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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

131 reports
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34,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

DOORS WILL NOT OPEN HAVE TO PULL THE HANDLE 5 OR 6 TIMES FOR THE DOOR TO FINALLY OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL FROM THE OUTSIDE YOU HAVE TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE TO LET YOUR PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE BACK DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND BACK PA…

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DOORS WILL NOT OPEN HAVE TO PULL THE HANDLE 5 OR 6 TIMES FOR THE DOOR TO FINALLY OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL FROM THE OUTSIDE YOU HAVE TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE TO LET YOUR PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE BACK DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND BACK PASSENGER DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE THE OTHER 2 DOORS EITHER WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL OR ONLY FROM INSIDE. IF WE WAS JUST HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR IF IT WAS TO CATCH FIRE WITH US INSIDE THEY WOULD HAVE TO BREAK THE WINDOWS OR CUT US OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE NONE OF THE DOORS WORK PROPERLY. THE DRIVER DOOR YOU HAVE TO HIT UNLOCK AND JERK THE HANDLE BOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES THEN IT WILL OPEN FINALLY. I'VE TOOK DOOR PANELS OFF EVERYTHING IS HOOKED UP AND IN WORKING ORDER SO IT'S GTA BE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE LOCKS OR SOMETHING I CAN'T FIGURE WHAT ELSE IT CAN BE.

NHTSA ODI #11165011

46,800 miles · Dec 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I'VE HAD MY REAR RIGHT DOOR ON CHILD LOCK FOR A WHILE NOW, I USE THAT DOOR EVERY DAY, BUT THE DOOR IS NOT OPENING ALL OF A SUDDEN, I TRIED PULLING THE HANDLE FROM OUTSIDE AND GIVING A GENTLE PUSH FROM INSIDE AT THE SAME TIME AND NOTHING. I'VE TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOOR NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL NOTHING. THE WINDOW AND T…

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I'VE HAD MY REAR RIGHT DOOR ON CHILD LOCK FOR A WHILE NOW, I USE THAT DOOR EVERY DAY, BUT THE DOOR IS NOT OPENING ALL OF A SUDDEN, I TRIED PULLING THE HANDLE FROM OUTSIDE AND GIVING A GENTLE PUSH FROM INSIDE AT THE SAME TIME AND NOTHING. I'VE TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOOR NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL NOTHING. THE WINDOW AND THE LOCK WORK, SO I'M GUESSING IT'S SOMETHING WITH THE CHILD LOCK THAT IT'S STUCK OR SOMETHING.

NHTSA ODI #11163302

30,000 miles · Dec 22, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

AT SPEEDS UNDER 40-45MPH, WHEN TURNING ONLY RIGHT, OVER BUMPY AND UNEVEN ROADS (RAILROAD TRACKS, MANHOLE COVERS, HUMPS IN THE ROAD, SEAMS IN CONCRETE), THERE IS A CLUNKING/CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH AN ACCOMPANYING FEELING IN STEERING/PEDALS. SUSPENSION DURING THESE SITUATIONS FEELS VERY LOOSE/UNSTEADY. FEELS…

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AT SPEEDS UNDER 40-45MPH, WHEN TURNING ONLY RIGHT, OVER BUMPY AND UNEVEN ROADS (RAILROAD TRACKS, MANHOLE COVERS, HUMPS IN THE ROAD, SEAMS IN CONCRETE), THERE IS A CLUNKING/CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH AN ACCOMPANYING FEELING IN STEERING/PEDALS. SUSPENSION DURING THESE SITUATIONS FEELS VERY LOOSE/UNSTEADY. FEELS LIKE CONTROL COULD BE LOST IF CAR IS NOT HANDLING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #11163131

11,000 miles · Nov 7, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I LEASED MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BRAND NEW. THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 3 DAYS AND THE CAR HAD HEAT FOR THE NEXT 3K MILES. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HAD POOR HEAT AND EVENTUALLY JUST STOPPED PRODUCING ANY HEAT. A HYUNDAI REP WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND UPDATED THE COMPUTER IN MY CAR. HYUNDAI HAS SAID MY CAR …

