FaultScore

1997 Hyundai Elantra window and wiper problems

18 of the 196 complaints about the 1997 Hyundai Elantra are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 143,000 miles.

D

18

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Motor 5 27.8%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 4 22.2%
Windshield 4 22.2%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 3 16.7%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 2 11.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Hyundai Elantra year

1996 14 6.5%
1997 18 8.3%
2000 29 13.4%
2001 19 8.8%
2007 61 28.1%
2008 11 5.1%
2012 19 8.8%
2013 46 21.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Austin, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997, HYUNDAI ELANTRA. SHE STATED THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1997 FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, BUT THE MANUFACTURER SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. IT NEEDED T TO BE FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10131755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles NEW York, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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.

Huntsville, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER MOTOR, IN 1997, I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1998, AND IN 2002 MY MOTOR BLEW UP. I TOOK IT IN AND THE SERVICE SAID THAT IT WASN'T COVERED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET IT FIXED! I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A RECALL SO I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN RECALLED - AND I TRIED CALLING THE HYUNDAI HOTLINE 800) 633-5151 AND I PUSHED 5 TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT AND IT HUNG UP ON ME! N A 2 MONTH TIME SPAN ALL FOUR OF MY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE WHICH I THINK SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR BEING SO THIN AND FRAGILE ANYWAY! IF HYUNDAI WANTS TO MAKE CARS WITH WARRANTIES I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD HONOR THEM AND FIX THE CRAPPY CARS THAT THEY MAKE!

NHTSA complaint #10037353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Annapolis, MD

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CONSUMER STATES LEFT DASH VENT, REAR LOUVERS WON'T STAY UP WITHOUT AIR BLOWING TO KEEP IT IN UP POSITION. DEALER FOUND TAB ON VENT LINKAGE BROKEN. DASH ASSEMBLY AND VENT REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES WHEN CAR IS COLD, DRIVER'S SIDE VENT CLOSES BY ITSELF, HAS TO WARM ENGINE AND GET HEAT BLOWING THROUGH VENT TO STAY UP.

NHTSA complaint #565785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Annapolis, MD

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL, 97V026, RELATING TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WHICH HE NEVER RECEIVED.

NHTSA complaint #565785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plainfield, NJ

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

WINDOW CONTROL- WHEN ROLLING UP YHE RUBBER GET CAUGHT IN THE WINDOW. THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM , I GUESS IT WAS FIX RIGHT HOPEFUL THIS TIMEWHICH WAS 7-24-01. EMISSION-WAS A PROBLEM .I THINK IT'S STILL A PROBLEM I REALLY DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS NOT PRETAING TO THE TRANSMISSION.TRANSMISSION-ALWAYS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND STILL IS. THE CAR JERKS BUCK,AND IT ACTS LIKE IT BE SFITING TO ANOTHER GEAR SOMETIMES. I;M BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND NOTHING. WAIT UNTIL THE ENIGINE LIGHT COMES ON.THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM CAUSE THIS HAS GOTTEN TO MY BACK. I CONTACT THE MANUF THEY DON'T CARE ,THEY JUST SAY AS LONG AS THERE IS A WARRANTY ON THE CAR THEY WILL KEEP FIXING, BUT IT'S NOT .THEY SAID A NEW ONE WAS PUT IN . I'M STILL HAVING A PROBLEM ALL I AK FOR WAS A ANOTHER CAR.AS BEE.

NHTSA complaint #749387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Knox, KY

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOW & DOOR LOCKS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #784459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Knox, KY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE WINDOW LEAKS.

NHTSA complaint #784459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Knox, KY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #784459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

IF THERE IS ANY MOISTURE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, IT IS NOT REMOVED WHEN WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN AND BACK UP. ASKED HYUNDAI DEALER TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HYUNDAI. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #733161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fulton, KY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. BUT THEY NEVER WORK WHEN IT IS RAINING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #853995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, IL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CENTER DASH VENT FELL APART WHEN CUSTOMER TRIED TO ADJUST. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A STRESS CRACK. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN WINDSHIELD BEGAN CRACKING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, THERE WAS NO IMPACT. ALSO, IN MAY 98 THE AIR VENTS WERE REPLACED, AND WERE REPLACED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER, 98, AND FEBRUARY 99.

NHTSA complaint #836995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, IL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN WINDSHIELD BEGAN CRACKING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, THERE WAS NO IMPACT. ALSO, IN MAY 98 THE AIR VENTS WERE REPLACED, AND WERE REPLACED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER, 98, AND FEBRUARY 99.

NHTSA complaint #836995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Louis, MO

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WITHIN 17,000 MILES THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAS PREMATURELY WORN OUT, AND ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.*AK BOTH FRONT WINDOW FALL WHILE DRIVING. DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON. RIGHT DOOR PANEL MAKE NOISE. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA complaint #828696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Smith, AR Crash

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DEFECTIVE STEERING SYSTEM CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, STEERING HAD A VIBRATION AND TIRES WERE WORN TOO QUICKLY. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE OVERHEATING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #824887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rocky Point, NY Crash 2 injured

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN THE RAIN, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 10MPH. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #830236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Hyundai Elantra problems

← Full 1997 Hyundai Elantra report