The 1996 Hyundai Elantra has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 166,096 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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"…
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
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"…
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
VISIBILITY97V0260001997-02-2674,965 affected
Defect
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence
THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
16
2fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
15
1crashes
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
10
6crashes1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7
1fires
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
6
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
3
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
3
Total complaints138
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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, 2008, while driving 65 mph, the valve stem failed again, the tire lost air, and the rear of the…”
“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”
“Driver's side door handle and window handle(manual windows) broke. There was no abnormal usage--just normal wear. However, the interior plastic handles are poorly made. What if I have to exit the car quickly in an emergency???*ak”
“While driving at 50 mph vehicle shook heavily. Consumer was able to pull out of the road, and noticed the passenger's side wheel fell off. Dealer indicated one of the screws which held the strut fell off. *ak”
“When starting the ignition transmission locked up, causing the vehicle to cut off. It would be hard for the consumer to restart vehicle. Dealership/mechanic informed the consumer of the transmission failure, but was unable to resolve the problem. *ak”
“I own a 1996 hyundai elantra. My ex purchased this vehicle from a used car lot. We have had the car for over 3 years. On monday morning I was on my way to the dentist and noticed a very loud "loose bumping" sound..I know that probably doesn't make sense....upon my quick return home I noticed that…”
“I own a 1996 hyundai elantra. My ex purchased this vehicle from a used car lot. We have had the car for over 3 years. On monday morning I was on my way to the dentist and noticed a very loud "loose bumping" sound..I know that probably doesn't make sense....upon my quick return home I noticed that…”
“Vehicle was repaired under recall #00v095000. The problem still exist as far as smelling fuel inside vehicle. Have contacted dealership and informed will repair but not free. Petersburg hyundai [REDACTED] in va. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE97002 Opened 1997-01-17 · closed 1997-02-27
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 14, 1997, HYUNDAI STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 HYUNDAI VEHICLES (CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-97 ELANTRA, ACCENT, SONATA AND TIBURON MODELS BUILT THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 1996 -- SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 97V-026 FOR DETAILS) WILL BE RECALLED FOR A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.HYUNDAI STATED…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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