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1996 Hyundai Elantra problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Hyundai Elantra is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical Elantra model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
100
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
60
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
22-24mpg

The worst 1996 Hyundai Elantra problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Hyundai Elantra

Check engine light 12Wipers 11Stalling 10Transmission failure 6No deployment 5

Recalls 3

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported July 21, 2000 · 7,111 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface. The "check engine" light would then illuminate and, in some cases, the vehicle driver may notice a gasoline odor.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.

Recall number 00V095002 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported March 28, 2000 · 84,020 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface. The "check engine" light would then illuminate and, in some cases, the vehicle driver may notice a gasoline odor.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.

Recall number 00V095001 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported February 26, 1997 · 74,965 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
Risk
This contamination interferes with the electrical circuit continuity and prevents the windshield wiper motor from operating. Inoperative windshield wipers can contribute to reduced visibility during inclement weather increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.

Recall number 97V026000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra

Defect investigations

Fuel cap replacement campaign 36Opened February 2, 2000, still open

There is no summary currently available

SQ00003

Windshield wiper failureOpened January 17, 1997, closed February 27, 1997

In its letter dated february 14, 1997, hyundai stated that approximately 75,000 hyundai vehicles (certain model year 1996-97 elantra, accent, sonata and tiburon models built through october 18, 1996 -- see the federal safety agency recall no. 97v‑026 for details) will be recalled for a defect in the windshield wiper motor.hyundai stated that the windshield wiper motor may not operate in cold weather conditions due to contamination of the motor's circuit breaker electrical contacts with soldering flux during manufacturing process.hyundai will remedy the defect by cleaning the electrical contacts to remove the contaminants.

PE97002

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra 60

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 60 bulletins for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra

1996 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD19-2128-2922-24

What 1996 Hyundai Elantra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 26, 2008 · Tires · 98,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 hyundai elantra. The valve stems on the vehicle constantly fail and cause the tires to flatten. While driving 40 MPH, the valve stem failed and flattened the tire. On may 22, 2008, while driving 65 MPH, the valve stem failed again, the tire lost air, and the rear of the vehicle began wobbling. When the contact inspected the tires, they were fine with the exception of the valve stem. The store from where the tires were purchased stated that the rim was bent and the tire was his responsibility. Four valve stems were lost in five weeks. The contact wanted to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with the tires, only the valve stems. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 07/22/08 *bf updated 07/29/08

Filed Apr 5, 2008 · Visibility · 98,500 miles · OH

Windshield wiper arm - location point that connects to the linkage stripped causing it in wet weather to send the wipers to go completely go out pass the end of windshield.

Filed Feb 11, 2008 · Fuel system · 36,000 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 hyundai elantra. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline coming from the vehicle. She took her vehicle to the dealer and they found no failures. Four years later, the dealer replaced the vehicle according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v095002 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). Two years later, the contact was admitted to the hospital for gasoline poisoning. After being discharged from the hospital, she took her vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that her fuel tank was cracked and she would have to repair the vehicle at her own expense. The dealer stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired according to the recall in 2004. She filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. She has a copy of all the written correspondence in reference to the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000 and current mileage was 40,000. Updated 04/18/08

Filed Nov 2, 2004 · Locks · 77,500 miles · SC

Driver's side door handle and window handle(manual windows) broke. There was no abnormal usage--just normal wear. However, the interior plastic handles are poorly made. What if I have to exit the car quickly in an emergency???

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Fuel system · TX

Consumer received the federal safety agency recall 00v09002 concerning fuel tanks, but never took the vehicle to the dealer for recall repairs. Six months later consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for recall repairs, and mechanic informed consumer that recall repairs had been done already. Consumer claimed that recall repairs was never performed because he never took vehicle to dealer.

Filed Feb 24, 2004 · Airbags, Body · VA

Airbags deployed without an impact or collision. *la the consumer stated the door handle broke.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · NY

While driving at 50 MPH vehicle shook heavily. Consumer was able to pull out of the road, and noticed the passenger's side wheel fell off. Dealer indicated one of the screws which held the strut fell off.

Filed Jan 5, 2004 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · PA

When starting the ignition transmission locked up, causing the vehicle to cut off. It would be hard for the consumer to restart vehicle. Dealership/mechanic informed the consumer of the transmission failure, but was unable to resolve the problem.

Filed Nov 6, 2003 · Body, Suspension · KY

I own a 1996 hyundai elantra. My ex purchased this vehicle from a used car lot. We have had the car for over 3 years. On monday morning I was on my way to the dentist and noticed a very loud "loose bumping" sound..I know that probably doesn't make sense....upon my quick return home I noticed that the driver rear tire (the entire thing) seemed to be loose and wobbly...I had a friend come and take a look to see what was wrong. After jacking the car up, with the car in the air and the tire still on the ground he thought that the strut was broken. So after further investigation, it was noticed that the strut mounting t the frame had fallen thru a rusted hole in the frame of my car. Distraught as I was, and with no help from the hyundai dealer in the louisville area, I was out of luck on how to rectify this situation. Now I am still paying for a car that I can never drive. I am wanting to know if any other hyundai owners have this problem. I mean the car is not even 10 years old...and the frame is rusting out on me.....there are no other rust spots on the car anywhere....I am just trying to understand why my car is broke and no one is able to help me fix it.

Filed Sep 29, 2003 · Fuel system · 9,000 miles · VA

Vehicle was repaired under recall #00v095000. The problem still exist as far as smelling fuel inside vehicle. Have contacted dealership and informed will repair but not free. Petersburg hyundai 804 862 1000 in va.

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Compare the 1996 Hyundai Elantra

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Other model years

19921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1996 Hyundai Elantra

Is the 1996 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Owners have filed 100 complaints about the 1996 Hyundai Elantra, fewer than a typical Elantra model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Hyundai Elantra?

Engine and cooling, with 20 complaints. Next is transmission (20).

How many recalls does the 1996 Hyundai Elantra have?

3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and visibility.

What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad engine?

The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most engine complaints are 2017 (294 complaints), 2013 (235 complaints) and 2014 (168 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Hyundai Elantra get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra range from 22 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 28-29 highway.

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