2017 Hyundai Elantra

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 767 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 767

Of the 2017 reports, 37 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine290 reports · 38% of complaints
Owner complaints767Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine290
  2. Structure134
  3. Other or unspecified131
  4. Electrical system111
  5. Steering71
  6. Power train62
  7. Latches/locks/linkages53
  8. Service brakes47

Recalls and investigations

  1. Steering, electric power assist systemMar 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.

    Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

    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.

    Campaign 17V213000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, hydraulicJan 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.

    A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

    Campaign 17V063000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleDec 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.

    In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.

    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.

    Campaign 16V956000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontalApr 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.

    An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.

    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.

    Campaign 16V232000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: structure

134 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Structure, Sep 7, 2021

    The Driver's side door once locked and unlocked will not open?

  2. Structure, Aug 10, 2021

    Passenger door locks won't open door from inside or outside

  3. Structure, Jul 28, 2021

    **NON SAFETY ISSUE** Purchased my 2017 Hyundai Elantra SE (Pearl White) used back in August of 2019 with around 30,000 miles on it. No issues at all. After one year back in summer of 2020 I got out my car and noticed a chunk of paint missing from my roof (around the size of half a football). I was immediately concerned. I contacted the dealer I got it from, they advised me to contact Hyundai so I contacted my local Hyundai dealer and they told me I was over the 30,000 mile paint warranty, nothing could be done but they could get me an estimate. I did some research, found tons of articles with tons of people having the same issue, same location on same vehicle, same color. I also found a article about a lawsuit filed against Hyundai for Elantra's year 2009-2016 for paint issue. I saw Hyundai won based off the fact they offer a 30,000 mile paint warranty. This scared me away from trying to pursue Hyundai so I waited a bit and hoped to see if a recall would be issued. Then maybe 4 months ago I went to wash my car and after hitting it with water a softball size chunk of paint chipped off my driver door. I then contacted Hyundai and asked that something be done. Hyundai's body shop wrote an estimate and submitted it to Hyundai. It was an over priced estimate in my opinion so I took it to my local (and well respected) body shop and they wrote me an estimate for exactly half the cost. Hyundai then responded they would cover half the cost. But only at a Hyundai body shop. Either shop I take it to I would owe $1,000 out of my pocket. Unacceptable to me and a lot of money for me. Both shops stated it was a manufacturing defect and I believe the manufacturer should cover the costs. I tried contacting Hyundai's corporate line and they advised me a rep would call me to speak to me about their decision. It has been a month now and no response still. I don't know what to do or who to have help. The car is all but 4 years old and the paint is getting worse daily. I need help.

  4. Structure, Jul 26, 2021

    PAINT PEELING

  5. Structure, Jul 8, 2021

    The rear door opening mechanism fails and prevents the door from opening from either inside the car or outside. It starts off as being inconsistent then full on completely fails.

  6. Structure, Jun 17, 2021

    Paint peeling off roof of car.

  7. Structure, Jun 13, 2021

    Paint. The white paint has begun cracking and peeling on the hood and roof. There was no damage to these areas and it has always been garage kept. The paint is defective. It started happening almost over night and is spreading quickly. This is unsightly, will lead to corrosion, and is completely unacceptable for a modern vehicle or this age.

  8. Structure, May 27, 2021

    Rear Passenger door will not open from the inside or out. Child safety lock is not engaged. It appears to be a common safety issue reported over the internet.

  9. Structure, May 21, 2021

    The rear passenger door on my 2017 Hyundai Elantra will not open. I can lock and unlock the door with the remote but it will not open using both the inside and outside door handle. In researching this issue on the internet, it seems to be a very common problem with Hyundai cars from 2016-2018. I strongly believe this needs to be a recall by the manufacturer as it is a serious safety issue to not be able to open the doors.

  10. Structure, May 19, 2021

    My 2017 Hyundai Elantra paint is peeling off the hood and the top of the car.

  11. Structure, May 3, 2021

    IN ALL EVENTS, THE DRIVER SIDE BACK-SEAT DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN FROM EITHER THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER DOOR ALSO HAS TROUBLE OPENING AND YOU HAVE TO LEAN ON THE DOOR FIRST BEFORE IT WILL OPEN. THESE POSE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREATS IN THE EVENT OF HAVING TO QUICKLY LEAVE THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY. PASSENGERS IN THE BACK WILL BOTH HAVE TO LEAVE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN. THIS IS ALSO A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC MODEL OF CAR.

  12. Structure, Apr 16, 2021

    CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, PRIOR TO A TRIP. A PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WITH THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE HANDLE. THE INSIDE LOCKING CONTROL MOVED NORMALLY, BOTH MANUALLY AND WITH ELECTRICAL LOCK CONTROL, BUT I STILL CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR IN ANY WAY. THIS IS SAFETY RELATED AS THE FAILED DOOR WOULD PREVENT EGRESS IN AN EMERGENCY.

