NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
766 reports11,193 miles · Oct 5, 2019
Engine
1.THE CAR WHILE REVERSING INTO DRIVEWAY SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. (M.I.L, BATTERY, & OIL PRESSURE) LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE. RESTARTED CAR MANAGING TO GET IT OFF THE STREET AND IT DIED AGAIN WITHIN FEET. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING FOUND. 8/31/18 2. THE CAR 11 DAYS LATER ATTEMPTED TO SHUT …
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1.THE CAR WHILE REVERSING INTO DRIVEWAY SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. (M.I.L, BATTERY, & OIL PRESSURE) LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE. RESTARTED CAR MANAGING TO GET IT OFF THE STREET AND IT DIED AGAIN WITHIN FEET. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING FOUND. 8/31/18 2. THE CAR 11 DAYS LATER ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPED ON A ELEVATED HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL TURN TO PREVENT CAR FROM SHUTTING OFF AND POTENTLY ROLLING BACK. REVERSING IN DRIVEWAY AGAIN CAR ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE SAME LIGHTS AS BEFORE DISPLAYED AGAIN. DEALER CLEANED PCM & BATTERY GROUNDS. 9/10/2018 3. 9/20/19 WHILE PARKED THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO STALLED. THE RPM'S DROPPED QUICK AND STABILIZED. NO LIGHTS DISPLAYED. DEALER HAS NOT CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE YET BUT HYUNDAI HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS. 4.THE VEHICLE WHILE ACCELERATING UP MY EMPLOYERS DRIVE WAS THE CAR HESITATES UNLESS GAS IS PRESSED MORE THEN NORMAL. THE CAR HAS NOT STALLED YET ON THESE CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SERVICE DONE ON THE INTERVALS PER HYUNDAI. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD JUST OVER 16K MILES. THE VEHICLE ON THE FIRST 2 OCCASIONS WERE BOTH ON SOME FORM OF A SLIGHT GRADE. THE 3RD TIME WAS ON A FLAT STREET. FINALLY THE CAR IN 3 OF THE 4 OCCASIONS ALL INVOLVED INCLINES OF DIFFERENT GRADES.
NHTSA ODI #11266465
30,392 miles · Oct 3, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONTAL/UNDERCARRIAGE ACCIDENT AFTER BEING RUN OFF THE INTERSTATE BY AN INATTENTIVE DRIVER. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH UPON IMPACT WITH A LARGE DRAIN GRATE IN A POTHOLE. IMPACT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS. SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, FRONT AIRB…
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CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONTAL/UNDERCARRIAGE ACCIDENT AFTER BEING RUN OFF THE INTERSTATE BY AN INATTENTIVE DRIVER. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH UPON IMPACT WITH A LARGE DRAIN GRATE IN A POTHOLE. IMPACT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS. SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT. VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NO MAJOR INJURIES OCCURRED, ONLY MINOR BRUISING AND BURNS AS A RESULT OF SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER AND TWO CHILDREN WERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE UPON IMPACT, ALL PROPERLY RESTRAINED BY SEAT BELTS. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND FIRE WERE DISPATCHED AS WELL. ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 95 S, IN SAVANNAH, GA.
NHTSA ODI #11265934
79,615 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. LEAVING US DRIVING IN THE DARK. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO USE BLINKERS OR SWITCH HIGH BEAMS ON OR OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT'S THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WANT 372.84 TO REPLACE IT. MY WARRANTY HAS JUST RU…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. LEAVING US DRIVING IN THE DARK. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO USE BLINKERS OR SWITCH HIGH BEAMS ON OR OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT'S THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WANT 372.84 TO REPLACE IT. MY WARRANTY HAS JUST RUN OUT AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND NOW THIS IS OUT AS WELL AS THE BACK DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IT'S A 2017. I FEEL THE SWITCH AND POSSIBLY THE BACK DOOR ACTUATOR MUST BE FAULTY.
NHTSA ODI #11256522
60,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Exterior Lighting
SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK WHEN SWITCHING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAMS OR HIGH TO LOW BEAMS, ALL LIGHTS GO OFF CAUSING A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE! THEY COME BACK ON AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS.
NHTSA ODI #11255708
200 miles · Sep 13, 2019
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEN GARFF HYUNDAI (717 SOUTH WEST TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84101, 801-257-3200) WHERE THE DUAL CLUTCH WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEN GARFF HYUNDAI (717 SOUTH WEST TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84101, 801-257-3200) WHERE THE DUAL CLUTCH WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO YOUNG HYUNDAI (333 WALL AVENUE, OGDEN UT, 84401) WHERE IT WAS KEPT FOR SIX DAYS. THE DEALER CLEANED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
NHTSA ODI #11255367
89,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS ON ISDE STREETS IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE VEHICLE, FEELS LIKE STEERING WHEEL IS ABOUT TO LOCK UP. THERE ARE RECALLS ON 2017 HYUNDIA ELANTRAS BUT WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID NOT ON MY VEHICLE. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS BUT MIGHT ISN'T COVERED?
