Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra. 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 CARIBBEAN/FUEL TANKS
- Summary
- 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 AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
- 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.
HYUNDAI/FUEL TANKS
- Summary
- 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 AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
- 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.
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.
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 (100)
100 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 20% |
| Power train | 20 | 20% |
| Air bags | 14 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 14% |
| Fuel system | 13 | 13% |
| Visibility | 13 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 5 | 5% |
| Tires | 3 | 3% |
How 1996 compares with other Elantra years
Best and worst Elantra years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 29 | 0 |
| 1993 | 24 | 0 |
| 1994 | 76 | 2 |
| 1995 | 112 | 1 |
| 1996 | 100 | 3 |
| 1997 | 115 | 3 |
| 1998 | 55 | 0 |
| 1999 | 128 | 2 |
| 2000 | 197 | 1 |
| 2001 | 315 | 6 |
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 24 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 370 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 Elantra 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 Elantra FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 00V095002 (fuel system), 00V095001 (fuel system), 97V026000 (visibility). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Hyundai Elantra problems?
Owners filed 100 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (20), Power train (20), Air bags (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 29 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 Elantra compare with other years?
Among the 1992–2001 Hyundai Elantra model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (24) and the 2001 the most (315). The 1996 drew 100. 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.