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1997 Hyundai Accent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 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

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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: 6 of 55 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

55 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 1999
SteeringSuspension

I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR WHILE NOT FATAL AT THE PRESENT TIME COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN SOMETHING FATAL IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PRETTY MUCH MY PROBLEM. THE CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF. THIS SHOULD NOT B…

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I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR WHILE NOT FATAL AT THE PRESENT TIME COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN SOMETHING FATAL IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PRETTY MUCH MY PROBLEM. THE CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A CAR WITH LESS THAT 37000 MILES ON IT. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR, BUT I DO NOT HAE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. THAT IS THE REASON WHY I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR. IF SOMEONE COULD HELP ME ON THIS IT WOULD BE GREAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #703127

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

SHIFT LEVER FAILED CAUSING GEAR TO STICK WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #608627

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1998
Suspension

DEALER IS NOT HONORING MFR. RECALL NOTICE REGARDING CORROSION OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832862

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN PUTTING GAS INTO THE TANK THERE IS A GRIDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE ONLY THING THAT IS MOVING IS THE GAUGE. VEHICLE ISN'T MOVING. VEHICLE WILL KICK IN AND THEN TAKE OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER IS COMING TO A STOP SIGN, HE WILL PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK JUST SO THE VEHICLE WON'T CUT OFF. THE VEHICLE…

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WHEN PUTTING GAS INTO THE TANK THERE IS A GRIDING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE ONLY THING THAT IS MOVING IS THE GAUGE. VEHICLE ISN'T MOVING. VEHICLE WILL KICK IN AND THEN TAKE OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER IS COMING TO A STOP SIGN, HE WILL PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK JUST SO THE VEHICLE WON'T CUT OFF. THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ABOUT SIX TIMES OR MORE, AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832647

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingInterior LightingPower Train

BESIDES THE CLUTCH I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES, SUN VISOR,THE TRUNK LIGHT AND WITH THE CAR STARTING. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #701218

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1998
Power Train

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER

NHTSA ODI #701177

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1998
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE TOOK OFF BACKWARDS WHEN IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON, AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN, AND DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. REPAIR WORK WAS DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831201

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1998
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN HE REAR ENDED A PONTIAC. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SLOWLY INFLATED. THE BLOCK DID NOT MOVE PROPERLY, IT WAS STUCK ON THE LEFT SIDE, ALLOWING THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD, THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG DID DEPLOY PRO…

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CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN HE REAR ENDED A PONTIAC. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SLOWLY INFLATED. THE BLOCK DID NOT MOVE PROPERLY, IT WAS STUCK ON THE LEFT SIDE, ALLOWING THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD, THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG DID DEPLOY PROPERLY. ALSO, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #830333

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1998
Air Bags

OWNER DENIED AN AIRBAG CUTOFF SWITCH BY MANUFACTURER. REQUEST WAS MADE TO ALLOW A TODDLER TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #540130

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR SLOWS DOWN IT STALLS. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE 4 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #825886

Official recalls

2

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.

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

3

RQ00017 · Fuel Tank Cracking

Opened Sep 16, 2000 · Closed Oct 20, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

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.