no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
1997 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 115 owner complaints about the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 27, 2017. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Hyundai Elantra has problems
115 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
31Power train
21Air bags14 crash/fire/injury
20Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
18Fuel system, gasoline
13Visibility2 crash/fire/injury
10Electrical system
10Service brakes, hydraulic
9Structure
5Vehicle speed control
2314 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 31 | 0 |
| Air bags | 21 | 14 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 18 | 0 |
| Visibility | 13 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 10 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 23 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1997 Hyundai Elantra recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Elantra year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Elantra median. How we score
'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings
1997 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, and the recalls they led to.
- FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36Led to recall 00V-095
In owners' words
What Elantra owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY CAR STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES, WHILE ALL MAINTENANCE WAS TAKEN CARE OF, STARTED SLIPPING GEARS, THEN I COULD NO LONGER REVERSE THE CAR. I, DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS HAD TO LET IT GO FOR A WHILE, BUT THEN GOT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. AFTER THAT, 9,000 MILES LATER, I AM HAVING THE…
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.
TRANSMISSION DIED AT 67000. REPEATEDLY HAD THE CAR IN FOR KNOCKING SOUNDS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR AT 14 MILES. TRANSMISSION WILL STICK IN FIRST GEAR. THIRD HYUNDAI I BOUGHT. ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR FROM HYUNDAI AGAIN. *JB
Own a 1997 Elantra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.