IllustrationCONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES.*JB
1996 Hyundai Accent
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Hyundai Accent do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Accent years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 101 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
101 reportsCHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON REPEATEDLY AFTER O2 SENSORS ARE CHANGED. WENT TO FOUR DEALERS NONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. FIRST OCCURRED AT 16805 MILES(7/24/98),19583 MILES, (2/4/99).23,077MILES (6/14/00)24,349 MILES (6/27/00),25368 MILES(7/13/00)34,934 MILES (10/20/00{GAVE UP!}58454 MILES (8/29/01), AT 95,000 PROBLEM STILL THERE.…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON REPEATEDLY AFTER O2 SENSORS ARE CHANGED. WENT TO FOUR DEALERS NONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. FIRST OCCURRED AT 16805 MILES(7/24/98),19583 MILES, (2/4/99).23,077MILES (6/14/00)24,349 MILES (6/27/00),25368 MILES(7/13/00)34,934 MILES (10/20/00{GAVE UP!}58454 MILES (8/29/01), AT 95,000 PROBLEM STILL THERE. HAD SENSORS CHANGED7X NOT FIX PROBLEM.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TWICE DUE TO THE MODULE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER SHOULD FIX THE SECOND FAILURE WITH OUT CHARGE. *YH
AT 50MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
UPON HAVING TRANSMISSION REPLACED VEHICLE STALLED, AND GEARS GOT STUCK WHEN TRYING TO GO FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP TO ME WAS IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP IN MY TOWN TOLD ME I NEEDED A TORK CONVERTER,EPC ASSEMBLY,COMPLETE PLANETARY SET UP,LEFT AXLE BEARING,HOUSING, BUSKING KIT?,MASTER KIT,FLUID,FLITER, AND AUXILLARY COOLER. I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI,WESTERN NAT'L, TAYLOR AUTOMOTIVE IN GA., AND TODEY IN CA. NOT UNT…
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THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP TO ME WAS IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP IN MY TOWN TOLD ME I NEEDED A TORK CONVERTER,EPC ASSEMBLY,COMPLETE PLANETARY SET UP,LEFT AXLE BEARING,HOUSING, BUSKING KIT?,MASTER KIT,FLUID,FLITER, AND AUXILLARY COOLER. I NOTIFIED HYUNDAI,WESTERN NAT'L, TAYLOR AUTOMOTIVE IN GA., AND TODEY IN CA. NOT UNTIL AFTER I CALLED WITH CHARGES WAS I TOLD HYUNDAI HAD TO DO THE REPAIRS FOR WARRANTY. CA. TOLD ME THAT I MISUNDERSTOOD MY OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN IT SAID THAT IF IT WAS UNREASONABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI TECH., MY WARRANTY WOULD BE NULLIFIED. HYUNDAI NULLIFIED MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 1MONTH LATER. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI'S CUST SERV.IN CA. THAT I HAD NO RIGHT TO CALL MY SITUATION AN EMERGENCY,ONLY THEY HAD THAT RIGHT. I ASKED THEM AND ALL CONCERNED WHY THEY HAD ME TOW THE CAR KNOWING MY LOCAL TECH HAD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND THEY KNEW THAT. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE ANOTHER TECH TOUCHED THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY DID NOT TAKE TRANSMISSIONS APART BUT SWITCH TO NEW TRANS. THEY WOULD CHRG. ME AT 1/2 PRICE.A "NEW" TRANSMISSION AND P/UP OF THE CAR WAS8/24/2001. ON THE WAY HOME,THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN ON SMALL INCLINES FR 55 -45. IT STARTED STALLING WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT BACK ON 1/9/2001 AND NO CODES FROM DIAGNOSTIC MACH. AND THE TECH SAW THAT A HOSE NEEDED CLEANING FOR THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. ALMOST HOME,THE CAR JERKED, STALLED, CHANGED GEARS;REVED UP AND WOULD CHOKE WHEN ACCELERATING.IT THREATENS TO GO OFF AND SOMETIMES DOES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 0-ANYTHING. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO BRING IT BACK, BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL STOP ON THE ROAD LIKE IT DID 1/9/2002 WHEN A TRUCK ALMOST HIT ME. THE CAR IS IN WORSE SHAPE NOW THEN BEFORE. I KNOW THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED AT HYUNDAI FROM MORE THAN I. WE ALL SEEM TO VOID WARRANTY,1996 ACCENT'S TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE,GEARS SHIFTING PROBLEMS,NO CODES OR FINDINGS WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERV.&RUDE REPS.
