1997 Hyundai Elantra Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 17%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 128,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2004-01, 67,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10098405, filed 2004-11, 178,000 miles“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, filed 2005-06, 143,000 miles“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, filed 2002-04“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10968772, filed 2017-03, 120,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V095002Jul 21, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 1996–1997, Tiburon 1997
- 00V095001Mar 28, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 1996–1997, Tiburon 1997
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 23 | 8% |
| 2017 | 30 | 4% |
| 2016 | 20 | 7% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 24 | 6% |
| 2013 | 32 | 2% |
| 2012 | 18 | 3% |
| 2011 | 8 | 2% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 45 | 14% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 18 | 8% |
| 2002 | 31 | 9% |
| 2001 | 14 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 20 | 17% |
| 1996 | 13 | 13% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra
31 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 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