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
79,000 miles · Mar 14, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, he heard a rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was metal debris in the engine and, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, he heard a rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was metal debris in the engine and, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that there was an open Manufacturer Recall Campaign Number: 953 (ECM/Engine Monitoring Logic). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. Consumer stated engine blew up not too long after the purchase, in 2021. Apparently a recall was sent out in 2018 but was not an owner back then.
NHTSA ODI #11456606
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2022
Unknown Or Other
Doors stop opening. Unable to open 3 out of 4 doors. Door will not open from inside or outside. This is a huge safety concern. If you google “Hyundai Elantra doors won’t open” there are MANY people with this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11456545
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2022
Power Train
1) The transmission has a delay in shifting, and I smell burning under the hood. I took it back to the dealer where I bought it. I was told nothing was wrong with it. The problem has been coming back. The dealership was Dennis Hyuandai on Morse Rd in Cols. Oh. 43219 2) I am afraid I may have this problem on the highway some day,…
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1) The transmission has a delay in shifting, and I smell burning under the hood. I took it back to the dealer where I bought it. I was told nothing was wrong with it. The problem has been coming back. The dealership was Dennis Hyuandai on Morse Rd in Cols. Oh. 43219 2) I am afraid I may have this problem on the highway some day, as it has become more frequent. 3) Dealer claims nothing wrong with the transmission. 4) No I didn't know I had this opption. 5) No none. It has been and on and off problem for nearly 2yrs
NHTSA ODI #11455644
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2022
Electrical System
rear door actuators cease to unlatch despite being engaged from the interior and exterior handles to open while unlocked.
NHTSA ODI #11455622
102,000 miles · Mar 7, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door failed to open whenever unlocked. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #11455606
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2022
Engine
It seems that there are issues with the ignition coils. I've replaced all four coils and in about 5-6 months later, I had to replace one and a couple months later we had to replace another. The spark plugs were changed the first time when the coils were replaced. The date given below is when I had to replace the 2nd unit.
NHTSA ODI #11455011
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
My Hyundai Elantra 2017 died while driving on the highway. Started with hesitation when accelerated and died on the highway. The vehicle would not restart
NHTSA ODI #11454840
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2022
Electrical SystemCrash
While sitting at a busy red light (02/15/2022), the car just cut off. No warnings, no lights, just cut off. After several attempts, I managed to get car started. Traffic was piled up behind me. I took it to a local auto store that will run engine checks for free. No problems were found. The employee said it just registered "rech…
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While sitting at a busy red light (02/15/2022), the car just cut off. No warnings, no lights, just cut off. After several attempts, I managed to get car started. Traffic was piled up behind me. I took it to a local auto store that will run engine checks for free. No problems were found. The employee said it just registered "recharge battery". The car had no more problems that day. I did report it and was supposed to "stop by dealership" in the next few days, as this was "not a safety issue and it could be recharged quickly". The next evening, my daughter drove me to the store for some needed items. On the way back, she was slowly veering right at a yield sign and the engine cut off again. It was dark and the way the road curved, cars coming from behind us would not be able to see us. We were afraid that we would be hit from behind, causing injury to us and anyone in the other vehicle. The car would not restart. As the car was still slightly rolling, my daughter tried to veer over into a parking lot, to get us to safety. In the darkness, she was unable to see a ditch beside the entrance of parking lot and we fell straight into it, headfirst. We called for a sheriff's deputy, who came quickly. He mentioned that we were not in a safe area for "strangers". He placed his car, with his lights flashing, in the lane, near the intersection, in order to alert drivers coming near. I was told to have it towed to dealership. (I had just purchased it 12/24/2021.) Deputy did not make a formal report, as he stated their policy is to NOT do that in accidents with just one car. We had the car towed as instructed and a friend came to drive us home. This started a long, legal process with the dealership, which I can give further details on, if needed. My daughter and I could have easily been hit from behind. We could have been severely injured or lost our lives. An unsuspecting driver veering right at that intersection could have had the same fate, as it was too dark to see our car.
NHTSA ODI #11454688
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
While driving on highway the vehicle quit running and would not restart. It seemed it lost power prior to completely dying. Check engine light came on when starting and had some hesitation but started then once on highway stalled out. Paint is also coming off hood color is Pearl White
NHTSA ODI #11454617
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2022
Structure
The rear drivers side door will not open from inside or outside. The lock works when car is in gear but the door will not open!
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.
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