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

767 reports, newest first.

  1. Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 3, 2022

    Rear drivers side door Will not open from inside nor outside when unlocked by either key fob or door unlock control on front door panel???!!! Cannot open if there is an accident… Window opens with both windows buttons. Door will not open when unlocked… Also my passenger side front door has similar issue except, I can open door from inside but not from outside???!!! Key fob does not unlock the door???!!! But front drivers door opens all the time… Very disappointed with this vehicle.

  2. Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2022

    Rear door isn't open able. While there's not inherent risk a faulty door could lead to a significant safety risk is a hazardous situation.

  3. Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2022

    I am the owner of a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. I bought the car for my daughter for transportation to and from school and work. As her boyfriend was driving on a 3-lane highway in heavy traffic, the car would no longer accelerate, and the steering wheel locked. The engine just stopped and seized up. The car lost all power and steering capability. He rolled the car into the left-hand turn lane. A police officer pulled up about 30 seconds later, said that he was obstructing traffic, and to move the car out of the turn lane. Her boyfriend had to push the car across the median, and 3 lanes of traffic, to get to the opposite side of the highway's shoulder, by himself. When he nearly had the car off of the road, on the opposite side of the highway, a pedestrian approached and helped him finish pushing it out of the road. This could have caused a major car accident, or someone could've been killed or injured while pushing the car. I have moved one hour away from my daughter, so I cannot provide her with a ride to and from school and work. She and I are stuck paying $301.18/mo on a car that is inoperable; it's just sitting and rotting at her apartment complex. We are also stuck paying $135.87/mo for her car insurance on a car that is inoperable. Also, this model year, 2017, has a problem with peeling paint too. The car has missing paint patches all over. Previously, at just 51,000 miles, the car had stalling problems. The car would just shut off while driving. It was repaired at Hyundai. When we got it back, it was still doing the same thing, and had to go back in again for service at Hyundai. I filed a formal complaint with Hyundai Consumer Affairs. Hyundai should have already issued recalls for these problems that many people are experiencing. I've been doing research and have found that this year and model Hyundai is very problematic. They are refusing to take responsibility by not issuing recalls on these recurrent problems that they're aware of.

  4. Structure, Sep 22, 2022

    I have white paint and my vehicle has 30,000 mi and the paint is peeling off of hood and now roof I have contacted Hyundai and dealership with no satisfaction

  5. Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 15, 2022

    Rear driver door will NOT open whether in the unlock position manual or power, or lock position. Has not been checked by a dealership, police, or otherwise. Has been "locked" and unable to open for about 2 months. Safety issue- if in an accident, such as car is on fire, or under water, or passenger side is damaged to impare door, persons will be trapped and can cause death. There are no sensors, lights, etc. to indicate a problem. Internet research shows other individuals with this same problem related to Hyundai vehicles.

  6. Structure, Sep 14, 2022

    Pain is peeling on roof and hood

  7. Steering, Sep 14, 2022

    While driving the steering locks up and the power steering light comes on. You turn off the vehicle and turn it back on it clears the light in the dash drives fine for a little while then does it again

  8. Steering, Engine, Sep 14, 2022

    MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS STEERING BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, THEN THE ENGINE STALLS OUT AND THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON. I'M FRIGHTEN OF CRASHING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL. THE CAUSE IS A DAMAGED ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (MDPS) CONNECTOR. THERE WAS A RECALL (#161) FOR A REPLACEMENT ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AT NO CHARGE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE BUT I'M TOLD MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL?

  9. Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 13, 2022

    Door handles have to be pulled multiple times to open the door, specially it’s at night it’s very dangerous for a girl and scary I can’t get into my car when I needed to.

  10. Power train, Electrical system, Sep 7, 2022

    UNKNOWN. Battery died out on my twice, every two years. Motor needed to be replaced after 5 years.

