← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

766 reports
30,000 miles · Sep 17, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE DOORS WOULDN'T UNLOCK, THEN DECIDED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY MAKE THIS LOUD CLICKING NOISE. THE BATTERY TESTS GOOD. THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT ON AT ALL. ALL SWITCHES ARE TUNED OFF AND IT'S NOT IN ACCC MODE. HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY AND WAIT FOR TOW TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #11355624

64,970 miles · Sep 17, 2020
Structure

THE DOORS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING... THEY WON'T UNLATCH IF YOU TRY TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE.. YOU HAVE TO HIT UNDER THE DOOR HANDLE FOR THE DOOR TO UNLATCH. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE AT THIS POINT. (MORE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/REAR-PASSENGER-DOOR-W…

Read full complaint

THE DOORS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING... THEY WON'T UNLATCH IF YOU TRY TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE.. YOU HAVE TO HIT UNDER THE DOOR HANDLE FOR THE DOOR TO UNLATCH. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE AT THIS POINT. (MORE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/REAR-PASSENGER-DOOR-WONT-OPEN.603329/) THIS IS HAPPENING ON 2 OF MY DOORS. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENTS NOR DOES IT HAVE ANY DENTS ON IT. HYUNDAI SAYS THEY WILL NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY (CAR HAS 65K MILES ON IT) AND THEY ARE CHARGING CUSTOMERS TO FIX IT DESPITE IT BEING A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE, THE DOOR MAY NOT OPEN TO GET PASSENGERS TO SAFETY. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WHERE IT SLOWLY DEGRADES. IT'S A SUDDEN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11355596

70,000 miles · Sep 17, 2020
Service Brakes

WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A SUDDEN BR.AKE, THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO BRAKE THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. THE TIRES AND BRAKE PADS WERE IN GREAT CONDITION AND I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD GOT THEM CHECKED OUT PRIOR TO MY ROAD TRIP WHICH IS WHEN THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. OUT OF ALL THE CARS I HAVE DRIVEN, NONE OF THEM HAVE TOOK THAT LONG TO MAKE A …

Read full complaint

WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A SUDDEN BR.AKE, THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO BRAKE THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. THE TIRES AND BRAKE PADS WERE IN GREAT CONDITION AND I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAD GOT THEM CHECKED OUT PRIOR TO MY ROAD TRIP WHICH IS WHEN THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. OUT OF ALL THE CARS I HAVE DRIVEN, NONE OF THEM HAVE TOOK THAT LONG TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR IN THE INTERSECTION, I WOULD HAVE DEFINITLY HIT THEM WHICH IS VERY SCARY. AS A RESULT OF THIS I NOW KEEP A MUCH LONGER DISTANCE WHEN DRIVING BEHIND OTHERS AND I ALSO BRAKE AHEAD OF TIME SCARED THAT ONE DAY THE CAR MIGHT NOT STOP AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11355486

48,000 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Engine

IGNITION COIL PACK FAILURE. 1 COIL PACK FAILED (STARTED FAILING AT 40,000 AND IT WAS 44,000MI BEFORE THE ISSUE WAS FIXED ) & ANOTHER IS FAILING (AT APROX48,000). I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO HYUNDAI MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THIS RECTIFIED AND IN THAT TIME MY VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AT IDLE, WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STA…

Read full complaint

IGNITION COIL PACK FAILURE. 1 COIL PACK FAILED (STARTED FAILING AT 40,000 AND IT WAS 44,000MI BEFORE THE ISSUE WAS FIXED ) & ANOTHER IS FAILING (AT APROX48,000). I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO HYUNDAI MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THIS RECTIFIED AND IN THAT TIME MY VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AT IDLE, WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATESPEEDS ON A MERGE RAMP BETWEEN TWO INTERSTATES DURINGTHEFIRST INSTANCE OF FAILURE. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT RECTIFY THE ISSUE WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PRESENTED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. NOW ANOTHER COIL PACK IS FAILING AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX THE MATTER WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I VISITED THE DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED MY MOST RECENT FAILING IGNITION COIL ON 9/1/2020. THE ROUGH IDLE AND RUNNING ROUGH IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT WHICH MEANS THE VEHICLE IS LIKELY TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. THE 2017 KIA FORTE HAS THE SAME ENGINE AND HAS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED. THE FORTE NHTSA ID # IS 10127032. DUE TO THE STALLING WHILE DRIVING THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER MY FACTORY 5YR/ 60K WARRANTY WITH HYUNDAI AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #11354938

