IllustrationTHE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE IF THE DOOR HAS BEEN LOCKED. IF THE DOOR REMAINS UNLOCKED THE DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR FINE, BUT AFTER BEING LOCKED THE DOOR WILL ONLY OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. OTHERS HAVE POSTED ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE.
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
Structure complaints
134 reportsDRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN CAR DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. WAS WORKING FINE ALL DAY THEN STOPPED WORKING. CAR WAS STATIONARY. FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND. THIS OCCURRED MONTHS PRIOR TO FRONT DRIVER DOOR.
REAR, PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. YOU CAN HEAR THE LOCK MECHANISM WORKING, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH HYUNDAIS FOR YEARS NOW. HERE'S A LINK TO A FORUM THAT TALKS ABOUT IT. HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/R…
Read full complaint
REAR, PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. YOU CAN HEAR THE LOCK MECHANISM WORKING, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH HYUNDAIS FOR YEARS NOW. HERE'S A LINK TO A FORUM THAT TALKS ABOUT IT. HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/REAR-PASSENGER-DOOR-WONT-OPEN.603329/ THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SAYS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WON'T LOOK AT IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME, SO I DIDN'T GET A REPAIR ESTIMATE.
THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUT. MY DRIVER SIDE HAS STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING. THANKFULLY IT'S STILL OPENING BUT IT STILL GOES IN AND OUT.
FRONT AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLES INOPERABLE. UNABLE TO OPEN FROM INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, BUT NOT OPEN.
THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA CONTINUE TO FALL OFF. SO FAR, ALL 4 OF MY DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF AT LEAST ONCE, MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR HAS NOW BROKEN 3 TIMES, PASSENGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKEN TWICE, AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR BROKEN TWICE. CURRENTLY 3 OUT OF 4 OF MY DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN. BEEN WAITING NEAR…
Read full complaint
THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA CONTINUE TO FALL OFF. SO FAR, ALL 4 OF MY DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF AT LEAST ONCE, MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR HAS NOW BROKEN 3 TIMES, PASSENGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKEN TWICE, AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR BROKEN TWICE. CURRENTLY 3 OUT OF 4 OF MY DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN. BEEN WAITING NEARLY 6 MONTHS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS AS A "COURTESY" BECAUSE MY CAR WITH 85K MILES IS OUT OF WARRANTY.
DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK. OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, PLACE THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK IN THE HANDLE AND TURN, OR USE THE WIRELESS REMOTE. BOTH METHODS FLIP THE DOOR LOCK INSIDE THE CAR TO THE OPEN POSITION, BUT NEITHER UNLOCKS THE DOOR.
THE DOORS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING... THEY WON'T UNLATCH IF YOU TRY TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE.. YOU HAVE TO HIT UNDER THE DOOR HANDLE FOR THE DOOR TO UNLATCH. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE AT THIS POINT. (MORE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/REAR-PASSENGER-DOOR-W…
Read full complaint
THE DOORS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING... THEY WON'T UNLATCH IF YOU TRY TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE.. YOU HAVE TO HIT UNDER THE DOOR HANDLE FOR THE DOOR TO UNLATCH. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE AT THIS POINT. (MORE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/REAR-PASSENGER-DOOR-WONT-OPEN.603329/) THIS IS HAPPENING ON 2 OF MY DOORS. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENTS NOR DOES IT HAVE ANY DENTS ON IT. HYUNDAI SAYS THEY WILL NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY (CAR HAS 65K MILES ON IT) AND THEY ARE CHARGING CUSTOMERS TO FIX IT DESPITE IT BEING A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE, THE DOOR MAY NOT OPEN TO GET PASSENGERS TO SAFETY. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WHERE IT SLOWLY DEGRADES. IT'S A SUDDEN ISSUE.
THE PAINT ON THE CAR PEELS OFF IN SHEETS. COMPLETELY BELOW THE PRIMER LAYER EXPOSING THE METAL. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER ELANTRA'S THAT SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE
WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR IT WAS BRAND NEW IT IS WHITE AND WITHIN 1 TO 1.5 YEARS THE PAINT JOB BEGAN PEELING OFF FROM THE FRONT. I USE THE CAR FOR WORK AND I DRIVE A LOT. I TOOK IN THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 4,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT BY SIMPLY WASHING THE CAR THE PAINT J…
Read full complaint
WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR IT WAS BRAND NEW IT IS WHITE AND WITHIN 1 TO 1.5 YEARS THE PAINT JOB BEGAN PEELING OFF FROM THE FRONT. I USE THE CAR FOR WORK AND I DRIVE A LOT. I TOOK IN THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 4,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT BY SIMPLY WASHING THE CAR THE PAINT JOB PEELS OFF. FROM THE TIME I TOOK IT IN UNTIL NOW I HAVE SEEN OTHER HYUNDAI CARS (ABOUT 5-7) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM; ALL WHITE. ABOUT 1 YR AGO I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS OPENING THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR. THE CAR WAS UNLOCKED BUT I COULDN'T OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AND OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IF I DON'T LOCK THE CAR I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES. IF I LOCK IT I HAVE TO PULL ON THE HANDLE ABOUT 3 - 4 TIMES. THIS IS A BIG INCONVENIENCE AND A SAFETY HAZARD. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR. I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD AND HER CAR SEAT WAS PLACED ON THE BACK SEAT BEHIND THE PASSENGER. THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WAS ON CHILD LOCK. TWO WEEKS AGO THAT DOOR ALSO STOPPED OPENING AND I CAN'T OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE DUE TO THE CHILD LOCK. I HAVE MOVED MY DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT AND IT IS NOW POSITIONED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE HER AT ALL WHEN I AM DRIVING. ALSO, I CAN'T PUT THAT DOOR ON CHILD LOCK BECAUSE WHEN THAT DOOR STARTS GIVING ME THE SAME PROBLEM (NOT OPENING) I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE IF IT IS ON CHILD LOCK. SO NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY TWO YEAR OLD REACHING FOR THE HANDLE AND OPENING THE DOOR. I HAVE DONE ONLINE SEARCHES AND HAVE COME ACROSS OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES HAVING THE SAME ISSUES OR THE DOOR HANDLES COMPLETELY COMING OFF. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE DOOR HANDLES AND POOR PAINT JOB.
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.