VehicleVerdict

1999 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Hyundai Accent sits mid-pack among Accent years: 66 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 89, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (15), airbags (14), and fuel system (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

66

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

12

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1523%
Airbags1421%
Fuel System711%
Engine69%
Visibility & Wipers58%
Electrical System35%
Seat Belts35%
Brakes35%
Tires & Wheels23%
Lighting23%
Speed Control12%
Body & Structure12%
Child Seat12%
Latches & Locks12%
Suspension12%
Seats12%

Does the 1999 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

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

99V178000TransmissionJuly 7, 1999 · 11,530 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V17800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,621 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 2, 2007

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 45-50MPH AND WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE. BUT, HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT REAR. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON 3DAYS LATER. DEALER FOUND THE SENSOR TO BE DEFECTIVE & REPLACED IT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 2 MONTHS. AIRBAGS SENSOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 2, 2000 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PUMPING GAS AT A GAS STATION, THE FUEL FILLER PIPE NECK WOULD ONLY ALLOW SO MUCH GASOLINE AT A TIME UPON ENTERING THE FUEL TANK AS THOUGH IT WAS ALREADY FULL OF GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE PRESSURE RELIEF VACUUM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 26, 2006

“1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE TEN DAYS AFTER PURCHASING IT. THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 18, 2011 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, RESULTING IN 3 DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · crash

1999 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 1999 Hyundai Accent reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 66 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Accent year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1999 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (15 complaints), airbags (14 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints).

Does the 1999 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.