RoadVitals

2007 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.
18
Latest Jul 4, 2025
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.
7%
of 266 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.
4
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 2007 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 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

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 4, 2025

I was driving and I felt my car sputter and lunge forward slightly. Then my car lost power and when I pressed down on the accelerator it would not give out any power. The battery light came on and the car would not start after pulling over.

NHTSA ID
11671197
Incident
Jul 3, 2025
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 26, 2023

UNKNOWN the cars transmission after running for a bit feels like it slips out and will not lock in and shift, leading to higher rpm I run at 2500 to go 45 miles per hour, I also only get 4.3 miles per gallon it says on the dash.

NHTSA ID
11540908
Incident
Aug 6, 2020
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 6, 2023

On 2/3/2023 I started my vehicle like normal drove approximately 2 miles to the store , during the drive my the vehicle was accelerating uncontrollably, more than I was driving normally. I then hit the brakes and it did slow down . Upon arriving to my destination I then tried to park my vehicle and applied the brakes and my vehicle kept accelerating and moving I then placed the car in reverse which stopped the motion. I then placed the car back in drive and went home . Then car still was accelerating uncontrollably so I kept my hand over the emergency brake for emergency use if needed . Upon arriving home the engine light came on

NHTSA ID
11505783
Incident
Feb 3, 2023
BrakesEngine
Filed Feb 23, 2021
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE LATER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND SUSPECTED THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE RECALL FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11397615
Incident
Dec 10, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed May 19, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE VEHICLE OWNER HIS STEPSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE STEPSON'S VEHICLE A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHOM EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BURNT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN HYUNDAI DEALER IN ORLANDO, FL AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO REACH A LIVE AGENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11325178
Incident
May 17, 2020
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 7, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V06100 (SERVICE BRAKES) REGARDING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11320432
Incident
Mar 27, 2020
Mileage
190,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Feb 19, 2020

SOME TIME BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 12:00 AM AND 4:00 AM ON 2/1/2020, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON IT'S OWN (IT WAS PARKED AND OFF) AND BADLY BURNED OUR GARAGE/HOME CAUSING EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND INTERIOR OF OUR HOME.

NHTSA ID
11310173
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 30, 2017
Fire reported

MY CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCH FIRE ON ITS OWN. THE CAR PARKED ON MY FRONT YARD FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS. IT WENT AFLAME, THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. EVERY THING CAUGHT ON HOME SECURITY CAMERA.

NHTSA ID
11051523
Incident
Nov 25, 2017
Mileage
101,450 mi
AirbagsEngineExterior lighting
Filed Apr 23, 2017

I HAVE HYUNDAI ELANTRA .IT SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE CAR IN THE SLOW SPPED ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT ITS SHOWS THE WRONG LEVEL FOR THE HEAT METER.

NHTSA ID
10979960
Incident
Apr 23, 2017
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10882010
Incident
Oct 14, 2015
Engine
Filed Mar 20, 2014

WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. 2ND INCIDENT WAS WHILE DRIVING APPX. 45MPH IT SHUT OFF, ON OR ABOUT 29 OCT.2013. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID, THIS WAS 1NOV. 2013, GOT THE CAR BACK ON 6 NOV. 2013. 3RD TIME WAS 16 NOV. 2013 WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE IT SHUT OFF ON THE RAMP. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON 17 NOV. 2013. GOT CAR BACK ON 19 NOV.2013. 4TH TIME WAS 27 NOV. 2013, SHUT OFF WHILE RUNNING IN PARK, RESTARTED AND SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE PARKING LOT. TOOK BACK TO DEALER ON 29 NOV. 2013 AND GOT IT BACK 9 JAN.2014. THEY INSTALLED A BATTERY. 5TH TIME WAS 7 FEB 2014, SHUT OFF WHILE PULLING OFF AT A RED LIGHT AND AGAIN A HALF MILE FURTHER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER ON 17 FEB. 2013 AND GOT IT BACK 20 FEB 2013. EACH TIME, DEALER SAYS COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN AND OR COULD NOT GET A CODE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573717
Incident
Jul 10, 2013
Mileage
67,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Sep 4, 2012

WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT SHOPPING CENTER COMING TO STOP THEN CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED OVER A PARKING STOP POST AND CURB GOING INTO A BUILDING I MANAGED TO GET BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING THE BUILDING .. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. WHILE READING PROBLEMS ABOUT THE 2007 MODEL I FOUND ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS LOOKING AT PROBLEM DUE TO A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THERE SEEM TO BE MANY OF THOSE ALREADY REPORTED. WE TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 60,000 MILES AND WE HAVE 68,000 NOW SO THEY WANTED $65 JUST TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. WHILE 2007 YEAR MODEL HAS NO RECALL IT SOUNDS LIKE IT SHOULD FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10473704
Incident
Feb 19, 2012
EngineSuspension
Filed Sep 19, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN DRIVING 10-15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TEN TO FIFTEEN TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SWAY BAR WAS ALSO REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES DUE TO BREAKAGE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE FAILURE BUT THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. KMJ

NHTSA ID
10425993
Incident
Nov 8, 2007
Mileage
17,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2011

I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 73,000 (ABOUT I NEED TO GET THE FINAL DEATH MILEAGE) MILES ON IT. I HEARD A SLIGHT RATTLE WHEN I PUSHED IN THE GAS PEDAL. I NOTICED IT HAPPENED WHEN I STARTED. I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME AND FIGURED IT WAS A LOOSE SCREW AND DROVE CAREFULLY. ALL GAUGES AND LIGHTS WERE NORMAL, NO SMOKE ECT. I STARTED UP A HILL. THE RATTLE GOT LOUDER QUICKLY (10-15 SECONDS). THE TEMP GAUGE SPIKED SUDDENLY AND MY RPM'S DROPPED DOWN TO 1 AND BELOW. I PULLED INTO A LEFT HAND TURN LANE AT A LIGHT. THE CAR DIED. FROM BEGINNING TO END THE WHOLE THING TOOK ABOUT FIVE MINUTES FROM RATTLE TO DEATH. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN KIRKLAND. THE ENGINE IS DEAD DUE TO OVERHEATING OF AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. I SEARCHED AN FOUND NHTSA ID # 08V429000. IT DESCRIBES A FUEL PUMP ERROR IN WHICH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ENGINE PRESSURE LEADING TO OVERHEATING, ENGINE DEATH AND CAR CRASHES. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS ONE OF THOSE CARS. I TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF MY CAR AND WHAT HAPPENED IS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN. MY CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. I AM TRYING TO OPT FOR TRADE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO. I AM WORKING WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN KIRKLAND WA. THEY ARE GIVING ME A GOOD TRADE IN VALUE AND A FAIR DEAL ON A USED CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO GET A REPLACEMENT OR REIMBURSED OR WHAT HAVE YOU AS THE CAR OBVIOUSLY HAD A DEFECT. I AM REALLY GLAD I AM SAFE. HAD IT HAPPENED TEN MINUTES EARLIER I WOULD HAVE BEEN TOAST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10421419
Incident
Aug 23, 2011
Mileage
73,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Apr 7, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY YET THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,252. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF THE DEALER CLAIMED THE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE STEERING. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. UPDATED 06/08/11 UPDATED 11/16/11. *JB

NHTSA ID
10395149
Incident
Mar 20, 2011
Mileage
34,252 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Dec 14, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITIN, THE STEERING WOULD SPORADICALLY LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF MOMENTARILY AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS PLACE OF RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS AN INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10370528
Incident
Dec 13, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2009

ON JULY 13, 2009 I LEFT MY 2007 ELANTRA ON TO RUN IN SOMEWHERE, WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY CAR IT HAD DIED. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD JUST TURNED THE KEY OFF BEFORE I GOT OUT OF MY CAR WITHOUT THINKING AND DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK I TURNED MY CAR ON AND IT DIED SO I TURNED IT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND BACK ON PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT INTO THE STREET AND IT DIED AGAIN. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN AND IT WAS FINE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I WAS ON MY LUNCH BREAK. I WAS DRIVING BACK TO WORK AND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR DIED AGAIN, I TURNED IF OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND IT IMMEDIATELY DIED SO I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THEN IT WAS FINE. THE NEXT DAY (JULY 15, 2009) I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER 2 DAYS IN THE SHOP THEY CALLED AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND HAD NO IDEA WHY IT WAS DYING. SO I PICKED IT UP YESTERDAY AND SO FAR HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING MY CAR NOW. I WAS LUCKY THAT IT WAS ONLY DYING WHEN I WAS IDLING BUT WHO KNOWS NEXT TIME IT COULD DIE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH! *TR

NHTSA ID
10277309
Incident
Jul 13, 2009
Mileage
23,479 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2009

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. AT ONE POINT, I WAS COASTING AND THE CAR STALLED, TURNED OFF. I COASTED OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE CAR. IN WEEKS PAST, I HAD NOTICED THE CAR SPUTTERING AND ROCKING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS ON MY COMMUTE HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273590
Incident
Jun 8, 2009

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 .