RoadVitals

1999 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
24
Latest Apr 15, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 128 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 11/6/15 *JS

NHTSA ID
10705830
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
180,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 31, 2012

I HAVE READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HYUNDAI. I'VE ELIMINATED PRACTICALLY ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE BY TUNING THE ENGINE EVERY 30 TO 35 THOUSAND MILES. THE GAS MILEAGE AND PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN VERY ACCEPTABLE. YES I TOO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD, MAS AIR SENSOR, AND OTHER SMALL MAINTENANCE PARTS. THE ONLY THING I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IS WHEN I'M SETTING AT A STOP AND IDLING, THE ENGINE TENDS TO OVERHEAT. BUT WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE IT QUICKLY COOLS BACK DOWN. MY HYUNDAI NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000 MILES AND IS STILL IN SERVICE BUT STILL OVERHEATS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10460105
Incident
May 7, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY HESITATED BEFORE CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 216,000. UPDATED 07/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR READING INCORRECTLY AT IDLE. ALSO, ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WIRES WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 07/02/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10327497
Incident
Apr 5, 2010
Mileage
216,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND 00V259001 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10251869
Incident
Dec 2, 2008
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FIFTY TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER EACH ONE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V259001 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,867 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID
10197881
Incident
Jul 2, 2007
Mileage
117,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT OFF WHEN IDLING. THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY WHEN IN MOTION. THE IDLING AND STALLING HAVE WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10194869
Incident
Jun 25, 2007
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2005

SUNDAY SEPT 11, 2005- MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON I-285 WEST BOUND I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AMIDST SUNDAY TRAFFIC,THEY CONFIRMED THAT MY TIMING BELT HAD POPPED CAR TOWED TO MIDAS GAVE ME A TSB REPORT STATING THAT THE TIMING BELT COVERED HAD CRACKED AND THAT IS WHAT MADE THE TIMING BELT POP, WHICH IN TURN IS A MANUFACTURING. I CALLED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND LEFT A COMPLAINT WITH MATT-FILE: 939520 HE SAID I NEEDED TO HAVE A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP LOOK AT THE CAR TO MAKE SURE IN FACT THIS IS THE PROBLEM, BC I HAVE OVER 147,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI LOOKED AT MY CAR IN SERVICE AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST,STATED THAT THE MAINTENANCE ON THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER IS WHAT CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK. THEY COULD FIX THE TIMING BELT AND THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER AND THE CRANKSHAFT SEAL -WHICH IS LEAKING. JIM CALLS ME BACK AND STATES THAT THE ENGINE IS GONE AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR THE CAR TO WORK AGAIN. HE SAID THAT MIDAS MUST HAVE BEEN TRYING TO START THE CAR WITH A NEW TIMING BELT WHICH LOCKED THE ENGINE UP, I TOLD HIM THAT MIDAS JUST CHECKED THE CAR AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, JIM HAD ANOTHER TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT THIS MORNING TO SEE IF THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER IS CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK. JIM CALLS ME BACK AND STATES THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SEALED HAD LEAKED ONTO THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER AND CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO SLIP, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE CRACK INTO THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER. HE STATED IF MIDAS HAD REPAIRED THE OIL LEAK THEN THE BELT WOULD NOT HAVE BROKE. I RELAYED THE MESSAGE TO MIDAS AND THEY STATE THEY WILL GIVE ME A NOTARIZED LETTER AND FAX OVER THE TSB REPORT STATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS IN RUNNING CONDITION BEFORE THE CAR WAS TURNED OVER TO JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI AND THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. NOW I AM AT A POINT WERE MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED, I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION AND THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REF: 6726217.*JB

NHTSA ID
10136630
Incident
Sep 14, 2005
Mileage
147,256 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 27, 2004

THE "AIR BAG" AND "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHTS STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. BOTH DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK, BOTH MUST BE TAPED UP. CAR HAS HAD A "ELECTRIAL BURNING" SMELL OFF AND ON FOR A YEAR. THE HEADLIGHTS GOES BRIGHT WHILE DRIVING. GETTING LESS THAN 20 MPG GAS. BATTERIES FREQUENTLY GOES DEAD.*AK

NHTSA ID
10096495
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Mileage
62,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2004

VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH AND/OR 55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10094944
Incident
Jul 1, 2004
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 17, 2004

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY WENT OUT. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED WATER SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE WIRES, BUT COULD FIND NO CRACKS IN THE LIGHT COVERS. ALSO, ENGINE OIL AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DEALER MADE SOME REPAIRS, BUT THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO STAY ON. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10057408
Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2003

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10038607
Incident
Mar 15, 2003
Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2003
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONSUMER'S, AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10022036
Incident
May 16, 2003
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL JERK AND ENGINE STALL. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10024821
Incident
Jun 24, 2003
Engine
Filed May 21, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP , ANDTHEY REPLACE PCV VALVE. THEN ENGINE BLEW OUT. HAD ENGINE REBUILT, AND IT BLREW OUT AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010286
Incident
Oct 21, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 11, 2002