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I LEASED MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BRAND NEW. THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 3 DAYS AND THE CAR HAD HEAT FOR THE NEXT 3K MILES. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HAD POOR HEAT AND EVENTUALLY JUST STOPPED PRODUCING ANY HEAT. A HYUNDAI REP WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND UPDATED THE COMPUTER IN MY CAR. HYUNDAI HAS SAID MY CAR HEAT HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS NOW OPERATIONAL. HOWEVER, MY CAR STILL HAS NO HEAT TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR TAKES A HALF HOUR OF IDLING TO WARM UP THE ENGINE HALFWAY AND EVEN THEN THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANY HEAT TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND WHERE IT'S VERY COLD IN THE WINTER AND CAN'T GET ENOUGH HEAT IN MY CAR TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE TO DRIVE MY CAR. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THE HEATING ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI #11149838

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM NON-HYUNDAI DEALER. AT THE TIME OF THE SALE, A SINGLE KEY WAS PROVIDED VERSUS A KEY FOB. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A SHORT TIME, THE ALARM WENT OFF ON THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS UNKNOWN TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ALARM. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN I L…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM NON-HYUNDAI DEALER. AT THE TIME OF THE SALE, A SINGLE KEY WAS PROVIDED VERSUS A KEY FOB. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A SHORT TIME, THE ALARM WENT OFF ON THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS UNKNOWN TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ALARM. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN I LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE ONLY TO LEARN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD NEW WITH A FOB KEY. I WENT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER AND PURCHASED A FOB AND HAD IT PROGRAMMED FOR $185.00. MONEY I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO SPEND. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE THAT THE USED CAR DEALER DID NOT UPDATE TO THE VEHICLE. IS IT LEGAL TO SELL A USED CAR WITHOUT FOB KEY AND NOT INCORPORATE ALL RECALLS?

NHTSA ODI #11140547

9,000 miles · Jul 27, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FOUND OUT ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND HAVE EXPLODED. ENGINES ARE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY ELANTRA NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE NO ONE IS WARNING ELANTRA OWNERS ABOUT THIS UNTIL THE CARS BREAK DOWN. I AM STILL WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE JUNE BECAU…

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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FOUND OUT ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND HAVE EXPLODED. ENGINES ARE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY ELANTRA NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE NO ONE IS WARNING ELANTRA OWNERS ABOUT THIS UNTIL THE CARS BREAK DOWN. I AM STILL WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE JUNE BECAUSE ENGINES ARE ON BACK ORDER UNTIL LATE AUGUST/EARLY SEPTEMBER.

NHTSA ODI #11114078

32,000 miles · May 24, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

THIS COMPLAINT IS INVOLVING USA AUTO CARE AND ABC HYUNDAI I WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT USA AUTO CARE AND A WEEK LATER MY OIL PLUG FELL OUT OF MY CAR AND I LOST ALL MY OIL HAD MY CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI HYUNDAI PUT A NEW PLUG IN THERE REFILLED WITH OIL SHOW ME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY SO I PROCEEDED TO GO TO USA AUTO CARE NUMBER …

