Total Complaints
46 filings
HYUNDAI ELANTRA · model year
1992 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1992HYUNDAIELANTRA carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 5 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 ELANTRA is power train:automatic transmission with 8 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (4) and electrical system:ignition (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1992 ELANTRA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
46
Complaints
1
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20010413VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHEN TRYING TO USE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WERE FROZEN WHILE SWITCH WAS ON, WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THEM. INSTEAD OF BLOWING A FUSE, WIRING HARNESS GOT HOT AND BURNED ALL WIRES. *AK
19990630FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WENT INSIDE INTO DOCTOR'S OFFICE, AND SOMEONE CAME IN AND TOLD HER THAT CAR WAS ON FIRE IN PARKING LOT. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING SHORTED OUT, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
19990309ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TIMING BELT, FAILED CAUSING CYLINDER HEAD DAMAGE FROM VALVES, ENGINE BLOWN
19990308FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 35, I MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS FLEW TO THE LEFT, THEY WERE NOT ON AT THE TIME, BLACK SMOKE FILLED THE CAR, THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CAR JERKED FORWARD WITH A THUMP. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SHOLDER JUST AS THE CAR DIED. THE CAR WAS TOLLED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALIST IN EL DORADE, KS. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ABOUT 8 COMPUTER BOARD FRIED AND HAD TO BE REPLASED. I STILL HAVE THEM IN MY GARAGE. ON THE E.C.U. I WAS TOLD THAT IT ROTTED????? IT WAS MUST HAVE BEEN SUBMERGED IN WATER.
19990209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE WILL NOT START. WOULD DIE OUT WHEN IT DOES START. ALTERNATOR HAD BROKEN. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
19981224ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING OPERATION, STARTER FAULTY, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. GLOVE BOX LATCH FELL OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND. PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
19981224SUSPENSION:FRONT
WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING OPERATION, STARTER FAULTY, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. GLOVE BOX LATCH FELL OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND. PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
19981224STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING OPERATION, STARTER FAULTY, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. GLOVE BOX LATCH FELL OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND. PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
19981224STRUCTURE:BODY
WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING OPERATION, STARTER FAULTY, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. GLOVE BOX LATCH FELL OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND. PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
19981224POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING OPERATION, STARTER FAULTY, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. GLOVE BOX LATCH FELL OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND. PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
19981224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING OPERATION, STARTER FAULTY, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. GLOVE BOX LATCH FELL OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND. PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
19981224EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. TRANSMISSION SLIPS DURING OPERATION, STARTER FAULTY, FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. GLOVE BOX LATCH FELL OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND. PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. *AK
19980702SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
LEFT FRONT STRUT FAILED.
19980219STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF VEHICLE.
19970401CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES BECAUSE SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER. *AK
19960718VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELEATOR PEDAL STICKS AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE. *AK *JB
19960703LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ALSO THE HOOD LATCH FELL OFF AND TIMING BELT FAILED. *AK
19960703POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ALSO THE HOOD LATCH FELL OFF AND TIMING BELT FAILED. *AK
19960703ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ALSO THE HOOD LATCH FELL OFF AND TIMING BELT FAILED. *AK
19960207POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OWNER ENTERED VEHICLE BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Compare 1992HYUNDAIELANTRA to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
EA12008Engineering AnalysisClosed
Headliner Bracket Detachment
PE12012Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment
PE09011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING
PE08044Preliminary EvaluationClosed
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
PE97002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1992 HYUNDAI ELANTRA have?▼
The 1992 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?▼
The most-complained component for the 1992 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1992 HYUNDAI ELANTRA safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.