  11. Steering, Sep 6, 2022

    The contact's uncle owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized and failed to turn left or right. The owner stated no warning light was illuminated. The owner restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving to his destination. The owner took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the steering wheel trim to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

  12. Structure, Aug 31, 2022

    The rear door on the driver’s side will not open from the inside or outside. This was not the result of a collision or incident. A quick online check revealed this to be an issue with several Hyundai vehicles.

  13. Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 28, 2022

    While driving the trunk latch broke and the trunk flew open. There is no damage to the trunk or rear end of the vehicle. We did not hit any pot holes we were on a straight way driving and the trunk just opened. Now it won't close. The truck light won't go out. I am glad we weren't on the highway going at a higher rate of speed and this happened.

  14. Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 23, 2022

    Door handles not functioning on my vehicle. Rear drivers side door will not open from inside or outside.Front passenger door does not open from outside only from inside. Front drivers door has had issues opening and closing door handle currently falling off. No known recalls or safety alerts for my vehicle even though Hyundai has released a 10 year extended warranty on door handles mine is not warrantable to my knowledge.

  15. Steering, Aug 23, 2022

    The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making turns, the steering wheel became stiff and uncontrollable. The steering warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was notified and scheduled a service appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46000.

  16. Power train, Engine, Aug 22, 2022

    My car stalled twice while driving on my way to work and had a weird knocking sound. I brought this to my local mechanic and they believed it was Rod Knock cause by premature rod bearing failure. They said this is a common issue with Hyundai 2.0L 4 cylinder engines and told me to reach out to a Hyundai dealership. The first dealer I called said if it was the rod bearing it would be covered under an extended warranty. That dealership couldn’t get me in for 3-4 weeks so I called the dealership I purchased the car new at. They said the same thing that it was a common issue with the 2.0 4 cylinder engines and said they could get me in in less than a week. I paid to have my car towed to them on Friday and they called me this morning confirming that it is a worn rod bearing and informed me I would need a new engine. They said that my specific VIN is not covered by their extended warranty covering this specific issue. It is my understanding that specific models using the same engine are covered but for some reason mine is not. I just spent over $2000 on the engine with issues that they said they wouldn’t cover and now they want me to pay them over $7000 to replace the engine on an issue they are aware of in this 2.0l engine they manufactured. Please help me to rectify this issue with my car. I cannot afford $7000+ for a new engine and I certainly cannot afford a new car. This car is less than 6 years old and I would have expected power train to last significantly longer.

  17. Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2022

    This is a very unsafe vehicle. There should be a recall!!!! This is a well known problem, yet Huyndai and NTHSA does nothing. How many people will be involved in an accident or killed before you do something? This vehicle has been having check engine light come on multiple times in past month. When it does the whole car shudders/shakes , and won't accelerate. There is also a knocking. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT wAITING TO HAPPEN! First time I took it in was to a Firestone shop as Huyndai had no opening for weeks. I drive 60 miles 1 way for my job, so couldn't wait for Huyndai. Firestone said it was misfiring, and that it was very low on oil. They couldn't get it to duplicate the incident, so couldn't figure out the problem. An oil change was done. Multiple times in next 2 weeks the light would come on, then sometimes go off with no other issues, but sometimes the same knocking sounds and shaking. I took it back to Firestone and they determined a coil needed to be replaced and a spark plug. And in that short of time the oil was seriously low again. These fixes were done. The next day after picking it up, same issues!!!! Firestone won't work on it now as they don't know what else to do. We have an appointment with Huyndai but not until Sept. 12th. What am I supposed to do???? Take a chance of dying every day to get to work? I can't afford a rental for the next few weeks until Huyndai can look at it. This is so unfair. Why haven't you made Huyndai recall and fix this very well known issue? Please help!

  18. Structure, Aug 20, 2022

    Bought 2017 Hyundai Elantra in May 2020 car had no paint peeling at Odometer reading 82,888. In October 2020 the paint on the hood of the car near the headlights started peeling the odometer reading was about 92,897 at that point. A couple months later the roof next to the windshield start peeling too. Now those spots have grown each time it rains. These spots are now starting to rust. Obviously this is bringing down the value of the car. Not to mention it makes the car look terrible. After I bought the car I went out and put new tires and wheels on it plus other accessories to make it stand out only to have the paint start peeling and have it look terrible. As a consumer I should not have to pay for Hyundai mistake in painting thier cars incorrectly.

