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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.

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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

Structure complaints

134 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2022
Structure

The white paint simply started to peel off of the hood, leaving a big unpainted spot. This has been happening to a lot of Hyundai owners with cars with white paint, because Hyundai used defective paint. It actually is a safety issue because when driving on the highway large pieces of paint can come off of the hood and go into th…

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The white paint simply started to peel off of the hood, leaving a big unpainted spot. This has been happening to a lot of Hyundai owners with cars with white paint, because Hyundai used defective paint. It actually is a safety issue because when driving on the highway large pieces of paint can come off of the hood and go into the windshield, distracting the drive. I can't believe you guys haven't issued a recall. So you are essentially making car owners pay to have the cars repainted? How is that possible?

NHTSA ODI #11449074

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2022
Structure

Around the end of 2019 is when I purchased my vehicle. Mid 2020 is when the issue first started. The paint first came off in a big chunk on the right side of the hood, then an even bigger chunk on the left. Now it's moved up to the roof of my vehicle and I dont think it's stopping any time soon. Initially I assumed maybe I did s…

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Around the end of 2019 is when I purchased my vehicle. Mid 2020 is when the issue first started. The paint first came off in a big chunk on the right side of the hood, then an even bigger chunk on the left. Now it's moved up to the roof of my vehicle and I dont think it's stopping any time soon. Initially I assumed maybe I did something wrong until I saw multiple other Elantras with the same exact issue. Now I know Hyundai is at fault

NHTSA ODI #11448172

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2022
Structure

We have a 2017 Hyundai Elantra color white. In 2018 we noticed the paint peeling and thought something got on the spot, but as time went on the peeling continued and was in other spots. After seeing other people had the same problem. There is definitely a paint issue that has destroyed the car value andposes a major problem fo…

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We have a 2017 Hyundai Elantra color white. In 2018 we noticed the paint peeling and thought something got on the spot, but as time went on the peeling continued and was in other spots. After seeing other people had the same problem. There is definitely a paint issue that has destroyed the car value andposes a major problem for maintaining the car.

NHTSA ODI #11448093

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2022
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

The right back passenger door can not open from the inside or outside. The driver's door does not open from the inside. If there is an emergency my children who are new drivers could not get out of the vehicle fast enough. I researched this issue and it seems to be a concern of other Hyundai owners. Are the door latches and lo…

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The right back passenger door can not open from the inside or outside. The driver's door does not open from the inside. If there is an emergency my children who are new drivers could not get out of the vehicle fast enough. I researched this issue and it seems to be a concern of other Hyundai owners. Are the door latches and locks faulty?

NHTSA ODI #11447622

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2021
Structure

I have two doors latches that recently failed. Both will not open proving to be a serious safety concern. Front passenger door and rear passenger door.

NHTSA ODI #11445186

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2021
Structure

Both of the rear doors will not open. This started with the driver rear door and now the other side will not open. You have to forcefully pull on the door any where from 10-15 times sometimes to get it to open. The longer it has been left alone the more times it takes to get it open again. This is not a driver issue this is a ma…

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Both of the rear doors will not open. This started with the driver rear door and now the other side will not open. You have to forcefully pull on the door any where from 10-15 times sometimes to get it to open. The longer it has been left alone the more times it takes to get it open again. This is not a driver issue this is a manufacturer problem. This is also a safety hazard. I have looked this up and many Hyundai cars have had this same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11444972

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2021
Structure

Rear passenger side door has become inoperable. This poses a safety risk as you cannot exit the vehicle from that side if an emergency arises. This is a common problem with this vehicle and should have a recall issued by now. The door opening mechanism has become damaged due to poor design, as this is a common problem mentioned …

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Rear passenger side door has become inoperable. This poses a safety risk as you cannot exit the vehicle from that side if an emergency arises. This is a common problem with this vehicle and should have a recall issued by now. The door opening mechanism has become damaged due to poor design, as this is a common problem mentioned all over the internet. This latch costs $1200, but was inoperable within only 4 years.

NHTSA ODI #11444213

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2021
Structure

My vehicle, and hundreds if not thousands of other same make/models, are experiencing a heavy paint peeling issue. It is highly unsafe and ill-considerate for the environment and also for consumers. In the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many of us are already struggling in many areas of our lives. To have such an expensive issue…

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My vehicle, and hundreds if not thousands of other same make/models, are experiencing a heavy paint peeling issue. It is highly unsafe and ill-considerate for the environment and also for consumers. In the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many of us are already struggling in many areas of our lives. To have such an expensive issue arise in these times is mentally damaging. My vehicle cannot go in an automatic car wash or even be driven in windy or rainy conditions. Corporate directed me to have this inspected by a dealership and the dealership refused to help and said corporate needs to handle the problem at hand. Corporate continues to send me back to the dealership. The paint peeling off exposes the body down to the bare metal and can begin rusting. If this begins happening, pieces of the vehicles body could become severely damaged and be a live hazard on the road.

NHTSA ODI #11442625

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2021
Structure

The rear driver side door will not open from the inside or outside. Huge safety concern in case of accident - and also just everyday use problem. The passenger side door latch will not open from the outside. It will open from the inside.

NHTSA ODI #11436360

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2021
EngineStructure

Engine stall while turning. Metal flakes in the engine. Engine completely failed requiring a new engine. Factory paint failed and bubbles off.

NHTSA ODI #11435368

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.

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