1996 Hyundai Elantra
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Hyundai Elantra is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 16 on record.
1996 Hyundai Elantra at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Hyundai Elantra recalls 3
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
1996 Hyundai Elantra common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1996 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1996 Hyundai Elantra 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 1996 Hyundai Elantra 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 Elantra — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36 Open
NHTSA #SQ00003 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Feb 2000WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE Closed
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 14, 1997, HYUNDAI STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 HYUNDAI VEHICLES (CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-97 ELANTRA, ACCENT, SONATA AND TIBURON MODELS BUILT THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 1996 -- SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 97V-026 FOR DETAILS) WILL BE RECALLED FOR A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. HYUNDAI STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY NOT OPERATE IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF T…
NHTSA #PE97002 · Visibility · opened Jan 1997 · closed Feb 1997An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 65
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 65.
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 ELANTRA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, if excessive vacuum is applied to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle, fuel tank distortion may result. After repeated exposure to the excessive vacuum, a stress crack may develop on the upper tank surface. This could result in fuel vapours or fuel escaping from the fuel tank. Correction: Fuel cap will be replaced with one that is vented so as no…
Transport Canada #2000063 · Mar 2000Visual 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 Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra, also known as the Hyundai Avante, is a series of compact cars produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1990.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1996 Hyundai Elantra vehicles on record
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU246578
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31RPTU306665
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU260493
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU207413
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF24M2VU381616
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU140013
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU280208
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31RPTU306727
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU254070
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU205224
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31RPTU274051
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU217772
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU263044
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU254141
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU164703
1996 Hyundai ElantraKMHJF31MPTU140135