1997 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 115 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (21% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2015
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Seats · May 2008
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2006
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2005
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2005
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2005
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Elantra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Hyundai Elantra. The most complained-about area is power train (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Hyundai Elantra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Hyundai Elantra have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.