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. Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2021

    This is a manufacturing defect issue, not a safety issue. The paint on my white Hyundai Elantra is peeling from the undercoat on the hood. The mileage is just about 8,000 miles past the paint warranty. The car is kept in the garage and well maintained. While washing it with a garden hose, the paint quickly and easily peeled off the hood in giant chucks. I found this seems to be a common problem in many states.

  2. Electrical system, Engine, Oct 2, 2021

    Randomly stall all different times all lights will light up and coast until stopped. Down a hill and to turn it would stall. Go into 8 most serious accidents. I need someone to reach out cuz this car is not safe to drive wit kids at all

  3. Structure, Sep 30, 2021

    Rear passenger door will unlock but not open.

  4. Power train, Engine, Sep 29, 2021

    The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the camshaft and crankshaft replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

  5. Steering, Sep 26, 2021

    Steering really bad car pulls both ways on the highway makes weird noise when taking off and accelerating and car randomly dies

  6. Structure, Sep 26, 2021

    The back passenger door suddenly can not be opened from inside or outside. Huge safety issue. Just out of warranty and it seems to be a common Hyundai problem after searching. There was no warning at all. Please have Hyundai recall this severe safety problem that is affecting so many cars!

  7. Steering, Sep 26, 2021

    The steering wheel on the vehicle is loose and jagged; therefore when I turn the steering wheel it does not follow. I have to turn slowly to make the adjustment and I can hear the griding in the steering wheel system as I try to steer. I must get a repair as soon as possible fearing that the steering will stop working and cause me to veer in a dangerous direction.

  8. Steering, Sep 24, 2021

    When my teenage daughter drove our 2017 Hyundai Elantra, the power steering locked up on her while entering a busy interstate. Thankfully, she did not run into the barrier wall or nobody hit her from behind. Took it into the Hyundai dealership and apparently the torque sensor went out. They want to charge $1800 to fix it. Conveniently for them, it’s not covered under warranty as warranty stopped at 60k miles. The car just rolled over at 61k. As I researched, apparently this is a known issue with Hyundai.

  9. Structure, Sep 21, 2021

    The paint on my vehicles roof is peeling off. I’ve attached 2 photos. One of when in first started and the other is current.

  10. Air bags, Sep 20, 2021, crash

    I got into a car accident on August 29, 2021. My driver side aid bag never deployed and I found out there was a recall 2 years before I bought the car from the dealership in 2019. I ended up getting stitches on my eyebrow, and my nose needed some but it was to late by the time I received medical attention so they gave me strips and my lip was split open. I have pictures of my car and my face and the side airbags went off but not the steering wheel

  11. Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 20, 2021

    the problem is with the door lock actuator rear driver side and front passenger side, 2 doors!!! they don't open even from inside and out side when the door is locked and unlocked its so dangerous at the accident time or emergency times when the car is in fire and doors don't open from both sides when they are unlocked

  12. Engine, Sep 16, 2021

    The car is losing antifreeze. There is no antifreeze on the ground. From my understanding this has been an ongoing problem with this model of car and it needs to be a recall. I was informed that it’s losing antifreeze due to deficits in the exhaust system.

  13. Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2021

    The vehicle shuts off without warning when idle. First time it occurred I was is a drive through and I started it up after it stalled. Second time it occurred was the following day at a red light, I went to accelerate when the light turned green and the vehicle and stalled out and I had a battery warning, oil warning, and check engine light- I had just had my car serviced a week ago where the oil was changed and the battery was tested. No to mention previously on Saturday 09/11/2021 while I was driving the traction control light came on and the RPMS showed 0 and the MPH showed 0 even though I was driving at around 50mph (in dry conditions) I had to pull off to the shoulder and restart my car. I currently have it at a shop.

  14. Engine, Sep 14, 2021

    Consumes oil at a fast rate about 1.5 quarts every 1,000 miles. Car burns oil way too fast the dealership and Hyundai do not want to deal with it.

