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1998 Hyundai Elantra Base Sedan

All Hyundai Elantra J2 trims (1996–2000) → All Hyundai Elantra generations →
1998 Hyundai Elantra – front Unverified
Photo: Hyundai station wagon (5110900537) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the second generation (J2, 1996–2000); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: Hyundai station wagon (5110900537) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: 1999 Hyundai Elantra GL in Ebony Black, front left, 07-05-2026 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: 98-00 Hyundai Elantra GLS wagon by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: 2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS Wagon, rear left, 09-27-2022 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: 1999 Hyundai Elantra GL in Ebony Black, rear left, 07-05-2026 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1998 Hyundai Elantra Base Sedan is a 1.8-liter inline-4 sedan with a manual 5-speed and front-wheel drive. It starts at $11,934 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The Elantra measures 174.0 inches long on a 100.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,458 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$11,934 ($23,795 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8L inline-4 multi-point fuel injection
Displacement1.8 L
Injection TypeMulti-point fuel injection (MPFI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissionManual 5-speed
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway29 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity14 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front14-in.
Wheels Rear14-in.
Dimensions & Weight
Length174 in
Width66.9 in
Height54.9 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb Weight2,458 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.6 in
Headroom Rear37.6 in
Legroom Front42.3 in
Legroom Rear34.6 in
Shoulder Room Front54.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear53.5 in
Hip Room Front52.4 in
Hip Room Rear52.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

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Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1998 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR.

Recalls

No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Hyundai ELANTRA.

56 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Hyundai ELANTRA

Owner Complaints

56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Hyundai ELANTRA (9 mention a crash, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling13
Power Train13
Unknown Or Other8
Air Bags7
Service Brakes5
Fuel System4
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 13, 2008 · Power Train
“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". *TR”
Apr 14, 2007 · Power Train
“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…”
Dec 13, 2005 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD PROBLEMS FILLING THE GAS TANK. WHEN HE TRIED TO FILL THE GAS TANK THE GAS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SPILL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS MECHANICS, EACH MECHANIC GAVE A…”
Sep 3, 2005 · Power Train
“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…”
Jul 5, 2005 · Tires 1 injury
“DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO SETS OF FIRESTONE SUPREME TIRES FOR TWO DIFFERENT VEHICLES. ALL EIGHT TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION, EACH OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. DEALER ONLY HONORED THE WARRANTY FOR THE…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1998 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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