1997 Hyundai Elantra

▲ Better than typical

1997 Hyundai Elantra
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:47:43.926Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1997: 115 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1990	0
1991	0
1992	29
1993	24
1994	76
1995	112
1996	100
1997	115
1998	55
1999	128
2000	197
2001	315
2002	342
2003	234
2004	182
2005	137
2006	155
2007	266
2008	314
2009	247
2010	378
2011	431
2012	649
2013	1307
2014	379
2015	258
2016	286
2017	759
2018	274
2019	242
2020	240
2021	128
2022	95
2023	90
2024	52
2025	20
2026	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 18%

18% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR UNLESS OVERIDE IS DEPLOYED WITH PEN PER DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020826

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKES WHILE ON A WET SURFACE, LOST CONTROL, HIT THE BANK AND ALMOST OVER TURNED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030723

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 45-50 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION, TOTALLING THE VEHICLE IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970910

AIR BAGS. DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME, HIT HEAD-ON AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970812

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 11 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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!

NHTSA ODI report, 20150519

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19970428 — visibility

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.

Campaign 97V026000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000202 — SQ (open)

FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36

R 20000428 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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.

Campaign 00V095001 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000918 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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.

Campaign 00V095002 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for power train issues (21 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (13 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (11 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 97V026000 (visibility) has been completed.
Verify recall 00V095001 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 00V095002 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2017 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Hyundai Elantra is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Hyundai Elantra have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.