Model year record

1997 Hyundai Elantra recalls & problems

The 1997 Hyundai Elantra has 3 safety recalls and 115 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (34 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints115filed by owners

Crashes · fires20 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths15 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJul 21, 2000

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 00V0950027,111 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineMar 28, 2000

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 00V09500184,020 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

VisibilityFeb 26, 1997

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 97V02600074,965 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Elantra

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Elantra Wagon

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Elantra

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Elantra

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Elantra Wagon

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	34	0	0	67,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	27	1	0	67,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	21	14	9	141,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Power window devices and controls	18	2	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	18	0	0	136,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; 12v/24v/48v battery	17	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Master cylinder; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	13	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body	10	1	1	—
Unknown or other	9	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages	5	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Brake lights	4	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	4	2	3	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
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…
Mar 17, 2017 · 120,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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
Aug 10, 2016 · 189,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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…
May 18, 2015 · 145,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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.
May 18, 2015 · 141,000 miles
Unknown or other
HYUNDAI CHARGED FOR RECALL - DID NOT PERFORM RECALL. CAR STILL NOT FIXED. HYUNDAI STILL HAS THE MONEY. *TR
Nov 24, 2014 · 35,672 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.…
Oct 15, 2011 · 65,000 miles
Fuel system, other
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
Apr 27, 2000
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Jun 1, 2008 · 136,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36OpenLed to recall 00V095001
There is no summary currently available
SQ00003 · opened Feb 2, 2000