2007 Hyundai ELANTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
266 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 222 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 266 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 58 | 21.8% |
| Steering behavior | 37 | 13.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 26 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 42 |
| Air Bags | 38 |
| Steering | 33 |
| Service Brakes | 26 |
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Exterior Lighting | 19 |
| Visibility | 19 |
| Suspension | 16 |
Visibility/Wiper: 42; Air Bags: 38; Steering: 33; Service Brakes: 26; Electrical System: 25; Exterior Lighting: 19; Visibility: 19; Suspension: 16
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 31 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 48 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 41 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 49 |
| 150,000 and above | 20 |
Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 48; 75,000 to 99,999: 41; 100,000 to 149,999: 49; 150,000 and above: 20
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 44 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 32 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2007: 12; 2008: 13; 2009: 14; 2010: 12; 2011: 19; 2012: 16; 2013: 32; 2014: 41; 2015: 22; 2016: 20; 2017: 19; 2018: 6; 2019: 3; 2020: 7; 2021: 10; 2022: 6; 2023: 8; 2024: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 58 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 37 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 26 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10241946 · 2008-09-12 (September 12, 2008)
OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. LAST YEAR I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THE SHIFT GEAR LOCKED ON ME IN THE DRIVE POSITION. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT TO THE PARKED POSITION HAD TO USE A SCREW DRIVER TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE GEAR AND SHIFTED TO PARK. I DROVE MY CAR HOME THAT DAY THE NEXT DAY I USED A SCREW DRIVER AGAIN AND SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER OTHER DRIVER ON THE ROAD BLEW THEIR HORNS ALERTED ME THAT I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. EVENTHOUGH MY HEAD LIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS WERE ON. I PULLED OVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,184 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243968 · 2008-09-30 (September 30, 2008)
I HAVE A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I'VE HAD 35 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE 60 FREEWAY ON SATURDAY, SEPT 27. AS I WENT TO CHANGE LANES, THE CAR STARTED TO SWERVE LEFT AND RIGHT, AS IF IT WAS LOSING CONTROL SOMEHOW. I TRIED TO CONTROL IT AS BEST AS I COULD, BUT MY EFFORTS WERE FUTILE. I HAD SWERVED NEARLY 6 LANES AND CRASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. THANKFULLY, NOBODY WAS INJURED. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEMS, POSSIBLY A DEFECT IN THE CAR. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY TOTALED.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10194723 · 2007-06-27 (June 27, 2007)
REAR CAMBER GOES OUT OF FACTORY SPECIFICATION WITH LOADS 75 POUNDS AND OVER CAUSING UNSTABILITY IN THE REAR END CAUSING THE REAR OF THE CAR TO OVER REACT WHEN STEERING THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,384 miles reported. Look up ODI 10194723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253065 · 2008-12-29 (December 29, 2008)
KEY GETS STUCK IN 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. IT WILL TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND POWER TO DASHBOARD BUT IT CANNOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. IT IS CONSTANTLY STUCK IN THE IGNITION RELEASING SPORADICALLY OR WHEN THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED BECAUSE THE KEY IS ALWAYS IN. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER WHO SAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND SWITCH. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AND IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. THE DEALER SAYS THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING MORE BECAUSE IT COSTS THEM TOO MUCH AND HYUNDAI IN S. KOREA WON'T REIMBURSE THEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258005 · 2009-02-09 (February 9, 2009)
WHEN DRIVING MY 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SE IN 3RD GEAR (AUTO TRANSMISSION), THE 3RD GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLICKERS, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MOMENTARILY SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND HMA HAD AN ENGINEER LOOK AT THE CAR; REPLACED A GEARSHIFT PIN SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HMA CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. CAR CAN ABRUPTLY SHIFT BETWEEN 3RD TO 4TH AND BACK TO 3RD GEAR AS LIGHT FLICKERS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,818 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235628 · 2008-07-24 (July 24, 2008)
2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA - I RECENTLY SAW ON THE NATIONAL NEWS THAT THERE IS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE 2007 - 2008 ELANTRA DUE TO POSSIBLE FUEL PUMP STALLING IN TRAFFIC. I WANT TO REPORT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO US ABOUT 60 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE AUTOMOBILE. MY WIFE WAS NEARLY CREAMED ON THE INTERSTATE BY A SEMI-TRUCK WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST DIED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238085 · 2008-08-13 (August 13, 2008)
HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2007 STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STOP. ONCE IT HAPPENS THE CAR STALLS EACH TIME PUT INTO DRIVE (FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL). SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE SO AFTER GASOLINE FILL-UP. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM OR REPAIR.*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193670 · 2007-06-18 (June 18, 2007)
DEAR REPRESENTATIVE I PURCHASED THE 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GS FOR MY SON IN DECEMBER DUE TO IT'S MARKET SAFETY RATINGS. I WAS ENSURED BY THE SALES TEAMS AND REPORTS THAT THIS CAR WAS SAFE. THIS MORNING MY SON WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR REAR SIDE WINDOW WAS CRUSHED, THE TOP OF CAR WAS PUSHED INWARD AND PINNED UNDER A PIPE FENCE, THE DRIVER SIDE WHERE THE GAS TANK WAS LOCATED WAS SMASHED TO THE POINT THAT COMPONENTS MELTED TOGETHER. ALSO, THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE TIRES/RIM, SIDE ,AND FRONT OF THE CAR. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10193670 at NHTSA ↗