  15. Steering, Sep 14, 2021

    The steering wheel tightens up occasionally when making right turns. Also when turning the steering wheel it makes a clicking turning on gravel sound on occasion. No ESP light is on, on the dash cluster. It is without a doubt 2017 Hyundai Elantra have steering problems that need to be address and recalled.

  16. Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2021

    I have a 2017 pearl white Elantra and The paint is peeling off on my hood and my roof. The car is only 4 years old and I just hit above 30000 miles when this issue started. Even a coworker of mine who has the exact same car is having the same issue and her car basically has no paint left. Many people are having this issue and it’s disappointing that Hyundai won’t compensate their customers to get it fixed. Every time my car gets wet it gets worse it’s really ridiculous and looks TERRIBLE. Way too expensive to fix.

  17. Structure, Sep 8, 2021

    Paint is peeling off, issue has been happening to most pearl white Hyundai Elantra’s

  18. Suspension, Sep 8, 2021

    My passenger side front strut exploded, drove the shock through the hood. Very dangerous! Just happened, no warning. Schedule to take to dealer to see if covered by warranty. Car has 67,000 miles.

  19. Structure, Sep 7, 2021

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

  20. Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 6, 2021

    The rear passenger side door will not open or close

  21. Engine, Sep 3, 2021, fire

    The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 35 mph, the engine seized. The driver detected smoke and oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was pushed into a parking lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact mentioned the rod punctured the engine.The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

  22. Service brakes, Aug 31, 2021

    The brake system continually fails intermintently and is placing the driver and all passengers at risk of injury and or even death. The brake pedal stiffens not allowing pressure to be applied to use brakes. The pedal has to be pressed in aggressivly 5-10 times before finally allowing brake assist to help brake the vehicle. Once pedal begins to activate again it is followed with heavy grinding then finally almost resumes as normal with normal braking. The brake assist system has failed on almost 10 occasions on myself and has been taken in for repairs 4 times and fails to be repaired and appears to not ever be located. The recall regarding the brake booster was fixed, but yet brakes continued to fail after repair. The dealership has since taken it back in for repair and said they located leaking rear back brake pistons and repaired that. I was given car back and the next day experienced brake failure on 2 occasions on the freeway. I immediately gave the vehicle back to the dealer where it is today and they now believe it is the ABS system modular. The dealership continues to take it in but fails to locate the issue causing brake system failure. There have been no warning lamps or other issues that have relation to brake system failure. Since issue appeared first 2 months ago, I have replaced brake pads, brake fluid flush, brake booster recall, back brake pistons, and now ABS modular, and brakes continue to still fail.

  23. Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2021

    When driving on bumpy roads or a transition to a bridge on a freeway the ABS and traction control will fail. There will be the pulse sound of the ABS but no brakes and the brake pedal will go stiff and brakint will take an excessive amount of time. Sometimes letting go of brake pedal and trying again will resolve issue. There have been instances where the ABS, Brake and Traction Control Light have come on and the only way to fix this is to power down the car and restart. Also another issue is rough idle or misfire/check engine light when accelerating. Diagnostics is showing misfiring on cylinder 3.

  24. Power train, Engine, Aug 22, 2021

    Drove my car yesterday when it stalled. I was able to start it again and pulled to the side of the highway. The engine was knocking loudly. I turned off the car and called a tow truck. When hyundai received my car they told me it was the rod bearings.they initially told me id be covered regardless of warranty as its a known issue. They called me late that day and told me they won't cover it since I'm 18,000 over the powertrain warrenty. This very problem has been recalled from 2013 upto 2019. However my car isn't listed. They told me ill need a new engine which costs $6000 for parts and labor. After researching im not the first this has happened to.

  25. Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 21, 2021

    Door locks don't actually do what they are supposed to do. I found that out when my friend opened the door as a joke on a residential street a while back. When put into Drive, in motion, the locks flip to signal that they are locked but say if someone were to pull on the handle, it would still open. I checked all four doors, and they behave like this. I then compared it to my other vehicle, which did not act like this. I have yet to bring it up to the attention of my dealership. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.