1998 Hyundai Accent: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“On your web site I found out there is a recall on my car(fuel tank)if my mechanic fix it will the manufacture reimburse me. It is a emergency because it leaks out now. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 hyundai accent. The contact smelled a strong odor of raw gasoline in her vehicle. She took the vehicle to the mechanic and they stated that the gasoline fuel system storage tank assembly was cracked. The contact was informed that the defect was on recall. The manufacturer stated that the previous owners had the recall already repaired; therefore, they would not repair the vehicle. The contact believes that if the vehicle is experiencing the same failure as before, then it was previously repaired with a defected part. The failure mileage was below 100,000 and current mileage was 117,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2006
“A crack was produced in the fuel tank. As a result, check engine light came on and fuel fumes seeped through the passenger's compartment.*ak *tc”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“A recall notice was received, after taking the vehicle to the dealer for the fuel filter cap replacement, the dealer refused to replace the fuel filter cap since there was no crack in the fuel tank. The manufacture refused to cooperate. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2004
“While driving at highway speeds (50-75 mph) the overdrive would dissengage. In turrn the rpm would ramp up. This would happen randomly. Somtimes pulling off and turning car off and starting it again temporarily fixed problem. Finally, we took it to a mechanic. He found that the wiring uner the stick (automatic) were bare and touching. He fixed the wiring and never had a problem since. I have noted many other entries with similar problem. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2004
“I have been to the dealer for recall and regular maintenance and each time I would state how the vehicle would stall, the check engine light comes on, the car jerks and then it resumes normally as if nothing ever happened. I have noticed numerous people have complained of the same issue and their dealerships all say they have never heard of such a problem and it had never been reported before. NHTSA needs to get on the case and notify whomever needs to be notified. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
“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 electrical???? Dealership said they have had no complaints on this....I hate cars!!!! *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2003
“The rear seat belts don't extract. Drivers side has been replace three times, just replaced and within a week was doing it again. *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2003
“Consumer received a recall leter stating if check engine light illuminates if a crack developes in fuel tank. Consumer states light was on prior to receiving letter. Dealer stated they were charging for her for checking the engine light. Consumer feels she should not have to pay for a recall. Nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2002
“While driving was smelling gas coming from vehicle. Consumer had vehicle checked by mechanic, who could not determine problem. Consumer very upset because received a follow-up recall letter 00v314001 regarding leak in fuel tank. Consumer never received original recall letter. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 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 1998 Hyundai Accent reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Hyundai Accent. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Hyundai Accent problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Hyundai Accent have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. 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.