RecallMyCar

1996 Hyundai Elantra Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1996 Hyundai Elantra, and owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
100
owner complaints to NHTSA
11 / 3
complaints citing a crash / fire
22–24
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 00V095002 Reported 7,111 vehicles potentially affected HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface. The "check engine" light would then illuminate…

    Remedy: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.

  2. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 00V095001 Reported 84,020 vehicles potentially affected HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface. The "check engine" light would then illuminate…

    Remedy: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.

  3. Motor (visibility)

    NHTSA 97V026000 Reported 74,965 vehicles potentially affected HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

    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.

100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1996 Hyundai Elantra have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA; 11 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 2 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 81,667 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 21 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 hyundai elantra. The valve stems on the vehicle constantly fail and cause the tires to flatten. While driving 40 MPH, the valve stem failed and flattened the tire. On may 22”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 26, 2008 · Tires

“Windshield wiper arm - location point that connects to the linkage stripped causing it in wet weather to send the wipers to go completely go out pass the end of windshield. *tr”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 5, 2008 · Visibility

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra (Elantra Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined22–24 mpg
City / Highway19–21 / 28–29
FuelRegular
EPA classCompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engine4 cyl, 1.8 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Hyundai Elantra model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Hyundai Elantra model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1992 Hyundai Elantra029
1993 Hyundai Elantra024
1994 Hyundai Elantra276
1995 Hyundai Elantra1112
1996 Hyundai Elantra3100
1997 Hyundai Elantra3115
1998 Hyundai Elantra055
1999 Hyundai Elantra2128
2000 Hyundai Elantra1197
2001 Hyundai Elantra6315
2002 Hyundai Elantra6342
2003 Hyundai Elantra5234
2004 Hyundai Elantra5182
2005 Hyundai Elantra4137
2006 Hyundai Elantra1155
2007 Hyundai Elantra6267
2008 Hyundai Elantra7314
2009 Hyundai Elantra4254
2010 Hyundai Elantra3379
2011 Hyundai Elantra5433
2012 Hyundai Elantra4653
2013 Hyundai Elantra41,314
2014 Hyundai Elantra2384
2015 Hyundai Elantra3262
2016 Hyundai Elantra2293
2017 Hyundai Elantra4767
2018 Hyundai Elantra0283
2019 Hyundai Elantra1251
2020 Hyundai Elantra3252
2021 Hyundai Elantra6131
2022 Hyundai Elantra5101
2023 Hyundai Elantra298
2024 Hyundai Elantra154
2025 Hyundai Elantra022
2026 Hyundai Elantra12

Checking a specific 1996 Hyundai Elantra

How do I know if my 1996 Hyundai Elantra has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1996 Hyundai Elantra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Hyundai dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V095001).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Hyundai models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.