WHILE DRIVING TIRES WERE PULLING TO EACH SIDE, AND SPLITTING OUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPAIRED IT. CURRENTLY, THAT PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED AGAIN, AND DEALER COULD NOT TELL WHAT HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEM FIRST TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
DURING FRONTAL COLLISION AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NLM
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND A TRACTOR WAS CHANGING LANES, AND HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ROOM. TRACTOR RAN INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF.*AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT, MANUFACTURER SENT CONSUMER A LETTER STATING THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT AT FAULT. *SLC
DOOR HANDLES INSIDE AND OUT ARE MADE OF VERY CHEAP MATERIAL AND BREAK EASILY. *AK
Official recalls
402V341000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Dec 20, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. DURING WINTER MONTHS, LARGE QUANTITIES OF SALT ARE USED TO DE-ICE ROADS. THIS ROAD SALT COULD RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEVERE CORROSION COULD RESULT IN PERFORATION AND POTENTIAL FRACTURE OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. IF THIS FRACTURE OCCURS, THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY REMAINS CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS THROUGH THE FORWARD LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT POINT AND THROUGH THE STRUT ATTACHMENT TO THE UPPER WHEELHOUSE. REDUCED CONTROL OF THE FRONT WHEEL LOCATION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
98V245000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Oct 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. DURING WINTER MONTHS, THE ROAD SALT USED TO DE-ICE ROADS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION THAT CAUSES PITS TO FORM ON THE LOWER COIL OF THE FRONT SPRINGS ALLOWING CRACKS TO DEVELOP. THIS CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE LOWER SPRING COIL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKS, IT CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROM ITS SEATED POSITION, AND CAN CONTACT A TIRE. TIRE DAMAGE CAN RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING GUIDE TO PREVENT A BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING AND DAMAGING A TIRE.
97V026000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Feb 26, 1997
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
96V113000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Jul 1, 1996
THROUGH CONTACT WITH ROAD HAZARDS AND CURBS, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN SHIFT FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SHIFTED LOCATION CAN RESULT IN IMPROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MEMBER ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE UNDERBODY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3PE02055 · Front Suspension Lower Control Arm
Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed Dec 20, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2002 HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC. (HYUNDAI) SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 47,000 1995 AND 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH AN INTERIOR PARTITION WALL.THE PARTITION WALL RESTRICTS THE COVERAGE OF PAINT TO THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE CONTROL ARM.WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT USE ROAD SALT FOR DE-ICING, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CORRODE OVER TIME.THIS CORROSION CAN LEAD TO PERFORATION AND CAN POSSIBLY FRACTURE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PIVOT POINTS OF THE ARM.SUCH A FRACTURE LIMITS THE FRONT SUSPENSION'S ABILITY TO CONTROL FRONT TO BACK MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL.UNDER BRAKING, THE FRONT WHEEL CAN CONTACT THE WHEELHOUSE.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN SALT BELT STATES.VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF DAMAGED, THE ARMS WILL BE REPLACED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension:front:control Arm
ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2002 HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC. (HYUNDAI) SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 47,000 1995 AND 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH AN INTERIOR PARTITION WALL.THE PARTITION WALL RESTRICTS THE COVERAGE OF PAINT TO THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE CONTROL ARM.WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT USE ROAD SALT FOR DE-ICING, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CORRODE OVER TIME.THIS CORROSION CAN LEAD TO PERFORATION AND CAN POSSIBLY FRACTURE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PIVOT POINTS OF THE ARM.SUCH A FRACTURE LIMITS THE FRONT SUSPENSION'S ABILITY TO CONTROL FRONT TO BACK MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL.UNDER BRAKING, THE FRONT WHEEL CAN CONTACT THE WHEELHOUSE.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN SALT BELT STATES.VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF DAMAGED, THE ARMS WILL BE REPLACED.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2002 HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC. (HYUNDAI) SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 47,000 1995 AND 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH AN INTERIOR PARTITION WALL.THE PARTITION WALL RESTRICTS THE COVERAGE OF PAINT TO THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE CONTROL ARM.WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT USE ROAD SALT FOR DE-ICING, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CORRODE OVER TIME.THIS CORROSION CAN LEAD TO PERFORATION AND CAN POSSIBLY FRACTURE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PIVOT POINTS OF THE ARM.SUCH A FRACTURE LIMITS THE FRONT SUSPENSION'S ABILITY TO CONTROL FRONT TO BACK MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL.UNDER BRAKING, THE FRONT WHEEL CAN CONTACT THE WHEELHOUSE.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN SALT BELT STATES.VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF DAMAGED, THE ARMS WILL BE REPLACED.
Suspension
ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2002 HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC. (HYUNDAI) SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 47,000 1995 AND 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH AN INTERIOR PARTITION WALL.THE PARTITION WALL RESTRICTS THE COVERAGE OF PAINT TO THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE CONTROL ARM.WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT USE ROAD SALT FOR DE-ICING, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CORRODE OVER TIME.THIS CORROSION CAN LEAD TO PERFORATION AND CAN POSSIBLY FRACTURE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR PIVOT POINTS OF THE ARM.SUCH A FRACTURE LIMITS THE FRONT SUSPENSION'S ABILITY TO CONTROL FRONT TO BACK MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL.UNDER BRAKING, THE FRONT WHEEL CAN CONTACT THE WHEELHOUSE.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN SALT BELT STATES.VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF DAMAGED, THE ARMS WILL BE REPLACED.
EA00001 · Passenger Air Bag Related
Opened Jan 5, 2000 · Closed Mar 9, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
There is no summary currently available
PE99046 · Passenger Air Bag Related Fatalities
Opened Jul 7, 1999 · Closed Jan 5, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
ODI IS AWARE OF SEVEN FATALITIES OF CHILDREN (EXCLUDING CHILDREN IN REAR FACING CHILD SAFETY SEATS)THAT WERE CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN MINOR OR MODERATE SEVERITY CRASHES INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES.TWO OF THE SEVEN FATALITIES OCCURRED IN PUERTO RICO.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FORFURTHER INVESTIGATION.