VehicleVerdict

2007 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 365 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Elantra year — the 2007 model ranks #12 of 37 Elantra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (61), airbags (49), and brakes (39), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

365

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

26

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Elantra years?

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers6117%
Airbags4913%
Brakes3911%
Electrical System3510%
Steering349%
Suspension288%
Lighting257%
Body & Structure205%
Engine185%
Other175%
Transmission103%
Speed Control92%
Seat Belts82%
Fuel System62%
Tires & Wheels31%
Seats21%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2007 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

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

20V061000BrakesFebruary 4, 2020 · 476,111 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

11V143000AirbagsMarch 15, 2011 · 188,697 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.

Consequence

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

11V179000AirbagsMarch 15, 2011 · 95,783 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2007. THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DETERMINES THE SEAT'S FORE AND AFT POSITION AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AT THE PRESSURE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT SEATING POSITION, WITH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IN THE MOST FORWARD SEATING POSITIONS. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE MAY RECEIVE AN UNSTABLE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR SUCH THAT, IN A CRASH THAT REQUIRES DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AT THE HIGHER PRESSURE THAN INTENDED IF THE SEAT WAS POSITION IN ONE OF THE FORWARD POSITIONS IN WHICH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Consequence

A HIGHER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT THAN INTENDED INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY RESULTING FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

09V280000LightingJuly 21, 2009 · 3,011 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.

09V122000LightingApril 15, 2009 · 532,633 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS HAVE SUDDENLY BROKEN AND FALLEN DOWN EITHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OBSTRUCTING LINE OF VISION AND BECOMING UNUSABLE. THE BREAK OCCURRED AT THE SAME LOCATION ON BOTH SUN VISORS - THE PLASTIC ROD BROKE JUST ABOVE WHERE THE VISOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 17, 2017

I WAS BROADSIDED WITH MAJOR DAMAGE BEGINNING AT THE FRONT DOOR CONTINUING TO THE BACK DOOR AND THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE PILLAR BETWEEN THE FRONT AND BACK DOOR AND THE REAR PILLAR WERE BOTH SIGNIFICANTLY BOWED. THE SUV THAT HIT ME WAS PROBABLY GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 17, 2012 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 29, 2021 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID CONCLUDE THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CABLES. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 15, 2013 · fire

I HAVE A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I'VE HAD 35 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE 60 FREEWAY ON SATURDAY, SEPT 27. AS I WENT TO CHANGE LANES, THE CAR STARTED TO SWERVE LEFT AND RIGHT, AS IF IT WAS LOSING CONTROL SOMEHOW. I TRIED TO CONTROL IT AS BEST AS I COULD, BUT MY EFFORTS WERE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 27, 2008 · crash

2007 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2007 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 365 complaints put the 2007 model at #12 of 37 Elantra years. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (61 complaints), airbags (49 complaints), brakes (39 complaints).

Does the 2007 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.