VehicleVerdict

1997 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1997 Hyundai Elantra carries two red flags at once: 196 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36). It is one of the Elantra years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 17 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (34), engine (28), and airbags (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

196

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

26

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

17

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3417%
Engine2814%
Airbags2111%
Fuel System2010%
Visibility & Wipers189%
Electrical System189%
Brakes158%
Body & Structure105%
Other95%
Lighting53%
Speed Control53%
Tires & Wheels42%
Steering21%
Suspension21%
Latches & Locks21%
Seat Belts21%
Seats11%

Does the 1997 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V095002Fuel SystemJuly 21, 2000 · 7,111 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

00V095001Fuel SystemMarch 28, 2000 · 84,020 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

97V026000Visibility & WipersFebruary 26, 1997 · 74,965 units

Defect

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Open NHTSA investigations

SQ00003

FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC REALIGNED VEHICLE. SOMETIME LATER, PROBLEM OF ALIGNMENT REAPPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP, WHICH HAD CHANGED HANDS, & WAS INFORMED ALIGNMENT MACHINE IS BROKEN & PROBLEM CAN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 1998

“DEFECTIVE STEERING SYSTEM CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, STEERING HAD A VIBRATION AND TIRES WERE WORN TOO QUICKLY. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE OVERHEATING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 25, 1998 · crash

“DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPOY DURING A 35MPH FRONT END COLLISION. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK AND CHEST AREA. CONSUMER STATED THAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FUNCTONING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 11, 2002 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 27, 2000

“DEFECTIVE STEERING SYSTEM CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, STEERING HAD A VIBRATION AND TIRES WERE WORN TOO QUICKLY. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE OVERHEATING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 25, 1998 · crash

1997 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 1997 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 196 complaints put the 1997 model at #22 of 37 Elantra years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (34 complaints), engine (28 complaints), airbags (21 complaints).

Does the 1997 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.