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2017 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Elantra years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

280 reports with mileage · 486 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 289 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports6 fire reports19 injury reports

Engine complaints

289 reports
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3,320 miles · Oct 5, 2019
Engine

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A SHORT ROAD TRIP THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND BELL CAME ON SAYING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE RADIATOR WET AND SMELLING SWEET. I LIMPED THE CAR THE FEW MILES AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SHIP…

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A SHORT ROAD TRIP THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND BELL CAME ON SAYING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POPPED THE HOOD TO FIND THE RADIATOR WET AND SMELLING SWEET. I LIMPED THE CAR THE FEW MILES AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SHIP STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN WAS LOOSE CAUSING THE BLADE TO RUB A WHOLE IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING A HOLE TO FORM. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE OIL IN THE CAR TO ENSURE THAT THE OIL WAS NOT COMPROMISED AFTER GETTING SO HOT. REPLACED WITH HAVOLINE SYNTHETIC.

NHTSA ODI #11266525

11,193 miles · Oct 5, 2019
Engine

1.THE CAR WHILE REVERSING INTO DRIVEWAY SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. (M.I.L, BATTERY, & OIL PRESSURE) LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE. RESTARTED CAR MANAGING TO GET IT OFF THE STREET AND IT DIED AGAIN WITHIN FEET. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING FOUND. 8/31/18 2. THE CAR 11 DAYS LATER ATTEMPTED TO SHUT …

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1.THE CAR WHILE REVERSING INTO DRIVEWAY SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. (M.I.L, BATTERY, & OIL PRESSURE) LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE. RESTARTED CAR MANAGING TO GET IT OFF THE STREET AND IT DIED AGAIN WITHIN FEET. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING FOUND. 8/31/18 2. THE CAR 11 DAYS LATER ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPED ON A ELEVATED HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL TURN TO PREVENT CAR FROM SHUTTING OFF AND POTENTLY ROLLING BACK. REVERSING IN DRIVEWAY AGAIN CAR ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE SAME LIGHTS AS BEFORE DISPLAYED AGAIN. DEALER CLEANED PCM & BATTERY GROUNDS. 9/10/2018 3. 9/20/19 WHILE PARKED THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO STALLED. THE RPM'S DROPPED QUICK AND STABILIZED. NO LIGHTS DISPLAYED. DEALER HAS NOT CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE YET BUT HYUNDAI HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS. 4.THE VEHICLE WHILE ACCELERATING UP MY EMPLOYERS DRIVE WAS THE CAR HESITATES UNLESS GAS IS PRESSED MORE THEN NORMAL. THE CAR HAS NOT STALLED YET ON THESE CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SERVICE DONE ON THE INTERVALS PER HYUNDAI. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD JUST OVER 16K MILES. THE VEHICLE ON THE FIRST 2 OCCASIONS WERE BOTH ON SOME FORM OF A SLIGHT GRADE. THE 3RD TIME WAS ON A FLAT STREET. FINALLY THE CAR IN 3 OF THE 4 OCCASIONS ALL INVOLVED INCLINES OF DIFFERENT GRADES.

NHTSA ODI #11266465

200 miles · Sep 13, 2019
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEN GARFF HYUNDAI (717 SOUTH WEST TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84101, 801-257-3200) WHERE THE DUAL CLUTCH WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEN GARFF HYUNDAI (717 SOUTH WEST TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84101, 801-257-3200) WHERE THE DUAL CLUTCH WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO YOUNG HYUNDAI (333 WALL AVENUE, OGDEN UT, 84401) WHERE IT WAS KEPT FOR SIX DAYS. THE DEALER CLEANED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI #11255367

59,000 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Engine

MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY BEGINS TO IDLE ROUGH AND STALL WHILE IN DRIVE. THE SYSTEM CHECK IN THE CAR NORMALLY REVEALS NOTHING. ON OCCASION IT WILL GIVE A MESSAGE REGARDING THE EMS. , I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ASK THEM TO CHECK AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS CHECK WAS DONE AT APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES. AFTER THE SY…

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MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY BEGINS TO IDLE ROUGH AND STALL WHILE IN DRIVE. THE SYSTEM CHECK IN THE CAR NORMALLY REVEALS NOTHING. ON OCCASION IT WILL GIVE A MESSAGE REGARDING THE EMS. , I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ASK THEM TO CHECK AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS CHECK WAS DONE AT APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES. AFTER THE SYSTEM CHECK AT THE DEALERSHIP THE AUTOMOBILE STOP HAVING STALLING PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE. THE CAR IS NOW AT 76000 + MILES AND IS BEGINNING TO STALL AGAIN WHILE IN DRIVE. IT IS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF IDLING ROUGH WITH NO INDICATOR OR SYSTEM CHECK REVEALING ANY PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY IT HAS BEGIN TO STALL AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN GOES BACK OFF. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING OR TRANSPORTING OTHERS. SPECIFICALLY, ROUGH IDLING CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. STALLING OF THE ENGINE OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE ONLY OR IN REVERSE GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11254375

