Owners filed 115 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 3 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
15
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
13
12
0
7
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
10
0
0
0
Air Bags
7
2
0
2
Power Train › Clutch Assembly
4
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
4
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
3
0
0
0
Structure › Body › Door
3
0
0
0
Power Train › Manual Transmission
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
3
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly00V095002
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.
Risk. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly00V095001
Filed Mar 28, 200084,020 vehiclesHyundai Motor Company
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.
Risk. 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.
Filed Feb 26, 199774,965 vehiclesHyundai Motor America
Defect. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 27, 2017120,000 milesIN
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 16, 2016189,000 milesNY
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
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 5, 2015145,000 milesKY
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 OF HYUNDAI. AN AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU DURING A COLLISION. FAILURE TO DEPLOY IS A FAILURE AND NOT DOING WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. HYUNDAI HAS ALREADY RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR GLITCH. IT WON'T BE TOO LATE FOR THEM. UPDATED 9/15/15 *LN UPDATED 12/10/2015 *JS
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 19, 2015141,000 milesKY
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.
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 24, 201435,672 milesNY
HYUNDAI CHARGED FOR RECALL - DID NOT PERFORM RECALL. CAR STILL NOT FIXED. HYUNDAI STILL HAS THE MONEY. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 16, 201265,000 milesCT
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.
Fuel System, Other
Filed Jul 19, 2009IA
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
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 11, 2008136,000 milesUT
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 10, 200864,000 milesNC
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.
SeatsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 3, 2008124,015 milesFL
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
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 14, 2007MA
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
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 24, 200670,000 milesNH
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 17, 2005FL
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
Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Aug 22, 200538,000 milesCT
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
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Aug 5, 2005TX
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
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 1, 2005143,000 milesNY
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
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Mar 22, 2005MD
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V095001 CONCERNING FUEL TANK. DEALER REFUSED TO DO RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Mar 9, 2005105,000 milesVA
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
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 4, 2005NC
NHTSA RECALL 00V095001 CONCERNING FUEL TANK FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT EXPERIENCED FUEL LOSS FROM THE TANK. *AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 7, 2004178,000 milesTX
I HAVE A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA THAT WAS RECALLED IN 2000 (00V095002). RECENTLY I SMELLED A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR AND SIPPING SOUND COMING OUT OF MY TANK. I BEEN FILLING MY TANK AND KEPT LOSING GAS WITHIN A WEEK AND THIS IS 10 GALLONS WITHIN FOUR DAYS. WHEN I WENT TO CHECK I NOTICED GASOLINE COMING OUT THROUGH MY PASSENGER SEATS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO A LIGHT ON AND WHEN I TOOK FOR COMPUTER READ I WAS TOLD THE CODE PO446 WAS ON (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL WAS APPLYING TO MUCH PRESSURE TO MY TANK. I HAVE CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY DECLINED TO MAKE ANY INVESTIGATION OR EVEN TRY TO HELP AND THEY COULD ONLY PROVIDE THE FILE NUMBER 872092. I HAVE TWO MINORS RIDING IN THIS CAR AND I THINK THE POTENTIAL OF FIRE IS VERY HIGHER. I DOUBT IF HYUNDAI FIXED THIS PROBLEM . WHEN I TOOK MY CAR FOR RECALL BACK IN 2000, THEY TOOK LESS THAN TEN MINUTES TO CHECK OR REPAIR WHATEVER THEY WHERE RECALLING. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS AND PROBABLY LEAKING GASOLINE WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS KNOWLEDGE OR AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 21, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.