VehicleVerdict

1998 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Hyundai Accent sits mid-pack among Accent years: 72 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 90, with a single recall and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (15), engine (15), and electrical system (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

72

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1521%
Fuel System1521%
Electrical System1014%
Transmission913%
Other68%
Airbags57%
Steering34%
Seat Belts23%
Brakes23%
Speed Control11%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 1998 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V314001Fuel SystemOctober 2, 2000 · 66,086 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF IT IS CRACKED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP THAT DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED. NOTE: THE 1997-1998 SONATA FUEL TANKS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CRACKING. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME, THE CAUSE FOR THE CRACKING HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AFTER HYUNDAI HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE AND CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE ENGINE WILL CUT OFF AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CAUSING THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO COME ON. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WILL EITHER RESUME OPERATING OR STALL. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“NHTSA RECALL 00V314001 FUEL TANK; EASTRIDGE AUTO PLEX IN CASPER WY., THE CONSUMER WAS ASKED TO MAKE 2 TRIPS, ONE TRIP FOR INSPECTING THE FUEL TANK AND IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT WHICH TIME IT WOULD BE ORDERED. THE OWNER WOULD HAVE TO RESCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

“PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE, 1998. FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, ENGINE CHECK SENSOR WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A WHILE. SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC FOUND A PROBLEM AND FIXED IT AND TURNED OFF THE LIGHT; SOMETIMES HE TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR; SOMETIMES HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 15, 2001 · crash

“DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 50 MY RPM IS AROUND 4000 A FEW MONTHS LATER DECEMBER 2003 TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. NOW JANUARY 2005 RPM IS ACTING UP AGAIN, I HAD MY CAR CHECKED OUT AT THE GARAGE WHERE MY TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN AND THEY SEE NO PROBLEM WITH IT AT ALL, THEY THINK MAYBE IT IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 2003

“PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE, 1998. FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, ENGINE CHECK SENSOR WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A WHILE. SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC FOUND A PROBLEM AND FIXED IT AND TURNED OFF THE LIGHT; SOMETIMES HE TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR; SOMETIMES HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 15, 2001 · crash

1998 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 1998 Hyundai Accent reliable?

It is close to typical for the Accent: 72 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1998 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (15 complaints), engine (15 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints).

Does the 1998 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Hyundai Accent under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.