1998 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 13 of 55 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 115 in 1997 to 55 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–24 | 22–24 | 22–24 | 22–24 | 22–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 28–29 | 19–21 / 28–29 | 19–21 / 27–29 | 19–21 / 27–30 | 19–21 / 27–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–404 | 370–404 | 370–404 | 370–404 | 370–404 | |
| Complaints filed | 100 | 115 | 55 | 128 | 197 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 20 | 9 | 22 | 36 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 15 | 6 | 24 | 31 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Hyundai Elantra have?
No NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Hyundai Elantra?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 13 of 55 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 22–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls
No recalls have been issued for this model-year.