2017 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (191) · Structure:body (118) · Steering (64)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
281 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2017-03-28 · campaign 17V213000 · 99 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic 2017-01-26 · campaign 17V063000 · 33,803 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-12-30 · campaign 16V956000 · 110 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2016-04-21 · campaign 16V232000 · 33 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (159)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · Z05 OL · Warranty Program/Extension
certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. this warranty extension only applies to factory-applied paint and does not cover collision-related paint
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-28 · 26-BD-002H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
certain hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. the paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original ret
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-28 · 26-BD-002H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
some hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. the paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Showing the 6 most recent of 159 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-24 · Engine“vehicle information: year/make/model: 2017 hyundai elantra value edition mileage: ~135,000 miles engine: 2.0l nu 4-cylinder vin: [xxx] incidence summary: engine internal failure, metallic debris/shavings found in oil, severe knocking noise, high risk of sudden engine stall/failure while driving. detailed description of the incident: while dri…”
2026-10-19 · Service Brakes“my 2017 hyundai elantra se 2.0l (outside recall 157/17v063 vin range) has suffered 7 intermittent brake failures since 06/03/2026 (~118,563 mi), involving total loss of braking power, a rock-hard pedal, and/or resistance during pedal depression. the vehicle is at temecula hyundai and available for inspection. safety risk: across 7 incidents (06/03…”
2026-10-09 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 179,942 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2017 hyundai elantra. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a dealer sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 99,546, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the title mileage was 99,498. a carfax report was obtained. during research the document…”
2026-09-17 · Vehicle Speed Control“i leased my 2017 hyundai elantra new in july 2016 and later purchased it. as of september 2026, it has approximately 77,000 miles. i am reporting two unresolved safety concerns despite repeated repairs and more than five months of seeking assistance from hyundai. multiple ignition coils have failed during my ownership. most recently, i paid approx…”
2026-09-11 · Engine“i bought my 2017 hyundai elantra se earlier this year with about 119,000 miles. it had good maintenance records when i bought it, and it now has about 128,000 miles. since buying it, i've had two oil changes done along with new spark plugs, coils, front brake pads, and tires. about two days before the engine failed, i noticed the car had suddenly b…”
2026-09-05 · Unknown Or Other“all four rear/side door latch mechanisms have exhibited intermittent failure to release the door from the interior and/or exterior handle. repeated operation or increased force can sometimes cause the door to release. this creates a potential safety hazard because an occupant may be unable to exit the vehicle through an affected door during an emer…”
2026-08-29 · Structure:body“doors are not unlocking on open from the outside both front doors from inside and out do not open unless you pull three or four times the rear doors the passenger side rear door does not open at all. it’s like it doesn’t unlock and the driver side rear door only opens if you pull a handle like four or five times.…”
2026-08-17 · Engine · 108,404 mi“the contact owns a 2017 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that while driving 50 mph, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. the contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. no warning light was illuminated. an independent mechanic was contacted…”
2026-08-11 · Engine“vehicle stalled while driving on a highway without warning. the car was able to start back up, would go a few feet and stall again. had it towed to a hyundai dealership to repair. they replaced the exhaust camshaft and timing components. they released the car, saying it was fixed. less than 12 hours later, the car stalled again while driving thr…”
2026-08-05 · Engine“car wouldn't start. makes clicking sound. mechanic diagnosed it and said timing chain is broken, valves are bent and pistons broken.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.