1996 Hyundai Accent
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Hyundai Accent is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 106 on record.
1996 Hyundai Accent at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Hyundai Accent recalls 4
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. DURING WINTER MONTHS, LARGE QUANTITIES OF SALT ARE USED TO DE-ICE ROADS. THIS ROAD…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT …
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. DURING WINTER MONTHS, THE ROAD SALT USED TO DE-ICE ROADS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION …
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING GUIDE TO PREVENT A BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING AND DAMAGING A TIRE.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
THROUGH CONTACT WITH ROAD HAZARDS AND CURBS, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN SHIFT FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MEMBER ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT TO THE UNDERBODY.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Hyundai Accent common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Hyundai Accent safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1996 Hyundai Accent 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1996 Hyundai Accent MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Hyundai Accent costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Hyundai Accent — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM Closed
ON DECEMBER 18TH, 2002 HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC. (HYUNDAI) SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 47,000 1995 AND 1996 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES. ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH AN INTERIOR PARTITION WALL. THE PARTITION WALL RESTRICTS THE COVERAGE OF PAINT TO THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF T…
NHTSA #PE02055 · Suspension · opened Jul 2002 · closed Dec 2002PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED Closed
NHTSA #EA00001 · Air Bags · opened Jan 2000 · closed Mar 2001PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIES Closed
ODI IS AWARE OF SEVEN FATALITIES OF CHILDREN (EXCLUDING CHILDREN IN REAR FACING CHILD SAFETY SEATS) THAT WERE CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN MINOR OR MODERATE SEVERITY CRASHES INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES. TWO OF THE SEVEN FATALITIES OCCURRED IN PUERTO RICO. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FORFURTHER INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA #PE99046 · Air Bags · opened Jul 1999 · closed Jan 2000An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 56
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 56.
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lam…
Bulletin 23-BD-002H · Visibility · Jan 2023This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
Bulletin 21-EM-003H · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment · Mar 2021This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
Bulletin 20-BR-002H · Service Brakes · Nov 2020This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) d…
Bulletin 20-SS-004H · Wheels, Tires · Nov 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp as…
Bulletin 20-BD-014H · Exterior Lighting, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2020This bulletin provides information on tire maintenance best practices and procedures for dealers and customers to maximize tire life and performance.
Bulletin 20-SS-002H(1) · Tires, Wheels · May 2020This bulletin describes the general guidelines to help disinfect and protect vehicle exterior/interior surfaces using recommended safe chemical products.
Bulletin 20-BD-007H-1 · Equipment · May 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day alert - vehicle has not started and reported an SOC in 30 days.
Bulletin 20-EE-003H · Equipment, Electrical System · Apr 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
Bulletin 20-AT-016H · Power Train, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Apr 2020This bulletin describes the general guidelines to disinfect and protect vehicle interior surfaces using certain safe chemical products.
Bulletin 20-BD-007H · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Mar 2020Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ACCENT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Hyundai Accent. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Suspension
On certain vehicles, road de-icing salt used during winter months may result in corrosion of the lower plate or the front lower control arm. Corrosion may proceed to the point where the lower plate becomes perforated and the front lower control arm fractures between its forward and rearward pivot attachments to the chassis. If the front lower control arm fractures, the wheel as…
Transport Canada #2003140 · May 2003Suspension
On certain vehicles, corrosion from winter road salt may cause pits to form on the lower coil of the front springs. These pits may allow cracks to develop, which can result in the breakage of the lower spring coil. If the front coil spring breaks, it may become displaced from its seated position and cause damage to a tire which in turn could result in loss of vehicle control. C…
Transport Canada #1998210 · Oct 1998Visual System
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SOLDERING FLUX. THIS CONTAMINATION COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENT THE WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHICH MAY IN TURN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: CONTAMINA…
Transport Canada #1997045 · Mar 1997Suspension
NOTE: ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED PRIOR TO DELIVERY. THE LEFT HAND AND/OR RIGHT HAND REAR AXLE CARRIER (SPINDLE) MAY HAVE BEEN MACHINED INCORRECTLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE HUB BEARING INNER RACE NOT SEATING CORRECTLY ON THE AXLE CARRIER. AFFECTED VEHICLES COULD EXPERIENCE ONE OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: (1) EXCESSIVE BEARING NOISE; (2) ABNORMAL WHEEL VIBRATION;…
Transport Canada #1995209 · Nov 1995Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent, or Hyundai Verna is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai. In Australia, the first generation models carried over the Hyundai Excel name used by the Accent's predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea, although most international markets, including the US, retained the "Accent" name. The "Accent" name is an acronym of Advanced Compact Car of Epoch-making New Technology.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1996 Hyundai Accent vehicles on record
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA21LPTU159713
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPTU131306
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF21NPTU255501
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA21LPTU093504
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPTU097557
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31NPTU122529
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31NPTU096776
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPTU095764
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPTU144603
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF21LPTU255488
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPTU082950
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPTU083281
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31NPTU137103
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPTU274167
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPTU257466
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPTU137754
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF21NPTU274003
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVD31NPTU137750
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPTU316170
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPTU290937
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPTU264350
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVD21LPTU186558
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPTU254992
1996 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU334993