← New search

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 →

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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

53 reports
Clear category filter
134,541 miles · Oct 28, 2025
EngineLatches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact also stated that the rear passenger’s side door failed to open when the unlock button was engaged…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact also stated that the rear passenger’s side door failed to open when the unlock button was engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed regarding the door failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,541.

NHTSA ODI #11696089

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2024
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

The door locks are faulty and do not allow the door to open. This is the second time the vehicle has had issues with the doors not unlocking. The first time it was my front passenger side a few years ago and I paid an auto shop to repair it as this was an immediate safety concern in case of a car accident or fire. A few months l…

Read full complaint

The door locks are faulty and do not allow the door to open. This is the second time the vehicle has had issues with the doors not unlocking. The first time it was my front passenger side a few years ago and I paid an auto shop to repair it as this was an immediate safety concern in case of a car accident or fire. A few months later Hyundai issues a recall and sent me an email about the faulty door locks and that they could be repaired at a Hyundai. I called to ask for reimbursement since I paid out of pocket and they refused. Now another door lock is broken, this time the rear driver side, and I have the same safety concerns as before since the door does not open from the inside or outside. In both cases, the issue was sudden and no other damage occurred to the vehicle. It's unsafe to have to drive with doors that cannot unlock from either inside or outside.

NHTSA ODI #11632482

35,000 miles · Apr 23, 2024
Latches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon attempting to enter the vehicle, the driver's side door failed to open, after which he became aware that the failure existed with all four doors. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon attempting to enter the vehicle, the driver's side door failed to open, after which he became aware that the failure existed with all four doors. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the door actuator on all four doors. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11584781

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2023
Latches/locks/linkages

My door handle requiring repeated attempts to open the door, same as in the TSB Number: 21-BD-006H (NHTSA Number: 10196574). It is possible that hyundai does not includes a lot of vehicles with similar problems.

NHTSA ODI #11543794

34,007 miles · Apr 27, 2023
Latches/locks/linkagesTires

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Kinergy GT H43, Tire Size: 225/45/R17, DOT Number: (Unavailable). The contact stated that while making a left turn, she heard a loud popping sound. The tire pressure warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that she maneu…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Kinergy GT H43, Tire Size: 225/45/R17, DOT Number: (Unavailable). The contact stated that while making a left turn, she heard a loud popping sound. The tire pressure warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that she maneuvered the vehicle to a service station. The contact then stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the front passenger’s side tire tread had detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tire needed to be replaced; however, the tire was replaced with the temporary spare tire until the tire became available. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact then stated that the same front passenger’s tire had recently been replaced in less than a year. In addition, the contact stated that on numerous occasions while attempting to unlock the doors using the key fob, the doors intermittently failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the failure was not covered under the warranty. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 34,007.

NHTSA ODI #11519231

70,000 miles · Oct 5, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear door was unable to be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear door was unable to be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11488076

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages

Rear drivers side door Will not open from inside nor outside when unlocked by either key fob or door unlock control on front door panel???!!! Cannot open if there is an accident… Window opens with both windows buttons. Door will not open when unlocked… Also my passenger side front door has similar issue except, I can open door …

Read full complaint

Rear drivers side door Will not open from inside nor outside when unlocked by either key fob or door unlock control on front door panel???!!! Cannot open if there is an accident… Window opens with both windows buttons. Door will not open when unlocked… Also my passenger side front door has similar issue except, I can open door from inside but not from outside???!!! Key fob does not unlock the door???!!! But front drivers door opens all the time… Very disappointed with this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11487741

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages

Rear driver door will NOT open whether in the unlock position manual or power, or lock position. Has not been checked by a dealership, police, or otherwise. Has been "locked" and unable to open for about 2 months. Safety issue- if in an accident, such as car is on fire, or under water, or passenger side is damaged to impare doo…

Read full complaint

Rear driver door will NOT open whether in the unlock position manual or power, or lock position. Has not been checked by a dealership, police, or otherwise. Has been "locked" and unable to open for about 2 months. Safety issue- if in an accident, such as car is on fire, or under water, or passenger side is damaged to impare door, persons will be trapped and can cause death. There are no sensors, lights, etc. to indicate a problem. Internet research shows other individuals with this same problem related to Hyundai vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11484625

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages

Door handles have to be pulled multiple times to open the door, specially it’s at night it’s very dangerous for a girl and scary I can’t get into my car when I needed to.

NHTSA ODI #11484235

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages

While driving the trunk latch broke and the trunk flew open. There is no damage to the trunk or rear end of the vehicle. We did not hit any pot holes we were on a straight way driving and the trunk just opened. Now it won't close. The truck light won't go out. I am glad we weren't on the highway going at a higher rate of speed a…

Read full complaint

While driving the trunk latch broke and the trunk flew open. There is no damage to the trunk or rear end of the vehicle. We did not hit any pot holes we were on a straight way driving and the trunk just opened. Now it won't close. The truck light won't go out. I am glad we weren't on the highway going at a higher rate of speed and this happened.

NHTSA ODI #11481585

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