AND THIS IS ALSO NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO AT MY COST THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. A RECENT PROBLEM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER HOSE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WIND WELL WAS FROZEN, AND NOW IS BROKEN DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FROZE UP. LAST MONTH THE HOSE SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED FOR A OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THESE CARS WHERE RECALLED IN 94 AND 95 .AND I WAS NOT TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I AM WANDERING IF THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT FOR THESE RECALLED MATTERS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE THAN WHAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT ME WITH ASAP. THANK YOU. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN PULLING OFF AND WHEN DRIVING SLOW. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DON'T WORK. ALSO, HAZARD LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND THE HEADLIGHTS AREN'T BRIGHT ENOUGH, CAUSING THE COSNUMER TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SEEING AT NIGHT. *AK
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
WHILE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND DRIVER SEATBACK FAILED BACKWARDS, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER'S BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORDMATION.*AK
DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. *MJS
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
WHILE DRIVING ON THE MAJOR DEGAN HIGHWAY, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTIN GIN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*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
TIMING BELT FAILED.
EXPERIENCED HIGH IDLING, LOUD NOISES AND VIBRATION. TT
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
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG IN ACCIDENT, ALSO SEATBELTS FAILED IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY.
AT 12:00 POSITION AT 35MPH DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. TT
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
AIR CONDITIONER PULLEY RUBS AGAINST THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET. THE SPRING ON THE IDLE WAS LOOSE. HAD NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET. *AK
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE WIRE WHICH GOES FROM THE BATTERY TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX, HAD MELTED.*AK
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
DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. *MJS
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN PULLING OFF AND WHEN DRIVING SLOW. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DON'T WORK. ALSO, HAZARD LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND THE HEADLIGHTS AREN'T BRIGHT ENOUGH, CAUSING THE COSNUMER TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SEEING AT NIGHT. *AK
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
VEHICLE STALL OUT, REPLACE FUEL PUMP/FILTER/BREAK IN MAIN WIRE HARNESS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN PULLING OFF AND WHEN DRIVING SLOW. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DON'T WORK. ALSO, HAZARD LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND THE HEADLIGHTS AREN'T BRIGHT ENOUGH, CAUSING THE COSNUMER TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SEEING AT NIGHT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH FRONT WHEELS ARE CRACKED CAUSING THE TIRES TO BECOME COMPLETELY FLAT. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. *MJS
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
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE ON WET SURFACE VEHICLE HYDROPLANE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. TT
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 .