NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 133 owner complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve power train (40) and engine and engine cooling (24). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, BRAKE, AND KICKDOWN SERVO, ALLOWING THEM TO SLIP.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 101 |
| 1997 | 118 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 133 |
| 2000 | 200 |
| 2001 | 329 |
| 2002 | 348 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 267 |
| 2008 | 316 |
| 2009 | 287 |
| 2010 | 455 |
| 2011 | 461 |
| 2012 | 676 |
| 2013 | 1,330 |
| 2014 | 387 |
| 2015 | 262 |
| 2016 | 293 |
| 2017 | 770 |
| 2018 | 284 |
| 2019 | 252 |
| 2020 | 254 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 101 |
| 2024 | 56 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 3 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOLENOID ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PUT A PENCIL INTO THE SHIFT LEVER RELEASE TO RELEASE THE GEAR SHIFTER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THEN SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V178000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY HESITATED BEFORE CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 216,000. UPDATED 07/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR READING INCORRECTLY AT IDLE. ALSO, ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WIRES WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 07/02/10.*JB”
“I HAVE A 99 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4 DOOR. LAST WEEK THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. MORE SPECIFICALLY, I WAS AT THE TIME IN THE HARDEE'S DRIVE THRU WHEN THE SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR TO ROLL OUT OF THE DRIVE THRU AND INTO THE PARKING LOT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FEW MECHANICS WHO SAY THAT IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT MELTED ALL OF THE STEERING COLUMN, DASH, CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE HEAT, AND OTHER FIRE DAMAGE. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND UNDRIVEABLE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 KIDS AND THIS WAS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. ALSO ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD CONTACTED HYUNDAI AFTERWARDS, BUT THEY SAID THAT THE CAR WAS FINE AND NOT TO WORRY. I HAVE NO WAY TO SCAN MY DOCUMENTS, BUT I HAVE A POLICE REPORT AS WELL AS SEVERAL EMAILS FROM HYUNDAI FROM LAST YEAR, AS WELL AS PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| Elantra Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| Elantra Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Elantra Wagon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 133 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (40), engine and engine cooling (24), air bags (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Hyundai Elantra at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).