Hyundai Elantra / 1997
1997 Hyundai Elantra problems
Owners have filed 196 complaints about the 1997 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 17.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 13.8%.
Complaints196
Crashes26
Fires0
Injuries17
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Power train 17.3% · 34
Engine and engine cooling 13.8% · 27
Air bags 10.7% · 21
Fuel system, gasoline 9.2% · 18
Visibility 9.2% · 18
Electrical system 8.7% · 17
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.6% · 13
Structure 5.1% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 26 describe a crash, 17 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Hyundai Elantra in this data, 1997 sits 22nd by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 7 in the last three years against 3 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 89,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer states transmission jerks on deceleration/acceleration from stops and then down shifts roughly. Dealer found the transmission starts slipping and banging into gear. Replaced transmission with remanufactured transmission and flush cooler and hook up scanner. Intermittently after driving, the transmission won't move vehicle when attempting to move off from a stop. Dealer replaced pulse generators. Power train
Transmission died at 67000. Repeatedly had the car in for knocking sounds. Check engine lights on since I first bought the car at 14 miles. Transmission will stick in first gear. Third Hyundai I bought. All had the same problems. Will never buy another car from Hyundai again. Power train · reported at 67,000 miles
Consumer has experienced transmission failure two or more times. Problem occurs at any speed between 10-35mph. First time dealer was able to duplicate the problem, and replaced severed bolts . The transmission will shift out of gear on a weekly basis. Power train
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…