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
What owners actually said
766 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2024
Air BagsService BrakesSteering
When my car was stolen and crashed the whole front end was smashed in but the air bags did deploy. I saw there's several recalls on these cars, one was the airbags. I never got any recall for it and it shows there are no recalls. The brakes have problems, being that it takes forever to slow down. I have to leave about 3 car leng…
Read full complaint
When my car was stolen and crashed the whole front end was smashed in but the air bags did deploy. I saw there's several recalls on these cars, one was the airbags. I never got any recall for it and it shows there are no recalls. The brakes have problems, being that it takes forever to slow down. I have to leave about 3 car lengths ahead of me because I can't stop, it takes a while to slow it down. And the steering wheel feels stuck. I had a friend drive it and he said the same thing. It's difficult to handle and not lose control. I'm to the place I'm scared to get on the highway anymore because not being able to stop quickly and swerving all over cause it's hard to control the vehicle. I have had zero recalls tho even with me experiencing this. And the paint is coming off, but at least that won't kill me.
NHTSA ODI #11616329
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2024
Engine
2017 Hyundai Elantra SE sedan. Car starting stalling around turns and the next day engine had rattle and loud noises coming from engine. No lights to indicate problems prior to stalling out or engine issues.
NHTSA ODI #11614040
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2024
Tires
Altimax RT43 205/55R16 The sidewall in the front passenger side tire has developed a very significant bulge. I have photos to confirm. I'm extremely concerned about an imminent blowout, regardless of speed, and the loss of control, significant damage to the front-right part of the car, wheel rim, and potentially causing accide…
Read full complaint
Altimax RT43 205/55R16 The sidewall in the front passenger side tire has developed a very significant bulge. I have photos to confirm. I'm extremely concerned about an imminent blowout, regardless of speed, and the loss of control, significant damage to the front-right part of the car, wheel rim, and potentially causing accidents with other drivers. It hasn't yet been verified both 3rd parties (insurance, manufacturer, etc). I noticed it approximately 8/28/24 when a low-tire-pressure indicator came on on my dash. The tread is in good condition, and the tires have less than 20,000 miles on them.
NHTSA ODI #11613408
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2024
Electrical SystemSteering
My steering wheel locks up on me and the my check engine light flashes on as it does. I also have a steering wheel light with an explanation point beside it flashes when and before my steering wheel locks up! I can be sitting at a red light and my steering wheel locks up on me. My traction control light is also on and will not t…
Read full complaint
My steering wheel locks up on me and the my check engine light flashes on as it does. I also have a steering wheel light with an explanation point beside it flashes when and before my steering wheel locks up! I can be sitting at a red light and my steering wheel locks up on me. My traction control light is also on and will not turn off. It turned on when my steering wheel locked up and my steering wheel icon came on.
NHTSA ODI #11612895
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2024
Engine
The car engine is consuming too much oil causing the oil to run out of the car too soon. The car engine starts knocking & the car keeps cutting off.
NHTSA ODI #11612221
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2024
Engine
Original catastrophic engine failure in Sept. of 2022 while exiting the highway, was able to safely leave roadway. Determined that the motor had suffered symptoms shared with models related to Recall 203. Hyundai honored "goodwill" repair, but the repaired motor began suffering substantial and sustained loss of power with eviden…
Read full complaint
Original catastrophic engine failure in Sept. of 2022 while exiting the highway, was able to safely leave roadway. Determined that the motor had suffered symptoms shared with models related to Recall 203. Hyundai honored "goodwill" repair, but the repaired motor began suffering substantial and sustained loss of power with evidence of cylinder scoring 1 year/20,000 miles after replacement. Secondary incident occurred while merging onto highway and required evasive maneuver to avoid collision. Car is now parked and cannot be driven due to inability to operate safely on the road. Summary of events, related correspondence to repair, goodwill repair sheet, and original purchase documentation attached.
NHTSA ODI #11611065
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2024
Engine
Oil consumption. The engine eats oil and is now becoming a concern because timing is off. not to mention the numerous bills for other things going wrong now due to the oil consumption.
NHTSA ODI #11610193
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2024
Engine
The engine failed without warning! The car stalled and could not be started again. There were no warning lights or indicators that the engine was having problems. The car had fresh oil and luckily I was just completing the safety check after an oil change. Had I been on the road, this could've been dangerous. The Hyundai dealers…
Read full complaint
The engine failed without warning! The car stalled and could not be started again. There were no warning lights or indicators that the engine was having problems. The car had fresh oil and luckily I was just completing the safety check after an oil change. Had I been on the road, this could've been dangerous. The Hyundai dealership noted a seized engine with no further explanation without an extra $1000 charge. It will cost $10,000 to replace the engine that was well taken care of and only had 106, 748 miles on it.
NHTSA ODI #11609484
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2024
Unknown Or Other
White pearl paint peeling exposing metal while advancing and getting larger. Had issue shortly after purchasing the car and was addressed by dealership. Just got recall notice and VIN search showed it was covered since paint is peeling on the rear of the roof now. Different dealer but in same dealership says Hyundai refuses to…
Read full complaint
White pearl paint peeling exposing metal while advancing and getting larger. Had issue shortly after purchasing the car and was addressed by dealership. Just got recall notice and VIN search showed it was covered since paint is peeling on the rear of the roof now. Different dealer but in same dealership says Hyundai refuses to honor recall because the front part of the roof was already repainted. This was before the recall was issued and was done for the recent purchase. The safety issue is that if not addressed, the roof will rust and damage the structural integrity of the cabin. When I just did a search, NOW there are no paint recalls for my VIN after inquiring about the fix with Hyundai customer service.
NHTSA ODI #11609130
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2024
Steering
Power steering is loose or tight. It turns off while driving. Clunky sounds when it's working.
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.
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.
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.
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
1
DP22003 · 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.
Illustration