RoadVitals

1995 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
112
Latest Feb 12, 2004
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
31

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 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

  • Airbags3522.9%
  • Engine2013.1%
  • Brakes138.5%
  • Body & structure74.6%
  • Suspension74.6%
  • Seat belts63.9%
  • Interior & seats63.9%
  • Steering63.9%
  • Fuel system32.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning32.0%
  • Driver assistance21.3%
  • Tires & wheels21.3%
  • Exterior lighting10.7%
  • Other / unspecified10.7%

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.

35
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE TRAVELING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK PH *JB

NHTSA ID 10024143 · filed Jul 3, 2003

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID 8009080 · filed May 3, 2002
All 35 reports naming airbags

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I CAN NOT SHIFT TO FIRST FROM SECOND,I HAV TO GO 3RD THEN GO TO FIRST/YOU CAN NOT DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN ,THE SMOKE GET INSIDE THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 744629 · filed Apr 27, 2001

AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE, CONSUMER COULD SMELL A PAINT ODOR IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, THEN VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO RESTART. ALSO, AFTER DICONNECTING AIR HOSE AND RECONNECTING AIR HOSE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT, SIZE P175/65R14, CONSUMER WAS ONCE TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIMS. *SLC

NHTSA ID 886530 · filed Apr 23, 2001
All 20 reports naming engine

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE CLUTCH IN ORDER TO SHIFT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE OFF. I AM NOW UNABLE TO USE THE CLUTCH.*AK

NHTSA ID 10021385 · filed Jun 10, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN A LITTLE TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE CAR DIDN?T GO ANYWHERE, CONSUMER LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL IMMEDIATELY AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO IDLE, HIT THE GAS AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY SHIFTED TO A FORWARD GEAR. CONSUMER REPLACED THE SECOND TRANSMISSION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *YD

NHTSA ID 8005147 · filed Mar 7, 2002
All 19 reports naming transmission

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN THE CASE OF AIR BAG, I WAS HIT BY A F350 PICKUP AT 40 MILES PH AND THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT CAME AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT APPLICABLE FOR THE RECALL. IN THE CASE OF THE GAS PROBLEM, THE SMELL OF GAS PERMIATES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WITH NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION. IN THE CASE OF THE WIRING FAILURE, IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST , WHICH WAS DONE BY RICK CASE MAZDA IN 1999.*AK

NHTSA ID 741000 · filed Feb 16, 2001

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AND WITH NO PRIOR WARNING SAW FLAMES SHOOTING UP THOUGH THE HOOD AREA. CONSUMER PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND NOTIFIED THE POLICE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ID 865512 · filed Jul 17, 2000
All 14 reports naming electrical

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAPPEND. PREVIOUS TIME WAS TOLD IT WAS TIMING FAILURE. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER COULD NOT GET IT TO GO OFF(NOT DUE TO ACCIDENT). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. SUPOSIDELY FIX IT. CAME BACK ON IN TWO HOURS. I

NHTSA ID 715349 · filed Nov 28, 1999

IDLE SPEED CONTROLLER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID 542365 · filed Oct 30, 1998
All 13 reports naming brakes

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SEEKING ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE A CLAIM THAT WAS DENIED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. CLAIM INVOLVES REQUEST TO SEEK AID IN GETTING A CRACKED WINDSHIELD REPAIRED WHICH WAS A RESULT OF A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. *PH *MR

NHTSA ID 10057327 · filed Feb 12, 2004

HEATERDEFROSTER/VENTILATION SYSTEM WILL NOT CLEAR WINDOWS INSIDE OF VEHICLE, WINDOWS FREEZE UP ON THE INSIDE, CAUSING VISION PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID 807630 · filed Jan 14, 1997
All 8 reports naming visibility

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR KNOB WILL NOT LET YOU OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. YOU HAVE TO LIFT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. *AK

NHTSA ID 726990 · filed Aug 8, 2000

INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON REAR RIGHT SIDE BROKE OFF, AND DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. DRIVERS SIDE CRACKED WHERE THE OUTER EDGE IS. THE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. OTHER TWO HANDLES HAVE A CRACK THAT GETS BIGGER WHEN DOOR IS OPENED, DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE REAR LEFT DOOR HAVE FLOWN OPEN WHILE DRIVING. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID 830146 · filed Nov 4, 1998

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.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONT END OF VEHICLE DROP TO THE GROUND VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BODY SHOP TECHNICIAN NOTICE AXLE AND CHASSI HAD BROKEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

NHTSA ID 8022240 · filed Nov 6, 2002

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE DRAGS AND WHEN IT FINALLY GETS INTO GEAR IT THRUST FORWARD EXTREMELY FAST, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM REOCCURED 2 YEARS LATER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN, NOW LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. NLM

NHTSA ID 560528 · filed Mar 23, 2001

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING ALONG, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHES.

