1999 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 128 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (28% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and was unable to accelerate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99v178000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, lunged, and lost power. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed the issue as an electrical failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who diagnosed that the maf sensor connector needed to be re-routed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 00v259001 (electrical system), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2016
“My vehicle has been stalling for more than a year. The mass airflow sensor read as bad and I have replaced it twice. I just found out that there was a recall sep 11, 2000. NHTSA campaign id number: 00v259001 . I purchased the vehicle used several years after the recall was in effect. When I e-mailed hyundai, they responded back that there no open campaigns on my vehicle. How do I get the problem resolved before there is a serious accident from the vehicle stalling. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 trailer ran over the passenger side of car. Total loss.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the rear passenger side subframe rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2014
“The rear frame crossmember has rusted through and holds the other suspension components in place. The whole car is severely rusted. Hyundai rusting in the salt belt states is documented. I would like hyundai to replace all rusted out frame suspension members. *js”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 hyundai elantra. While accelerating from a stop sign at 5 mph, the vehicle momentarily hesitated before continuing to accelerate. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 216,000. Updated 07/01/10 *bf the consumer was informed there was a problem with the mass air flow sensor reading incorrectly at idle. Also, one of the spark plugs wires was defective. Updated 07/02/10.*jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 hyundai elantra. While driving 30 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure was similar to recall 00v259001 (electrical system: wiring). The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer who both stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current mileage was approximately 124,000. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2009
“Compaign id 00v259001 is for low speed stalling on 1999 hyundai elantra models with certain VIN numbers and relates to the wiring with the mass air flow censor. I have a 1999 hyundai elantra that is having the exact same problem but does not fit within the VIN range so they are not covering it. I feel this campaign should be expanded further to cover all of these models with the same problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 hyundai elantra. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle also stalled while driving less than 50 mph. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id numbers 99v178000 (power train:automatic transmission) and 00v259001 (electrical system:wiring), although the failures were identical. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Elantra 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 1999 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
NHTSA has 128 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra. The most complained-about area is power train (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Hyundai Elantra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,750 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Hyundai Elantra have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. 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.