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1999 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

49 reports with mileage · 79 unknown

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports2 fire reports16 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

22 reports
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216,000 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY HESITATED BEFORE CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 216,000. UPDATED…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY HESITATED BEFORE CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 216,000. UPDATED 07/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR READING INCORRECTLY AT IDLE. ALSO, ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WIRES WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 07/02/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10327497

75,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND 00V259001 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND 00V259001 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10251869

117,000 miles · Jul 30, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FIFTY TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER EACH ONE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FIFTY TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER EACH ONE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V259001 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,867 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10197881

125,000 miles · Jun 28, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT OFF WHEN IDLING. THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY WHEN IN MOTION. THE IDLING AND STALLING HAVE WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,0…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT OFF WHEN IDLING. THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY WHEN IN MOTION. THE IDLING AND STALLING HAVE WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194869

147,256 miles · Sep 15, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

SUNDAY SEPT 11, 2005- MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON I-285 WEST BOUND I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AMIDST SUNDAY TRAFFIC,THEY CONFIRMED THAT MY TIMING BELT HAD POPPED CAR TOWED TO MIDAS GAVE ME A TSB REPORT STATING THAT THE TIMING BELT COVERED HAD CRACKED AND THAT IS WHAT MADE THE TIMING BELT POP, WHICH IN TURN IS…

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SUNDAY SEPT 11, 2005- MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON I-285 WEST BOUND I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AMIDST SUNDAY TRAFFIC,THEY CONFIRMED THAT MY TIMING BELT HAD POPPED CAR TOWED TO MIDAS GAVE ME A TSB REPORT STATING THAT THE TIMING BELT COVERED HAD CRACKED AND THAT IS WHAT MADE THE TIMING BELT POP, WHICH IN TURN IS A MANUFACTURING. I CALLED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND LEFT A COMPLAINT WITH MATT-FILE: 939520 HE SAID I NEEDED TO HAVE A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP LOOK AT THE CAR TO MAKE SURE IN FACT THIS IS THE PROBLEM, BC I HAVE OVER 147,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI LOOKED AT MY CAR IN SERVICE AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST,STATED THAT THE MAINTENANCE ON THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER IS WHAT CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK. THEY COULD FIX THE TIMING BELT AND THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER AND THE CRANKSHAFT SEAL -WHICH IS LEAKING. JIM CALLS ME BACK AND STATES THAT THE ENGINE IS GONE AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR THE CAR TO WORK AGAIN. HE SAID THAT MIDAS MUST HAVE BEEN TRYING TO START THE CAR WITH A NEW TIMING BELT WHICH LOCKED THE ENGINE UP, I TOLD HIM THAT MIDAS JUST CHECKED THE CAR AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, JIM HAD ANOTHER TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT THIS MORNING TO SEE IF THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER IS CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK. JIM CALLS ME BACK AND STATES THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SEALED HAD LEAKED ONTO THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER AND CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO SLIP, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE CRACK INTO THE UPPER AND LOWER COVER. HE STATED IF MIDAS HAD REPAIRED THE OIL LEAK THEN THE BELT WOULD NOT HAVE BROKE. I RELAYED THE MESSAGE TO MIDAS AND THEY STATE THEY WILL GIVE ME A NOTARIZED LETTER AND FAX OVER THE TSB REPORT STATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS IN RUNNING CONDITION BEFORE THE CAR WAS TURNED OVER TO JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI AND THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. NOW I AM AT A POINT WERE MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED, I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION AND THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REF: 6726217.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10136630

62,000 miles · Oct 27, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE "AIR BAG" AND "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHTS STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. BOTH DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK, BOTH MUST BE TAPED UP. CAR HAS HAD A "ELECTRIAL BURNING" SMELL OFF AND ON FOR A YEAR. THE HEADLIGHTS GOES BRIGHT WHILE DRIVING. GETTING LESS THAN 20 MPG GAS. BATTERIES FREQUENTLY GOES DEAD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096495

100,000 miles · Oct 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH AND/OR 55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094944

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY WENT OUT. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED WATER SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE WIRES, BUT COULD FIND NO CRACKS IN THE LIGHT COVERS. ALSO, ENGINE OIL AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DEALER MADE SOME REPAIRS, BUT THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO STAY ON. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10057408

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10038607

90,000 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFireInjury

WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONSUMER'S, AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022036

Official recalls

2

00V259001 · Electrical System:wiring

Sep 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

99V178000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jul 7, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, BRAKE, AND KICKDOWN SERVO, ALLOWING THEM TO SLIP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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