VehicleVerdict

1997 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1997 Hyundai Accent sits mid-pack among Accent years: 82 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 89, with 2 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (17), transmission (14), and electrical system (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

82

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted218 complaints1991: 2 complaints1993: 1 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 142 complaints1997: 82 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 148 complaints2002: 163 complaints2003: 45 complaints2004: 40 complaints2005: 76 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 135 complaints2009: 128 complaints2010: 119 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 218 complaints2013: 206 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 160 complaints2017: 97 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 17 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 32 complaints
Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1721%
Transmission1417%
Electrical System1113%
Airbags1113%
Suspension79%
Brakes56%
Other45%
Fuel System34%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Steering22%
Latches & Locks11%
Body & Structure11%
Seat Belts11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Lighting11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 1997 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V245000SuspensionOctober 6, 1998 · 64,967 units

Defect

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

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.

97V026000Visibility & WipersFebruary 26, 1997 · 74,965 units

Defect

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON OR ABOUT MARCH 4, 2000, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, AT WHICH TIME THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH. BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SOON THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 4, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY JERK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND WILL STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 21, 2002

“WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE SOMETIMES IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE OR IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 STARTERS PUT IN. FIRST ONE WAS WITH IN FIRST SIX MONTHS OF OWNING CAR. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 26, 1998 · crash

“RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE HITTING ROTOR CRACKING THE ROTOR REPLACED ALL AFFECTED PARTS AT OUR OWN EXPENSE REPLACED COIL SPRING,ROTOR,BRAKE PADS. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS VEHICLE NOT IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS REGISTERED IN THE EFFECTED AREA OF THE RECALL THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 3, 2007

1997 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 1997 Hyundai Accent reliable?

It is close to typical for the Accent: 82 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1997 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (17 complaints), transmission (14 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints).

Does the 1997 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Hyundai Accent under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Accent years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accent years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 1995, 2002, 2016, 2001, 1996, 2008, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among Accent years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.