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 · Mar 25, 2025
Engine
The vehicle has been randomly shaking at idle since around 100,000 miles. There have now been a few instances where the engine will shake when decelerating. There are no warning lights, codes, or diagnostic readings that have given a solution for this. Around 145,000 miles the engine began to shake aggressively while driving, as…
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The vehicle has been randomly shaking at idle since around 100,000 miles. There have now been a few instances where the engine will shake when decelerating. There are no warning lights, codes, or diagnostic readings that have given a solution for this. Around 145,000 miles the engine began to shake aggressively while driving, as I stopped and put the car in park the engine light, oil light, and battery light came on and then the entire system failed and the car shut off and could not be turned back on. This happened on a “highway” CA-108. I was stranded in the middle of the road, during school traffic hours. I towed the car to the dealership where they said they couldn’t replicate the concern but replaced the oil control valve. It has been 2 months since the repair, the vehicle is again starting to shake when decelerating. I now pull over when this happens though it typically stops within 45 seconds. I have seen the other Elantra engine recalls and feel as though mine fits the description.
NHTSA ODI #11650649
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2025
Structure
The rear door no longer open and the front doors need to be tugged several times before opening. This is a huge safety problem and I’ve seen many others with my type of vehicle and year with the same problem. The actual door problem is unknown. I just know they will not open and it all happened at once. I haven’t gotten into an …
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The rear door no longer open and the front doors need to be tugged several times before opening. This is a huge safety problem and I’ve seen many others with my type of vehicle and year with the same problem. The actual door problem is unknown. I just know they will not open and it all happened at once. I haven’t gotten into an accident or no force to prevent the door from opening has not happened. So I’m not sure of the actual problem.
NHTSA ODI #11647375
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2025
Engine
Issue with engine burning oil after I passed 104000 miles. I had my oil changed just after 100000 with no issues and just before the 104000 mile mark my Elantra began to make a clicking noise and my oil light came on. I took it to get the oil changed and I was told I was completely out of oil. I began monitoring the issue every …
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Issue with engine burning oil after I passed 104000 miles. I had my oil changed just after 100000 with no issues and just before the 104000 mile mark my Elantra began to make a clicking noise and my oil light came on. I took it to get the oil changed and I was told I was completely out of oil. I began monitoring the issue every few days and after traveling about 300 miles in a day I rechecked the oil level and noticed a definite drop in level. I contacted the dealer and was told nothing could be done due to the fact it was over 60000 miles and there were no active recalls. There is an TSB posted for the issue already. As well as there are recalls for the 2014-2016 hyandai Elantras burning oil after 100000 miles.
NHTSA ODI #11647197
202,000 miles · Mar 7, 2025
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where unknown engine parts and a computer part were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle was jerking.…
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where unknown engine parts and a computer part were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle was jerking. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated; however, the contact stated that an oil change had recently been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000.
NHTSA ODI #11646931
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2025
Structure
Front doors won't open from outside.
NHTSA ODI #11646140
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2025
Structure
Identical problem also reported under NHTSA 11632482 to an individual on other side of US and other report numbers for this 2017 Hyundai Elantra. This is a re-occurring hazard. Rear door while unlocked will not open from either inside or outside of vehicle. Very dangerous for passengers. I assume it is the door actuator.
NHTSA ODI #11644214
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2025
Electrical System
Hi the smart junction box on this vehicle is acting up. When riding in free way all doors locked open automatically and then the headlights just went off, and all the 4 blinkers stopped working creating hazard to all people in the freeway including mine . Mechanic has quoted me 2k to fix the issue and replace the Smart junction …
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Hi the smart junction box on this vehicle is acting up. When riding in free way all doors locked open automatically and then the headlights just went off, and all the 4 blinkers stopped working creating hazard to all people in the freeway including mine . Mechanic has quoted me 2k to fix the issue and replace the Smart junction box . Please provide me fairness in this matter
NHTSA ODI #11643589
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2025
Engine
Motor locked up
NHTSA ODI #11642734
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2025
Power Train
The clutch/transmission clunks or jerks randomly when accelerator is pressed to gain speed, from stop or passing, in any drive mode. Believe this has been going on the past several years.
NHTSA ODI #11641553
109,355 miles · Jan 21, 2025
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
Air bag light will not turn off so I’m not sure if the air bags work. Oil is going missing from the car causing it to suddenly shut down. It also makes the rpm’s go really high (close to 5,000) when trying to go up hills or accelerate. I don’t see a leak, or puddles under the car, nor black smoke.
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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