Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* 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. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was also serviced per NHTSA campaign numbers: 00V095002 or 00V095001 (fuel system). The contact mentioned that the check engine indicator remained illuminated over the past four years. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Hyundai Elantra. While operating the vehicle the check engine indicator illuminated and the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. The contact also discovered fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00V095002 (fuel system). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 189,000. Updated 04/18/17
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. I have called Hyundai and they declined to make any investigation or even try to help and they could only provide the file number 872092. I have two minors riding in this car and I think the potential of fire is very higher. I doubt if Hyundai fixed this problem . …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Hyundai Elantra. While parked, the contact noticed a fuel odor. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was a fracture on the top of the fuel tank on the passenger side. The contact replaced the fuel tank. The failure occurred a second time after the repair. The fuel tank was fractured in the same location. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 00V095001 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly), that May related to the failure. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in the recall, but the original part would have to be available in order for the repair to be performed. The contact did not save the original part. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Hyundai Elantra. The contact took her vehicle for emissions testing, in which it failed. After inspection, she noticed that the engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument control panel, and she also smelled a strong odor of gasoline emanating from the vehicle. A mechanic concluded that there was a crack in the fuel tank. The authorized dealer stated that although she was experiencing identical failures mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 00V095001 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly), her VIN was excluded from the recall. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired at the cost of $510. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the check engine light has been working intermittently for over five months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the failure was caused by a fuel tank leak. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00V095001 (fuel system, gasoline storage: tank). The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000 and current mileage was 137,000.
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.
The fuel filler cap has been replaced twice. In January 2000, Hyundai sent the original owner a new fuel filler cap. A follow-up notice came requesting to take the car to a Hyundai dealer to have the pressure checked in the fuel tank to see if any cracks. Just before taking the car in for this inspection, it was noticed that the "check engine" light came on. The dealer changed the fuel filler cap again and the light turned off. My concern is, do I have to have this pressure checked periodically. Does the fuel filler cap need to be changed, how often. I really feel paranoid and intimidated. Please let me know what action I should take. Thank you
Tl contact owns a 1997 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 30 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and he discovered a crack in the upper fuel tank surface. The vehicle was under a recall in 2000, however, the dealer found nothing wrong at that time. The manufacturer stated that since the vehicle was inspected in 2000, he is no longer on the recall list. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 101,000 and the failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/03/07
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.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface.
Remedy: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop on the upper fuel tank surface.
Remedy: Dealers will pressure check the vehicle's fuel tank to determine if it has cracked. If the fuel tank has cracked, it will be replaced.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel cap replacement campaign 36
There is no summary currently available
Fuel System complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Hyundai Elantra fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V095002 (tank assembly, Jul 21, 2000); NHTSA recall 00V095001 (tank assembly, Mar 28, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Hyundai Elantra fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 136,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.