IllustrationUNABLE TO OPEN DRIVERS FRONT DOOR WITHOUT TRYING AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THIS IS ONLY ONCE IT IS IN THE LOCK POSITION AND I UNLOCK IT. LIGHTS IN AUTO POSITION RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
23 reportsMY HEADLAMP LIGHTBULBS KEEP BURNING OUT. IN 2020 ALONE I HAVE SWITCHED THEM OUT 3 TIMES EACH! WAS TOLD THAT'S NOT NORMAL. TODAY I SWITCHED THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR THE 3RD TIME THIS YEAR. I'M SURE BEFORE 2021 I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE. IT'S GETTING EXPENSIVE! ALSO MY IGNITION COIL HAS GONE OUT 2CE IN 4 YEARS. (YES I…
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MY HEADLAMP LIGHTBULBS KEEP BURNING OUT. IN 2020 ALONE I HAVE SWITCHED THEM OUT 3 TIMES EACH! WAS TOLD THAT'S NOT NORMAL. TODAY I SWITCHED THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR THE 3RD TIME THIS YEAR. I'M SURE BEFORE 2021 I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE. IT'S GETTING EXPENSIVE! ALSO MY IGNITION COIL HAS GONE OUT 2CE IN 4 YEARS. (YES IT'S A 2017 BUT I PURCHASED 6/30/2016) MY CAR SHAKES AND MAKES WEIRD NOISE. SAME ONE #1 IS THE CULPRIT.
THE DOORS WOULDN'T UNLOCK, THEN DECIDED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY MAKE THIS LOUD CLICKING NOISE. THE BATTERY TESTS GOOD. THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT ON AT ALL. ALL SWITCHES ARE TUNED OFF AND IT'S NOT IN ACCC MODE. HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY AND WAIT FOR TOW TRUCK.
I JUST DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING FOUR HOURS HOME THE LIGHTS WENT OUT THE LIGHT IS CUTTING OFF AND ON AND NOW I GET AN ALERT CHECK BACK BRAKE LIGHT SO NOW IT IS NOT WORKING
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.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. LEAVING US DRIVING IN THE DARK. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO USE BLINKERS OR SWITCH HIGH BEAMS ON OR OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT'S THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WANT 372.84 TO REPLACE IT. MY WARRANTY HAS JUST RU…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. LEAVING US DRIVING IN THE DARK. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO USE BLINKERS OR SWITCH HIGH BEAMS ON OR OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT'S THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WANT 372.84 TO REPLACE IT. MY WARRANTY HAS JUST RUN OUT AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND NOW THIS IS OUT AS WELL AS THE BACK DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IT'S A 2017. I FEEL THE SWITCH AND POSSIBLY THE BACK DOOR ACTUATOR MUST BE FAULTY.
SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK WHEN SWITCHING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAMS OR HIGH TO LOW BEAMS, ALL LIGHTS GO OFF CAUSING A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE! THEY COME BACK ON AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS.
RECENTLY MY VEHICLE STARTED HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND NO ROOT CAUSE CAN BE FOUND, THIS OCCURS WITH NO WARNING AND WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED. THERE ARE ALSO NO LIGHTS OR MESSAGES DISPLAYING. VERY SCRAY ON A DARK RURAL ROAD WITHOUT WARNING.
MY CAR WAS PARKED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS TURNED ON. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE I LIVE THAT THE FIRE ALARM WENT OFF IN THE APARTMENT BUILDING AND I JUST HAPPENED TO BE STANDING OUTSIDE AND MY CAR'S EXTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. I HAD MY KEY AND I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR REMOTELY…
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MY CAR WAS PARKED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS TURNED ON. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE I LIVE THAT THE FIRE ALARM WENT OFF IN THE APARTMENT BUILDING AND I JUST HAPPENED TO BE STANDING OUTSIDE AND MY CAR'S EXTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. I HAD MY KEY AND I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR REMOTELY, BUT THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I HAD TO GO TO MY CAR, TURN IT ON, AND THEN SHUT IT OFF. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY ABOUT THE SAME TIME AROUND 11 P.M. I DID THE SAME THING. TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF AND THEN SHUT IT OFF AND USED THE KEY REMOTE TO LOCK IT. WHAT IS WORSE, WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT, I HAD MY RIGHT BLINKER ON TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, AND I NOTICED THE HEAD LAMPS COMPLETELY WENT DARK WHEN I TURNED AND I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, THE HEAD LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BY THEMSELVES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS.
THE CHECK OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, IT'S A MALFUNCTION. THE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR, I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES, BUT THE ENGINE CEASED DUE TO LACK OF OIL AND NEVER ANY WARNING. NEVER "CHECK OIL LIGHT" OR "OIL LOW" NOTHING. WHEN AAA TOWED THEY TOLD ME OIL WAS LEAKING THAT WHEN WE CHECKED. THE ENGINE IS GONE AND COSTING ME $2,600 TO …
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THE CHECK OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, IT'S A MALFUNCTION. THE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR, I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES, BUT THE ENGINE CEASED DUE TO LACK OF OIL AND NEVER ANY WARNING. NEVER "CHECK OIL LIGHT" OR "OIL LOW" NOTHING. WHEN AAA TOWED THEY TOLD ME OIL WAS LEAKING THAT WHEN WE CHECKED. THE ENGINE IS GONE AND COSTING ME $2,600 TO REPLACE ON A 2017 UGH. THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AT 3AM IN THE MORNING. IT WAS DRIVING ALONG AND JUST STOPPED. THE DAY BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE CODE WAS P0011 "INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING.
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.