Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Hyundai Elantra, and it carries 2 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 36 | 24% |
| Air bags | 17 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Structure | 4 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED, LUNGED, AND LOST POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I HAVE A 99 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4 DOOR. LAST WEEK THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. MORE SPECIFICALLY, I WAS AT THE TIME IN THE HARDEE'S DRIVE THRU WHEN THE SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED. I WAS ABLE T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE REVERSE POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
12/2/2014 MULTI-CAR/SEMI ACCIDENT. FRONT END COLLISION WITH REAR END DAMAGE. TOTAL LOSS, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 465 S @ MM 41 NEAR PENDLETON PIKE EXIT. AT FAULT DRIVER SPUN ON ICE, CAME INTO MY LANE THAT I WAS TRAVELIN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRAN
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra. 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: 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
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.
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 | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 36 of them (24%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (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 79/100, 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 74/100. 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.