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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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

41 reports
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22,000 miles · May 22, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOLEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOLENOID ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PUT A PENCIL INTO THE SHIFT LEVER RELEASE TO RELEASE THE GEAR SHIFTER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THEN SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10990986

150,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927556

125,350 miles · Aug 12, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE REVERSE POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE REVERSE POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,350.

NHTSA ODI #10895411

180,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 11/6/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10705830

120,000 miles · May 31, 2012
EnginePower Train

I HAVE READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HYUNDAI. I'VE ELIMINATED PRACTICALLY ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE BY TUNING THE ENGINE EVERY 30 TO 35 THOUSAND MILES. THE GAS MILEAGE AND PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN VERY ACCEPTABLE. YES I TOO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD, MAS AIR SENSOR, AND OTHER SMALL MAINTENAN…

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I HAVE READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HYUNDAI. I'VE ELIMINATED PRACTICALLY ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE BY TUNING THE ENGINE EVERY 30 TO 35 THOUSAND MILES. THE GAS MILEAGE AND PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN VERY ACCEPTABLE. YES I TOO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD, MAS AIR SENSOR, AND OTHER SMALL MAINTENANCE PARTS. THE ONLY THING I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR IS WHEN I'M SETTING AT A STOP AND IDLING, THE ENGINE TENDS TO OVERHEAT. BUT WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE IT QUICKLY COOLS BACK DOWN. MY HYUNDAI NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000 MILES AND IS STILL IN SERVICE BUT STILL OVERHEATS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460105

33,663 miles · Oct 28, 2008
Power Train

PURCHASED 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN APRIL OF 1999. ON 1/15/2001 VEHICLE DIED AND WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MILEAGE AT THE TIME-33,663. ON APRIL 24, 2008, I WAS ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. VEHICLE DOES NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO GEAR. ENTIRE CAR SHAKES IF DRIVEN OVER 50 MPH. CAR…

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PURCHASED 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN APRIL OF 1999. ON 1/15/2001 VEHICLE DIED AND WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MILEAGE AT THE TIME-33,663. ON APRIL 24, 2008, I WAS ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. VEHICLE DOES NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO GEAR. ENTIRE CAR SHAKES IF DRIVEN OVER 50 MPH. CAR SPEEDS UP WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED. WHEN I NOTICED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSMISSION, I CONTACTED DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPLACE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE. WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INVOLVE MY VIN. CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. VEHICLE NOW HAS 134,000 MILES ON IT. RECALL ID #99V178000. NEITHER DEALER NOR HYUNDAI WILL HONOR. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN FILED REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246945

55,000 miles · Sep 9, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. INSTEAD OF GAINING SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V178000 (POWER TRA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. INSTEAD OF GAINING SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241466

160,000 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD WHEN GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR OVER DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD WHEN GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR OVER DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 99V178000) HOWEVER; THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210861

135,000 miles · Jun 22, 2007
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 138,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193973

160,000 miles · Mar 15, 2007
Power Train

I TOOK MY 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN TO OBRIEN AUTO PARK IN FORT MYERS SERVICE CENTER TO GET LOOKED AT AND FIXED. I HAD TROUBLE CODES THAT I HAD CHECKED PRIOR GOING THERE AT AUTOZONE THAT WERE CODES PO747, PO743, PO442. THE FIRST TO ARE CODES INVOLVING MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I VIEWED ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON T…

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I TOOK MY 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN TO OBRIEN AUTO PARK IN FORT MYERS SERVICE CENTER TO GET LOOKED AT AND FIXED. I HAD TROUBLE CODES THAT I HAD CHECKED PRIOR GOING THERE AT AUTOZONE THAT WERE CODES PO747, PO743, PO442. THE FIRST TO ARE CODES INVOLVING MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I VIEWED ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID THAT INVOLVED CODE PO747 WHICH STATES IT WAS IN THE STUCK ON POSITION! I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ALL OF THIS THERE AND HE TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE SOLENOID AND THAT HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME! I HAD 2 OTHER CODES THAT WERE, PO732, AND PO734 PERTAINING TO THE 2ND AND 4TH GEAR RATIO BEING INCORRECT! I EXPLAINED THAT AT FIRST THERE WAS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHICH CHANGE THE CODES TO THE STATE IT'S IN NOW AND HE TOLD ME WE'LL LOOK AT IT AND CALL YOU WHEN WE FIND OUT ANYTHING. I SAID OK, HE CALLED A FEW HOURS LATER AND TOLD ME THE SERVICE TECH SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I SAID NO, I AM NOT AN IDIOT! THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THIS IS WHY I BROUGHT IT IN. HE STATED TO ME THAT, HE COULD NOT GO BY THE CODES I HAD FROM AUTOZONE BECAUSE THEY WERE GENERIC CODES AND HYUNDAI WOULDN'T EXCEPT THEM. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THIS GUY IS LYING AND I KNOW IT! EVEN THE GUY AT AUTOZONE TOLD ME IT WAS A ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SOLENOID!!! PLEASE HELP. NOW I AM OUT OF WORK 2 DAYS NOW AND EVEN MAY LOOSE MY JOB OVER THIS! NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND I WOULD NEVER BUY A HYUNDAI AGAIN!!!!!!!! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185139

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.

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems