2007 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (42) · Steering (31) · Air Bags (21)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
223 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2020-02-04 · campaign 20V061000 · 476,111 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V113000 · 1,712,336 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, m
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2011-03-15 · campaign 11V143000 · 188,697 vehicles
Defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE
Risk: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2011-03-15 · campaign 11V179000 · 95,783 vehicles
Defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2007. THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DETERMINES THE SEAT'S FORE AND AFT POSITION AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AT THE PRESSURE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT SEATING POSITION, WITH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IN THE MOST FORWARD SEATING POSITIONS. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE MAY RECEIVE AN UNSTABLE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR SUCH TH
Risk: A HIGHER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT THAN INTENDED INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY RESULTING FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Service bulletins (58)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Exterior Lighting 2025-11-06 · 25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (drl), or fog lamp. this tsb illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. lamp assembly replacement is not necessary
Showing the 6 most recent of 58 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-17 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 101,000 mi“the contact owns a 2007 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that while driving and attempting to turn into the driveway, there was a burning odor and white-grayish smoke coming from the engine compartment. the contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. the vehicle was parked at the residenc…”
2026-05-01 · Air Bags“i've contacted 4 separate hyundai dealerships on carrying out this recall to correct the issue, and all of them have told me they can't fulfill the recall because the car is too old and they use tablets, but the recalls requires a computer. i've contacted hyundai and they've been no help. they've told me in their words "as much as we'd like to assi…”
2026-02-02 · Service Brakes“applying the brakes and they don’t engage abs. couldn’t come to a stop at very slow speed. they jammed up. and the dash lights don’t illuminate. very similar to recall 188 thanks …”
2025-07-04 · Unknown Or Other“i was driving and i felt my car sputter and lunge forward slightly. then my car lost power and when i pressed down on the accelerator it would not give out any power. the battery light came on and the car would not start after pulling over. …”
2025-05-02 · Power Train · 241,000 mi“the contact owns a 2007 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle jerked. the contact stated that during warm temperatures, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear and then remained in first gear. the contact stated that the rpm fluctuated, and the …”
2024-10-10 · Suspension · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2007 hyundai elantra. the contact stated while driving 15 mph, the driver's side front control arm fractured. additionally, the contact noticed that the undercarriage was rusted. the contact was able to pull into a parking spot. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the arm to the steerin…”
2023-11-09 · Structure:frame And Members · 160,000 mi“the contact owns a 2007 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for an alignment, the contact was made aware of excessive corrosion on the sub frame. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the alignment could not be completed due to corrosion on the sub frame. the vehicle was not repaired. the …”
2023-09-22 · Suspension“ what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? rear upper rearward control arms how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? part rusted out and broke causing severe vehicle control issues while driving specifically at higher speeds. has the problem been reproduced or conf…”
2023-08-26 · Vehicle Speed Control“unknown the cars transmission after running for a bit feels like it slips out and will not lock in and shift, leading to higher rpm i run at 2500 to go 45 miles per hour, i also only get 4.3 miles per gallon it says on the dash.…”
2023-08-26 · Suspension“rear subframe rotted away and not the driver rear tire is leaning and car is not drivable…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.