Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1996 Hyundai Accent. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗HYUNDAI/FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. DURING WINTER MONTHS, LARGE QUANTITIES OF SALT ARE USED TO DE-ICE ROADS. THIS ROAD SALT COULD RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
- Consequence
- SEVERE CORROSION COULD RESULT IN PERFORATION AND POTENTIAL FRACTURE OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. IF THIS FRACTURE OCCURS, THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY REMAINS CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS THROUGH THE FORWARD LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT POINT AND THROUGH THE STRUT ATTACHMENT TO THE UPPER WHEELHOUSE. REDUCED CONTROL OF THE FRONT WHEEL LOCATION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
HYUNDAI/CORROSION FRONT COIL SPRINGS
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. DURING WINTER MONTHS, THE ROAD SALT USED TO DE-ICE ROADS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION THAT CAUSES PITS TO FORM ON THE LOWER COIL OF THE FRONT SPRINGS ALLOWING CRACKS TO DEVELOP. THIS CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE LOWER SPRING COIL.
- Consequence
- IF THE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKS, IT CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROM ITS SEATED POSITION, AND CAN CONTACT A TIRE. TIRE DAMAGE CAN RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING GUIDE TO PREVENT A BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING AND DAMAGING A TIRE.
HYUNDAI/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR
- Summary
- 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.
HYUNDAI/SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM
- Summary
- THROUGH CONTACT WITH ROAD HAZARDS AND CURBS, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN SHIFT FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION.
- Consequence
- THE SHIFTED LOCATION CAN RESULT IN IMPROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MEMBER ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE UNDERBODY.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (101)
101 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 101 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 24 | 23.8% |
| Power train | 22 | 21.8% |
| Air bags | 21 | 20.8% |
| Visibility | 9 | 8.9% |
| Structure | 7 | 6.9% |
| Tires | 7 | 6.9% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 5.9% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
How 1996 compares with other Accent years
Best and worst Accent years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 142 | 5 |
| 1996 | 101 | 4 |
| 1997 | 55 | 2 |
| 1998 | 47 | 1 |
| 1999 | 61 | 1 |
| 2000 | 92 | 4 |
| 2001 | 112 | 2 |
| 2002 | 134 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 317 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 Accent for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1996 Hyundai Accent FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Hyundai Accent have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 02V341000 (suspension), 98V245000 (suspension), 97V026000 (visibility), 96V113000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Hyundai Accent problems?
Owners filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (24), Power train (22), Air bags (21) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Hyundai Accent get?
EPA rates the 1.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 24 city, 33 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 Accent compare with other years?
Among the 1991–2002 Hyundai Accent model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1995 the most (142). The 1996 drew 101. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.