FaultScore

1997 Hyundai Elantra fuel system problems

20 of the 196 complaints about the 1997 Hyundai Elantra are about the fuel system — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 128,000 miles.

A

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Tank Assembly 11 55.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline 5 25.0%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 2 10.0%
Fuel System, Other 1 5.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 5.0%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Hyundai Elantra year

1996 14 4.4%
1997 20 6.3%
2001 14 4.4%
2002 33 10.5%
2003 19 6.0%
2008 49 15.6%
2012 18 5.7%
2013 32 10.2%
2014 24 7.6%
2015 10 3.2%
2016 19 6.0%
2017 30 9.5%
2018 23 7.3%
2020 10 3.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 120,000 miles Lowell, IN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 5, 2000 PER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: SQ00003 (FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 00V095002 OR 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10968772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 189,000 miles Bronx, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095002 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. UPDATED 04/18/17 *LJ

NHTSA complaint #10907089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Coventry, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED IN THE SAME LOCATION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY), THAT MAY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE ORIGINAL PART WOULD HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE IN ORDER FOR THE REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SAVE THE ORIGINAL PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #10455398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eagle Grove, IA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

SAFETY RECALL ON THE 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAGON REGARDING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE IN THE GAS TANK WAS INITIATED IN 2001. AS AN OWNER OF SUCH VEHICLE, I RESPONDED AND RECEIVED IN THE MAIL A NEW GAS CAP.........AND WAS INFORMED THAT WAS THE FIX. THE TANK WAS NEVER CHECKED FOR CRACKS OR EVEN IF THE PRESSURE WAS CORRECTED BY THE NEW GAS CAP.

NHTSA complaint #10277354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,000 miles Ogden, UT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY FOR OVER FIVE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE: TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #10241871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Charlotte, NC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING, IN WHICH IT FAILED. AFTER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND SHE ALSO SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH SHE WAS EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL FAILURES MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY), HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $510. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA complaint #10233760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arlington, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER A RECALL IN 2000, HOWEVER, THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2000, HE IS NO LONGER ON THE RECALL LIST. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/03/07

NHTSA complaint #10202990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles NEW York, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DT: CONSUMER FOUND 2 RECALL WARNINGS CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND FUEL TANK WITH A POSSIBLE LEAK ON THE INTERNET. HE IS NOT GETTING VEHICLE SERVICED.

NHTSA complaint #10123719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

College Park, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V095001 CONCERNING FUEL TANK. DEALER REFUSED TO DO RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10115579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reidsville, NC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

NHTSA RECALL 00V095001 CONCERNING FUEL TANK FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT EXPERIENCED FUEL LOSS FROM THE TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10106719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 178,000 miles Lubbock, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I HAVE A 1997 HYUNDAI ELANTRA THAT WAS RECALLED IN 2000 (00V095002). RECENTLY I SMELLED A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR AND SIPPING SOUND COMING OUT OF MY TANK. I BEEN FILLING MY TANK AND KEPT LOSING GAS WITHIN A WEEK AND THIS IS 10 GALLONS WITHIN FOUR DAYS. WHEN I WENT TO CHECK I NOTICED GASOLINE COMING OUT THROUGH MY PASSENGER SEATS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO A LIGHT ON AND WHEN I TOOK FOR COMPUTER READ I WAS TOLD THE CODE PO446 WAS ON (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL WAS APPLYING TO MUCH PRESSURE TO MY TANK. I HAVE CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY DECLINED TO MAKE ANY INVESTIGATION OR EVEN TRY TO HELP AND THEY COULD ONLY PROVIDE THE FILE NUMBER 872092. I HAVE TWO MINORS RIDING IN THIS CAR AND I THINK THE POTENTIAL OF FIRE IS VERY HIGHER. I DOUBT IF HYUNDAI FIXED THIS PROBLEM . WHEN I TOOK MY CAR FOR RECALL BACK IN 2000, THEY TOOK LESS THAN TEN MINUTES TO CHECK OR REPAIR WHATEVER THEY WHERE RECALLING. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS AND PROBABLY LEAKING GASOLINE WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS KNOWLEDGE OR AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10098405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Torrington, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.I HAVE BEEN IN REPEATEDLY FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED TO NO AVAIL. PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION REPEATEDLY. ENGINE WAS CAUSING A VACUUM AND NOT ALLOWING TO CAR TO SHIFT.

NHTSA complaint #10069280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ripley, OK

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP THEY PUT IT ON A MACHINE & SAID IT EITHER HAS ABAD GAS CAP OR A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK. WHEN I TAKE THE GAS CAP OFF TO FILL UP MY CAR IT HAS NO PRESSURE AT ALL & I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES FOR AWHILE AFTER THAT. YOU CAN UNHOOK THE BATTERY FOR AWHILE & THE LIGHT WILL STAY OFF FOR A FEW DAYS THE IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM & WOULD LIKE TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS.

NHTSA complaint #760667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

THE FUEL FILLER CAP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IN JANUARY 2000, HYUNDAI SENT THE ORIGINAL OWNER A NEW FUEL FILLER CAP. A FOLLOW-UP NOTICE CAME REQUESTING TO TAKE THE CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALER TO HAVE THE PRESSURE CHECKED IN THE FUEL TANK TO SEE IF ANY CRACKS. JUST BEFORE TAKING THE CAR IN FOR THIS INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER CHANGED THE FUEL FILLER CAP AGAIN AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. MY CONCERN IS, DO I HAVE TO HAVE THIS PRESSURE CHECKED PERIODICALLY. DOES THE FUEL FILLER CAP NEED TO BE CHANGED, HOW OFTEN. I REALLY FEEL PARANOID AND INTIMIDATED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #752703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfield, AL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

NHTSA RECALL 00V095000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 037. TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR TWO DAYS LATER. PRESENTLY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY WON'T MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #865556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

GAS TANK RUSTED PRIOR TO RECALL CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE (00V-095). YH

NHTSA complaint #552527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salisbury, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL 00V09O000/ FUEL TANK REPAIRS. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK.

NHTSA complaint #864303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jamaica Plain, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL TO THE CUSTOMER WHILE RECALL 00V-095 OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS BEING PERFORMED, CONSUMER CONSIDERED THIS POOR CUSTOMER TREATMENT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #552352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Matteson, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL 00V095000/ FUEL TANK UNTIL CONSUMER AGREED TO PAY FOR AN INSPECTION FEE.

NHTSA complaint #862365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greystone, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

REPLACED GAS CAP, HAD THE WRONG CAP ON. MJS

NHTSA complaint #546513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Hyundai Elantra problems

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