VEHICLE STALLS DAILY AT LOW SPEEDS, ALSO SPUTTERS AND HESITATES. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY.*AK *TT

NHTSA ID
8007353
Incident
Mar 27, 2002
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JG *AK

NHTSA ID
8003085
Incident
Dec 28, 2001
EngineOther / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Oct 20, 2001

2/4/2000 - HEATER FAN & MOTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED (AND AGAIN ON 8/25/2001); 10/12/2000 - RADIATOR APPEARS TO BLOW UP, TECHNICAL ADVISOR "JOE STROUD" ACCUSED CONSUMER OF TAMPERING WITH IT TO DISABLE IT - RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED & REAR HUB BOLT ASSEMBLY; 11/07/2000 - MISFIRE DETECTED IN SPARK PLUG ASSEMBLY; 12/30/2000 - BATTERY DIED IN 17 DEGREE TEMP, CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP & WAS REFUSED, TOWED AGAIN AFTER ADDT'L CONTACT WITH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COMPANY (BATTERY REPLACED FILE #565541 & HYUNDAI COMPENSATED FOR RENTAL); 3/20/2001 - TEMP GUAGE REGISTERS "HOT" A/C NOT COOLING PROPERLY - FAN RELAY REPLACED; 8/25/2001 - FAN MOTOR RATTLES AND TEMP GUAGE REGISTERS "HOT" AND A/C INOPERABLE - REPLACED FAN MOTOR AGAIN (1ST REPL 2/4/2000); 9/14/2001 - "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON, NO LOSS OF POWER; SPARK PLUG CABLE SET REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
753467
Incident
Sep 11, 2000
Body & structureEngineTransmission
Filed May 25, 2001

IN-SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES (ON 3RD TRANS); PAINT PEELING ON BUMPER (DEALER REFUSTED TO PAINT);CLEAR COAT CRACKED AND BUBBLED ON SPOILER & SIDE MIRROR (DEALER REPAINTED); NOTICED A/C DIDN'T WORK RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON (REASON FOR REPLACING ENGINE COIL, ETC. AND CONVERTER); INTERIOR DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BROKE; DEALER ALWAYS FIGHTS GETTING US A LOANER/RENTAL CAR (BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE SINCE ITS OUR ONLY CAR NOW!); ALWAYS IN SHOP AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME EXCEPT WHEN THEY ARE PAYING FOR US A RENTAL; MANUFACTURER CONTACTED BY PHONE IN MAY 2001, BUT OFFERED NO HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID
745919
Incident
Jan 5, 2001
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed May 22, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE SEVERLY PULLS TO RIGHT OR LEFT, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE BATTERY. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROUGH ACCELERATION, CUTTING OFF IN IDLE, SURGING BACK AND FORWARD. BRAKES PULSING AND SQUEALING. LATER ON THE AIR SYSTEM STOPPED COMPLETELY DUE TO THE HEATER FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO BURNED SPARK PLUG WIRES. *YH

NHTSA ID
888814
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed May 22, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE BATTERY. AFETERWARDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROUGH ACCELERATION, CUTTING OFF IN IDLE, SURGING BACK AND FORWARD. BRAKES PULSING AND SQUEALING. LATER ON, THE AIR SYSTEM STOPPED COMPLETELY DUE TO THE HEATER FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAILURE. CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO BURNED SPARK PLUG WIRES. *YH

NHTSA ID
888812
Engine
Filed May 11, 2001

I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WANTING TO STALL AT TAKE OFFS. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FIXED. I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE CAMPAIGN # 00V259 FOR ALL 1999 ELANTRAS. MY CAR HOWEVER DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE QUICK FIX UNLESS I WANT TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS ALREADY AN ISSUE WITH THE 1999'S APPARENTLY HYUNDAI NEEDS TO GO BACK FARTHER THEN THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF JULY 1998. WHY MINE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE "ALL 1999 ELANTRA" CATAGORY IS BEYOND ME.*AK

NHTSA ID
745198
Engine
Filed May 2, 2001

WELD IN EXHAUST PIPE CRACKED. EXHAUST IS SUPPORTED ONLY AT FRONT AND AT MUFFLER. NEEDS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.*AK

NHTSA ID
744830
Incident
May 2, 2001
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2001

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD LEAKAGE 3 TIMES SINCE AUGUST OF 200 THAT HAS BEEN ATTENDED TO,,,,,,,ON THE DATE OF 3/7/01 IT WAS REPRTED TO THE DEALER ONCE AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS DOWN A PINT OF FLUISD AND TO WATCH IT......WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS TO SEE THE THING PERMANENTLY REPAIRED OR REPLACED,,,,I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS,,,THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID
742115
Incident
Mar 7, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 9, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS/RUNS ROUGH, AND LOSES POWER. *AK

NHTSA ID
850480
Incident
Aug 1, 1999

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .