7.4

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,091 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Jun 012004

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. I bought it because they are affordable, but don't think I will consider myself a loyal Hyundai driver ever again.

- Milford, NH, USA

problem #21

Jul 302001

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
The transmission fluid is leaking and the car is slipping or not shifting properly during normal driving!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #20

May 172003

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles
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.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #19

May 051998

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer states transmission jerks on deceleration/acceleration from stops and then down shifts roughly. Dealer found the transmission starts slipping and banging into gear. Replaced transmission with remanufactured transmission and flush cooler and hook up scanner. Intermittently after driving, the transmission won't move vehicle when attempting to move off from a stop. Dealer replaced pulse generators.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #18

Aug 212002

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Car will not shift into gear unless overide is deployed with pen per dealer.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #17

Dec 022001

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary for above vehicle.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #16

May 141998

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Plainfield, NJ, USA

problem #15

May 302001

Elantra

  • miles
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 know...I will be home after 8pm if you need to contact me or leave me an email I will reply back.

- Lancaster, VA, USA

problem #14

Jul 272000

(reported on)

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer has a problem with the automatic transmission, a sudden surge between the first and second gear shift.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

problem #13

Nov 011998

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle it pulled to the left. This happened at various speeds. Took vehicle to dealership & mechanic realigned vehicle. Sometime later, problem of alignment reappeared. Took vehicle back to dealership, which had changed hands, & was informed alignment machine is broken & problem can not be corrected. Vehicle has also had transmission problems.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #12

Feb 171999

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission shift problems due to loose pins in the pulse generator connection. Mjs

- Greystone, NJ, USA

problem #11

Sep 041999

Elantra

  • miles
No summary

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #10

Sep 041999

Elantra

  • miles
No summary

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #9

Jul 201999

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission went either to reverse or into first gear which could bring vehicle to a complete stop.consumer contacted dealer. Consumer states that she almost got hit from behind due to the transmission locking up.

- Malad, ID, USA

problem #8

Jun 061997

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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. Oil was spurting out everywhere and the dealership has refused to give the the Hyundai complainant line number. The customer service rep. Stated that I would have to get that number from the service manager at the dealership where I purchased the car.. the service manager tommy has refused to give me the number but states that he is willing to work out a reasonable rate for parts a labor. Granted I have 78,000 miles on a 97' however these are all highway miles 167 miles roundtrip to work. All scheduled maintanence was done. I do not think nor feel that I should have to be saddled with this lemon any longer nor should I have to pay for any repairs since the car has been going back for major engine problems since 6/97 three months after purchase.

- Landover, MD, USA

problem #7

Jun 241999

(reported on)

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle is not accelerating properly. Dealer will replace the transmission.

- Winstonlocks, CT, USA

problem #6

Sep 181998

Elantra

  • miles
Transmission pan came loose resulting in loss of fluid and lock up causing loss of control and near accident.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

problem #5

May 061998

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #4

Sep 011997

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission slipped out of gear.

- Bohemia, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 191998

(reported on)

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Automatic transmission goes into low-gear and gets stuck there periodically. Also the transmission slips from time to time. Check engine lights come on.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

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