  13. Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 1, 2021

    BACK LEFT DOOR DOESN'T OPEN DANGEROUS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AC COMPRESSOR MELTED REPLACED AND NOW IT'S MAKING NOISES STRUTS BOLTS CAME LOOSE BRAKES AND SHAKING WHOLE CAR

  14. Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2021

    YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE REAR DOORS. BY THE HANDLES INSIDE OR OUT. SOMETIME THEY WILL OPEN IF YOU WIGGLE THE OUTSIDE HANDLE ALOT OF TIME. THE INSIDE ACTS LIKE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS ON. THE CHILD SAFETY NOT ON. IF AN EMERGENCY HAPPENS THE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE REAR CAN NOT GET OUT. THIS STARTED IN 2020 ON DRIVER PASSENGER FIRST AS OF TODAY 3/30/2021. THE REAR PASSENGER WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL.

  15. Structure, Mar 26, 2021

    THEIR DRIVER'S AND REAR DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY START TO MALFUNCTION. THE REAR DOORS DON'T OPEN ANYMORE, THE REMOTE CONTROL IS WORKING APPARENTLY BUT I CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR EVEN MANUALLY FROM INSIDE. THE DRIVER LOCK DOOR NEEDS TO OPERATE MORE THAN 3 TIMES TO OPEN THE DOOR. I ALMOST NEVER USE THE REAR DOORS BECAUSE I AM SINGLE.*DT

  16. Structure, Mar 15, 2021

    I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES NOW OF MY DOORS EITHER FAILING TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AND HAVING TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, OR BEING JAMMED ALTOGETHER AND UNABLE TO OPEN. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE BEGAN HAPPENING ABOUT A WEEK AGO TO MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE ALL 4 DOORS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION AND RECEIPTS ON FILE, ALTHOUGH I AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD IT AT THIS TIME.

  17. Structure, Mar 15, 2021

    THE BACK DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED OPENING. THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED BUT IT WONT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE NOR THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A RAMPANT ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS MY TODDLER CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR.

  18. Structure, Mar 9, 2021

    LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH WON'T ENGAGE TO OPEN DOOR. THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR THAT I AM HAVING TO HAVE FIXED ON A VEHICLE THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD WITH THIS DOOR RARELY BEING USED AS I AM USUALLY THE ONLY ONE IN THE VEHICLE.

  19. Structure, Mar 4, 2021

    3 OF 4 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AND/OR OUTSIDE. ONLY DRIVER SIDE DOOR NOW OPENS.

  20. Structure, Feb 24, 2021

    PAINT FLAKING WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.

  21. Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2021

    DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 75 MPH. OCCUPANTS WERE A DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. BOTH WHERE BOTH BUCKLED IN. DRIVER REPORTED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON AND THEY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AS THEY WERE NOT SURE WHY INTERIOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN PASSENGER LOOKED AND NOTICED THEIR PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPEN ABOUT 10 INCHES. THE PASSENGER GRABBED DOOR AND PULLED IT SHUT. THE INTERIOR LIGHT SHUT OFF. THEY REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO THIS THEY HEARD NO ALARM BELLS, HEARD NO ROAD OR AIR NOISE AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT WAS OFF. THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING FACING FORWARD WITH ARMS CROSSED NOT TOUCHING THE DOOR.

  22. Exterior lighting, Structure, Jan 15, 2021

    UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVERS FRONT DOOR WITHOUT TRYING AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THIS IS ONLY ONCE IT IS IN THE LOCK POSITION AND I UNLOCK IT. LIGHTS IN AUTO POSITION RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING

  23. Structure, Engine, Jan 14, 2021

    BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND SAID THERE IS NO WARRANTY TO COVER HAVING THEM FIXED AND IT WILL BE OVER $1000 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR SHUT OFF AND STARTED SMOKING. IT SAYS THE CAR IS ON AND RUNNING BUT IT IS NOT

  24. Structure, Jan 11, 2021

    THE DOOR LATCHES BREAK AND THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE THIRD DOOR LATCH THAT BROKE ON THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST YEAR.

  25. Structure, Dec 5, 2020

    THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR DOOR NOT OPEN IT JUST STOPPED OPENING. I CAN NOT UNLOCK IT AT ALL. I WAN COMING OUT OF A STORE WITH MY KIDS AND THEY COULD NOT GET IN. THE DRIVER SIDE WAS ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGE IN SEPTEMBER. AND NOT IN DECEMBER THE PASSENGER SIDE.