Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

1998 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 56 owner complaints for the 1998 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve power train (13) and engine and engine cooling (13). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–24mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
56
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Hyundai Elantra as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

56 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1998 – Oct 2008
  1. Power train13
  2. Engine and engine cooling13
  3. Air bags7
  4. Fuel system, gasoline4
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  6. Tires3
  7. Latches/locks/linkages3
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Suspension3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

13 reports
“CAR DOWNSHIFTS END ENGINE REVS. IF PUT INTO REVERSE, FORWARD TRANSMISSION CAN THEN USUALLY BE SELECTED. CAN PUT FOOT ON GAS AND ENGINE/TRANSMISSION WILL "IDLE/REV". *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2008Power trainODI 10245304

Engine and engine cooling

13 reports
“COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON, ENGINE ALMOST STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. STILL GET SLOW DOWNS IN ENGINE FROM TIME TO TIME. SECOND BIG PROBLEM WAS NOT BEING ABLE TO FILL GAS TANK. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT CAR. FIRST TIME 02/99.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2000Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasolineODI 736631

Air bags

7 reports5 crashes
“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 15-20 MPH IMPACT, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2001Air bagsCrash reportedODI 889087
All 1998 Elantra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
Elantra Wagon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700370
Elantra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900404
Elantra Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
  • Elantra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Hyundai Elantra as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 3837
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Hyundai Elantra have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 6, 2026.

What are the most common 1998 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (13), engine and engine cooling (13), air bags (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Hyundai Elantra at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026