RoadVitals

1997 Hyundai Elantra

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
115
Latest Mar 27, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jul 21, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
20
15 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 115 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, most frequently naming the transmission, engine and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 65 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V095002

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jul 21, 2000
7,111 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICOView on NHTSA.gov
00V095001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Mar 28, 2000
84,020 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
97V026000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Feb 26, 1997
74,965 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
The risk: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICAView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

SQ00003OpenInvestigation

FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36

Opened Feb 2, 2000

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYLed to recall 00V095001

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 115
Fuel system
Filed Mar 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE/CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 5, 2000 PER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: SQ00003 (FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 00V095002 OR 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10968772
Incident
Mar 17, 2017
Mileage
120,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095002 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. UPDATED 04/18/17 *LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10907089
Incident
Aug 10, 2016
Mileage
189,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 5, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, MY CAR GOT TOTALED ON 5/18/2015,. I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION AND JOINT PAIN ALL OVER FOR MONTHS FROM A COLLISION THAT HAPPENED THIS DAY. MY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS GOING 40 TO 45 MPH WHEN A VAN MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF ME. HER FAULT, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE TO DO ANY GOOD. MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. I HAD NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I CONTACTED NHTSA ON 5/19/15 MADE A COMPLAINT. I CALLED HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY WHO FINALLY CAME AND LOOKED AT THE CAR BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN BY THE INSURANCE, DUE TO IT BEING TOTALED. IT WOULDN'T EVEN START. HYUNDAI TOTALLY DISMISSED IT AND CONTRADICTED THEMSELVES IN THE LETTER THEY SENT ME. THEY SAID THE CAR DID WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. REALLY? I NOW HAVE POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME. PTSD. I REPLAY THIS OVER AND OVER IN MY HEAD. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION AND RECALL FOR THIS. I DON'T HAVE MY VEHICLE ANYMORE BUT THE SCARS ARE STILL THERE BECAUSE OF HYUNDAI. AN AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU DURING A COLLISION. FAILURE TO DEPLOY IS A FAILURE AND NOT DOING WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. HYUNDAI HAS ALREADY RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR GLITCH. IT WON'T BE TOO LATE FOR THEM. UPDATED 9/15/15 *LN UPDATED 12/10/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10746386
Incident
May 18, 2015
Mileage
145,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureSuspension
Filed May 19, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TRAVELING WEST ON ADAM SHEPHERDS PKWY, I HAD A GREEN LIGHT, LADY OPPOSITE SIDE TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME, RESULTED IN COLLISION. HER FAULT. WITNESSES SAID SHE HESITATED BUT WENT ANYWAY. SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO YIELD. I COULD OF BEEN KILLED! MY FRONT DUAL AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I CAN HARDLY MOVE MY RIGHT ARM, MY BACK, MY NECK MY CHEST HURTS. I WAS TAKEN THEN TO NORTON'S EMERGENCY ROOM . I CAN'T SIT OR LAY DOWN OR STAND TOO LONG. CAN'T HOLD ON TO ANYTHING. VERY SORE, STRAINED MUSCLES AND BRUISING OF MUSCLES.

NHTSA ID
10717302
Incident
May 18, 2015
Mileage
141,000 mi
Filed Nov 24, 2014

HYUNDAI CHARGED FOR RECALL - DID NOT PERFORM RECALL. CAR STILL NOT FIXED. HYUNDAI STILL HAS THE MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660485
Incident
Nov 24, 2014
Mileage
35,672 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 16, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED IN THE SAME LOCATION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY), THAT MAY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE ORIGINAL PART WOULD HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE IN ORDER FOR THE REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SAVE THE ORIGINAL PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10455398
Incident
Oct 15, 2011
Mileage
65,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 19, 2009

SAFETY RECALL ON THE 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAGON REGARDING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE IN THE GAS TANK WAS INITIATED IN 2001. AS AN OWNER OF SUCH VEHICLE, I RESPONDED AND RECEIVED IN THE MAIL A NEW GAS CAP.........AND WAS INFORMED THAT WAS THE FIX. THE TANK WAS NEVER CHECKED FOR CRACKS OR EVEN IF THE PRESSURE WAS CORRECTED BY THE NEW GAS CAP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10277354
Incident
Apr 27, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY FOR OVER FIVE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE: TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ID
10241871
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
Mileage
136,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-BD-002H

VISIBILITY

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

21-AT-006H

POWER TRAIN

Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.  Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or other drivability conditions.  Use of other DCT and IVT gear oil may result in reduced durability. Hyundai does not approve the use of any aftermarket ATF or gear oil additives.

21-EM-004H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection requirements to determine next required steps.

21-BR-002H

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.

21-EM-003H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.

20-BR-002H

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Elantra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026110—
2025210053.0
2024521051.0
2023922055.1
2022975159.8
20211296262.9
20202423060.4
20192461049.9
20182800045.4
20177624158.6
20162902161.8
20152603263.3
20143812260.5
20131,3104463.1
20126514462.5
20114325358.2
20103793161.9
20092504164.6
20083147264.9
20072666363.2
20061551046.1
20051374059.8
20041825160.7
20032345262.5
20023426364.6
20013156367.3
20001971047.4
19991282052.8
1998550040.9
1997Viewing1153158.8
19961003259.3
19951121256.6
1994762264.1
1993240244.0
1992290246.4
1991001—
1990001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.