1997 Hyundai Elantra problems
Owners have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Hyundai Elantra. Transmission is the most reported problem area, at 14% of complaints. After that come engine (13%) and air bags (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 196 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Transmission 14% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 26 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 17 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 89,000 miles 26 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 9 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 26 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 89,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 26 complaints mention a crash; 17 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 23rd most-complained-about out of 34 model years of the Hyundai Elantra with enough data (135 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving in rainy conditions vehicle slid and caused a frontal impact with a tree, which destroed the front end. Driver's seat belt failed in crash and driver was killed.
The entire tread section debonded and seperated from the rest of the tire. The tire immediatelly lost all pressure. The vehiche became uncontrollable and left the right side of the interstate. The vehicle became airborne for 40 to 50 feet and impacted on the right forward quarter panel. The vehicle then rolled four times coming to rest on it's wheels. All the occupant were wearing seat belts, which saved their lives. All were airlifted to good samaritan hospital in phoenix az.
The windshield wipers failed in the rain, causing the consumer to get in an accident while traveling at 10MPH. Dealer was contacted.
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.
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.