RoadVitals

1997 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
21
Latest Sep 16, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 115 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2005

MY 1997 HYUNDAI/ELANTRA GLS HAS A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT WAS DETECTED BY MY HUSBAND, THE CAR HAS 98,600. MILES AND OUT OF WARRANT,BUT IT HAS TO BE FIXED. IT COULD BE A HEALTH PROBLEM IF YOU ARE TRAVELING LONG DISTANCES, AND DO NOT KNOW THE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. WE TRAVEL A LOT OF MILES ,NOW MY HUSBAND KNOWS WHY HE WAS SO EXHAUSTED LAST TRIP. WE JUST WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW THIS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10139874
Incident
Oct 17, 2005
Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2005

VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED FOR AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ON THE WELD. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10113841
Incident
Mar 9, 2005
Mileage
105,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.I HAVE BEEN IN REPEATEDLY FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED TO NO AVAIL. PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION REPEATEDLY. ENGINE WAS CAUSING A VACUUM AND NOT ALLOWING TO CAR TO SHIFT.

NHTSA ID
10069280
Incident
May 15, 2003
Mileage
67,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2002

ENGINE CHECL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD IT CHECKED THREE TIMES. MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY REPLACED CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND PURGE CONTROL VALVE. HOWEVER, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013817
Incident
Jun 10, 2002
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 17, 2002

02 SENSOR REPLACED ON 8-6-01, B/U LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED ON 8-6-01,IGNITION COILS REPL. ON 9-21-99, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT BEEN RESET 10 TIMES,#1 & #4 NOT FIRING 10 TIMES OR MORE, CAR LOOSES POWER, CHUGS THEN DIES 2 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
758344
Incident
Nov 4, 1998
EngineTransmissionVisibility
Filed Jul 28, 2001

WINDOW CONTROL- WHEN ROLLING UP YHE RUBBER GET CAUGHT IN THE WINDOW. THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM , I GUESS IT WAS FIX RIGHT HOPEFUL THIS TIMEWHICH WAS 7-24-01. EMISSION-WAS A PROBLEM .I THINK IT'S STILL A PROBLEM I REALLY DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS NOT PRETAING TO THE TRANSMISSION.TRANSMISSION-ALWAYS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND STILL IS. THE CAR JERKS BUCK,AND IT ACTS LIKE IT BE SFITING TO ANOTHER GEAR SOMETIMES. I;M BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND NOTHING. WAIT UNTIL THE ENIGINE LIGHT COMES ON.THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM CAUSE THIS HAS GOTTEN TO MY BACK. I CONTACT THE MANUF THEY DON'T CARE ,THEY JUST SAY AS LONG AS THERE IS A WARRANTY ON THE CAR THEY WILL KEEP FIXING, BUT IT'S NOT .THEY SAID A NEW ONE WAS PUT IN . I'M STILL HAVING A PROBLEM ALL I AK FOR WAS A ANOTHER CAR.AS BEE. *AK

NHTSA ID
749387
Incident
May 14, 1998
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed May 30, 2001

CAR STALL ON ME WHEN I AM AT A LIGHT OR A COMPLETE STOP IT WILL CHANGE FIRST GEAR WITH NO PROBLEMS BUT WHEN I GO AROUND 20 MPH IT WILL STALL OUT ON ME THEN POP INTO GEAR....THEN THE CAR WILL GO REALLY SLOW TILL IT WILL GET ITSELF TOGETHER...I HAVE CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE CAR CHANGE THE TIME BELT IN THE CAR CHANGE SPARK PLUGS IN THE CAR CHANGE THE AIR FILTER IN THE CAR AND ETC...THE LIST GOES ON...THE GUYS FROM THE HYUANDI DEALER IN NEWPORT NEWS IS GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND ....SAYING THEY DONT SEE NO PROBLEM BUT FIXING EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE CAR...IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW...I WILL BE HOME AFTER 8PM IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME OR LEAVE ME AN EMAIL I WILL REPLY BACK. *AK

