1999 Hyundai Accent Sedan GL 1.5 SOHC

Summary:

A good car if you plan to steal one and drive it for 2 years

Faults:

If I drive over bumps the deck makes this 'cracking' noise that grabs everyone's attention in the car.

There are no mechanical problems yet, but I fear the worst as the reviews from this website have perked up my paranoia towards this car.

General Comments:

When I first got it I put on a bra and covered up the seats to maintain its Korean integrity.

It seems the Hyundais will only last if you treat them like babies and never drive them harder than they can handle, and service the thing double the suggested intervals in the owner's manual.

The A/C makes the engine sound like it's grinding up wood to make particle boards, and it steals a lot of power from the engine.

The manual gearshift is choppy and takes time to shift between gears, this delays the acceleration as the car behind you practically runs into your bumper as the acceleration stalls. The acceleration is also jumpy and rather unpredictable as it seems to be a mood change within the car.

I also have difficulty in engaging reverse at times.

Another strange thing that has come up within the transmission is that it's making some weird noises. When I accelerate I notice a metallic-like whistling sound that is difficult not to notice. (metallic as in tinny). The noise is only produced when I am in gear and accelerating. Revving the engine idle does not produce the sound.

Does anyone else have this "whistling" issue regarding the engaged transmission?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th August, 2001

21st Aug 2001, 15:38

The whistling sound is standard in all Hyundai's. Mine does that as well and it's an automatic... I have not had any problems with mine though.

22nd Aug 2001, 15:50

Is a squeaking alternator also common regarding Hyundais? I forgot to include that in the review.

6th Oct 2002, 09:18

The noise that you are hearing is coming from the exhaust I have had mine replaced 3 times. It was actually a recalled item on certain models. The noise is loud and peoples heads turn when you go by. I believe it was a header pipe though not sure, but it was an exhaust problem. Other than that my 99 Hyundai accent has been trouble free and I have owned it since new. It has about 38,000 miles on it now and is built 100 times better then my 2000 Accent.

4th Oct 2003, 07:46

With regard to the need to baby your Hyundai Accent. I've had a Hyundai Excel that I've pushed hard for 10 years of highway driving. That is when I shift from first gear to second gear it must be approaching its red-line because the engine fuel pump will cease working and begins again when shifting to 2nd gear. I'm usually at 35 mph when shifting to 2nd gear between 2nd gear and 3rd gear I'm at 55mph and between 3rd gear and 4th gear I'm at 62 mph. Enough to get me safely on the beltway here in No. VA where they drive at 70 mph and the speed limit is 55 mph. I use synthetic oil that is change with a new filter every 3k. When I replace my 1990 Hyundai Excel with a 2000 Hyundai Accent I've driven it just as hard and haven't had any problems with it. Is it just luck that I've gotten 2 great cars from Hyundai...don't know. I do know that I'll replace it once it get 10 years old with another Hyundai!! If you get a lemon car just sell it and save yourself the headache. Bite the bullet and get a new car, one that won't drive you mad or crazy.

21st Feb 2006, 19:05

Just wanted to point out to the person who commented above that the Excel was made (in part) by Mitsubishi, which is why the early ones were rated so much higher than the Accents.

Not saying the Accents are bad, just saying that it's apples and oranges.

1999 Hyundai Accent

Summary:

Although inexpensive and carries a substantial warrany, aggravation is immeasurable

Faults:

A few weeks after I bought the car, I had to take it for a service because it would not shift out of park. The first time I took it in, the service representative told me all I had to do was stick a pencil down a slot while shifting in order for it to work. Since then, I have had the same problem two more times.

Last week, I took the car in because the Check Engine Light was on. Supposedly it was fixed. Yesterday, the light illuminated yet again.

The speakers are horrible. The sound is muffled when turned up loud and the sound goes high and low by itself.

General Comments:

I would not advise anyone to buy this model. Although Hyundai offers a very substantial warranty, it is not worth the time and aggravation. When the car is running, it runs pretty well. However, as far as I'm concerned the service people are not very understanding.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th August, 2001

16th May 2003, 21:29

That sounds like a typical 99 Accent to me. I got mine when it had 26K miles on it. I recently had to have the alternator replaced after having had the same type of electrical problems you're describing. I had to take it to the mechanics three times before they actually replaced it though--seems like Hyundai America is using that as a last resort and wants to exhaust all other options before they actually fix it properly, maybe hoping to stretch it till your warranty expires.