Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Hyundai Accent, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 15 | 23% |
| Power train | 14 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 9% |
| Visibility | 5 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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) CAU
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 WOUL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 NUMBE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 SI
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 Hyundai Accent. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, B
Risk: 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 P
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 15 of them (23%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 78/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.