1998 Hyundai Elantra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 24%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Hyundai Elantra, 24% of the 55 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10010597, filed 2003-03, 73,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10187849, filed 2007-04, 65,000 miles“I recently purchased a 1998 Hyundai Elantra. The problem I have is sporadic and without warning. The vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission. At any given time the vehicle will jerk to almost a complete stop as if someone has pulled the emergency brake on. This will happen at various speeds and happens whether or not the check engine light is on. I have parked the vehicle as it frightens me to drive more than 20 MPH. I use my vehicle frequently for my employment and have been renting a vehicle. I believe the problem is not as uncommon as it appears to be. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135255, filed 2005-09, 96,000 miles“Car downshifts end engine revs. If put into reverse, forward transmission can then usually be selected. Can put foot on gas and engine/transmission will idle/rev .”
NHTSA complaint #10245304, filed 2008-10, 62,000 miles“I have terrible mileage on this car and dealer gave me incorrect warranty information. I was told that with my model I would get a 10 year transmission warranty. Today, I was told by the manufacturer that I am only entitled to a 5 year warranty on the 98 elantras.”
NHTSA complaint #709261, filed 1999-07Related service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10018890Nov 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
- 10015733Feb 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 47 | 19% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 8% |
| 2017 | 62 | 8% |
| 2016 | 31 | 11% |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% |
| 2014 | 22 | 6% |
| 2013 | 57 | 4% |
| 2012 | 40 | 6% |
| 2011 | 21 | 5% |
| 2010 | 32 | 8% |
| 2009 | 8 | 3% |
| 2008 | 29 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 4% |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 16 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 11% |
| 1999 | 41 | 32% |
| 1998 | 13 | 24% |
| 1997 | 31 | 27% |
| 1996 | 20 | 20% |
| 1995 | 19 | 17% |
| 1994 | 9 | 12% |
| 1993 | 5 | 21% |
| 1992 | 9 | 31% |
Other parts of the 1998 Hyundai Elantra
12 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Hyundai Elantra
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