Research · Midsize Cars

2007 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 267 owner complaints for the 2007 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve air bags (46) and visibility/wiper (42). The EPA rates it 27–28 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
27–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
267
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Feb 5, 2020NHTSA 20V061000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V113000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

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 THAT, IN A CRASH THAT REQUIRES DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AT THE HIGHER PRESSURE THAN INTENDED IF THE SEAT WAS POSITION IN ONE OF THE FORWARD POSITIONS IN WHICH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Air bagsReported Mar 15, 2011NHTSA 11V179000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

267 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2007 – Sep 2026
  1. Air bags46
  2. Visibility/wiper42
  3. Steering34
  4. Electrical system32
  5. Service brakes26
  6. Suspension26
  7. Exterior lighting23
  8. Structure20
  9. Visibility19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

46 reports13 crashes
“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 assist, transactions between the dealership and the consumer are strictly between those parties. We're unable to intervene in any service disputes. We encourage you to work with the dealership as they're directly involved and will be in the best position to assist." this was after I told them I contacted the dealership and they couldn't help me, as well as numerous other dealerships.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2026Air bagsODI 11735173

Visibility/wiper

42 reports
“BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS HAVE SUDDENLY BROKEN AND FALLEN DOWN EITHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OBSTRUCTING LINE OF VISION AND BECOMING UNUSABLE. THE BREAK OCCURRED AT THE SAME LOCATION ON BOTH SUN VISORS - THE PLASTIC ROD BROKE JUST ABOVE WHERE THE VISOR IS SCREW MOUNTED ONTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2017Visibility/wiperODI 11012377

Steering

34 reports3 crashes
“Power assist light appeared in dash causing car to go in manual steering and extremely difficult to turn car, pulled over restarted vehicle light went off and power assist steering started working than happened two more times took car to dealer. Was told maybee steering column may need to be replaced 2 to 3000$, Called Hyundai customer service they said Hyundai would repair and gave me info to call warranty dept who informed me that my vehicle was over 10 years old and not covered and informed me that customer care dept.did not know what they are doing. ( they admitted that there was a problem with this vehicle and steering recalls were done, I am the original owner of this vehicle they confirmed this from there records and I never received any notice of any recall. This vehicle has only 70000 miles. Hyundai should help me with repairs) the car is still at the dealer who is still trying to get me some help.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2022SteeringODI 11453563
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,200317
Elantra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243327$2,300329
  • Elantra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Hyundai Elantra as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 2323
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Hyundai Elantra have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 267 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (46), visibility/wiper (42), steering (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Hyundai Elantra at 27–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026