MYRModel Year Report

1997 Hyundai Elantra

▲ Better than typical
1997 Hyundai Elantra
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:53:12.735Z

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

Complaints per year, Hyundai Elantra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 252 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 432 complaints 2012: 651 complaints 2012 2013: 1312 complaints 2014: 382 complaints 2015: 261 complaints 2016: 292 complaints 2017: 766 complaints 2017 2018: 281 complaints 2019: 249 complaints 2020: 250 complaints 2021: 130 complaints 2022: 100 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 53 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
1997: 115 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199478
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009252
2010379
2011432
2012651
20131312
2014382
2015261
2016292
2017766
2018281
2019249
2020250
2021130
2022100
202397
202453
202522
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 29%

29% of complaints: power train — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20020826

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 23%

23% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

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

Also filed under STRUCTURE and SUSPENSION

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 16%

16% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

VISIBILITY 16%

16% of complaints: visibility — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield.

CRASH INJURY

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 (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (21 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

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, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Hyundai Elantra have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.