Most common 1998 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of the 55 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Elantra complaints by model year
Best Elantra years: 2025. Years to avoid: 2013, 2017, 2012, 2018, 2011. Compare all years →
What 1998 Hyundai Elantra owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
After entering a highway my Elantra came to a complete stop on the highway from 65 MPH and the engine died. I later had to replace the front brakes and wheel bearings on the side I swerved into and I'm sure that is what caused the problem. I heard a woman complain about this same situation that happened to her twice to a dealership mechanic while she was having the transmission on her Elantra checked out. I think this problem results from there being no lock on the shifter between neutral and drive. It takes very little effort to pop the shifter into neutral (like a coat sleeve) and I think I touched it while reaching for my radio.this sent the engine into very high revs which caused the vacuum system to fail and then caused the power brakes to fall to the floor.
Transmission needs to be completely replaced after 77,000.00. The car hesitates or gets stuck in heavy traffic, which poses a safety hazard, especially with children in the car. The dealership were the vehicle was purchased lied to me and told me that it had a 100,000 mile power train warranty. It turned out it only had a five year 60,000.00 mile warranty.
Engine & cooling
When driving at variable speeds, the engine cuts out then cuts back on. No consistencies to when or why it cuts out. Check engine light stays on for weeks at a time. Contacted dealer and have taken it in three times for this. Dealer apparently finds nothing wrong. First service, dealer kept car for 10 days only to replace the gas cap. Second and third visits found nothing to substantiate check engine light cause. Yet the check engine light comes on periodically and stays on for days. After 44000 miles, engine sounding different than when purchased. Burning smell comes form engine periodically, smells like a belt burning but no apparent belt is cinged. At times engine does not appear to change gears smoothly.
I have taken my car back to the dealer 8 times. The engine cuts out at all rates of speed. Causing loss of power and power steering. The dealer replaced several parts but the car is still not working properly. When pumping gas, when the tank is full, the pump doesn't shut off. Gas then pours out of my car and down the side of the car. Hyundai has told me that they have a part that can fix it but they haven't made any attempt to fix it at this time.
Air bags
Was traveling 35-40mph when another vehicle went through stop sign, and hit consumer's vehicle. Then, Elantra rear ended first vehicle. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver hit the steering wheel. Driver received emergency treatment. Vehicle totaled.
While driving down highway traveling 75 MPH consumer, attempting to avoid hitting vehicle in front, applied brakes suddenly and vehicle swerved, hitting another vehicle in the other lane. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.
1998 Hyundai Elantra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Hyundai Elantra a good car?
Based on 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Elantra rates better than average: 73% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Elantra 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 1998 Hyundai Elantra?
The transmission & drivetrain — 13 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (12) and air bags (7).
How many recalls does the 1998 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Hyundai Elantra. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Elantra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2017, 2012, 2018 and 2011. See the full Hyundai Elantra years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Hyundai Elantra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 11% 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.