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1998 Hyundai Accent

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Accent.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Hyundai Accent is a compact passenger car that sits on Hyundai’s common platform and is propelled by a modest 4‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA‑rated 23/32/26 mpg in city, highway and combined testing. Its engine requires 3.5 quarts of 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 oil meeting API specifications, underscoring the vehicle’s focus on economical, low‑maintenance operation. Within Hyundai’s reliability record, the Accent’s 1998 iteration sits comfortably after the 1995 peak of 167 complaints and far above the 1993 low of only one complaint, indicating a steady improvement in owner satisfaction that translates into a relatively reliable choice for budget‑conscious drivers.

Model year2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy23/32/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 121R · 435 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 121R · 435 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP155-80R13OEM · verified

Wheel / rim4.5-, 5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	161.4 in
Overall width	63.8 in
Overall height	54.7 in
Wheelbase	94.5 in
Curb weight	2101 lb
Track (front / rear)	55.9 / 55.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	23 / 32 / 26 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	88 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Accent of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.20 sec — 1995 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	Sedan 1.5L I-4	11.20 sec	18.20 sec	92 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	14-20 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	25-28 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	2
Engine Flywheel Bolts	94-101 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	11-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	11-15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	40-44 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	148-192 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	147 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.79-.95 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,300-15,300 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Type	BKR5ES-11
Spark Plug Torque	15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.48-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.74-6.41 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	121R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	435 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	12-16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	190 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	36.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	43.5 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	15.55-16.25 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	220
Engine Oil Pressure	21.3 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	48-55 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	65-80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.748 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.748 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.669 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

9-10 ft. lbs., step 2: 13-14 ft. lbs., step 3: small 140-148 ft. lbs., step 4: 190-200, large

9–10 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 37,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 52,500 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 model year registers 51 complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation, representing the lowest regulatory activity in a pronounced cycle that peaked at 167 complaints and 5 recalls in 1995 before declining through 1996 (121 complaints) and 1997 (65 complaints). This metric positions 1998 at the nadir of a temporary valley, as complaints subsequently climb to 66 in 1999 and surge to 95, 126, and 144 through 2002, indicating the downward trend was not sustained. With zero fire complaints and only 6 crash-related complaints against totals of 10 for fuel system and 9 for engine cooling issues, the 1998 data reflects a relative stability point within this generation's volatile arc. While the federal data does not specify why complaints dropped precipitously for this single year only to rebound sharply afterward, the 1998 metrics offer the most favorable risk profile of its immediate production cycle. Consequently, 1998 emerges as a comparatively sound acquisition within this generation, provided buyers verify individual vehicle maintenance history given the surrounding years' higher defect rates.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’93 ’95 ’96 ’97’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 51 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline10

Engine & Engine Cooling9

Air Bags4

Electrical System4

Power Train3

Engine & Engine Cooling,Unknown Or Other3

Power Train,Electrical System2

Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V314001Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 02/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ACCENT GT MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DOHC ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 1996 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1997; 1998 ACCENT MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 25, 1998; 1997… Remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF IT IS CRACKED, A NEW FUEL TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP THAT DECREASES THE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 53 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
23-BD-002H	2023-01-30	Visibility	This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
22-EM-010H	2022-07-28	Engine And Engine Cooling	Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain…
22-GI-006H	2022-07-14	Tires	Effective June 2, 2008, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 (FMVSS 110) established…
21-AT-006H	2021-05-21	Power Train	Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the…
21-EM-004H	2021-03-30	Engine And Engine Cooling	This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Accent. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 121R battery Vehicles taking 3.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Accent take?

3.5 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Accent have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Accent get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined mpg.