1994 Hyundai Elantra problems
The Hyundai Elantra, also known as the Hyundai Avante (Korean: 현대 아반떼), is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1990. The Elantra was initially marketed as the Lantra in Australia and some European markets. In Australia, this was due to the similarly named Mitsubishi Magna Elante model; similarly, in other markets, the name Avante is not used due to its similarity with Audi's "Avant" designation, which is used for their line-up of station wagons. The name was standardized as "Elantra" worldwide in 2001 (except in South Korea and Singapore).
First generation (J1; 1990)
The Elantra (codename J1) was launched in October 1990, and received a mid-term facelift in 1993.
It was sold in Europe from the spring of 1991. It replaced the somewhat larger on the outside Stellar, although that model had not been offered in many markets. The Elantra competed with the likes of the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Vectra, but at a considerably lower price.
The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L (1595 cc) straight-four. This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 PS (83 kW) at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.5 seconds. The quarter-mile (0.4 km) run took 17.1 seconds and produced 129 km/h (80 mph). Top speed was 187 km/h (116 mph). The Elantra got 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km) in the city cycle. Starting in 1993 a Mitsubishi-designed 1.8 L (1836 cc) inline-four option was available; this unit produces 135 PS (99 kW) at 6000 rpm and replaced the twin-cam 1.6 in the home market.
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Common 1994 Hyundai Elantra problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1994 Hyundai Elantra, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:
- Hard Starting: Another common complaint is hard starting, especially after the engine has warmed up. Owners have reported difficulties in starting the engine, which can be a frustrating and inconvenient problem to deal with.
These issues can significantly impact the driving experience and the overall reliability of the 1994 Hyundai Elantra. It is essential for owners to address these problems promptly to ensure the safety and performance of their vehicles.
What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Elantra?
A prevalent problem that the Hyundai Elantra's have is a subpar starter. A few signs of a bad starter are noises, smoke, and if the car won't start. Noises such as clicking, grinding, or a high-pitched sound can indicate that the starter is bad.
Are older Hyundai Elantras reliable?
Q: Which Hyundai Elantra model years should I avoid when shopping for a used car? A: If you're in the market for a used Hyundai Elantra, avoid the following model years due to reliability issues: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2017.
Which year is best for Elantra?
We'd rate the 2007-2009 Elantra's, along with the 2015 and 2016 Elantra's in the middle range. They perform well, but not best. Not that you'll find them here, but the newer models, from 2019 onward have been rated highly, and so far haven't earned a lot of complaints.
Is Elantra good or bad?
If the car isn't ideal, there is little point in investing in it. The Hyundai Elantra boasts excellent reliability on the market. According to withclutch.com, the Elantra scores 69.25, which makes it a very reliable option. It's one of the highest-scoring Hyundais, making an excellent name for the brand.
1994 Hyundai Elantra car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Hyundai Elantra problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1994 Hyundai Elantra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1994 Hyundai Elantra
The NHTSA has received 97 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1994 Hyundai Elantra. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1994 Hyundai Elantra vehicles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-08-26
- VIN: KMHJF22M9RV
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH ON A DOWNWARD INCLINE AND WITH NO WARNING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, DISTRACTING CONSUMER'S VIEW, AND CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-11-28
- VIN: KMHJF22R4RU
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND HE HAD TO RESET MODULAR . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN BULLETIN FOR AIR BAGS; BUT, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-22
- VIN: KMHJF22M2RU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-05
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: SHIFTING TO REVERSE; METAL SOUND SCRAPING GROUND. *AK
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: WHILE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND DRIVER SEATBACK FAILED BACKWARDS, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER'S BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORDMATION.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-05
- VIN: KMHJF32M9RU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I FEEL THAT THE ENGINE IN THIS CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 52,000 MILE. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND WAS UNDER THE MILEAGE IT IS WARRANTEED FOR.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHJF22M8RU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS REPLACED SOME PARTS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHT FAILED TWO TIMES. *MJS
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *MJS
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSAXLE REPLACE, FAILURE CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. *MJS
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. *MJS
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *MJS
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSAXLE REPLACE, FAILURE CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SLIP. *MJS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHT FAILED TWO TIMES. *MJS
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY. *MJS
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KMHJF22M9R4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 95V101000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-06-29
- VIN: KMHJF32M3RU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *YC WHILE HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER, FOUND HIGH VOLTAGE AND ALSO FOUND ALTERNATOR WAS OVERHCHARGING - REPLACED ALTERNATOR. *SLC
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-07-14
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KMHJF32M4RU
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WAS DRIVING 35MPH USED FRONT SIGNAL TO TURN ONE THEN SUDDENLY TURNED THE OTHER. WAS REARENDED BY ELANTRA. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ENTIRE FRONT END HAD CRUMBLED & WAS PUSHED BACK. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO BODY SHOP. INSURANCE INSPECTOR TOOK PICTURES. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-10-23
- VIN: KMHJF22M3RU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I EVENTUALLY TOLD THE FINANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER I WAS NOT GOING TO PAY FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS. THE FINANCE COMPANY CAME AND TOOK THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 1996. IT WAS PUT ON MY CREDIT AS A REPOSESSION, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME AS A NEW CAR AND THE CAR HAD 1500 MILES ON IT WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO ME AS A NEW CAR. I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE END OF THAT SITUATION, BUT RECENTLY, 5 YEARS LATER AFTER THE FACT, I WAS SERVERED COURT PAPERS LAST MONTH FROM THE FINANCE COMPANY, FOR A PAYMENT OF $6,000 FOR REMAINDING BALANCE ON THIS LEMON. I KNOW THAT THIS CAR WAS DEFECTED AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO HISTORY ON THE CAR. I KNOW THERE IS, AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT RECORDED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-06-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KMHJF32M0RU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIIVNG, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. FIRST ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASHBROAD. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK *TT
