1999 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra. Part of Generation 2 — 1996–2000.

19982000
Complaints
183
Crashes
24
Fires
4
Injuries
26
Fatalities
Recalls
0

Worst 1999 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#134 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Avg mileage:76,754 mi
Crash-related:1
#216 complaints

Air Bags:Frontal

Crash-related:16
#311 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:93,286 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra.

Automatic Transmission
34
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
76,754
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
93,286
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
120,322
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
119,470
Electrical System:Wiring
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
137,250
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
38,413
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Hyundai Elantra Years

1999 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1999 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1999 Hyundai Elantra has 183 NHTSA complaints, 24 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 34 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (34 complaints, avg 76,754 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (16 complaints); Electrical Faults (11 complaints, avg 93,286 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,761 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra include 24 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 26 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1999 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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