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
What owners actually said
766 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2023
Steering
Steering wheel sometimes makes grinding sounds when steering at low speed (25-35moh). On Sept 17, 2023 at approximately 5pm I was turning into my driveway going approximately 5mph when the electronic power steering light illuminated and I lost steering capability. When I turned off car then turned it back on light was off and st…
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Steering wheel sometimes makes grinding sounds when steering at low speed (25-35moh). On Sept 17, 2023 at approximately 5pm I was turning into my driveway going approximately 5mph when the electronic power steering light illuminated and I lost steering capability. When I turned off car then turned it back on light was off and steering power returned. After researching issue I discovered this is somewhat of a common problem.
NHTSA ODI #11545127
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2023
Latches/locks/linkages
My door handle requiring repeated attempts to open the door, same as in the TSB Number: 21-BD-006H (NHTSA Number: 10196574). It is possible that hyundai does not includes a lot of vehicles with similar problems.
NHTSA ODI #11543794
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2023
Unknown Or Other
The car door will not open from inside or outside. This is the 3rd door that this has happened too
NHTSA ODI #11543716
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2023
Unknown Or Other
My passenger rear door in my 2017 Elantra won’t open from the inside or out. Nothing is making it open. I looked it up and it’s very very common in this year of Elantras . I believe it should be a recall because it’s a safety issue. My baby is on that side of my vehicle . Seeming it’s a problem with a lot of Elantras right now h…
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My passenger rear door in my 2017 Elantra won’t open from the inside or out. Nothing is making it open. I looked it up and it’s very very common in this year of Elantras . I believe it should be a recall because it’s a safety issue. My baby is on that side of my vehicle . Seeming it’s a problem with a lot of Elantras right now how can we get this issue resolved? It’s going to cost me $300 just for Hyundai to take the door off and see why it’s doing this .
NHTSA ODI #11542606
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2023
Engine
The engine stalled while stopped at a stop sign. And while driving up a mountain steep grade road to a friends house, the car struggled to go up the hill as if it lost gas flow to the engine.
NHTSA ODI #11542594
145,000 miles · Aug 28, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway and shifting into drive (D), the vehicle started lunging and jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed as she continued driving. The contact stated that the failure …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway and shifting into drive (D), the vehicle started lunging and jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle responded as needed as she continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was determined that the failure was related to the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact beeped the horn to avoid being rear-ended. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to respond while driving from a complete stop at the traffic light. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
NHTSA ODI #11541290
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2023
Steering
My 2017 Elantra experienced complete power steering loss which nearly caused a serious accident. I was traveling approximately 25 MPH as I went around a bend, and lost all power steering. I was able to get my car home with no power steering. When I restarted the ignition and turned the steering wheel there was partial power stee…
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My 2017 Elantra experienced complete power steering loss which nearly caused a serious accident. I was traveling approximately 25 MPH as I went around a bend, and lost all power steering. I was able to get my car home with no power steering. When I restarted the ignition and turned the steering wheel there was partial power steering, but wheel made a clunking noise as I turned the wheel. I researched online and discovered there was a partial recall of the 2017 Elantra's for faulty power steering connectors. As the original owner I never received a recall notice. I double checked with dealership and they advised no outstanding recalls. The steering continues to stick and loses power. Thank you very much, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11540276
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2023
Structure
The rear driver side door will not open from either the outside, nor the inside. This is a major safety concern for any passengers that ride in the backseat, especially children. I just bought this vehicle on 08/12/2023 and was unaware of the issue until after purchasing the vehicle upon leaving the dealership. The dealership ha…
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The rear driver side door will not open from either the outside, nor the inside. This is a major safety concern for any passengers that ride in the backseat, especially children. I just bought this vehicle on 08/12/2023 and was unaware of the issue until after purchasing the vehicle upon leaving the dealership. The dealership has been made aware, and quoted that they'd "take a look at it" when I bring the vehicle in to be serviced for another predetermined purpose. But, that hasn't been scheduled as of yet. I researched this and can't find if Hyundai has an active recall for this on the 2017 Elantra, but many others have made complaints that this has happened to them. This is very scary to think that it could happen to the other door as well and trap my child, or any passenger, in an emergency!
NHTSA ODI #11540258
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2023
Engine
Excessive Oil consumption. My engine has stalled multiple times WHILE DRIVING. The stall typically happens while turning in the middle of an intersection. I've had several near-misses and I'm terrified of being hit. I continue to have to fill my oil in-between oil changes. This problem continues to get worse.
NHTSA ODI #11538669
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
When coming to a stop, turn or sometimes when driving throttle goes to zero, oil, engine, and battery light come on and gas peddle no longer works (car no longer accelerates) . Have to turn car all the way off and restart it and it runs fine (all lights turn off and car accelerates) until coming to a stop again (the same exact t…
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When coming to a stop, turn or sometimes when driving throttle goes to zero, oil, engine, and battery light come on and gas peddle no longer works (car no longer accelerates) . Have to turn car all the way off and restart it and it runs fine (all lights turn off and car accelerates) until coming to a stop again (the same exact thing happens). Went to trade it in as soon as person test drove it he almost crashed because the engine stalled again. This has been happening for months but progressively worsened (happens very often now almost causing crashes)
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.
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.
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.
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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