1997 Hyundai Elantra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 9%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the 115 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since the purchase of my car new I have had the transmission replaced three times, the pulse generator replaced twice, and the electrical wiring replaced twice because it kept buring out. I would repeatedly take my car into fairfax Hyundai for service due to slipping transmission, car cutting off and steering locking up while driving on the beltway at 65mph smoke coming out of the exhaust etc. Finally on 17 march 1999, approxiamately 4 weeks after paying 350 dollars to have my engine cleaned (recommended by service manager) my engine blew at 15 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #708577, filed 1999-07“Car stall on me when I am at a light or a complete stop it will change first gear with no problems but when I go around 20 MPH it will stall out on me then pop into gear....then the car will go really slow till it will get itself together...I have change the transmission fluid in the car change the time belt in the car change spark plugs in the car change the air filter in the car and etc...the list goes on...the guys from the hyuandi dealer in newport news is giving me the run around ....saying they dont see no problem but fixing everything else on the car...if you can help please let me…”
NHTSA complaint #746114, filed 2001-05“02 sensor replaced on 8-6-01, b/u light switch replaced on 8-6-01,ignition coils repl. On 9-21-99, engine check light been reset 10 times,#1 & #4 not firing 10 times or more, car looses power, chugs then dies 2 times.”
NHTSA complaint #758344, filed 2002-02“Transmission slips when changing gears. Was replaced by dealer. Problem reappeared. Took vehicle back & a pin had gone bad in new transmission. Also ignition coil went out, vehicle running sluggish. Been to dealership 5-6 times for the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #828516, filed 1998-10“When first starting vehicle sputtered and stalled. Took vehicle to dealer 3 times. Dealer replaced plugs and wires, and rerouted evap line. It did not remedy situation.”
NHTSA complaint #887443, filed 2001-05Related service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 17 | 30% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 19 | 19% |
| 2021 | 31 | 23% |
| 2020 | 27 | 11% |
| 2019 | 37 | 15% |
| 2018 | 43 | 15% |
| 2017 | 112 | 15% |
| 2016 | 22 | 8% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 47 | 12% |
| 2013 | 155 | 12% |
| 2012 | 126 | 19% |
| 2011 | 51 | 12% |
| 2010 | 48 | 13% |
| 2009 | 24 | 9% |
| 2008 | 31 | 10% |
| 2007 | 32 | 12% |
| 2006 | 16 | 10% |
| 2005 | 10 | 7% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 21 | 7% |
| 2000 | 33 | 17% |
| 1999 | 18 | 14% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 10 | 9% |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% |
| 1995 | 14 | 13% |
| 1994 | 16 | 21% |
| 1993 | 3 | 13% |
| 1992 | 9 | 31% |
Other parts of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra
31 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology