HYUNDAI ELANTRA · model year

1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

196 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997HYUNDAIELANTRA carries 196 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 ELANTRA is power train:automatic transmission with 22 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (13) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1997 ELANTRA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

196
Complaints
26
Crashes
0
Fires
17
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

196 filings

Crashes Reported

26 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION7
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR7
AIR BAGS7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE5
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER4
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD4

Recent Complaints

20170327FUEL/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 CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20160916FUEL 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

Mileage: 189,000

20160916ENGINE

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

Mileage: 189,000

20150805CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 145,000

20150519CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 141,000

20150519CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 141,000

20150519CrashSUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 141,000

20141124UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 35,672

20120416FUEL 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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20090719FUEL 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

20080911FUEL 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.

Mileage: 136,000

20080710FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING, IN WHICH IT FAILED. AFTER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND SHE ALSO SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH SHE WAS EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL FAILURES MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY), HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $510. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Mileage: 64,000

20080603CrashSEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLID FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT'S LOWER BODY TO BECOME JAMMED UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH ALSO CAUSED HIM TO REAR END THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,015. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT. UPDATED 07/29/08

Mileage: 124,015

20070914FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER A RECALL IN 2000, HOWEVER, THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2000, HE IS NO LONGER ON THE RECALL LIST. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

20060524POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT THAT ANY CAR, AFTER JUST 70,000 MILES SHOULD HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GO. MANY PEOPLE TELL ME THEY ARE "DISPOSABLE" VEHICLES, BUT THIS IS THE SECOND HYUNDAI I HAVE OWNED, AND HAVE LOVED SO MUCH. I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THEY ARE AFFORDABLE, BUT DON'T THINK I WILL CONSIDER MYSELF A LOYAL HYUNDAI DRIVER EVER AGAIN. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

20051017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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

20050822SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

DT: WHEN PURHASED VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO THE SEAT BELTS WORKED. ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS LATER 2 REAR SEAT BELTS, ONE ON THE LEFT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT, QUIT WORKING. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT MOVE FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR TRAUMA TO THE SEAT BELT, THEY SIMPLY QUIT WORKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO SAID CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOPR SEAT BELT REPAIRS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED WHATEVER THE DEALER SAID GOES. NO CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WANTED DEALER TO PAY FOR SEAT BELT REPAIRS. *AK

Mileage: 38,000

20050805VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997, HYUNDAI ELANTRA. SHE STATED THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1997 FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, BUT THE MANUFACTURER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. IT NEEDED T TO BE FIXED. *AK

20050601VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: CONSUMER FOUND 2 RECALL WARNINGS CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND FUEL TANK WITH A POSSIBLE LEAK ON THE INTERNET. HE IS NOT GETTING VEHICLE SERVICED. *AK

Mileage: 143,000

20050601FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DT: CONSUMER FOUND 2 RECALL WARNINGS CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND FUEL TANK WITH A POSSIBLE LEAK ON THE INTERNET. HE IS NOT GETTING VEHICLE SERVICED. *AK

Mileage: 143,000

Compare 1997HYUNDAIELANTRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA have?
The 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 196 NHTSA complaints, 26 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The most-complained component for the 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 22 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.