NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
289 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 30, 2022
Engine
The Elantra will randomly stall out while driving. What happens is that the CVVT solenoid relies on clean oil and when it's not clean the solenoid related the timing so much that the engine stalls out, usually on deceleration or when coming to a stop. This happened to me in the past. It requires you to change the oil and filter …
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The Elantra will randomly stall out while driving. What happens is that the CVVT solenoid relies on clean oil and when it's not clean the solenoid related the timing so much that the engine stalls out, usually on deceleration or when coming to a stop. This happened to me in the past. It requires you to change the oil and filter at short intervals to avoid the problem. It's a safety because it stalls out on the road and you need to put it in park or neutral to restart it.
NHTSA ODI #11458978
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
Vehicle loses all acceleration when making turns or coasting slowly. Only way to restore acceleration is to put vehicle in park and turn the key into the off position and then restart the car.
NHTSA ODI #11457456
79,000 miles · Mar 14, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, he heard a rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was metal debris in the engine and, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, he heard a rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was metal debris in the engine and, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that there was an open Manufacturer Recall Campaign Number: 953 (ECM/Engine Monitoring Logic). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. Consumer stated engine blew up not too long after the purchase, in 2021. Apparently a recall was sent out in 2018 but was not an owner back then.
NHTSA ODI #11456606
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2022
Engine
It seems that there are issues with the ignition coils. I've replaced all four coils and in about 5-6 months later, I had to replace one and a couple months later we had to replace another. The spark plugs were changed the first time when the coils were replaced. The date given below is when I had to replace the 2nd unit.
NHTSA ODI #11455011
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
My Hyundai Elantra 2017 died while driving on the highway. Started with hesitation when accelerated and died on the highway. The vehicle would not restart
NHTSA ODI #11454840
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
While driving on highway the vehicle quit running and would not restart. It seemed it lost power prior to completely dying. Check engine light came on when starting and had some hesitation but started then once on highway stalled out. Paint is also coming off hood color is Pearl White
NHTSA ODI #11454617
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2022
Engine
November 2, 2021 driving on the freeway, car started to shake, travelling at approximately 5mph in traffic. Check engine light came on and stayed on. Not knowing what was going on with the car took it to an independent mechanic to determine the problem. Mechanic ran diagnostics and determined car was misfiring. All 4 spark pl…
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November 2, 2021 driving on the freeway, car started to shake, travelling at approximately 5mph in traffic. Check engine light came on and stayed on. Not knowing what was going on with the car took it to an independent mechanic to determine the problem. Mechanic ran diagnostics and determined car was misfiring. All 4 spark plugs were replaced and 2 coils. Induction cleaning was performed. February 4, 2022 car started shaking at a stop light, pulled into a parking lot. My father came to get the car and the check engine light came on. My father used an OBD meter and determined the car was misfiring once again. He was going to replace the coils himself, called Hyundai to see how much they would charge and was told that it was under warranty. Hyundai ended up replacing 4 coils. The coils placed installed in November did not meet the new coils that Hyundai is now using as OEM parts. Seems like this should be a recall if Hyundai knows that the coils delivered with the car our faulty. Tried to recover some of the costs from Hyundai for the previous work and was told they do not reimburse work done at independent mechanics.
NHTSA ODI #11452168
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2022
Engine
In June 2021 (41600 miles), my car cut off 3 times without service engine light coming on. When I stopped at lights and/or idle, the shuts off without warning. This is extremely dangerous for anyone on the highway or at traffic lights. The reason for the car shutting down is that the car's cylinder 2 misfired. I had to take m…
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In June 2021 (41600 miles), my car cut off 3 times without service engine light coming on. When I stopped at lights and/or idle, the shuts off without warning. This is extremely dangerous for anyone on the highway or at traffic lights. The reason for the car shutting down is that the car's cylinder 2 misfired. I had to take my car twice, just for the dealership to say nothing is wrong with my car. I had to use my T-Mobile Sync Up to get the code and relay that message to the dealership. They would not fix it until I had a code. (What if I didn't have the Sync Up in my car to diagnose the problem. Once the dealership had the code, then the cylinder 2 ignition coil was replaced. I have an invoice. In February 2022 (44000 miles), the same thing happened at traffic lights and when my car was about to stop for parking. No advance "check service light" came on. The car just shuts off. This time T-Mobile Sync Up states that it was cylinder 4 misfired. But, when I took it to the dealership, they say nothing is wrong. They don't believe me unless it is in the car's system's history. But, T-Mobile Sync Up determined the problem before the dealership can find it. I don't have an invoice yet of the problem. This is a safety hazard and I spoke with a representative at my dealership and she stated that a lot of vehicles were having this safety issue. Someone could of ran in back of me. It's a good thing I didn't have kids in the car!! All of the cylinders' ignition coils need to be RECALLED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!!