8,500 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING ADJUSTED WHILE PARKING ALONG SIDE A CURB ON A HILL. THE DRIVER PULLED FORWARD, THEN ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET CLOSER TO THE CURB, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL AND HIT THE BACK OF A PARKED SUV AND ENDED UP WEDGED UNDER THE BACK…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING ADJUSTED WHILE PARKING ALONG SIDE A CURB ON A HILL. THE DRIVER PULLED FORWARD, THEN ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET CLOSER TO THE CURB, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL AND HIT THE BACK OF A PARKED SUV AND ENDED UP WEDGED UNDER THE BACK OF THE SUV. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED, BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #11354933

58,000 miles · Sep 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

IN FEBRUARY 2020, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE SPEED AS I DROVE ON THE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.THE SERVICEMAN REPLACED THE COILS IN MY CAR. WITHIN A WEEK, MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND LOSE SPEED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY "FIXED" IT AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. I…

Read full complaint

IN FEBRUARY 2020, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE SPEED AS I DROVE ON THE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.THE SERVICEMAN REPLACED THE COILS IN MY CAR. WITHIN A WEEK, MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND LOSE SPEED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY "FIXED" IT AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. IN EARLY MARCH, MY CAR WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS: SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND LOSING SPEED AS I DROVE ON BOTH THE HIGHWAY AND ON CITY STREETS. I CHOSE TO TRY A DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTER. THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR BY RUNNING THE CODES, BUT HE SAID THAT NOTHING POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN. I TOLD HIM THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON AND OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. HE SENT ME ON MY WAY WITHOUT FIXING MY CAR, BUT HE TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR BACK INTO THE SERVICE CENTER WITHOUT SHUTTING OFF MY CAR AS SOON AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT WOULD HELP THEM BE ABLE TO DETECT THE ISSUE. WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF PULLING OFF OF THE PARKING LOT, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED BACK ON AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LOSE SPEED AGAIN. I TURNED AROUND IMMEDIATELY AND TOOK MY CAR BACK. THEY FLUSHED OUT THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM. WITHIN TWO WEEKS, I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK FOR THE SAME THING, BUT THE SERVICEMAN TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES SINCE THE COMPUTER SHOWED NO ISSUES. EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR INTO A HYUNDAI REPAIR CENTER, THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CANNOT DETECT ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR, ALTHOUGH I TELL THEM THAT MY CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE AND LOSE SPEED RANDOMLY. IT IS NOW SEPT. 2020, AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE MY CAR INTO A NEW HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER IN A NEW STATE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR PROBLEM THAT THREATENS THE SAFETY OF ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION NOW!

NHTSA ODI #11354514

2 miles · Sep 9, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

ONCE AGAIN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STARTED LUNGING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING WITHIN CITY LIMITS. CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE SOMEWHAT NORMALLY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIM…

Read full complaint

ONCE AGAIN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STARTED LUNGING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING WITHIN CITY LIMITS. CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE SOMEWHAT NORMALLY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, AND FROM WHAT I CAN TELL BY READING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES AS WELL. IT APPEARS TO BE THE ECM, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO SAY YOU NEED NEW SPARK PLUGS OR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS A RECALL IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #11354016

1 miles · Sep 3, 2020
Service Brakes

WHEN I BRAKE THE BRAKES DON'T RESPOND PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #11352899

50,000 miles · Sep 2, 2020
Structure

THE PAINT ON THE CAR PEELS OFF IN SHEETS. COMPLETELY BELOW THE PRIMER LAYER EXPOSING THE METAL. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER ELANTRA'S THAT SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11352852

70 miles · Aug 31, 2020
Exterior Lighting

I JUST DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING FOUR HOURS HOME THE LIGHTS WENT OUT THE LIGHT IS CUTTING OFF AND ON AND NOW I GET AN ALERT CHECK BACK BRAKE LIGHT SO NOW IT IS NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #11352207

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.

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems