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 26, 2021
Steering
The steering wheel on the vehicle is loose and jagged; therefore when I turn the steering wheel it does not follow. I have to turn slowly to make the adjustment and I can hear the griding in the steering wheel system as I try to steer. I must get a repair as soon as possible fearing that the steering will stop working and caus…
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The steering wheel on the vehicle is loose and jagged; therefore when I turn the steering wheel it does not follow. I have to turn slowly to make the adjustment and I can hear the griding in the steering wheel system as I try to steer. I must get a repair as soon as possible fearing that the steering will stop working and cause me to veer in a dangerous direction.
NHTSA ODI #11434383
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2021
Steering
When my teenage daughter drove our 2017 Hyundai Elantra, the power steering locked up on her while entering a busy interstate. Thankfully, she did not run into the barrier wall or nobody hit her from behind. Took it into the Hyundai dealership and apparently the torque sensor went out. They want to charge $1800 to fix it. Conven…
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When my teenage daughter drove our 2017 Hyundai Elantra, the power steering locked up on her while entering a busy interstate. Thankfully, she did not run into the barrier wall or nobody hit her from behind. Took it into the Hyundai dealership and apparently the torque sensor went out. They want to charge $1800 to fix it. Conveniently for them, it’s not covered under warranty as warranty stopped at 60k miles. The car just rolled over at 61k. As I researched, apparently this is a known issue with Hyundai.
NHTSA ODI #11434181
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2021
Structure
The paint on my vehicles roof is peeling off. I’ve attached 2 photos. One of when in first started and the other is current.
NHTSA ODI #11433826
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury
I got into a car accident on August 29, 2021. My driver side aid bag never deployed and I found out there was a recall 2 years before I bought the car from the dealership in 2019. I ended up getting stitches on my eyebrow, and my nose needed some but it was to late by the time I received medical attention so they gave me strips …
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I got into a car accident on August 29, 2021. My driver side aid bag never deployed and I found out there was a recall 2 years before I bought the car from the dealership in 2019. I ended up getting stitches on my eyebrow, and my nose needed some but it was to late by the time I received medical attention so they gave me strips and my lip was split open. I have pictures of my car and my face and the side airbags went off but not the steering wheel
NHTSA ODI #11433738
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2021
Latches/locks/linkages
the problem is with the door lock actuator rear driver side and front passenger side, 2 doors!!! they don't open even from inside and out side when the door is locked and unlocked its so dangerous at the accident time or emergency times when the car is in fire and doors don't open from both sides when they are unlocked
NHTSA ODI #11433610
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2021
Engine
The car is losing antifreeze. There is no antifreeze on the ground. From my understanding this has been an ongoing problem with this model of car and it needs to be a recall. I was informed that it’s losing antifreeze due to deficits in the exhaust system.
NHTSA ODI #11433169
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2021
Unknown Or Other
The vehicle shuts off without warning when idle. First time it occurred I was is a drive through and I started it up after it stalled. Second time it occurred was the following day at a red light, I went to accelerate when the light turned green and the vehicle and stalled out and I had a battery warning, oil warning, and check …
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The vehicle shuts off without warning when idle. First time it occurred I was is a drive through and I started it up after it stalled. Second time it occurred was the following day at a red light, I went to accelerate when the light turned green and the vehicle and stalled out and I had a battery warning, oil warning, and check engine light- I had just had my car serviced a week ago where the oil was changed and the battery was tested. No to mention previously on Saturday 09/11/2021 while I was driving the traction control light came on and the RPMS showed 0 and the MPH showed 0 even though I was driving at around 50mph (in dry conditions) I had to pull off to the shoulder and restart my car. I currently have it at a shop.
NHTSA ODI #11433066
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2021
Engine
Consumes oil at a fast rate about 1.5 quarts every 1,000 miles. Car burns oil way too fast the dealership and Hyundai do not want to deal with it.
NHTSA ODI #11432971
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2021
Steering
The steering wheel tightens up occasionally when making right turns. Also when turning the steering wheel it makes a clicking turning on gravel sound on occasion. No ESP light is on, on the dash cluster. It is without a doubt 2017 Hyundai Elantra have steering problems that need to be address and recalled.
NHTSA ODI #11432970
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other
I have a 2017 pearl white Elantra and The paint is peeling off on my hood and my roof. The car is only 4 years old and I just hit above 30000 miles when this issue started. Even a coworker of mine who has the exact same car is having the same issue and her car basically has no paint left. Many people are having this issue and it…
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I have a 2017 pearl white Elantra and The paint is peeling off on my hood and my roof. The car is only 4 years old and I just hit above 30000 miles when this issue started. Even a coworker of mine who has the exact same car is having the same issue and her car basically has no paint left. Many people are having this issue and it’s disappointing that Hyundai won’t compensate their customers to get it fixed. Every time my car gets wet it gets worse it’s really ridiculous and looks TERRIBLE. Way too expensive to fix.
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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