1999 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 41 of 128 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (21) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 55 in 1998 to 128 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–24 | 22–24 | 22–24 | 22–24 | 25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 28–29 | 19–21 / 27–29 | 19–21 / 27–30 | 19–21 / 27–30 | 21 / 30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–404 | 370–404 | 370–404 | 370–404 | 355 | |
| Complaints filed | 115 | 55 | 128 | 197 | 315 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 9 | 22 | 36 | 71 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 6 | 24 | 31 | 59 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 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 1999 Hyundai Elantra have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 41 of 128 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 22–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 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 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | 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 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 41 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 25 | 19 | 1 | 21 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 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 (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 00V259001 · Sep 14, 2000
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 99V178000 · Jul 14, 1999
Defect: 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.