IllustrationThe steering wheel locked up on my daughter making her go straight while the road turned. She ended up in the grass on the right side of the road and ended up crashing into the guardrail from behind. The stability control light was on the entire time.
2017 Hyundai Elantra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Elantra years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
800–25K
7125–50K
5850–75K
3675–100K
31100–150K
4150K+
280 reports with mileage · 486 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 289 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
37 crash reports6 fire reports19 injury reports
Steering complaints
71 reportsI was driving on the highway, operating vehicle at posted speed limit, traveling about 70mph when vehicle experienced complete power loss for a short duration of time. All electrical off, loss of braking, loss of power steering. Power subsequently returned and vehicle resumed normal operation. This is not the first time this has…
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I was driving on the highway, operating vehicle at posted speed limit, traveling about 70mph when vehicle experienced complete power loss for a short duration of time. All electrical off, loss of braking, loss of power steering. Power subsequently returned and vehicle resumed normal operation. This is not the first time this has occurred, but this episode has me concerned since I was driving on the highway this time. I understand that Hyundai has other vehicles experiencing engine problems, not sure if my vehicle is may be experiencing a similar engine part failure.
The steering wheel will not unlock
Steering wheel locks unsafe to drive. I have complained to the Towne Hyundai in Denville was told it was the left strut that was causing problem. I paid out of pocket and problem is still there. I was advised by two mechanics my car has a recall but Hyundai in Denville aand Paramus NJ will not accept responsibility. I'm afraid…
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Steering wheel locks unsafe to drive. I have complained to the Towne Hyundai in Denville was told it was the left strut that was causing problem. I paid out of pocket and problem is still there. I was advised by two mechanics my car has a recall but Hyundai in Denville aand Paramus NJ will not accept responsibility. I'm afraid to drive my car as the steering wheel locked in the past. The light for electric power steering warning light came on. Thank you.
2017 Hyundai Elantra limited. Vehicle makes grinding noise when steering wheel is turned in either direction. Dealer said it needs new steering column. I am surprised that a vehicle driven 36000, miles would have a warn steering column. It never been a in a collision or driven roughly. I have never had a steering column go bad i…
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2017 Hyundai Elantra limited. Vehicle makes grinding noise when steering wheel is turned in either direction. Dealer said it needs new steering column. I am surprised that a vehicle driven 36000, miles would have a warn steering column. It never been a in a collision or driven roughly. I have never had a steering column go bad in a car.
The cars breaks are difficult to stop, it does not slow down. The steering wheel is very stiff to turn. And my car was stolen due to Hyundai not equiping it with an immobilizer. It was recovered smashed in the front, no airbags were deploited. I have photos for proof.
Had bought the vehicle at 72k miles, and drove fine for a few months before the engine started to sound like it was roaring (like the exhaust had came undone), shortly after vehicle started stalling and dieting turning left (have video evidence of this in parking lot) did not take vehicle in to be serviced as it seemed a lot of …
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Had bought the vehicle at 72k miles, and drove fine for a few months before the engine started to sound like it was roaring (like the exhaust had came undone), shortly after vehicle started stalling and dieting turning left (have video evidence of this in parking lot) did not take vehicle in to be serviced as it seemed a lot of the time to be a one off issue but now the vehicle has lost a lot of low speed acceleration, and had begun knocking at 80k miles where it was looked at by an independent mechanic which stated that the engine was severely low on oil. Have been driving since as it is the only way for me to get back and forth to work and the problems have been getting worse to the point the vehicle will refuse to start, or just act like it’s lost a gear and is stuck in neutral
The passenger side door will not open from the outside also the passenger airbag light comes on and off by itself also the steering wheel is jerky and movement
The power steering is totally out. Very hard to turn left or right, steering locks up and shakes hard when pressing on brakes, not safe to drive due to faulty power steering system. Took vehicle to Hyundai dealer July 2022 and was told after inspection of vehicle that i needed to pay to have the whole steering column replaced. p…
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The power steering is totally out. Very hard to turn left or right, steering locks up and shakes hard when pressing on brakes, not safe to drive due to faulty power steering system. Took vehicle to Hyundai dealer July 2022 and was told after inspection of vehicle that i needed to pay to have the whole steering column replaced. problem still exist and work has not been done. Now i see that their is a recall for this very same issue, so why are they trying to charge for a obvious recall? warning lights are on as well as the traction light. The lights came on and used to go off and now they stay on continuously.
My vehicle has been experiencing this issue for a while now. At first, it showed the power steering signal but when I took it to the mechanic they said they couldn't diagnose the issue. I felt it was still safe to drive because it was a false signal. So, I kept using the car. But now the issue has become so severe to the point I…
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My vehicle has been experiencing this issue for a while now. At first, it showed the power steering signal but when I took it to the mechanic they said they couldn't diagnose the issue. I felt it was still safe to drive because it was a false signal. So, I kept using the car. But now the issue has become so severe to the point I can't use it because it may cause a crash. I didn't even know if I was gon make it home today. I took it to the mechanic (pep boys) today but they said they probably won't be able to fix it. Now it's parked at home. I do not know what to do. My car doesn't use power steering fluids, it's electrical. I hope I am the only one going through it because it very dangerous.
Official recalls
417V213000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Mar 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
17V063000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
16V956000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Dec 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
16V232000 · Air Bags:frontal
Apr 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.