Model year record

1997 Hyundai Elantra

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 196 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V095002

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected
7,111
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-21
Owners notified
2000-09-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V095001

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
84,020
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-28
Owners notified
2000-04-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V026000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Vehicles affected
74,965
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-28

Defect description

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission2267,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1342,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly11143,000 mi
Unknown or other935,672 mi
Air bags7141,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition7
Structure: body: door7
Engine and engine cooling: engine6
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6
Fuel system, gasoline567,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor5143,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system467,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder4
Visibility: power window devices and controls4
Visibility: windshield4
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control3
Power train: manual transmission3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Tires3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2105,000 mi
Exterior lighting2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Structure: body2141,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine1189,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling167,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, other1
Fuel/propulsion system1120,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch173,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train167,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: rear/other138,000 mi
Seats1124,015 mi
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Steering1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension1141,000 mi
Suspension: front1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control1

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

SQ00003FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.