1997 Hyundai Accent
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Hyundai Accent is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 51 on record.
1997 Hyundai Accent at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1997 Hyundai Accent recalls 2
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.
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.
1997 Hyundai Accent common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1997 Hyundai Accent safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Hyundai Accent 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1997 Hyundai Accent MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 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 1997 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 1997 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
FUEL TANK CRACKING Closed
NHTSA #RQ00017 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Sep 2000 · closed Oct 2000PASSENGER 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 67
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 67.
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 2023Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or other drivability conditions. ï· Use of other DCT and IVT gear oil may result…
Bulletin 21-AT-006H · Power Train · May 2021This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection requirements to determine next required steps.
Bulletin 21-EM-004H · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment · Mar 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
Bulletin 21-BR-002H · Service Brakes, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Mar 2021This 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 2020Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ACCENT. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 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 1997Source: 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.
1997 Hyundai Accent vehicles on record
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU387036
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF21LPVU350940
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU334261
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU364436
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU334438
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU364683
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVA21LPVU184014
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVA31LPWU262840
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU364639
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU350921
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF21LPVU369794
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU387092
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU364768
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU364809
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU399157
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF21LPTU255411
1997 Hyundai AccentNLHVF21LPWZ002500
1997 Hyundai AccentNLHVF21LPWZ002404
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF21NPVU333673
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31NPVU334247
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVD21LPVU198680
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVA21NPVU311350
1997 Hyundai AccentNLHVF21LPWZ002741
1997 Hyundai AccentKMHVF31LPVU368403