1999 Hyundai Accent Problems & Complaints

Average23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Accent at the same age

Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 1999 Hyundai Accent with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Accent at the same age. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain (15 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

61complaints
1recalls
17crashes
3fires
12injuries
1deaths

Most common 1999 Hyundai Accent problems

  • Transmission & drivetrain~91,000 miles
    1525%
  • Air bags~84,000 miles
    1423%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~48,000 miles
    711%
  • Engine & cooling~33,000 miles
    610%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof
    35%
  • Seat belts~61,000 miles
    35%
  • Electrical system~15,000 miles
    35%
  • Brakes~78,000 miles
    35%
  • Lights
    23%
  • Wheels & tires
    23%
  • A/C & heater~87,000 miles
    23%
  • Seats
    12%
  • Locks & latches
    12%
  • Other / not specified~61,000 miles
    12%
  • Speed control & acceleration~51,000 miles
    12%
  • Body & structure~44,000 miles
    12%
  • Suspension~72,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 61 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Hyundai Accent complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’2214210156476192112134373349438810110187381531417970102681931121617
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Accent. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Accent years: 2020, 2018, 2021. Years to avoid: 2012, 1995, 2002, 1996. Compare all years →

1999 Hyundai Accent recalls (1)

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 99V-178 · Jul 7, 1999 · 11,530 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The automatic transmission pressure control solenoid valve seals do not remain sufficiently elastic, resulting in transmission fluid leakage.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the pressure control solenoid valve.

What 1999 Hyundai Accent owners say

Transmission & drivetrain

We own a 1999 Hyundai Accent. Bought brand new from dealership. Have had numerous problems with car, currently transmission problems. Have taken car to dealership, problem supposedly not under warranty, but charged us numerous times. Got on internet and found numerous recalls on this make of car. We have never received a recall notice regarding any of the problems. Would like to know how to go about obtaining these recalls, should be free from car company, and how to get this car repaired. Auto transmission not shifting properly, been going on for over 8 months, no one seems to know what is wrong with it. There are several recalls associated with this problem. Why were we not informed about the recalls, and why did't the dealership know about the recalls to fix the problem to begin with. Please help!!! We have taken to 4 or 5 mechanics, no one able to help.

Automatic transmission · 85,000 miles · Jan 2003

I noticed when I got my car that is did not have good acceleration, but I figured that it was just because it only had 85 horse power it is a 99 Hyundai Accent. It also hitched when you would go to step on the gas. As time went on it worsened. Then one day without any warning I went to back up and I heard a huge thunking noise. I had lost reverse in my transmission and it did not shift well into first or second would not shift into 3rd or over drive. I then looked up to see if there were any recalls on my transmission and I found out that there were starting 20 days after mine was manufactured. I would like proof that they were using different solenoid valves when 20 days before the recall started because I think that it was a manufacturing defect not operators. The car only has 110736 miles on it.

Automatic transmission · 111,000 miles · Sep 2005

Air bags

My 1999 Hyundai Accent vehicle got hit on the rear (bumper) while I was still on a red light and the impact was so strong that the hit propelled my vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of my vehicle (a suburban truck) causing rear and front damages to the Hyundai. The suburban incurred zero damages, while the limousine that hit me incurred very little damages if any. My vehicle got 'sandwich' even though I was about 4 to 6 feet behind the vehicle in front of me. My children were on the rear seats and incurred limited injuries. I received injuries and vehicle was total lost. The airbags did not deploy at anytime. I contacted the Hyundai corporate and an investigation is yet to be scheduled. I received written confirmation that my Hyundai vehicle has not been the only one with airbags deployment failure. That to me is a big safety issue that needs to be investigated accordingly.

100,000 miles · May 2010 · crash

Tl contact owns a 1999 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the air bag indicator has remained illuminated in her vehicle for over a year. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that maintenance would have to be performed on the air bag. The inspection would cost $70. The contact stated that she will not pay for the repair. She was informed to call the manufacturer to seek assistance. The failure mileage was 84,439. Updated 020209 updated 02/03/09.

84,000 miles · Dec 2007

Fuel & propulsion system

Fuel line and power steering line rubbed where they were close together in the engine compartment causing a hole in the fuel line which was spraying a steady strem of gasloline right into the engine compartment all over the transmission and radiator fans. I feel that this was a design flaw and that those lines never should have been placed that close together this is not a laughing matter however Hyundai motors of America tol me there was nothing they could do about it because my car is out of warranty.I could have been killed there could have been an explosion and or fire.

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · 78,000 miles · Jun 2006

1999 Hyundai Accent. Unable to safely fill gas tank. The gas pump shuts off after pumping only 31/2 gallons. When you try to fill it up gas comes out of the filler neck spilling on the car and the ground. Hyundai site shows TSB 96-30-006 stating this problem has existed on their cars since 1998 but offers no fix. Is there a recall? [redacted]

48,000 miles · Aug 2010

1999 Hyundai Accent engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
1.5L 4-cyl5-speed manualFWD24 / 34 / 28
1.5L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD23 / 33 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1999 Hyundai Accent a good car?

Based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Accent rates average: 23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Accent at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Hyundai Accent?

The transmission & drivetrain — 15 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the air bags (14) and fuel & propulsion system (7).

How many recalls does the 1999 Hyundai Accent have?

There is 1 recall for the 1999 Hyundai Accent, the most recent from July 7, 1999 (automatic transmission). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Accent?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 1995, 2002 and 1996. See the full Hyundai Accent years comparison.

At what mileage do 1999 Hyundai Accent problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.