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.
Of the 2017 reports, 37 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 26, 2021
Driving with no signs or dash lights came on to warning me of any issues. Car started acting like it was stalling out one morning parking it at work. Went to leave work had a very slight almost not noticeable knock sound went I started up. Car was acting like it was running harder then usually. Continued home and my car started seizing up and caused my car to stall completely out while driving on the interstate. I was a mile from home, started my car back up and continued to get somewhere safely and out of danger of the interstate. It stalled out multiple times before reaching my driveway. By then my car seized up and was making a loud knocking sound. I push the car into the garage and check the oil and there was no indication of any oil on my dip stick. Went ahead gave my car an oil change earlier then scheduled. 1.5 quarts of oil only came out and was low almost 4 quarts. No signs of leaking or using oil. No indication dash lights came on to warning me of this issue. With in 3000 mileage of my last oil change, I lost almost 4 quart of oil, no signs or lights and now I have a blown motor in my 5 year old car. This is a huge saftey concern of my, with no indication I had an issue and was stalling out on the interstate/while driving to reach a safe place to look at my car.
Engine, Jun 25, 2021
So my car has been randomly started doing this sputtering like I'm getting ready to run out of gas and feels like the car is going to shut off. Well I had a full tank of gas so I thought maybe the sparks plugs. Had them changed along with my oil. That does not seem to be the problem so once I get where I'm going and turn the car off it seems to not do it. But it will randomly happen. About every week or two and I don't know what the problem is. When I'm driving on the interstate and it happens I freak out thinking my car is going to shut off and I start to lose speed and everything and the OBD reader states that it is a misfire but that's not the case when I have brand new spark plugs in
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 20, 2021
Both driver and passenger rear doors will not open from either the inside or outside. The only way to open is to bang just below the door handle repeatedly from the outside and sometimes the door will open. My fiance has only been able to get our children out once. This seems to be a common occurrence via blogs online. This is a terrible safety hazard for my children God forbid of a crash or fire and I couldn't get my children out. There should be no questions asked about recalling a faulty door that could save children's lives.
Structure, Jun 17, 2021
Paint peeling off roof of car.
Engine, Jun 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted however, the failure persisted until the contact arrived at her residence. The contact stated that she replaced the battery, air filter, and added coolant to the reservoir. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
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.
Steering, Jun 13, 2021
There was a recall on 3/28/2017 on the 2017 hyundai Elantra for a power steering (eps motor) problem. Recall 161 I recently bought a 2017 Hyundai Elantra used. It showed no outstanding unrepaired recalls on the vin number check. However without realizing there was a former steering recall on my car i have been noticing that my car when steering to the right catches. I mostly experience this at higher speeds and while driving on the highway when changing lanes. As if it snagged on something or i have no control for a microsecond. Its happens and just as quickly goes away when i bring the steering wheel back to the left.I am wondering if the march 2017 recall and my current problem are related. Is there any way of determining if my car was under that recall and whether it was repaired or not. When recall notices on a particular car/vin number are repaired does that info get entered into a national data base . It seems very coincidental to say the least that i am experience a steering anomaly and i now find out there was a past recall for a problem involving steering. Yet i can't seem to determine if my car was repaired for such a recall in the past
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2021
The vehicle will just shut off while driving. I seen that other people with the same make and model is having the same issue. Have had the car in the dealership shop a number of times and they always say they do not know way it is shutting off and two or three days later they say they found the problem and it is fixed. But when I pick it up and drive least then five miles it shuts off. I have almost been ran into because the car have shut off while making a turn. I have even heard some people say they have been in accidents because of this issue. Something really need to be done about this model
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 8, 2021
Unknown. Car randomly wasn’t a to shut off and check engine light comes on only when gas pedal is pressed. Had taken to dealership to get fixed but it still happens
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 7, 2021
While unlocked 3 doors do not open from outside and one of the 3 occasionally won't open from the inside as well.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 25, 2021
Issue 1: The brakes are locking up when used at a high rate of speed (high-ways/interstate). When braking and running over a slight bump in the road such as where the road has buckled due to heat or due to road repair work (or other larger bumps), the anti-lock brake system will lock up the tires which will cause the car to continue traveling at a high rate of speed without slowing effectively. It has almost caused several collisions by failing to brake in time to avoid hitting the car in front of it without switching lanes. Luckily, no cars have hit the Elantra when we have had to swerve last minute to avoid a crash that would normally be avoided. This has happened on the interstate in traffic and sudden stops by cars in front of us. It has also happened on off ramps while gradually slowing the vehicle to a stop. This could cause substantial injury or death to anyone in the car. I have taken this car to the dealership and multiple car repair shops. They have not been able to determine the cause or fix the issue. There are no warnings on the car. The first few times this happened the antilock brake light came on. Issue 2: The back passenger door will not open when using the door latch from the inside or the outside of the car. The car lock functions as normal and can be heard locking and unlocking. The door will not open to be able to be fixed. Hyundai will not repair the issue under the warranty, and has quoted a high sum to fix the issue. The technician said he would have to brake the door in order to fix the issue. Other car repair shops have confirmed this is a common problem with Hyundai vehicles. The other repair shops have not been able to open the door to fix the issue. There is not a recall on the door mechanism. This has not caused any damage or injury to a person as of yet, but we have not felt comfortable driving anyone in the Elantra as the door would not open in an emergency to allow someone to get out of the car.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 24, 2021
The driver side doesn't not open from outside.
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.
Structure, May 19, 2021
My 2017 Hyundai Elantra paint is peeling off the hood and the top of the car.
