2007 Hyundai Elantra Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about sun visors that break loose from the roof and hang in the driver's line of sight, and about airbag warning lights tied to the seat-mounted sensors. Brake-light failures and reports of ABS-related smoke or fire in the engine compartment under recall 20V061000 also recur, and several complaints describe rusted rear suspension and subframe parts on higher-mileage cars.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS module smoke, fire risk and brake loss

   • 26 complaints (10%)
   • median 101,450 mi at 11.2 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2026

   Owners describe smoke or flames from the engine compartment near the ABS unit, sometimes with the ABS and brake warning lights on and the pedal failing to slow the car. Several say the car caught fire while parked and off. Recall 20V061000 covers moisture entering the ABS module and causing an electrical short on certain 2007-2010 Elantras; some owners report the symptoms returning after the recall repair. Others describe seized brakes or abnormal brake noise. Mostly reported between about 84,000 and 160,000 miles.

   Recall 20V0610002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for proof that recall 20V061000 was completed, and check for burnt smells, melted wiring or fluid around the ABS module and brake calipers.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Some time between approximately between 12:00 am and 4:00 am on 2/1/2020, the vehicle caught fire on it's own (it was parked and off) and badly burned our garage/home causing extensive property damage to the garage and interior of our home.”

   NHTSA complaint #11310173, filed 2020-02, 150,000 miles

   “I received a safety recall notice that my ABS module could develop a short circuit resulting in an engine compartment fire. This fire could occur even when the car is turned off, which increases the risk of injury. I received this notice today, april 7, 2020. I have called the Hyundai dealerships in my pittsburgh area. The wexford site cannot serve me until may 18 because they have only received 5 recall parts from Hyundai. The south hills site does not have any parts at all. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11320416, filed 2020-04, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Sun visor breaks and hangs down while driving

   • 67 complaints (25%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (63 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2017

   Owners describe the sun visor detaching from its roof mounting or no longer staying in the raised position, usually after a popping sound. The visor then drops down on its own, sometimes hitting the driver, and hangs from the wiring so it blocks the view ahead. Dealers quoted per-visor replacement costs, and owners note the part appeared to have been redesigned. A service bulletin covers proper removal of the wiper blade protective cover and another describes moisture in lamp assemblies, neither of which concerns the visor. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 180,000 miles, and sometimes on low-mileage cars that saw little use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Fold both visors up and down and check they stay tight in the raised position; look for cracks at the mounting post and ask whether either visor has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passenger visor failed a few months ago. Driver visor failed shortly after (around 60,000 miles). This appears to be a known problem with Hyundai's manufactured after 2007. Dealer would charge $176 per visor, but absorb the cost of installation. One passenger banged her head when getting in the car. Driver's visor has fallen on my head several times -- a hazard in my opinion.”

   NHTSA complaint #10906934, filed 2016-09, 61,000 miles

   “I was driving at a lower rate of speed in a highly residential area when the sun visor broke off from its pin from the ceiling of the trim, hit me in the face, and dangled from the electrical cord, blocking my whole line of vision. The incident scared me when it hit me in the face as well as blocked my sight and I swerved into oncoming traffic nearly hitting a car. I had to physically hold the visor out of my way until I could pull over. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10654295, filed 2014-11, 90,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Rear suspension and subframe corrosion

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the rear cross member or trailing arm rusting through and separating, in some cases letting the rear wheel and suspension drop. Others report the subframe or front control arm cracking due to corrosion found during alignment or service. Dealers and independent shops told owners the cross member, control arms and related bolts needed replacement; repairs were often not done. Mostly reported from about 80,000 to 176,000 miles, on cars driven in winter-salt conditions.

   What to check: Have the car put on a lift and inspect the rear cross member, trailing arms and front control arms for heavy rust or thinning metal, especially on cars from cold-weather states.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I sevice my 2007 hyndai elante gls se limited at bill hyndia willmington ma.last 12 years this year they told me rear end is rotted out not safe to drive.1rst notice from them .the service manger said your not alone 1000 of them trying to get used parts and every rearend they look at thaat will fit my car up to 2012 is completly rotted out these vechiles are un safe to drive they covered frame in rubber water gets behind it rots it out.on my car springs were going threw frame”

   NHTSA complaint #11404968, filed 2021-03, 125,000 miles

   “The rear suspension cross member rotted where the control arm attaches to it and broke free. The control arm then fell down and the entire rear tire and suspension was dragged underneath the rear end of the car. The metal that the control arm attaches to is very thin and the only thing under the car that is not undercoated is that suspension cross member. If this part broke free at 55mph I may not have survived the crash. It broke free as I turned into my driveway, more than likely from the twist of the turn.”

   NHTSA complaint #10498157, filed 2013-02, 111,983 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and seat sensor faults

   • 45 complaints (17%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2018

   Owners report the airbag warning light staying on after start-up or coming back after a prior sensor replacement. In some cases moving the driver's seat back and forth, or corrosion in the floor wiring harness, was linked to the light. A few owners describe airbags not deploying in a collision. Recalls 11V143000 and 11V179000 cover the passenger weight sensor and driver's seat track position sensor on certain cars, and a service bulletin describes reprogramming the airbag control unit and fitting a protective cover over the weight sensor. Reported at widely varied mileage, from under 10,000 to over 130,000 miles.

   Recall 11V143000Recall 11V1790001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the airbag recalls were performed, and with the ignition on check that the airbag light goes out after the bulb check. Ask whether the seat sensors or wiring harness have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was broadsided with major damage beginning at the front door continuing to the back door and the rear quarter panel. The pillar between the front and back door and the rear pillar were both significantly bowed. The SUV that hit me was probably going about 25 MPH. No air bags deployed. The vehicle is equipped with front and side curtain airbags.”

   NHTSA complaint #10444969, filed 2012-01, 102,000 miles

   “My airbag light is on and won't go off, so I looked into it and it can cause the bags to deploy at any given time or not at all. This is very unsettling, and not safe. Please recall this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10956897, filed 2017-02, 116,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights not working (stop lamp switch)

   • 25 complaints (9%)
   • median 93,955 mi at 7.8 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2022

   Owners describe brake lights that stop illuminating, sometimes after the stop lamp switch or bulbs were already replaced, with the rest of the lighting working normally. A few mention the shift interlock being affected so the car could not be shifted into park. Several owners say their car was not covered by recalls 13V113000 or 09V122000 for the stop lamp switch, while others report repeat failures after repair. Reported from around 90,000 up to about 160,000 miles.

   Recall 13V113000Recall 09V122000Recall 09V280000

   What to check: Have someone watch the rear lights while you press the pedal, and ask whether the stop lamp switch has been replaced or a related recall completed for this specific vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car is our extra car so it doesn't get driven that much. The other day I was driving on the highway when I was pulled over and notified the break lights aren't coming on. My mechanic determined it the stop light switch the brake light switch. I was told there was a recall but my car its not part of the recall. Obviously from all the complaints I see online this recall needs to be expanded.”

   NHTSA complaint #11104190, filed 2018-06, 91,500 miles

   “My 2007 Elantra is (like all of these other complaints experiencing a break light that is chronically going out, even after getting the stop lamp switch replaced and before that multiple light bulbs. After getting the switch replaced, I was notified 2 months-ish later that my break light is not alluminating. When I called the dealership they said that was not showing up as a recall, even though I keep find it in service campaign #110 which says it can cause a crash. This has been an ongoing thing for years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10893008, filed 2016-08, 90,000 miles

Buying note. Check that recall 20V061000 and the airbag recalls were completed for the specific car, verify the brake lights and airbag warning light work, and inspect the underside for rust before buying. Visor condition and proof of prior brake-light switch repairs are also worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.