IllustrationI hit a bus and totaled my car and none of my airbags deployed which seems suspicious.
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
What owners actually said
766 reportsWhen driving at night, sometimes the headlights and taillights will shut off leaving the car totally in the dark. This is a SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE as you can no longer see the road and other cars cannot see you. The problem appears to possibly be associated with the light switch, as you can jiggle it and get the lights back on. Al…
Read full complaint
When driving at night, sometimes the headlights and taillights will shut off leaving the car totally in the dark. This is a SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE as you can no longer see the road and other cars cannot see you. The problem appears to possibly be associated with the light switch, as you can jiggle it and get the lights back on. Also related to this problem of the lights shutting off is the fact that occasionally the lights will come on long after the car has been parked in the garage, which tends to drain the battery. After experiencing this problem, I checked the internet and found numerous other cases of Hyundai Elantra owners reporting the exact same symptoms, so it seems to be a somewhat generic problem. Hyundai’s service department has been unable to isolate the problem on my car. The problem happens randomly and is infrequent but serious when it happens. It has happened approximately 10 times over the past two years.
Coil packs, spark plugs, misfires
Engine has about 84,000 miles on it and car recently through a code reading E78 and E79. Further research on the codes other Kia and Hyundai owners reported car threw same codes before the engine blew or threw the engine rod. I will have car checked out at dealership as it’s still under warranty
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while getting a routine oil change, the mechanic noticed an abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed to bring the vehicle back after 1,500 miles of driving. The vehicle was taken back after 1,500 miles and it was confirm…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while getting a routine oil change, the mechanic noticed an abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed to bring the vehicle back after 1,500 miles of driving. The vehicle was taken back after 1,500 miles and it was confirmed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. After taking the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 1,280.
The back passenger door will not open from the outside when it's unlocked and sometimes it will randomly not open from the insides (both doors). It's like I have the child lock on the doors but it's not on
My vehicle has been experiencing this issue for a while now. At first, it showed the power steering signal but when I took it to the mechanic they said they couldn't diagnose the issue. I felt it was still safe to drive because it was a false signal. So, I kept using the car. But now the issue has become so severe to the point I…
Read full complaint
My vehicle has been experiencing this issue for a while now. At first, it showed the power steering signal but when I took it to the mechanic they said they couldn't diagnose the issue. I felt it was still safe to drive because it was a false signal. So, I kept using the car. But now the issue has become so severe to the point I can't use it because it may cause a crash. I didn't even know if I was gon make it home today. I took it to the mechanic (pep boys) today but they said they probably won't be able to fix it. Now it's parked at home. I do not know what to do. My car doesn't use power steering fluids, it's electrical. I hope I am the only one going through it because it very dangerous.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear door was unable to be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear door was unable to be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
My hyundai was stolen. After talking with the police and conducting research, Kia and Hyundai are extremely easy to steal. Not to mention the whole tiktok challenge which is going around teaching people how to steal these vehicles.
Rear drivers side door Will not open from inside nor outside when unlocked by either key fob or door unlock control on front door panel???!!! Cannot open if there is an accident… Window opens with both windows buttons. Door will not open when unlocked… Also my passenger side front door has similar issue except, I can open door …
Read full complaint
Rear drivers side door Will not open from inside nor outside when unlocked by either key fob or door unlock control on front door panel???!!! Cannot open if there is an accident… Window opens with both windows buttons. Door will not open when unlocked… Also my passenger side front door has similar issue except, I can open door from inside but not from outside???!!! Key fob does not unlock the door???!!! But front drivers door opens all the time… Very disappointed with this vehicle.
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.