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-04-21
- VIN: KMHJF32M0RU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
- Summary: MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS MANY DEFECTS, AND HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER PROBLEM I FACED WAS LESS THEN A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY FAILED AND THAT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST. THE DOOR HANDLES IN THE SUMMER GET HOT AND MELT AND FALL OFF, I'VE HAD TO REPLACED ALL DOOR HANDLES IN THE INTERIOR, SAID THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY A/C KNOBS KEEP FALLING OFF AND BREAKING, AND THIS IS ALSO NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SO AT MY COST THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. A RECENT PROBLEM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER HOSE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WIND WELL WAS FROZEN, AND NOW IS BROKEN DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FROZE UP. LAST MONTH THE HOSE SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED FOR A OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THESE CARS WHERE RECALLED IN 94 AND 95 .AND I WAS NOT TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I AM WANDERING IF THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT FOR THESE RECALLED MATTERS. I THINK THAT THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE THAN WHAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT ME WITH ASAP. THANK YOU. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-03-08
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: NO SUMMARY
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-08-01
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DURING A COLLISION, RESULTED IN INJURIES. ALSO VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-05
- VIN: KMHJF32M7PU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: AIR CONDITIONER PULLEY RUBS AGAINST THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET. THE SPRING ON THE IDLE WAS LOOSE. HAD NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET. *AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KMHJF22MXRU
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 15 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY,CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
1994 Hyundai Elantra recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1994 Hyundai Elantra.
- Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE FROM INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE.
- Consequence: AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MIGHT PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM ACTIVATING DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO DETERMINE IF IT CONTAINS A TERMINAL HOLDER. IF IT DOES NOT, ONE WILL BE INSTALLED.
- Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
- Summary: IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
- Consequence: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SENSOR IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND REPLACE ANY SENSOR FOUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COATING.
Negative 1994 Hyundai Elantra car reviews
Positive 1994 Hyundai Elantra car reviews
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Great car for its price! Although there are some design errors, they only affect the aesthetics. The suspension is the only mechanical feature that is really bad, as you can feel every turn and curve. However, if you don't treat it as a sports car, it's still acceptable. Just keep in mind that driving it may be less comfortable and may threaten passengers. The engine is very good - for this light vehicle, 124hp is completely enough to give you satisfactory acceleration even at 80-90mph, which makes passing a pretty safe operation.
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Bought new for my wife, we've never had any major problems and have kept up with regular maintenance. We've even taken it on a few road trips up and down the East Coast and it's held up great. I would definitely do it again if I had to.
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I'm so glad to hear that your car has lasted so long! It sounds like you made a great choice with the 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. Even after 9 years, it still looks great and runs well with only regular maintenance like oil changes, new tires, and brake pads. It's impressive that it starts even in -40 weather and has plenty of power with its 4-cylinder engine. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!
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We bought this car from a neighbor. It had previously been owned by a mechanic, which was one of the reasons I decided to buy it. I've owned the car for over a year now and have only needed to replace the alternator. When we bought it, the car had 119,000 miles on it and it made it through a trip from New York to Florida with no issues. I'm really happy to have it as a second car!
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My husband and I bought this car before our baby was born. I love the spaciousness and the fact that the back seats lay down, which comes in handy when you're used to having a truck. It handles great. I would suggest this car to everyone. By the way, when I bought the car, it had 161,000 miles on it.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1994 Hyundai Elantra problems:
1994 Hyundai Elantra Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
The Hyundai Elantra Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 8th out of 36 for compact cars.
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Other years of Hyundai Elantra
Are you having problems with your 1994 Hyundai Elantra?
Garry Berge 2024-09-04
Hi there! I wanted to share that I recently purchased an Elantra with 117000 miles on it. I've been getting around 27 miles per gallon on the highway, which is great! I really appreciate the way the interior is set up, although I'm not too fond of the lavender paint. Overall, I find the power to be sufficient for the engine size.
Claude McClure 2024-05-14
I purchased this car from a dealer back in 2002 with 61000 miles on it, for $2,200. Over the course of a year, I added 25,000 miles and the car still runs and looks great. However, the engine has become a bit loud and I've had to replace a few parts such as the horn, windshield wiper motor, brakes, axel, and bearings. I always use Valvoline MaxLife engine oil. While I do love my car, I personally wouldn't choose a Hyundai again due to its reliability issues. Perhaps the 2003-2004 models are better, but I wouldn't want to take the risk.
Hank Marks 2024-05-13
This car has a nice appearance, but unfortunately, earlier versions of Hyundai vehicles in the 90s were not up to par. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this particular year of car to anyone. The transmission began to have issues only three months after purchasing it, and the steering and brakes have also been problematic. Fortunately, my mother only drives it 25-30 miles per week, so I let her keep it.
Jevon Zulauf 2024-04-10
This is a great car for its price! I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a used car to use within the city.
Keanu Turner 2024-04-06
This car was perfect as a first car! I never had any issues with it and it had great gas mileage and plenty of room inside. Unfortunately, it was involved in an accident (remember to stay on your side!) and was totaled. However, I was impressed with the safety features of the car as it automatically shut off and the airbag deployed on cue. Overall, it was a pretty decent car.