  19. Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2022

    Car is easy to steal because you only need a USB to start the ignition and someone recently attempted to steal mine, but was caught in the act.

  20. Engine, Aug 16, 2022

    Ignition coils in my car have failed three times in between 2021-2022. First repair was back in October of 2021 for misfiring cylinder. Both the check engine and low oil pressure light came on in the middle of my drive. It was like a lightbulb suddenly blowing up. Roadside assistance was called the following day to pick my car up and tow to dealership. Second occurrence was July 30, 2022 and diagnosed on August 5, 2022. My car shook and jolted when idle and even turned off in the middle of an intersection. Cylinder #3 was reported to be misfiring and coil was replaced by the dealership. However, two days after the replacement of the coil, the light comes back on and my car begins to jolt at idle once more. Engine turned off in the parking lot this time around. Performed a diagnostic and found cylinder #2 to be misfiring. Currently awaiting repairs for this specific issue once more but my car will go back and forth between smooth driving and its rattling.

  21. Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 15, 2022, crash

    The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the fuel warning light flickered and the radio activated and deactivated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the vehicle was performing as designed due to a satellite not being connected. On another occasion, the vehicle accelerated on its own and the brake pedal hesitated to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard in order for the vehicle to come to a stop. The vehicle was taken to another dealer due to the above failures; in addition to shuttering and jerking while depressing on the accelerator, as if it was not receiving fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact did a private diagnosis which indicated electrical system malfunction. The contact was informed to start using a halo battery charger to jump the vehicle. The contact then stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH at night, the vehicle started accelerating inadvertently, and she then turned on high beams for better visibility to pull over safely; however, they failed. The contact then pulled her emergency brakes and ended in a ditch. All air bags deployed. The contacts phone and alert device did not operate. The contact was able to call her son, who called 911. The police, fire, and paramedics arrived on the scene. The fire department cut the contact out of the destroyed vehicle. There were no medical treatments on the scene. The contact was transported to the hospital. The entire driver's side of the vehicle from the front end to the back rear and the entire front of the vehicle was destroyed. The contact experienced a bad concussion and blacked out. The vehicle was towed to the wrecking yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

  22. Power train, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2022

    Started having intermittent misfires on various cylinders, specifically cylinder 3. (Code P0303) This would mainly cause the engine to stall, or idle. No accidents or injuries to report, but having a car stall out at 80 MPH on the freeway is certainly scary as hell. Just frustration and possible damage to other parts of the engine (spark plugs and some wiring). Took vehicle into local auto shop where they reproduced the problem, but informed me of TSB 20-FL-001H, which can only be fixed by a Hyundai dealership due to the ECM reprogramming and the proprietary nature of the tool to perform that. As such I have taken the vehicle to a Hyundai Dealership where, again, they were able to find and diagnose the problem, as well as determine the spark plugs were likely fouled by the known-faulty ignition coil packs. This is the third time in 75,000 miles I've replaced them.

  23. Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 4, 2022

    Bad Ignition Colis Poor Fuel Economy: if you notice that your car is getting less mileage from a full tank than normal, this could mean that you have a bad ignition coil. This takes place because, when your, spark plugs aren’t getting a certain power, the system will try to compensate by taking more fuel. Hard Starts And Stalling: the ignition needs to spark at just the right time for the engine to start and a vehicle to run. If an ignition coil is malfunctioning and not delivering the required voltage to the spark plugs, you will find it hard to start the engine. Misfiring Engine: A malfunctioning ignition coil will cause your vehicle to misfire when you accelerate. In some other cases, a misfire could cause your vehicle to shut down while you are driving

  24. Engine, Aug 3, 2022

    My car keeps stalling. I have replaced three of the four cylinder coils in one year Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

  25. Air bags, Aug 2, 2022

    activated airbag warning light on dashboard