1998 Hyundai Accent: common problems and reliability
51 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about engine and engine cooling. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Accent?The 1998 Hyundai Accent has 51 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and fuel system.
Safety record for the 1998 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Hyundai Accent vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1998 a good year for the Accent?
Across the 26 Accent model years we track, complaint volume runs from 12 (2020) to 276 (2013). With 51 complaints, the 1998 Accent sits below the model's median of 88.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1998 Accent
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 00V314001VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 1996 THROUGH JULY 9, 1997 AND 1998 SONATA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JULY 9, 1997 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAY APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION COULD RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year, maintenance history, and purchase price.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Accent. See the full Accent owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Accent listings typically run $7,298–$11,438 across 2012 to 2022 model years.
Other Accent model years
Compare every Accent year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Accent against its rivals
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