1999 Hyundai Accent recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.
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 1999 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V178000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 1999. 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
- 1999 Hyundai Accent owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (15), Transmission / drivetrain (15), Engine (8), Fuel system (7), Gasoline (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/10/2014 · Suspension
I WAS DRIVING IN A TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 15MPH AND MY LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN THE MIDDLE I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T IN THE HIGHWAY OR DRIVING FAST SO YOU AREN'T LOOKING FOR MY COMPLAINT.AFTER CHECKING FROM THE BOTTOM EVEN THE SUB-FRAME IS ALMOST BROKEN,I GUESS IT IS A BIG MANUFACTURING PROBLEM FOR SAFETY I RECOMMEND FOR ALL OWNERS OF HYUNDAI TO CHECK THERE CON…
06/20/2012 · Engine · fire
1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE TEN DAYS AFTER PURCHASING IT. THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND IT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE…
08/30/2010 · Fuel system
1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. UNABLE TO SAFELY FILL GAS TANK. THE GAS PUMP SHUTS OFF AFTER PUMPING ONLY 31/2 GALLONS. WHEN YOU TRY TO FILL IT UP GAS COMES OUT OF THE FILLER NECK SPILLING ON THE CAR AND THE GROUND. HYUNDAI SITE SHOWS TSB 96-30-006 STATING THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED ON THEIR CARS SINCE 1998 BUT OFFERS NO FIX. IS THERE A RECALL? [XXX] INFORMATION…
05/14/2010 · Airbags · crash
MY 1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLE GOT HIT ON THE REAR (BUMPER) WHILE I WAS STILL ON A RED LIGHT AND THE IMPACT WAS SO STRONG THAT THE HIT PROPELLED MY VEHICLE TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE (A SUBURBAN TRUCK) CAUSING REAR AND FRONT DAMAGES TO THE HYUNDAI. THE SUBURBAN INCURRED ZERO DAMAGES, WHILE THE LIMOUSINE THAT HIT ME INCURRED VERY LITTLE DAMAG…
12/02/2008 · Airbags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN HER VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT MAINTENANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED ON THE AIR BAG. THE INSPECTION WOULD COST $70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SHE WAS I…
10/22/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V17800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,621 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 11/14/08 *CN UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB
09/24/2007 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 25MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE FRONT WHEELS FELT AS THOUGH THE ALIGNMENT WAS UNBALANCED. THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED OUT FROM THE SUB FRAME MOUNTS. HYUNDAI STATED THAT THEY COULD D…
08/27/2007 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE AND THE BOLT JOINTS HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE STEEL WAS VISIBLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY REMAI…