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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2026
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I bought a car in Hyundai ELANTRA2024 at drivers Mart in Orlando, Florida. About a month after I bought the car I brought it back for something to service dealership area and let them know that the paint was coming off my car. I did notice that there was a tiny little spot that someone putcover paint about a half inch to an inc…

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I bought a car in Hyundai ELANTRA2024 at drivers Mart in Orlando, Florida. About a month after I bought the car I brought it back for something to service dealership area and let them know that the paint was coming off my car. I did notice that there was a tiny little spot that someone putcover paint about a half inch to an inch. The service people the dealership told me that there was a known classaction lawsuit. They weren’t sure what had happened. I looked up the Class action lawsuit for peeling paint, and it did state that there was one for white, beige, and light blue in Canada that was an ongoing lawsuit. The one for US was only doing certain white vehicles. But there was a class action lawsuit for USA, but it was dismissed I think because they thought that it had to do with pebbles or something that came on the freeway etc. basically said it was buyers fault. So now I have taken it to Hyundai dealerships talking to corporate office making appointments four times, now my car as you see is almost 12 inches in diameter by eight more or less and getting bigger by minute because every time I wash the car{has to be by hand, or it rains. My car is bubbling the paint the paint on my car is all the way down to the metal. The metal is not protected so it’s actually rusting, etc. every time it rains it will add another couple inches to my paint coming off. I have called the corporate office again and got my answer on Wednesday, January 5 stating that there’s nothing else they can do, because my car’s is not on the recallThis does not make any sense. Obviously there’s a Facebook/Google sites called Hyundai paint peeling 7.7 k people are in the same predicament and very upset at Hyundai motors not doing anything. Is there any governments or state regulations that are helping people get their car painted or helping people have them be accountable for everything that needs to be done? Government/local have done nothing what is the agency that we need to contact?

NHTSA ODI #11709904

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2025
Visibility/wiper

the defrost does not work good, Hard to see when it's raining and fog

NHTSA ODI #11685979

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

After driving the vehicle at night and turning the engine off certain exterior lighting components would not shut off. Turn signals and reverse lights and brake lamps we stuck in a static on position even when not being activate by turn signal switch or brake pedal being depressed

NHTSA ODI #11555502

100,000 miles · Jul 18, 2019
Visibility/wiper

OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP MY SUN VISORS BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER HAVE LOOSENED AND NOW HAVE COME LOOSE FROM THE HOUSING, CAUSING THEM TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THEY NOW WILL NOT STAY UP COMPLETELY AND WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP THEY POP DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY HAMPERING YOUR VISION CAUSING A HUGE HAZARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I D…

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OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP MY SUN VISORS BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER HAVE LOOSENED AND NOW HAVE COME LOOSE FROM THE HOUSING, CAUSING THEM TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THEY NOW WILL NOT STAY UP COMPLETELY AND WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP THEY POP DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY HAMPERING YOUR VISION CAUSING A HUGE HAZARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE AND HAVE TO REMOVE THEM AND TRY TO FIND REPLACEMENTS TO KEEP FROM DIEING ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11233166

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

1,094 miles · Jan 17, 2017
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

DATE: 14 JAN 2017 ODOMETER: 1214 MILES PROBLEM: CHEMICAL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT: -- NOT SURE, BUT MIGHT BE ENGINE OIL -- CAUSED SEVERE, LONG-LASTING HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND DIZZINESS. PROBLEM: WHEN ENGINE IS COLD: -- CONTINUOUS CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. …

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DATE: 14 JAN 2017 ODOMETER: 1214 MILES PROBLEM: CHEMICAL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT: -- NOT SURE, BUT MIGHT BE ENGINE OIL -- CAUSED SEVERE, LONG-LASTING HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND DIZZINESS. PROBLEM: WHEN ENGINE IS COLD: -- CONTINUOUS CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. -- SOUND STOPS WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED TO SHIFT GEARS, THEN STARTS AGAIN WHEN GEAR IS ENGAGED. AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP AND AM ON THE HIGHWAY: -- SOUND SEEMS TO STOP, BUT CANNOT BE SURE BECAUSE OF ROAD NOISE PROBLEM: ICE DROPLETS DISCOVERED INSIDE WINDSHIELD. BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. SEE PHOTOGRAPHS.

NHTSA ODI #10945685

188 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDIA ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED AND FOGGY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188.

NHTSA ODI #10893610

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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