VehicleVerdict

1999 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Hyundai Elantra sits mid-pack among Elantra years: 183 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 213, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 26 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (45), engine (28), and electrical system (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

183

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

26

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4525%
Engine2815%
Electrical System2212%
Airbags2011%
Brakes148%
Visibility & Wipers74%
Seat Belts74%
Body & Structure74%
Speed Control63%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)53%
Lighting42%
Fuel System42%
Other42%
Steering32%
Seats21%
Suspension21%
Latches & Locks21%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 1999 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

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

00V259001Electrical SystemSeptember 11, 2000 · 165,977 units

Defect

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

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.

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.

“I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. AFTER ABOUT 8 MONTHS THE CAR WOULD GET STUCK IN SECOND GEAR WHEN SLOW DOWN. THE CAR ALSO KICKS VERY HARD WHILE IT DOES THIS. ONE TIME I WAS ROUNDING A TURN AFTER IT RAINED AND AS I SLOWED DOWN AROUND THE CORNER THE CAR KICKED AND THE REAR END OF THE CAR SLID OUT INTO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 15, 2004 · crash

“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 ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 16, 2003 · crash · fire

“I HAVE A 99 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4 DOOR. LAST WEEK THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. MORE SPECIFICALLY, I WAS AT THE TIME IN THE HARDEE'S DRIVE THRU WHEN THE SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR TO ROLL OUT OF THE DRIVE THRU AND INTO THE PARKING LOT. I HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 27, 2016 · fire

“12/2/2014 MULTI-CAR/SEMI ACCIDENT. FRONT END COLLISION WITH REAR END DAMAGE. TOTAL LOSS, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 465 S @ MM 41 NEAR PENDLETON PIKE EXIT. AT FAULT DRIVER SPUN ON ICE, CAME INTO MY LANE THAT I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH IN SO SHE WAS TRAVELING NORTH. HIT DRIVERS SIDE TO DRIVERS SIDE, SEMI…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 2, 2014 · crash

“AT 2,235 MILES I WAS EXPERIENCING A HARSH 2 TO 3 UPSHIFT AND ALOT OF CHUGGING NOISE. A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. THE AT 5.630 MILES I HAD A LEAK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. BOTH ITEMS ARE BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND FRUSTRATING TO HAVE A NEW CAR HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 2, 1999

1999 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 1999 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra: 183 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (45 complaints), engine (28 complaints), electrical system (22 complaints).

Does the 1999 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

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.