1998 Hyundai Elantra from North America - Comments

At 70mph, engine periodically shuts down then mysteriously restarts. Dealer has yet to figure this problem out after 3 attempts.

Seats squeak nastily.

Trip odometer broke.

Driver's side door lock broke.

Really bad tires, had to replace at 24,000 miles.

Power steering fluid pump broke at 18,000 miles.

Arguably the worst car I've ever owned, and that includes my first car: AMC/Renault Alliance 1983, I got 165,000 miles out of that car, this one will be lucky to survive to 80,000.

Cheers,

Ray Wiggins

www.raywiggins.com

ray@ifxpro.com

Nice styling, relatively comfortable. Don't believe everything you hear about the warrany.

I agree on the warranty 100%. We had to pay extra for it, and it still doesn't cover much. The reason we BOUGHT the car in the first place was the warranty, and none of our problems have been covered.

Also, the passenger side window doesn't roll up properly, and the driver's side door handle (inside) broke. I love rolling down the window to open my door. No better way to impress friends.

I had a '97 Hyundai Accent that had the same problem with the driver's side door. To get out of my car, I had to roll the window down and open it from the outside. I still own the car but I let my girlfriend drive it most of the time and she told me a few weeks ago that the passenger and driver's side locks are bad and she can't even lock it on either side. I am going to wait a few months until the payoff is a little lower and then I am trading the damn thing in.

I purchased a 1998 Hyundai Elantra. The Driver side door handle broke (luckily I live in a rural area, so few people saw me roll down my window to get out of the car). The driver's side windshield wiper quit working. Actually, quit isn't the word I want... flew off would be more like it. To top it all off, after 86,000 miles, I was driving down the highway at 60 mph, the oil light flashed, literally flashed, for maybe 2 seconds and the entire engine blew. Do yourself a favor, buy a FORD, a CHEVY, a DODGE - anything, but a Hyundai.

I have a 1999 Hyundai Elantra. It has 80,000 miles on it. My driver side door handle broke too. AND I had to have my transmission REBUILT $1700!!!

I just wanted to say that my driver's side handle broke as well. I replaced it for about 10 dollars at a wrecking yard. My heater cable broke free from the switch on the console too! It is so much fun to have full heat or none at all. I now have 88k on my 97 Elantra and now the check engine light comes on for about two days and then shuts back off.

My 1997 Elantra also has a broken driver-side door handel. The overdrive switch on the tranny selector also decides when it wants to work. I have to roll down the window now to get out of the car. I use a large rubber-band to hold the OD switch down when I get on the interstate.

I bought a used 98 elantra with 60K miles. after 1 day it stalled. after a month with 70k miles I needed a new transmition, after 3 weeks in the shop where they couldnt figure out what was wrong with it. now at 80k miles after a drive on the highway at 75 mph the check engine light is on again. I'm sure there are only more unknown engine probvlems to come.

Just want to add my own 'Door'... I live in Stoneham, Mass.

1996 Hyundai Elantra.. I was lucky to get a used Hyundai with such low mileage..only 46,000 miles.. And 'still' the driver's side window.. and the plastic 'pull' broke.. Cost me $ 275.00 at Walt Curran's Automotive in Stoneham, Mass. and that DID NOT INCLUDE THE LITTLE 'FINGER' PLASTIC PIECE.!!...

POINT TWO.. - The Transmission is slipping like heck...already..!!..

POINT THREE - Have you compared the Collission insurance on these Hyundais with a big Cadillac???... The Cadillac is Cheaper!!!...

So..let's check out our own AMERICAN MADE CARS.. SHALL WE??

I think we use better steel, better metal.. and a lot more integrity.. These oriental cars are really made for smaller people... than us..

Frank P.

Stoneham, Mass.

Regarding the engine shut down at 70mph - my wife's 92 Saturn had the same problem. Turned out it was the spark plug wires had broken down internally and basically short circuited themselves out. Might be something to look at.