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THIS COMPLAINT IS INVOLVING USA AUTO CARE AND ABC HYUNDAI I WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT USA AUTO CARE AND A WEEK LATER MY OIL PLUG FELL OUT OF MY CAR AND I LOST ALL MY OIL HAD MY CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI HYUNDAI PUT A NEW PLUG IN THERE REFILLED WITH OIL SHOW ME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY SO I PROCEEDED TO GO TO USA AUTO CARE NUMBER FOR AND TRY AND GET THE MONEY THAT I PAID TO ABC HYUNDAI FOR THE OIL IN THE PLUGS ON MY WAY MY ENGINE LOCKED UP CAR CAME TO A STOP AND SHUT OFF I THEN HAVE THE CAR TOWED BACK TO HYUNDAI AND WAS NOTIFIED BY HYUNDAI THAT MY ENGINE WAS PRETTY MUCH DONE FOR CALL PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE MY INSURANCE AT THE TIME NOTIFIED THEM OF THE CLAIM THEY SENT SOMEONE DOWN TO TAKE PICTURES THEY GOT BACK WITH ME AFTER A FEW DAYS AND MY CASE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL AGENT HAD TO LEAVE FOR MATERNITY LEAVE AND I WAS NOTIFIED BY ONE OF THE OTHER AGENTS THAT WAS ON MY CASE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE BECAUSE IT WAS A NON COMPREHENSIVE ACCIDENT AND THAT IT WASN'T IN A PHYSICAL ACCIDENT CAUSING BODY DAMAGE I ALSO CALLED MY WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR IS BRAND NEW AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BOY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE OIL CHANGE DONE AT HYUNDAI AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS I WAS NOTIFIED BY ABC HYUNDAI THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED THOUGHT IT WAS THROUGH THE WARRANTY AND THEY CHANGE THEIR MIND BUT MY INSURANCE WENT AHEAD AND COMPLETED THE CLAIM THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THEM TAKING THE CLAIM NO EMAILS OR CORRESPONDENCE WHAT I WAS NOTIFIED BY ABC HYUNDAI TO COME GET MY CAR I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY A $1,000 DEDUCTIBLE AND THAT MY INSURANCE WENT AHEAD AND COMPLETED THE CLAIM I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY I DO NOT HAVE $1,000 SITTING AROUND AND I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT PROGRESSIVE COULD NOT COVER IT NOW I'M STUCK BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE DEDUCTIBLE AND I CAN'T USE MY CAR TO DO UBER AND MAKE THE MONEY I NEED SOME GUIDANCE IN THIS

NHTSA ODI #11097819

10,000 miles · Apr 27, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN IDLING IN COLD WEATHER(BELOW 0) TEMP GUAGE DROPS TO COLD ,WINDSHIELD STARTS FOGGING UP HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN BLOWER DOWN ONE SPEED OR IT WON'T HEAT UP AGAIN !! PRETTY DANGEROUS IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ! HAD IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE AND SAID IT WAS THERMOSTAT ,BUT IT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM ........HAVE TALKED TO OTHER…

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BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN IDLING IN COLD WEATHER(BELOW 0) TEMP GUAGE DROPS TO COLD ,WINDSHIELD STARTS FOGGING UP HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN BLOWER DOWN ONE SPEED OR IT WON'T HEAT UP AGAIN !! PRETTY DANGEROUS IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ! HAD IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE AND SAID IT WAS THERMOSTAT ,BUT IT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM ........HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SAME VEHICLE OWNERS AS WELL AS INTERNET SEARCH AND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER OLDER ELANTRA VEHICLES . WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS ONGOING PROBLEM AND DEFINITE SAFETY AND NUISANCE PROBLEM ??????

NHTSA ODI #11090497

46,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT AND AFTER LEAVING GAS STATION PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT I WAS STOPPING BEHIND CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED SO I PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT ONLY TO MOVE ABOUT FIVE FEET WHEN ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GET OUT ONTO HIGHWAY UNTIL I CAME TO A RED TRAFFIC LI…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT AND AFTER LEAVING GAS STATION PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT I WAS STOPPING BEHIND CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED SO I PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT ONLY TO MOVE ABOUT FIVE FEET WHEN ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GET OUT ONTO HIGHWAY UNTIL I CAME TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AS I PROCEEDED TO STOP ENGINE STALLED AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING IT NO ISSUES ALL THE WAY HOME TWO DAYS LATER I WAS HEADING OUT OF WORK TO GET LUNCH AND COMING AROUND A JUG HANDLE CAR ENGINE STALLED AGAIN RESTARTED AND MADE IT BACK TO WORK. NOW I AM WRITTING TO TRY AND SOLVE THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE AT HAND.

NHTSA ODI #11083444

34,000 miles · Jan 26, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE SUSPENSION IS MAKING RATTLING NOISES. WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THERE IS A VERY LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRUMS AND ALSO WHILE BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #11065325

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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