NHTSA ID 556917 · filed Oct 27, 2000

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA ID 527193 · filed Dec 30, 1997

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE REAR DOORS DO NOT WANT TO OPEN AND/OR UNLOCK AT TIMES. THEY STICK . TO GET OPEN (IF YOU CAN) YOU MUST PUSH IN AND LIFT UP. VERY UNSAFE WOULD NOT BEABLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE EITHER. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID 752029 · filed Sep 10, 2001

SEAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID 511294 · filed Feb 11, 1997

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELLING NORTH BOUND, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RAN OFF THE ROAD, AND STRUCK A TREE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID 861179 · filed May 1, 2000

PRESSURE BUILDUP IN GAS TANK, SPLIT GAS LINE AT FILLER NECK OF TANK, HAVE TO KEEP GAS CAP LOOSE TO RELEASE PRESSURE IN ORDER TO AVOID LEAKAGE, CONTINUOUS SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE VEHICLE, HAVE TO KEEP WINDOWS CRACKED TO AVOID OCCUPANTS BECOMING NAUSEATED; ALSO REPLACED SEAT TRACK/VALVE COVER GASKET/STABILIZER/STEERING RACK. *AK

NHTSA ID 802392 · filed Oct 1, 1996

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING ALONG, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHES.

NHTSA ID 556917 · filed Oct 27, 2000

THE GAS LIGHT STAYS ON AND CANNOT TELL WHEN RUNS OUT OF GAS. DEALER SAID THAT EVERY 3 MONTHS VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICE ON THE GAS TANK. *AK

NHTSA ID 807228 · filed Jan 7, 1997

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. UNABLE TO STOP, I PROCEEDED OFF THE EXIST, AND I COULD HEAR PARTS FALLING OUT. UPON STOPPING, I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE VEHICLE IN FLAMES. AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE MCCAFFERTY HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZED CAUSING IT TO CATCH ON FIRE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE IT WAS QUITE COOL THAT DAY, I DID NOT HAVE MY AIR CONDITIONER ON.

NHTSA ID 711858 · filed Sep 23, 1999

SINCE HAVING THE CAR, I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO INCLUDE TRANS JUMPING OUT OF GEAR OCCASSIONALLY, FAILURE FOR GEAR SHIFT TO GO INTO GEAR, COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, I.E., ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ETC. BUT MOST PREVELANT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I RECENTLY HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, TORCK CONVERTER, KICK-DOWN SWITCH AT A COST OF APPROX. $3,100. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HYUNDAI, I WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN-OFF BY BOTH. I FEEL THESE ARE EXCESSIVE REPAIRS FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS BEEN SERVICED AND MAINTENANCED REGULARLY. I ALSO EXPERIENCE FOUL ODERS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER AS WELL AS BREAKING PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID 708321 · filed Jul 7, 1999

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IDLE SPEED CONTROLLER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID 542365 · filed Oct 30, 1998

THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN GOING TO STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID 973534 · filed Oct 18, 1995

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE, CONSUMER COULD SMELL A PAINT ODOR IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, THEN VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO RESTART. ALSO, AFTER DICONNECTING AIR HOSE AND RECONNECTING AIR HOSE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT, SIZE P175/65R14, CONSUMER WAS ONCE TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIMS. *SLC

NHTSA ID 886530 · filed Apr 23, 2001

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT, KEEP TAKING CAR BACK TO DEALER, KEEPS ON REPAIRING CAR BUT HAVING SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ID 981419 · filed Mar 29, 1996

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

IDLE SPEED CONTROLLER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID 542365 · filed Oct 30, 1998

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER TURNING OFF VEHICLE, CONSUMER COULD SMELL A PAINT ODOR IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT, THEN VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO RESTART. ALSO, AFTER DICONNECTING AIR HOSE AND RECONNECTING AIR HOSE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT, SIZE P175/65R14, CONSUMER WAS ONCE TOLD THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RIMS. *SLC

NHTSA ID 886530 · filed Apr 23, 2001

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

Data on this page last refreshed .