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
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.
- Engine20
- Transmission20
- Airbags14
- Electrical14
- Fuel system13
- Visibility13
- Brakes6
- Body5
- Tires3
- Acceleration2
- Lights2
- Locks2
- Seat belts2
- Suspension2
- Wheels2
- Steering1
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 assembly
- 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 assembly
- 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: motor
- 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 36
There is no summary currently available
SQ00003
Windshield wiper failure
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.
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the...
- This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake...
- This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration...
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the...
- This bulletin provides information on tire maintenance best practices and procedures for dealers and...
- This bulletin describes the general guidelines to help disinfect and protect vehicle exterior/interior...
- This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: • A Battery SOC alert
- The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following...
- This bulletin describes the general guidelines to disinfect and protect vehicle interior surfaces using...
1996 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 28-29 | 22-24 |
What 1996 Hyundai Elantra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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
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???
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.
Airbags deployed without an impact or collision. *la the consumer stated the door handle broke.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 1996 Hyundai Elantra
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Other model years
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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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Check its historyHyundai Elantra in the news
- Hyundai recalls 2026 Elantra and 2026 Tucson Hybrid over macpherson strut problem (24 vehicles)
- Hyundai recalls 2026 Elantra, 2026 Venue and 2026 Elantra Hybrid and other models over wheels lugs/nuts/bolts/studs problem (17 vehicles)
- Hyundai extends warranty coverage on 2015-2019 Sonata, 2015-2018 Elantra and 2017-2021 Tucson and other models (unknown or other)