62,175 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Engine

MY ELANTRA TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT, WITHIN 30 MINUTES THE CAR TURNED OFF 3 FREAKING TIMES, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT I MANAGED TO TURN VEHICLE ON RIGHT AWAY AND MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME, THANK GOD I WAS ALONE AND DID NOT HAVE MY 5 YEAR OLD WITH ME. H…

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MY ELANTRA TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT, WITHIN 30 MINUTES THE CAR TURNED OFF 3 FREAKING TIMES, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT I MANAGED TO TURN VEHICLE ON RIGHT AWAY AND MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME, THANK GOD I WAS ALONE AND DID NOT HAVE MY 5 YEAR OLD WITH ME. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO REALLY LOOK INTO ALL THESE PROBLEMS ASAP

NHTSA ODI #11245104

36,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
Engine

ENGINE DIES INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. RMP'S DROP, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE DIES. AT TIMES THERE WILL BE A SHAKE FROM THE ENGINE AND A LOUD RUMBLING SOUND WHILE THE FAN WAS ON PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. VEHICLE DOES RESTART IMMEDIATELY 90% OF THE TIME AND DRIVES NORMAL. THESE EPISODES HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES W…

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ENGINE DIES INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. RMP'S DROP, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE DIES. AT TIMES THERE WILL BE A SHAKE FROM THE ENGINE AND A LOUD RUMBLING SOUND WHILE THE FAN WAS ON PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. VEHICLE DOES RESTART IMMEDIATELY 90% OF THE TIME AND DRIVES NORMAL. THESE EPISODES HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. AT ONE POINT I HAD MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE, I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE AND THE ENTRANCE RAMP WAS ONTO THE FAST LANE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS TRAVELING AT A FAST SPEED OF APPROX. 65-70 MPH AS MY VEHICLE STALLED ONCE AGAIN, I LOST CONTROL OF STEERING POWER. THERE WERE SEVERAL VEHICLES BEHIND ME THAT HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES AND VEER OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING ME. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN, NEVERTHELESS UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED WITH MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AS OF TODAY. IT'S GOING BACK TODAY FOR A 4TH ATTEMPT. SERVICE CALL #1: CANNOT DUPLICATE AND NO CODES PRESENT, BRING BACK WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. SERVICE CALL #2: CANNOT DUPLICATE AND NO CODES PRESENT, RESET ADAPTIVE VALUES AND ROAD TESTED RESCANNED NO CODES PRESENT, BRING BACK IF ANY OTHER ISSUES. SERVICE CALL #3: FINALLY GOT A DUPLICATION, NO CODES PRESENT STILL, REPLACED FRONT ENGINE COVER AND EXHAUST CVVT PHASER PER HYUNDAI TECH LINE. AFTER HAVING MY VEHICLE BACK FOR THE THIRD ATTEMPT THE ENGINE DIES TWICE WITHIN 45 MINUTES.

NHTSA ODI #11243887

30,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED SHAKING IT WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL #3 THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN AS HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS JUST THE BAD ONE THAT WAS IN MAY 2019 NO…

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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED SHAKING IT WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL #3 THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN AS HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS JUST THE BAD ONE THAT WAS IN MAY 2019 NOW IT STARTED SHAKING AGAIN THIS TIME I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IT IS IGNITION COIL #4 ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WAI FOR THE SHAKING TO STOP BLOCKING TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI #11243661

65,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. MOMENTS LATER, AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. FLINT HILLS HYUNDAI (7920 E. HIGHWAY 24, MANHATTAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. MOMENTS LATER, AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. FLINT HILLS HYUNDAI (7920 E. HIGHWAY 24, MANHATTAN, KS) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11241726

84,000 miles · Jul 13, 2019
Engine

THERE IS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS LOSS OF POWER . ENGINE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY. CORRECTLY. THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND A FAULT CODE SO CAN NOT FIX IT. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY WITH PREMIUM EXTENDED WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #11231605

51,780 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Engine

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES THE CAR STARTS TO ACT LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THERE IS LIKE NO POWER TO THE CAR A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING UP A OVERPASS AND MY CAR STALLED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I SERIOUSLY COULD OF GOT KILLED I WANT ANSWERS TO WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTS TO …

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MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES THE CAR STARTS TO ACT LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THERE IS LIKE NO POWER TO THE CAR A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING UP A OVERPASS AND MY CAR STALLED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I SERIOUSLY COULD OF GOT KILLED I WANT ANSWERS TO WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTS TO BREAK DOWN APPARENTLY I FEEL IT'S THE ENGINE OR THE POWER SYSTEM IS FAILING .

NHTSA ODI #11223058

Official recalls

4

17V213000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 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.

17V063000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

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.

16V956000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

16V232000 · Air Bags:frontal

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

1

DP22003 · 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.

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems