IllustrationREAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DESPITE THE CHILD LOCKS NOT BEING ON OR THE LOCK ENGAGED. IT CLICKS AS IF THE DOOR HAS BEEN UNLOCKED BUT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. CAR IS IN PARK. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET SOMEONE IN THE BACKSEAT OUT OF THE CAR.
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
Structure complaints
134 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
3 OUT OF 4 OF MY DOORS DO NOT OPEN ON MY ELANTRA WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR, THINLY DOOR THAT OPENS IS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR!
REAR UPPER BUMPER BECAME LOOSE AND FELL OFF OF CAR WHILE DRIVING ON SOUTH PARKWAY FRONT FENDER IS LOOSE AS WELL
THE VEHICLE ORIGINAL PAINT JOB IS PEELING, HOOD, ROOF , NO INDICATION OF HAIL DAMAGE, ACCIDENT OR ETC...
BACK DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT OPEN. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF CAR IN AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE TO COVER THE COST OF GETTING THIS FIXED EVEN IF IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR MILEAGE.
DRIVER DOOR WHEN IT IS UNLOCKING WE CANNOT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. IT HASN'T OPENED IN A FEW MONTHS. I DON'T USE THE BACK OF THE CAR BEING AS IT'S JUST ME AND MY HUSBAND. TODAY WE TOOK MY IN-LAWS TO THE STORE AND MY FATHER IN LAW COULDN'T BUCKLE BECAUSE THE THING THAT HOLDS THE SEA…
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DRIVER DOOR WHEN IT IS UNLOCKING WE CANNOT OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. IT HASN'T OPENED IN A FEW MONTHS. I DON'T USE THE BACK OF THE CAR BEING AS IT'S JUST ME AND MY HUSBAND. TODAY WE TOOK MY IN-LAWS TO THE STORE AND MY FATHER IN LAW COULDN'T BUCKLE BECAUSE THE THING THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT WAS LOCKED DOWNWARD AND WOULD NOT LATCH.
MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS HAVING SOME TYPE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE PAINT JOB. IT STARTED OUT AS ONE SPOT ON THE DRIVER SIDE ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR WHERE THE PAINT LIFTED JUST FROM WIND RESISTANT AND HARD RAIN. THE PAINT BEGAN TO CHIP AROUND THE AREA AND PUCKLE UP. A COUPLE DAYS LATER ON PASSENGER SIDE ANOTHER AREA POPPED …
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MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS HAVING SOME TYPE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE PAINT JOB. IT STARTED OUT AS ONE SPOT ON THE DRIVER SIDE ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR WHERE THE PAINT LIFTED JUST FROM WIND RESISTANT AND HARD RAIN. THE PAINT BEGAN TO CHIP AROUND THE AREA AND PUCKLE UP. A COUPLE DAYS LATER ON PASSENGER SIDE ANOTHER AREA POPPED UP WITH THE SAME THING HAPPENING. ABOUT A WEEK LATER TWO DIFFERENT AREAS WERE SPOTTED ON THE ROOF ON THE CAR. THE CLEAR COAT AND PAINT HAS COMPLETELY LIFTED AND IT'S DOWN TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR. OVER THE WEEKS OF STILL HAVING TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAVING INCLEMENT WEATHER THESE AREAS HAVE GROWN BIGGER. I'M AFRAID IF NOT FIXED SOON THE AREAS WILL BEGAN TO RUST AS WELL AS WILL THIS ALSO HAPPEN ON OTHER AREAS OF THE CAR. DEFINITELY NOT GOOD FOR A BRAND NEW CAR.
I KEEP ON HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2017 HYUNDAI AND DUE TO MY WARRANTY BEING OVER I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO OTHER THAN SUBMIT A COMPLAINT, I BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW AND THIS IS MY FIRST HYUNDAI AND MY LAST. I HAVE A 4 DOOR ELANTRA AND THE ONLY DOOR THAT OPENS WITHOUT A PROBLEM IS THE DRIVER DOOR. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENS ONLY FRO…
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I KEEP ON HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2017 HYUNDAI AND DUE TO MY WARRANTY BEING OVER I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO OTHER THAN SUBMIT A COMPLAINT, I BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW AND THIS IS MY FIRST HYUNDAI AND MY LAST. I HAVE A 4 DOOR ELANTRA AND THE ONLY DOOR THAT OPENS WITHOUT A PROBLEM IS THE DRIVER DOOR. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENS ONLY FROM THE INSIDE THE THE BACK SEAT OF DRIVER DOOR YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE THEN OPEN AND JUST TODAY THE BACKSEAT PASSENGER DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I DID GOOGLE AND NOTICED THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEMS. IS IT POSSIBLE TO ISSUE A RECALL THIE DOORS NOT OPENING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION
I BOUGHT A USED HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM GARDEN GROVE HYUNDAI IT HAS BEEN RAINING AND AS I CROSSED THRU A FLOODED INTERSECTION SUDDENLY THERE WAS S TERRIBLE SOUND THEN MY FRONT WHEELS WERE MAKING THIS GRINDING NOISE I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION AND UPON INSPECTING NOTICE THAT SOME PART OF THE CAR WAS DISLODGE UNDER MY CAR AN…
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I BOUGHT A USED HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM GARDEN GROVE HYUNDAI IT HAS BEEN RAINING AND AS I CROSSED THRU A FLOODED INTERSECTION SUDDENLY THERE WAS S TERRIBLE SOUND THEN MY FRONT WHEELS WERE MAKING THIS GRINDING NOISE I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION AND UPON INSPECTING NOTICE THAT SOME PART OF THE CAR WAS DISLODGE UNDER MY CAR AND UNDER THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL , , I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND WAS TOLD AN INSPECTION COVER HAD COME OFF AND IT WOULD BE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE PART WOULD BE IN , GARDEN GROVE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALL AND SAID THE CAR WAS READY UPON WAITING IN THE SERVICE AREA THEY FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR I RECEIVED A BILL IN THE AMOUNT OF $1380 I ASK SHOULDN'T IT BE COVER UNDER THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY HE SAID NO THEN EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPEN HE SAID THAT I CAUSED IT , I CAUSED IT ? LET'S SEE WAS IT WHEN I PUT MY NEW BORN IN THE CAR OR WHEN I PUT GAS IN IT , HE SAID NO YOU CRASH IT ! THERE IS NOT ONE MARK IN THAT CAR ,HE THEN EXPLAINS THAT THE INSPECTION COVER INSPECTION COVER MOUNTS INSIDE THE FRONT BUMPER AND THAT IT CAME OUT WHEN YOU CRASH THE FRONT BUMPER , MY DAD CHECK AN ELANTRA THAT HAD JUST BEEN SERVICE AND THE INSPECTION COVER WAS INSTALLED UNDER THE BUMPER I HAVE A PHOTO OF THIS WE LOOK AT MINE AND IT WAS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FRONT BUMPER IT WASN'T TILL LATER MY DAD & I WERE TALKING AND EXCHANGED INFORMATION THAT WE NOW HAD A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT REALLY HAPPEN ,, GARDEN GROVE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD INSTALLED THE INSPECTION COVER UNDER THE BUMPER IT MADE TRIKE A SNOW PLOW SO WHEN I DROVE THRU THE FLOODED INTERSECTION IT WORK AS A PLOW THE FORCE OF THE WATER RIP IT OFF BLAMING ME FOR THIS REPAIR , AND CHARGING $1380 AND BILLING ME FIR THE REPAIR ?
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.