IllustrationRear door isn't open able. While there's not inherent risk a faulty door could lead to a significant safety risk is a hazardous situation.
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 reportsI am the owner of a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. I bought the car for my daughter for transportation to and from school and work. As her boyfriend was driving on a 3-lane highway in heavy traffic, the car would no longer accelerate, and the steering wheel locked. The engine just stopped and seized up. The car lost all power and steerin…
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I am the owner of a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. I bought the car for my daughter for transportation to and from school and work. As her boyfriend was driving on a 3-lane highway in heavy traffic, the car would no longer accelerate, and the steering wheel locked. The engine just stopped and seized up. The car lost all power and steering capability. He rolled the car into the left-hand turn lane. A police officer pulled up about 30 seconds later, said that he was obstructing traffic, and to move the car out of the turn lane. Her boyfriend had to push the car across the median, and 3 lanes of traffic, to get to the opposite side of the highway's shoulder, by himself. When he nearly had the car off of the road, on the opposite side of the highway, a pedestrian approached and helped him finish pushing it out of the road. This could have caused a major car accident, or someone could've been killed or injured while pushing the car. I have moved one hour away from my daughter, so I cannot provide her with a ride to and from school and work. She and I are stuck paying $301.18/mo on a car that is inoperable; it's just sitting and rotting at her apartment complex. We are also stuck paying $135.87/mo for her car insurance on a car that is inoperable. Also, this model year, 2017, has a problem with peeling paint too. The car has missing paint patches all over. Previously, at just 51,000 miles, the car had stalling problems. The car would just shut off while driving. It was repaired at Hyundai. When we got it back, it was still doing the same thing, and had to go back in again for service at Hyundai. I filed a formal complaint with Hyundai Consumer Affairs. Hyundai should have already issued recalls for these problems that many people are experiencing. I've been doing research and have found that this year and model Hyundai is very problematic. They are refusing to take responsibility by not issuing recalls on these recurrent problems that they're aware of.
I have white paint and my vehicle has 30,000 mi and the paint is peeling off of hood and now roof I have contacted Hyundai and dealership with no satisfaction
Rear driver door will NOT open whether in the unlock position manual or power, or lock position. Has not been checked by a dealership, police, or otherwise. Has been "locked" and unable to open for about 2 months. Safety issue- if in an accident, such as car is on fire, or under water, or passenger side is damaged to impare doo…
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Rear driver door will NOT open whether in the unlock position manual or power, or lock position. Has not been checked by a dealership, police, or otherwise. Has been "locked" and unable to open for about 2 months. Safety issue- if in an accident, such as car is on fire, or under water, or passenger side is damaged to impare door, persons will be trapped and can cause death. There are no sensors, lights, etc. to indicate a problem. Internet research shows other individuals with this same problem related to Hyundai vehicles.
Pain is peeling on roof and hood
While driving the steering locks up and the power steering light comes on. You turn off the vehicle and turn it back on it clears the light in the dash drives fine for a little while then does it again
MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS STEERING BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, THEN THE ENGINE STALLS OUT AND THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON. I'M FRIGHTEN OF CRASHING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL. THE CAUSE IS A DAMAGED ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (MDPS) CONNECTOR. THERE WAS A RECALL (#161) FOR A REPLACE…
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MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS STEERING BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, THEN THE ENGINE STALLS OUT AND THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON. I'M FRIGHTEN OF CRASHING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL. THE CAUSE IS A DAMAGED ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (MDPS) CONNECTOR. THERE WAS A RECALL (#161) FOR A REPLACEMENT ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AT NO CHARGE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE BUT I'M TOLD MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL?
Door handles have to be pulled multiple times to open the door, specially it’s at night it’s very dangerous for a girl and scary I can’t get into my car when I needed to.
UNKNOWN. Battery died out on my twice, every two years. Motor needed to be replaced after 5 years.
The contact's uncle owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized and failed to turn left or right. The owner stated no warning light was illuminated. The owner restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving to his destination. The owner took th…
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The contact's uncle owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized and failed to turn left or right. The owner stated no warning light was illuminated. The owner restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving to his destination. The owner took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the steering wheel trim to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
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.