1997 Hyundai Elantra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 27%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, 27% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission died at 67000. Repeatedly had the car in for knocking sounds. Check engine lights on since I first bought the car at 14 miles. Transmission will stick in first gear. Third Hyundai I bought. All had the same problems. Will never buy another car from Hyundai again.”
NHTSA complaint #10018846, filed 2003-05, 67,000 miles“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“My car started at approximately 70,000 miles, while all maintenance was taken care of, started slipping gears, then I could no longer reverse the car. I, due to lack of funds had to let it go for a while, but then got a rebuilt transmission installed. After that, 9,000 miles later, I am having the exact same problem. I just don't think it's right that any car, after just 70,000 miles should have the transmission go. Many people tell me they are disposable vehicles, but this is the second Hyundai I have owned, and have loved so much. …”
NHTSA complaint #10158224, filed 2006-05, 70,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #749387, filed 2001-07“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 1999-07Related service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10018890Nov 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
- 10015733Feb 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 47 | 19% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 8% |
| 2017 | 62 | 8% |
| 2016 | 31 | 11% |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% |
| 2014 | 22 | 6% |
| 2013 | 57 | 4% |
| 2012 | 40 | 6% |
| 2011 | 21 | 5% |
| 2010 | 32 | 8% |
| 2009 | 8 | 3% |
| 2008 | 29 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 4% |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 16 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 11% |
| 1999 | 41 | 32% |
| 1998 | 13 | 24% |
| 1997 | 31 | 27% |
| 1996 | 20 | 20% |
| 1995 | 19 | 17% |
| 1994 | 9 | 12% |
| 1993 | 5 | 21% |
| 1992 | 9 | 31% |
Other parts of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsFuel system
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