1999 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Elantra years
- Fewer complaints than other years 23rd of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Hyundai Elantra. That ranks 23rd out of 32 Elantra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (41 complaints, 32%), typically at around 84,000 miles. Complaints mention 22 crashes, 2 fires, 24 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 128owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 22complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1999 Hyundai Elantra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 41 | 32% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 17% | 108,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 20 | 16% | 80,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 18 | 14% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 | 7% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 7 | 5% | 38,413 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 7 | 5% | 11,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 6 | 5% | 164,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 5% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 3% | 78,250 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 2% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2% | 71,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% | 128,900 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1999 Hyundai Elantra recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will re-route the maf sensor connector wiring harness.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the pressure control solenoid valve.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
When accelerating the car does not shift properly causing the vehicle to slow making it very dangerous on the freeway
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 hyundai elantra. While the vehicle was stopped, the gear shifter seized and the vehicle could not be shifted into gear. The dealer was unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the dealer again where…
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…
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…
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…
Other Hyundai Elantra years
← 1998 Elantra · 2000 Elantra →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Elantra | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 Elantra | 22 | 0 |
| 2024 Elantra | 54 | 1 |
| 2023 Elantra | 99 | 2 |
| 2022 Elantra | 102 | 5 |
| 2021 Elantra | 132 | 6 |
| 2020 Elantra | 254 | 3 |
| 2019 Elantra | 251 | 1 |
| 2018 Elantra | 283 | 0 |
| 2017 Elantra | 768 | 4 |
| 2016 Elantra | 293 | 2 |
| 2015 Elantra | 262 | 3 |
| 2014 Elantra | 386 | 2 |
| 2013 Elantra | 1,314 | 4 |
| 2012 Elantra | 653 | 4 |
| 2011 Elantra | 433 | 5 |
| 2010 Elantra | 380 | 3 |
| 2009 Elantra | 254 | 4 |
| 2008 Elantra | 314 | 7 |
| 2007 Elantra | 267 | 6 |
| 2006 Elantra | 155 | 1 |
| 2005 Elantra | 137 | 4 |
| 2004 Elantra | 182 | 5 |
| 2003 Elantra | 234 | 5 |
| 2002 Elantra | 342 | 6 |
| 2001 Elantra | 315 | 6 |
| 2000 Elantra | 197 | 1 |
| 1999 | 128 | 2 |
| 1998 Elantra | 55 | 0 |
| 1997 Elantra | 115 | 3 |
| 1996 Elantra | 100 | 3 |
| 1995 Elantra | 112 | 1 |
See all Hyundai Elantra problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.
Similar Hyundai models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners most often report power train, engine and engine cooling, air bags problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 41 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1999 Hyundai Elantra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Elantra model years, the 1999 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.