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2021
WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE, THE PAINT IS PEELING ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PLACES WHERE THE PAINT IS BEGINNING TO PEEL ON THE HOOD, AS WELL. THERE IS ONE PLACE ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR THAT IS BEGINNING TO PEEL. I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PAINT CHIPPING ON THE 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, SO THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Engine, May 13, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER WHO OWNED A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEW HANSEN HYUNDAI (11344 HICKMAN RD, CLIVE, IA 50325) WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECU. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE VEHICLE HESITATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Engine, May 11, 2021
PISTON ROD BEARINGS AND MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP THE BEARINGS ARE BAD EVEN THOUGH I HAD OIL CHANGED AT DEALERSHIP EVERY 5000 MILE DURING THE FIRST YR OF OWNERSHIP AND OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AFTER THAT.
Other or unspecified, May 11, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR NO LONGER OPENS FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I DISCOVERED THE ISSUE WHILE TRYING TO UNLOAD MY CAR AFTER A TRIP TO THE STORE. IT WAS WORKING IN THE MORNING AND WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND PARKED, THE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER WORKED. THE DOOR WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT THE HANDLE MECHANISM ITSELF IS FAULTY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR AT ALL WHEN TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS OR ANIMALS IN MY BACK SEAT. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY TO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR THIS HAS HAPPENED TO I AM WORRIED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AT ANY TIME TO THE DRIVER DOOR. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR AN ESTIMATE ON THE COST OF REPAIR WITH THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW THAT I EXPECT WILL RUN ABOUT $1500 BASED ON MY RESEARCH.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 8, 2021
A FEW MONTHS AFTER GETTING THE CAR THE ENGINE KEPT STALLING THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ONLY TURN ON AFTER STALLING EACH TIME I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MULTIPLE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS THEY KEEP SAYING IT'S JUST A SPARK PLUG ISSUE. IT'S FRUSTRATING SINCE ONCE OFF THE LOT A WEEK LATER IT'S RANDOMLY STALLING AGAIN.THIS NEVER FIXED THE ISSUE. THE CAR HAS STALLED BOTH ON ROADS, ROUNDABOUTS AND FREEWAYS CAUSING ME TO NEARLY BE IN CRASHES MULTIPLE TIMES, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPS THE CAR STALLS AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAD BEEN ABLE TO START IT AND GET IT MOVING IT'S RANDOM WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS.TODAY I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER CAR REPAIR CENTER THEY SAID THE ENGINE HAD A TON OF METAL PARTICLES AND CHUNKS, LIKE THE ENGINES ON THE 2014 ELANTRA'S. THEY SUGGESTED I FILE A REPORT TO THE NHTSA AND BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS THERE IS NO WAY A ENGINE OR PISTON SHOULD LOOK THIS BAD AND THAT THE METAL PIECES LOOK LIKE THEY ARE FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. I'M NOT SURE WHY THE DEALERSHIPS NEVER CHECKED THE ENGINE COMPLETELY REGARDING THIS ISSUE THEY COULD HAVE SEEN THE METAL FRAGMENTS EARLIER. I'M WORRIED THAT I WON'T BE LUCKY ON THE ROAD NEXT TIME THE ENGINE STALLS AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND OTHERS WHEN DRIVING. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME REGARDING MORE INFORMATION.
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.
Engine, Apr 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 46 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITH THE OIL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. ADDITIONALLY, THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AND WAS EXPERIENCED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 26, 2021
37K MILES. IT STARTED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGHLY, SO WE REPLACED A COIL OURSELVES. SEEMED TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT A WEEK LATER THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A VERY SMALL EXHAUST LEAK (LIKE PFFFFFT). OCCASIONALLY, ALSO INTERMITTENT, THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD CLANKY NOISE. CAR SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING <5 MPH. OUR MECHANIC SAID THE CODE WAS FOR THE 2ND COIL, SO WE REPLACED ALL 4 & SPARK PLUGS - JUST TO BE SAFE. TWO DAYS LATER, THE SAME NOISE ISSUES RETURNED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING IN A WELL-TRAFFICKED DOWNTOWN AREA (5-10 MPH). IT DID NOT MAKE NOISE OR STALL WHILE IDLING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SAME MECHANIC, NO CODES THIS TIME. HE REPLICATED THE ISSUES BY LETTING THE CAR IDLE FOR AN HOUR, THEN DRIVING IT 5-10 MILES, IT MADE NOISES AND STALLED WHILE GOING UP A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE AT <5 MPH. HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING TO DO WITH A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE SENDING THE ENGINE OUT OF TIME, AND THE LOUD NOISE IS THE CRANKSHAFT. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS AND AM JUST REPEATING WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME. AT THIS TIME HE DRAINED SOME OIL AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS. HE SAID HE COULD LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM BUT HE WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE ENGINE AND PROBABLY TAKE IT APART. HE DIDN'T WANT US TO WASTE MONEY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE WHAT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE AND A BLOWN ENGINE. ALSO NOTED THAT THERE ARE FEW, IF ANY REPLACEMENT ENGINES OUT THERE. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I'VE HAD A TIRE SENSOR MALFUNCTION, THE RADIO/MEDIA SCREEN GO BLANK MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THE PASSENGER SEATBELT NOTIFICATION GOES OFF EVEN WHEN IT'S JUST MY CELL PHONE AND WALLET ON THE SEAT. ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES SELF-RESOLVED SO I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO GET TOO ANNOYED BEFORE THIS MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. THREE WEEKS FROM THE FIRST NOISE UNTIL THIS POINT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 18, 2021
WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SEATBELT ALARM GOES OFF AND NOBODY IS IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY FOR NO REASON.CONTINUES TO DING UNTIL BUCKLED. AIR BAG ENGAGES. OTHER TIMES IT LETS ME KNOW THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF WHEN EMPTY.
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.