IllustrationSINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR FROM 2017 TO NOW, THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND THEN SLOW FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL POP ON. THE BREAKS ARE SOMETIMES VERY HARD. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THEM, BUT THEN THEY MAKE A WEIRD NOISE. IT IS QUITE SCARY.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
800–25K
7125–50K
5850–75K
3675–100K
31100–150K
4150K+
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 reportsTAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO SPEED UP, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS NOT SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN VERY WELL. IT WAS SLIGHTLY SHAKING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND THE CAR WAS WORKING NORMAL AGAIN, BUT THEN THE CAR SCREEN STARTED FLASHING AND ENDED UP SHUTTING OFF.
ENGINE COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED OR SWITCHED OUT TWO TIMES IN TWO WEEKS. CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AFTER IT WAS "FIXED" THE FIRST TIME. CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION
I HAVE A REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL LEAK IN MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, 4/4/19 AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS AN ISSUE DO TO AN ACCIDENT. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS A 2017 WITH 27,400 MILES. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT THAT …
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I HAVE A REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL LEAK IN MY CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, 4/4/19 AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS AN ISSUE DO TO AN ACCIDENT. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS A 2017 WITH 27,400 MILES. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS ISSUE.
THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD TICKING/KNOCK WHEN COLD. HYUNDAI WILL NOT DO ANYTHING SAYING IT IS "NORMAL". THIS CAR HAS A 2.0 LITER NU ENGINE ON THE ATKINSON CYCLE. THERE WERE RECALLS IN THE PAST FOR THE NU ENGINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER ONE.
1. LOW RPM APPROX 300, ROUGH IDLE. A/C USAGE INCRESES THE RANDOM INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. 40,000 MILES WHEN ISSUE WAS NOTICED. 2. RELAY SWITCH, RAPIDLY TURNS ON AND OFF. USUALLY AT STOPS AND IDLE. (SOUND LOCATION UNDER HOOD/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT.) 32,000 MILES WHEN ISSUES WAS NOTICED. 3. PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT OCCUPANT SEAT SENSO…
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1. LOW RPM APPROX 300, ROUGH IDLE. A/C USAGE INCRESES THE RANDOM INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. 40,000 MILES WHEN ISSUE WAS NOTICED. 2. RELAY SWITCH, RAPIDLY TURNS ON AND OFF. USUALLY AT STOPS AND IDLE. (SOUND LOCATION UNDER HOOD/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT.) 32,000 MILES WHEN ISSUES WAS NOTICED. 3. PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR. OVERLY SENSATIVE, WARNING FOR SEAT BELT WHEN NO PASSENGER. CELL PHONE AND OR WEIGHT LESS THAN 5 LBS. 5,000 MILES WHEN ISSUED WAS NOTICED
MY CAR HAVE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRIC SYSTEM THE BRAKE LIGHT FAIL EVERY 2 WEEKS. WHEN CHANGE THE SHIFT TO DRIVE TO REVERSE LOSS THE REVERSE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE AT A TRAFFIC L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE IT WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO ATLANTIC HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 193 SUNRISE HWY NORTH SERVICE RD, WEST ISLIP, NY 11795, (631) 587-0700), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
THE CAR IS SLOW ACCELERATE LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH IT. IT STARTED THE YEAR 2018. THE CARE WAS PURCHASED 2/17/17 WITH 25 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG.
34000 MILES, EQUIPPED WITH SMART KEY. KEY WAS FUNCTIONING, ALLOWING ENTRANCE AND UNLOCK/LOCK/ALARM FUNCTIONALITY, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. USED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY STARTER. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HAD PREVIOUSLY SHOWN SOME HESITATION WITH EARLIER …
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34000 MILES, EQUIPPED WITH SMART KEY. KEY WAS FUNCTIONING, ALLOWING ENTRANCE AND UNLOCK/LOCK/ALARM FUNCTIONALITY, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. USED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY STARTER. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HAD PREVIOUSLY SHOWN SOME HESITATION WITH EARLIER ATTEMPTS TO START.
Official recalls
417V213000 · 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
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.