1997 Hyundai Accent: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 55 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 hyundai accent. The contact stated that the door latches on all four doors of the vehicle were detaching. The driver side doors and latches were completely inoperable. The contact would have to enter and exit the vehicle through the passenger door. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2010
“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 catastrophic failure if it had not been detected. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2007
“The smell of fuel prompted the consumer to make contact with the manufacturer and the dealer since there was a fuel tank recall. Consumer located a crack on the fuel tank. This vehicle was not included in the NHTSA recall 00v314000. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car was returned to hyundai under warranty in january 2002. Reported to have a bad torque converter and starter. Both replaced under warranty. Last week car wouldnt start again. Our mechanic diagnosed same problem. Was told that if car had been properly diagnosed as having extensive transmission problem while under warranty this would have been properly repaired and not patched up. Hyundai is now refusing to absorb cost since the car is no longer under warranty. Torque converters and starters dont go bad yearly!!! Help!!”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2003
“While driving consumer had an accident. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer was injured. Also, consumer stated that the guiding arm was very weak. This caused problems with the steering.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2003
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2002
“While stopping, was rearended by another vehicle and pushed forward, air bags did not deploy. Driver injured and vehicle was totaled.*ak consumer states that the front end of the vehicle was completely smashed. *slc”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2002
“While driving 55mph the vehicle stalled out and died without warning. Dealer has been notified. Please provide additional information.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2001
“Consumer was traveling on a city street and engine check light came on dashboad. Also, there was a gasoline smell and vehicle caught on fire. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2001
“Vehicle was involved in motor vehicle accident. Driver's side impact. Passenger side air bag deployed first. Driver, my daughter struck the steering wheel and the driver's side air bag then deployed burning both arms of my daughter. No frontal contact at all.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING GUIDE TO PREVENT A BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING AND DAMAGING A TIRE.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Accent by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Hyundai Accent reliable?
NHTSA has 55 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Hyundai Accent. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Hyundai Accent problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,450 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Hyundai Accent have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:springs:coil springs. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.