NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
111 reportsClear category filter2 miles · Sep 9, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
ONCE AGAIN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STARTED LUNGING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING WITHIN CITY LIMITS. CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE SOMEWHAT NORMALLY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIM…
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ONCE AGAIN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STARTED LUNGING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING WITHIN CITY LIMITS. CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE SOMEWHAT NORMALLY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, AND FROM WHAT I CAN TELL BY READING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES AS WELL. IT APPEARS TO BE THE ECM, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO SAY YOU NEED NEW SPARK PLUGS OR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS A RECALL IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA ODI #11354016
39,000 miles · Aug 26, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
MY CAR HAD RECENTLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BUCK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS AT 38,000 MILES. THREE WEEKS AGO BEFORE A REGULAR MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT AT MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE !CAR, AS I TURNED OVER THE IGNITION AND ACCELERATED THE CAR BEGAN TO BUCK AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AS I PRESSED…
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MY CAR HAD RECENTLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BUCK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS AT 38,000 MILES. THREE WEEKS AGO BEFORE A REGULAR MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT AT MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE !CAR, AS I TURNED OVER THE IGNITION AND ACCELERATED THE CAR BEGAN TO BUCK AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AS I PRESSED THE GAS, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SO ONCE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE OVER, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK OVER. NO SHAKING AND CONTINUED AS NORMAL. ONCE I TOOK THE CAR IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK, I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND MADE SURE TO MENTION THE SHAKING AND BUCKING AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. THE NEXT DAY FOLLOWING SERVICE AND RECEIVING MY CAR BACK, MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AGAIN. STILL NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC WHERE MY COIL PACKS WERE UPDATED (I BOUGHT MY CAR MARCH 2017 AND WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT ANY RECALLS ON COIL PACKS THAT RELEASE LATE 2017 UNTIL THIS MOMENT). ONCE I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK I WAS INFORMED THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. WELL IT WAS NOT. THE NEXT DAY I'M DRIVING MY CAR A SHORT DISTANCE WHEN TWO HARD SHAKES HAPPENED. ONE SOUNDED LIKE TWO METAL PIECES COLLIDING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK OVER. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOW PERMANENTLY ON. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED AND NOW BEING TOLD IT COULD BE THE TRANSMISSION BUT NO UPDATES. SERIOUSLY UNSAFE AND COULD'VE NOW BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS ALTHOUGH I'VE REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11351302
101,000 miles · Aug 14, 2020
Electrical System
BOTH BACK DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THEY WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS ACUTATOR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. COST OVER $650 TO FIX. I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I GOT IT FIXED, "FREE". BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. NEVER BEEN IN WRECK, COMPLETELY NOT MY FAULT…
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BOTH BACK DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THEY WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS ACUTATOR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. COST OVER $650 TO FIX. I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I GOT IT FIXED, "FREE". BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. NEVER BEEN IN WRECK, COMPLETELY NOT MY FAULT AT ALL.
NHTSA ODI #11349177
52,000 miles · Jul 10, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS SHUTTING OFF WILE DRIVING ON MAIN HIGHWAYS AT NIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 OR 9 TIMES. THEY WILL GO OFF WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM. IF I PULL THE LIGHT SWITCH ARM A COUPLE TIMES THEY DO EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON. ALSO TWO TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS…
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OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS SHUTTING OFF WILE DRIVING ON MAIN HIGHWAYS AT NIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 OR 9 TIMES. THEY WILL GO OFF WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM. IF I PULL THE LIGHT SWITCH ARM A COUPLE TIMES THEY DO EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON. ALSO TWO TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS MY PARKING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON WHILE PARKED AND CAR IS SHUT OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11338601
43,758 miles · Jul 8, 2020
Electrical System
10/7/19 - MY CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER SITTING FOR 8 HOURS PARKED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT IT WAS LOSING POWER AND I HAD BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED AT A HYUNDAI DEALER A WEEK BEFORE WHERE THEY SAID NO ISSUES WERE SEEN WITH MY BATTERY AT THAT TIME. I GOT A JUMP AND DROVE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING MY CAR WOULD NOT STA…
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10/7/19 - MY CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER SITTING FOR 8 HOURS PARKED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT IT WAS LOSING POWER AND I HAD BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED AT A HYUNDAI DEALER A WEEK BEFORE WHERE THEY SAID NO ISSUES WERE SEEN WITH MY BATTERY AT THAT TIME. I GOT A JUMP AND DROVE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING MY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SHOP BECAUSE IT COULDN'T EVEN BE JUMPED AT THIS POINT. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SAME HYUNDAI DEALER THE BATTERY WAS BEYOND DEAD. AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS BARELY TWO YEARS OLD AT THIS POINT. BUT WE REPLACED IT. 7/7/20 MY BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD AGAIN. CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN TODAY WITHOUT WARNING. A REPAIR SHOP TESTED IT AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED DEAD. THEY SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11338323
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
ELECTRICAL ISSUE - FRONT PASSENGER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN DOOR WITHOUT BEING PULLED SEVERAL TIMES. CAN OPEN FROM INSIDE. OTHER ISSUE - HEAT ONLY WORKS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION, OTHERWISE IT BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN PARKED OR IDOL. HAS BEEN DOING THAT SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2018. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330136
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
I EXPERIENCED THE CAR IDLING ROUGH WHILE IN PARK AND SOUNDING LIKE IT WANTED TO DIE OUT. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED AN IGNITION COIL.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST CAME ON AGAIN YESTERDAY...TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AGAIN. THIS WILL THE 2ND TIME TO HAVE IT FIXE…
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I EXPERIENCED THE CAR IDLING ROUGH WHILE IN PARK AND SOUNDING LIKE IT WANTED TO DIE OUT. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED AN IGNITION COIL.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST CAME ON AGAIN YESTERDAY...TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AGAIN. THIS WILL THE 2ND TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED ON MY 2017.SEEMS LIKE HYUNDAI VEHICLES HAVE A TON OF ISSUES WITH IGNITION COILS. AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK IT VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPEED STARTED TO DECREASED. I REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI CORPORATION ABOUT REPLACEMENT VEHICLE . I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE FAULTY IGNITION COILS.
NHTSA ODI #11328814
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
CAR ENGINE SMELLS LIKE IT'S BURNING
NHTSA ODI #11323118
35,000 miles · Apr 19, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringCrashInjury
YES I HAD BOUGHT A USED 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEI THEY NEVER INFORMED ME OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR BLEW UP BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WERE STICKING BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DEFECT THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR THE SECOND MOTOR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING GETTING STUCK AND SHAKING THE STEERING…
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YES I HAD BOUGHT A USED 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEI THEY NEVER INFORMED ME OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR BLEW UP BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WERE STICKING BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DEFECT THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR THE SECOND MOTOR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING GETTING STUCK AND SHAKING THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP SOMETIMES WHERE I COULD NOT EVEN STEER OR IT WAS HARD TO STEER WHY EVEN WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY DID NOT INFORM ME OF RECALLS WHEN I TALK TO THE CAR BACK AND HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED THEY STILL DID NOT INFORM ME OF ANY RECALLS THESE THINGS COST ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND TOTALED MY VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #11321530
11,300 miles · Mar 18, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineCrash
WHILE DRIVING IN THE EXPRESSWAY OR ROAD THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON IN THE DASHBOARD AND I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK TO START IT BACK UP. IT WILL ALSO SHUT OFF IF I'M TURNING SLOWLY AROUND A CORNER OR IF I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE.
NHTSA ODI #11318596
Official recalls
4Mar 28, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS motor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-243-7766. Hyundai's number for this recall 161.
Jan 26, 2017
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake system booster assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 157.
Dec 30, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 156.
Apr 21, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.