NHTSA ID
746114
Incident
May 30, 2001
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 4, 2001

WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED PLUGS AND WIRES, AND REROUTED EVAP LINE. IT DID NOT REMEDY SITUATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
887443
Incident
Jun 15, 2000
Body & structureEngine
Filed Aug 7, 2000

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN HANDLE BROKE DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. ALSO, A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE,.WHEN TRUNING OFF VEHICLE WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
867001
Engine
Filed May 22, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ENGINIE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS TO DEALER FOR STALLING PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
862303
Incident
May 22, 2000
Engine
Filed May 9, 2000

THERE IS A SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHERE PASSENGERS CANNOT BREATH AND EYES START BURNING. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
861636
Incident
May 9, 2000
Engine
Filed Feb 1, 2000

ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

NHTSA ID
718184
Incident
Jan 31, 2000
Engine
Filed Jan 30, 2000

NOTED COOLANT LEAK - INSPECTED FOUND RAD PETCOCK HAD BROKEN WHERE SCREWED IN TO RAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
718055
Incident
Jan 29, 2000
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Jan 27, 2000

HEAD LINER IN REAR IS FALLING .*ET

NHTSA ID
784459
Incident
Mar 17, 1998
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Jul 13, 1999

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR NEW I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE PULSE GENERATOR REPLACED TWICE, AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRING REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE IT KEPT BURING OUT. I WOULD REPEATEDLY TAKE MY CAR INTO FAIRFAX HYUNDAI FOR SERVICE DUE TO SLIPPING TRANSMISSION, CAR CUTTING OFF AND STEERING LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE BELTWAY AT 65MPH SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST ETC. FINALLY ON 17 MARCH 1999, APPROXIAMATELY 4 WEEKS AFTER PAYING 350 DOLLARS TO HAVE MY ENGINE CLEANED (RECOMMENDED BY SERVICE MANAGER) MY ENGINE BLEW AT 15 MPH. OIL WAS SPURTING OUT EVERYWHERE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO GIVE THE THE HYUNDAI COMPLAINANT LINE NUMBER. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET THAT NUMBER FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR.. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOMMY HAS REFUSED TO GIVE ME THE NUMBER BUT STATES THAT HE IS WILLING TO WORK OUT A REASONABLE RATE FOR PARTS A LABOR. GRANTED I HAVE 78,000 MILES ON A 97' HOWEVER THESE ARE ALL HIGHWAY MILES 167 MILES ROUNDTRIP TO WORK. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTANENCE WAS DONE. I DO NOT THINK NOR FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO BE SADDLED WITH THIS LEMON ANY LONGER NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN GOING BACK FOR MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE 6/97 THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *AK

NHTSA ID
708577
Incident
Jun 6, 1997
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jul 6, 1999

OIL LEAK DUE TO ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILURE. MJS

NHTSA ID
546513
Incident
Jan 5, 1998
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 19, 1999

DEFECTIVE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRING CAUSED SMOKE TO COME FROM ASHTRAY AND VEHICLE COULD NOT GO 30 MPH.

NHTSA ID
543989
Incident
Jan 18, 1999
Engine
Filed Dec 8, 1998

ENGINE STALLS WHEN DRIVING. IT WILL MISS WHEN IDLING. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS ,THERE IS NO GAS, DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. REPAIR WORK DONE UNDER WARRANTY. *AK.ET.

NHTSA ID
831963
Incident
Sep 15, 1998
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+3 more
Filed Sep 24, 1998

STEREO FAILED CAUSING VOLUMN TO STICK IN MAXIMUM POSITION.

NHTSA ID
541092
Incident
May 7, 1997
EngineInterior & seatsSteering+2 more
Filed Jul 1, 1998
Crash reported

DEFECTIVE STEERING SYSTEM CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, STEERING HAD A VIBRATION AND TIRES WERE WORN TOO QUICKLY. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE OVERHEATING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
824887
Incident
Jun 25, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .