1996 Hyundai Accent Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 22%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Hyundai Accent, 22% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Manual transmission fails to shift into 2nd gear, 4th gear, or reverse. (into any of the down shifting positions) there seems to be no pattern to predict when this problem will appear. I've experienced problems on surface streets, freeways, and when just starting the car or mid trip.”
NHTSA complaint #10112226, filed 2005-02, 74,500 miles“The closest dealership to me was in augusta georgia. The transmission shop in my town told me I needed a tork converter,epc assembly,complete planetary set up,left axle bearing,housing, busking kit?,master kit,fluid,fliter, and auxillary cooler. I notified Hyundai,western nat'l, taylor automotive in ga., and todey in ca. Not until after I called with charges was I told Hyundai had to do the repairs for warranty. Ca. Told me that I misunderstood my owner's manual when it said that if it was unreasonable to get the vehicle serviced by an authorized Hyundai tech., my warranty would be nullified. …”
NHTSA complaint #756729, filed 2002-01“When driving at both residential & highway speeds the transmission seems to slip out of gear into neutral causing a racing of the engine & a sudden jerking of the vehicle. So far this has resolved after several seconds and the transmission re-engages. This has happened intermittently. The second report relates to the the engine not moving into overdrive when it should. Both of these problems have been happening randomly but with increasing frequency.”
NHTSA complaint #708832, filed 1999-07“Transmission is slipping. The headlights/ air conditioner blower and radio are inoperable. Dealer states the starter relay switch caused the headlights to go out. No fuses blown. All other lights work, repairwork being done at consumer's cost.”
NHTSA complaint #828692, filed 1998-10“Automatic transmission will drop out of gear into neutral while car is in drive usually around 35 to 40 MPH. This condition does not register when car is on electronic diagnostic devices. On atleast three occasions prior to the first, transmission completely failed. It had been placed on a device, with no problem found. The second, supposedly new transmission began having the same trouble, again it could not be diagnosed by machine. Because no one wanted to help I gave the car up. …”
NHTSA complaint #702614, filed 1999-01Related service bulletins
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10020913Dec 1, 2006Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble code (dtc) list.
- 10015733Feb 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 6 | 9% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 7% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 12 | 8% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 9 | 9% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% |
| 2005 | 13 | 27% |
| 2004 | 5 | 15% |
| 2003 | 7 | 19% |
| 2002 | 24 | 18% |
| 2001 | 21 | 19% |
| 2000 | 28 | 30% |
| 1999 | 15 | 25% |
| 1998 | 8 | 17% |
| 1997 | 13 | 24% |
| 1996 | 22 | 22% |
| 1995 | 16 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1996 Hyundai Accent
24 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Hyundai Accent
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology