IllustrationMy 2017 white pearl quartz ELANTRA started to peel in January 2022!! The hood and roof is just horrible. The dealership does not want to do anything about it. I bought this car brand new! This is a paint defect and Hyundai knows it!! This should be recalled!! Tons of other vehicles are just like mine! It’s ridiculous!
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 reportsThe paint of my white Elantra is peeling for about 5 months now!! It is a known issue that the paint is defected!!!
I own a 2017 Hyundai Elantra Pearl White color. The car has around 40,000 miles on it, and I have paint peeling issues on the hood and the roof. I don't think car paints should peel off this easily. Considering the amount of peeling, I don't think this is natural wear and tear issue. I heard from someone that Hyundai's water bas…
Read full complaint
I own a 2017 Hyundai Elantra Pearl White color. The car has around 40,000 miles on it, and I have paint peeling issues on the hood and the roof. I don't think car paints should peel off this easily. Considering the amount of peeling, I don't think this is natural wear and tear issue. I heard from someone that Hyundai's water based paints had some issues, but since the company is not speaking up for his matter, it is difficult to know what the actual problems are. I would expect Hyundai to step up and deal with this issue :(
Closed to back passenger door normally as usual and will not open back up from the outside or the inside. If I were to have a wreck, backseat passengers would not be able to exit the vehicle. I have not had any wrecks in this car and there is no damage to the outside or inside of the vehicle.
Passenger front and rear door handles will not open the doors. Nothing is wrong with the vehicles, and the lock system functions properly. By reading online, I can tell this is a VERY common problem and poses an extremem problem when it comes to possibly needing saved in a wreck.
The rear drivers side door will not open from inside or outside. The lock works when car is in gear but the door will not open!
The paint on the hood of the car is lifting and peeling.
Passenger front door will not open from outside. Passenger rear door will not open from inside or outside.
Drivers door handle does not open the car door on the first try when the car is unlocked. It takes 3-5 attempts at pulling the door handle to open the door. The drivers side door opens at first attempt from the inside. This has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or other representatives. There are no warning message…
Read full complaint
Drivers door handle does not open the car door on the first try when the car is unlocked. It takes 3-5 attempts at pulling the door handle to open the door. The drivers side door opens at first attempt from the inside. This has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or other representatives. There are no warning messages related to the problem. This is dangerous in multiple situations, as you cannot get into your car immediately in case of emergency.
Unable to open driver side door from outside, known latch issue. The first time this happened fob was inside car while heating up and could not get into car even with another key/fob through any door. Had to crawl through trunk. If someone such as a child or infant had been inside who could not open door, would have been a saf…
Read full complaint
Unable to open driver side door from outside, known latch issue. The first time this happened fob was inside car while heating up and could not get into car even with another key/fob through any door. Had to crawl through trunk. If someone such as a child or infant had been inside who could not open door, would have been a safety issue. So now cannot heat car with door locked until repair is completed. Problem is constant. Known issue with the car and Hyundai has extended the warranty to cover, but as it is a safety hazard a recall should be considered. Appointment has been scheduled for 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.