NHTSA ODI #11254971
54,212 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Air BagsService BrakesWheelsCrash
I HAD BEFORE A CAR HYUNDAY ELANTRA 2013, AND THAT CAR HAS RECALL BECAUSE HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE BREAKS, AND AFTER THAT CARR I BUYED A HYUNDAY ELANTRA 2017, ITS WAS THE SAME THINK WITH THE BREAKS WHEN THE ROAD WAS WET THE BREAKS DO NOT WORK AND THEY MAKE A NOISE, I HAD ACCIDENT WHEN WAS RAINING MY CAR HIT WITH THE CONCRETE…
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I HAD BEFORE A CAR HYUNDAY ELANTRA 2013, AND THAT CAR HAS RECALL BECAUSE HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE BREAKS, AND AFTER THAT CARR I BUYED A HYUNDAY ELANTRA 2017, ITS WAS THE SAME THINK WITH THE BREAKS WHEN THE ROAD WAS WET THE BREAKS DO NOT WORK AND THEY MAKE A NOISE, I HAD ACCIDENT WHEN WAS RAINING MY CAR HIT WITH THE CONCRETE FENCE, THE CRASH WAS SO BAD BUT ITNS VERY RARE , THE CAR IS TOTAL LOST AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER WAS DEPLOYED PLEASE CAN YOU INVESTIGATE THAT ISSUE , BECAUSE I THINK THE AIRBAG NEVER WORKS. I DONT KNOW WHAT KINDA OR MAKE AIR BAGS ARE..I AM OK BUT THAT WHY A LOT O PEOPLE DIE.MY CAR WAS IN MOTION IN A HIGHWAY
NHTSA ODI #11254877
59,000 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Engine
MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY BEGINS TO IDLE ROUGH AND STALL WHILE IN DRIVE. THE SYSTEM CHECK IN THE CAR NORMALLY REVEALS NOTHING. ON OCCASION IT WILL GIVE A MESSAGE REGARDING THE EMS. , I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ASK THEM TO CHECK AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS CHECK WAS DONE AT APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES. AFTER THE SY…
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MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY BEGINS TO IDLE ROUGH AND STALL WHILE IN DRIVE. THE SYSTEM CHECK IN THE CAR NORMALLY REVEALS NOTHING. ON OCCASION IT WILL GIVE A MESSAGE REGARDING THE EMS. , I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ASK THEM TO CHECK AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS CHECK WAS DONE AT APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES. AFTER THE SYSTEM CHECK AT THE DEALERSHIP THE AUTOMOBILE STOP HAVING STALLING PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE. THE CAR IS NOW AT 76000 + MILES AND IS BEGINNING TO STALL AGAIN WHILE IN DRIVE. IT IS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF IDLING ROUGH WITH NO INDICATOR OR SYSTEM CHECK REVEALING ANY PROBLEM. JUST RECENTLY IT HAS BEGIN TO STALL AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN GOES BACK OFF. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING OR TRANSPORTING OTHERS. SPECIFICALLY, ROUGH IDLING CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. STALLING OF THE ENGINE OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE ONLY OR IN REVERSE GEAR.
NHTSA ODI #11254375
44,098 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Service BrakesCrash
WHEN I GO AROUND CURVES (LEFT HAND) MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH AND I WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER MY BRAKES (IT WILL FEEL AS IF I AM HYDROPLANING) THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY AND FOR NOT SET REASON/ I AM NOT SPEEDING OR HITTING MY BRAKES WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM MY DEALERSHIP THAT I NEEDED TIRES, I GOT TIRES, AND…
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WHEN I GO AROUND CURVES (LEFT HAND) MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH AND I WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER MY BRAKES (IT WILL FEEL AS IF I AM HYDROPLANING) THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY AND FOR NOT SET REASON/ I AM NOT SPEEDING OR HITTING MY BRAKES WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM MY DEALERSHIP THAT I NEEDED TIRES, I GOT TIRES, AND IT IS STILL HAPPENING.
NHTSA ODI #11252968
31,000 miles · Aug 26, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED TO GET ON HIGHWAY THE RPM INCREASED BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT SPEED UP. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11246329
Official recalls
4Mar 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.
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.
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.
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.