NHTSA ODI #11452085
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine
For almost 2 years now I have had issues with my vehicle. In the middle of me driving, all the light would come on and sometimes just the engine light and the car would proceed to stop working. This had happened on the highway while I was pregnant and I almost got into a major accident. I have major anxiety because of the situat…
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For almost 2 years now I have had issues with my vehicle. In the middle of me driving, all the light would come on and sometimes just the engine light and the car would proceed to stop working. This had happened on the highway while I was pregnant and I almost got into a major accident. I have major anxiety because of the situation. Each time I would get the car towed to the dealership where I purchased it. They will have my car for months at a time, notify me when the issue is supposedly resolved and then return car back to me. A week or 2 later, the problem would happen again. I have had to take my car to the shop 5 major times. My safety, my child’s safety, and husband’s safety have been placed in jeopardy. I am very afraid to even step foot in the car. The problem has never been fixed. My car is currently at the dealership receiving service for the same issue. I am still paying on the car and it hasn’t worked for almost 2 years. I’ve tried to sell the car back to the dealership but they said there is a negative equity on the car and they aren’t willing to pay the difference. When I mention to them all that I have been through with the car, I am told the situation sucks but there is nothing they can do. This car should have been recalled from the beginning and no one ever reported it. I was told by an attorney that after the fourth time, there should have been alternative solutions such as: replacement of the vehicle or compensation. It still makes me feel scared to trust that they will fix the issue because as I have mentioned before, the problem keeps occurring. I have reported to the National BBB and I have 2 cases open with Hyundai Customer Care Center. Hyundai Customer Care Center has yet to respond to me. This issue has effected my ability to go to work because I don’t have transportation, my credit, my safety and family’s safety and overall wellbeing. I’ve tried several times to get this matter resolved. I have all of my receipts.
NHTSA ODI #11451360
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2022
EnginePower Train
Engine idles rough, shifts rough, idles high, stalls, and sometimes just simply won't run. CEL came on when it was time for an oil change/service, had oil and filter changed at Express Lube, and had them run a diagnostic on the CEL to make sure it was for the oil change, it was code P0017 cam/crankshaft. They cleared the code to…
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Engine idles rough, shifts rough, idles high, stalls, and sometimes just simply won't run. CEL came on when it was time for an oil change/service, had oil and filter changed at Express Lube, and had them run a diagnostic on the CEL to make sure it was for the oil change, it was code P0017 cam/crankshaft. They cleared the code to be sure it wasn't just a glitch, CEL came right back on not even 50 miles down the road, and the car stalled in the middle of traffic, barely made it out of harms way with my two children in the car! I bought this car in October 2021, made my first payment in December 2021 and the CEL came on originally in January 2022. After spending the money to have it diagnosed further by my Hyundai Dealer where I purchased the car, the technician confirmed the P0017 code and also that it is a timing chain issue and that it's recommended to just replace the entire motor! The car is barely 4 years old, not even 100k miles, and I am only the SECOND owner! How does this just happen to such a new car with lower mileage that has a good maintenance history just all of a sudden needs a new motor? I can't afford to keep making high payments on an unsafe vehicle. I have searched through the complaints about this specific model and have found several identical cases related to the P0017 code which tells me this is a reoccurring malfunction from Hyundai and they need to own that responsibility before a class action lawsuit is filed. CEL came on at approximately 95K miles which would qualify for the powertrain warranty but since I am the second owner the warranty is no good. Someone help please!!
NHTSA ODI #11450502
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.