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1994 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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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: 0 of 76 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

Power Train complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2001
Power Train

SHIFTING TO REVERSE; METAL SOUND SCRAPING GROUND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747903

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2000
Air BagsExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #552109

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 1999
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS MANY DEFECTS, AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I FACED WAS LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY FAILED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST. THE…

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MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS MANY DEFECTS, AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I FACED WAS LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY FAILED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST. THE DOOR HANDLES IN THE SUMMER GET HOT AND MELT AND FALL OFF, I'VE HAD TO REPLACED ALL DOOR HANDLES IN THE INTERIOR, SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY A/C KNOBS KEEP FALLING OFF AND BREAKING, AND THIS IS ALSO NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO AT MY COST THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. A RECENT PROBLEM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER HOSE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WIND WELL WAS FROZEN, AND NOW IS BROKEN DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FROZE UP. LAST MONTH THE HOSE SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED FOR A OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THESE CARS WHERE RECALLED IN 94 AND 95 .AND I WAS NOT TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I AM WANDERING IF THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT FOR THESE RECALLED MATTERS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE THAN WHAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT ME WITH ASAP. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705462

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1999
Power Train

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #704310

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 1998
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 62,000 MILES. INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #538242

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1997
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING HOME WHEN WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL, HAD TO SWITCH GEARS BECAUSE OF LOSING POWER ON THE TRANSMISSION; TOOK TO SHOP AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814432

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 1997
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WON'T SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR EASLY, AND VEHICLE LURCH FORWARD WHILE DRIVING, ALL 0F A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE ACCELEATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #807222

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1996
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING AND GEAR GET STUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ODI #985268

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1995
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WAS POPPING OUT OF REVERSE. TT

NHTSA ODI #964001

Official recalls

2

95V101000 · Air Bags:frontal

May 24, 1995

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE FROM INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MIGHT PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM ACTIVATING DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO DETERMINE IF IT CONTAINS A TERMINAL HOLDER. IF IT DOES NOT, ONE WILL BE INSTALLED.

94V090000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

May 11, 1994

IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SENSOR IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND REPLACE ANY SENSOR FOUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COATING.

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

2

SQ96017 · Rear Suspension Failure

Opened Nov 22, 1996 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure

ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CANADIAN RECALL.FURTHERMORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO EVALUATE HYUNDAI'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE THE UNITE STATES POPULATION.

PE95060 · Scissor Jack Failure

Opened Dec 9, 1995 · Closed Mar 21, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift

There is no summary currently available

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