1996 Hyundai Accent recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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…
What could happen: 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. RED…
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V341000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-633-5151.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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.
Notes: HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 058. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V026000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MARCH 18, 1997. NOTE: 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 1-800-829-9956. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. THROUGH CONTACT WITH ROAD HAZARDS AND CURBS, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN SHIFT FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION.
What could happen: THE SHIFTED LOCATION CAN RESULT IN IMPROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MEMBER ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE UNDERBODY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V113000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; CONTROL ARM; LOWER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD AND OPERATED IN PUERTO RICO. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1996. NOTE: 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 DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
4. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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…
What could happen: IF THE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKS, IT CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROM ITS SEATED POSITION, AND CAN CONTACT A TIRE. TIRE DAMAGE CAN RESULT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING GUIDE TO PREVENT A BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING AND DAMAGING A TIRE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V245000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS: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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 25, 1998. 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 1-800-829-9956. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1996 Hyundai Accent owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (25), Suspension (24), Airbags (22), Visibility (wipers / glass) (10), Brakes (8).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/02/2011 · Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED, THE TIRE TURNED SIDEWAYS INTO THE FENDER AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED RECALL 02V34…
06/18/2008 · Lights
HEADLIGHTS BLINK FOR NO APPARENT REASON SINCE NEW IN JULY 2006 ON MY AZERA LIMITED. *TR
09/26/2007 · Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE SUSPENSION SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED. HE WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND DROVE BACK INTO HIS DRIVEWAY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
08/08/2006 · Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL # 02V341000 FOR THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS REPLACED IN 2005 AND THE LEFT SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 8, 2006, AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER AND SERVICE DEALER D…
02/28/2006 · Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED FOR OTHER RECALLS, UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND UPPER MOUNTING BRACKETS WERE CRACKED. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 98V245000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 1999 HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. T…
01/31/2006 · Suspension
THERE WAS A RECALL ON A 96 HYUNDAI ACCENT, RECEIVED LETTER IN MAIL ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, TOOK CAR TO REPAIR CENTER AT THAT TIME TECH SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON JAN 30,2006 WAS DRIVING CAR AND FRONT CONTROL ARM SNAPPED PERTAINING TO THE RECALL THAT WAS DONE. CALLED HYUNDAI CORP WAS JUST TOLD TO WAIT FOR PAPER WORK AND INVESTIGATION EVEN THOUGH IF I WERE GO…
02/27/2005 · Transmission / drivetrain
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR, 4TH GEAR, OR REVERSE. (INTO ANY OF THE DOWN SHIFTING POSITIONS) THERE SEEMS TO BE NO PATTERN TO PREDICT WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL APPEAR. I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ON SURFACE STREETS, FREEWAYS, AND WHEN JUST STARTING THE CAR OR MID TRIP. *JB
01/15/2004 · Steering
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THIS WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE SALT USED ON ROADS DURING WINTER.