Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
1996 Hyundai Elantra: common problems and reliability
109 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about engine and engine cooling. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 1996 Elantra?The 1996 Hyundai Elantra has 109 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and power train.
Safety record for the 1996 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1996 Hyundai Elantra vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1996 a good year for the Elantra?
Across the 31 Elantra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 60 (1998) to 2,622 (2013). With 109 complaints, the 1996 Elantra sits below the model's median of 267.
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 1996 Elantra
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 00V095001VEHICLE 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 AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 00V095002VEHICLE 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 AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 97V026000THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Elantra. See the full Elantra owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Elantra listings typically run $9,966–$20,299.
Other Elantra model years
Compare every Elantra year side by side to see how 1996 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Elantra against its rivals
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