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
7,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PICKING UP SPEED RPMS JUMPING AND FEELING LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO GO. THIS STARTED AT 7,000 MILES AND I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IT HAS BEEN IN OVER 8 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR OR THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS N…
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I HAVE A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PICKING UP SPEED RPMS JUMPING AND FEELING LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO GO. THIS STARTED AT 7,000 MILES AND I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IT HAS BEEN IN OVER 8 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR OR THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOT THROWING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THEY WONT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY, OR I'M NOT USING A HYUNDAI APPROVED GAS STATION SO THIS IS WHY I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, NOW AT 29,000 MILES STILL HAVING PROBLEMS ITS THE WORST ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC.NOW I WENT TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AND FOUND OUT I WAS LOW ON 2 QUARTS OF OIL AND MY SPARK PLUGS HAVE OIL ON THEM ONCE AGAIN THE CAR HAS TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS MADE FULLY AWARE OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THE ENGINE GOES. I JUST REALLY HOPE I'M NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AT THE BEGIN OF THE YEAR I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP MY HEAT WOULD DROP AND BECOME LUKE WARM IT HAS NOW BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL HYUNDAI VEHICLES DO THIS. MY HEAT IS DROPPING AT LEAST 58 DEGREES WHEN IDLING AND MY WINDOW IS HAVING A HARD TIME DEFROSTING UNLESS I'M DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329265
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
I EXPERIENCED THE CAR IDLING ROUGH WHILE IN PARK AND SOUNDING LIKE IT WANTED TO DIE OUT. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED AN IGNITION COIL.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST CAME ON AGAIN YESTERDAY...TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AGAIN. THIS WILL THE 2ND TIME TO HAVE IT FIXE…
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I EXPERIENCED THE CAR IDLING ROUGH WHILE IN PARK AND SOUNDING LIKE IT WANTED TO DIE OUT. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED AN IGNITION COIL.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST CAME ON AGAIN YESTERDAY...TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL AGAIN. THIS WILL THE 2ND TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED ON MY 2017.SEEMS LIKE HYUNDAI VEHICLES HAVE A TON OF ISSUES WITH IGNITION COILS. AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK IT VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPEED STARTED TO DECREASED. I REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI CORPORATION ABOUT REPLACEMENT VEHICLE . I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE FAULTY IGNITION COILS.
NHTSA ODI #11328814
41,000 miles · Jun 14, 2020
Engine
THE ENGINE STARTED ROUGH IDLING PERIODICALLY (ONCE PER WEEK) AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR (2020). RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD USUALLY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD USUALLY HAPPEN AFTER COMING TO A STOP AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING. HOWEVER IT BEGAN HAPPENING WITH MORE FREQUENCY IN APRIL TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES PE…
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THE ENGINE STARTED ROUGH IDLING PERIODICALLY (ONCE PER WEEK) AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR (2020). RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD USUALLY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD USUALLY HAPPEN AFTER COMING TO A STOP AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING. HOWEVER IT BEGAN HAPPENING WITH MORE FREQUENCY IN APRIL TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY. THE ISSUE CAME TO THE HEAD THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY WHEN THE CAR STALLED AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STREET LIGHT. THIS TIME IT WAS AFTER ONLY MINIMAL CITY-STREET DRIVING. I HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND START THE CAR AGAIN, AFTER WHICH IT WORKED WITHOUT ISSUE. HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC SAME DAY AND THEY SAID THE CODE INDICATED A MISFIRE. THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE IGNITION COIL FOR THE CYLINDER THAT MISFIRED. THE FREQUENCY OF THE ISSUE DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER THIS REPAIR, BUT IT'S STILL ROUGH IDLING ABOUT ONCE PER WEEK. I DECIDED TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM BEFORE HAVING MORE WORK DONE AND HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE CAR HAS 41000 MILE ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11328745
32,000 miles · Jun 11, 2020
Structure
MY FRONT DRIVERS DOOR AS WELL AS MY BACK PASSENGER DOOR DO NOT OPEN ONCE UNLOCKED. THE FRONT ONE ONLY OPENS WITH YOU PULL THE HANDLE A BUNCH OF TIMES THE BACK PASSENGER ONE DOESN'T OPEN WHATSOEVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328436
60,000 miles · May 29, 2020
Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD LIKE METAL FALLING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD LIT UP, THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND STARTED TO SMOKE THEN TURNED OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PISTON FROM THE ENGINE SHOT THREW THE OIL PAN CAUSING THE ENGINE OIL TO POUR OUT AND THE CAUSIN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD LIKE METAL FALLING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD LIT UP, THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND STARTED TO SMOKE THEN TURNED OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PISTON FROM THE ENGINE SHOT THREW THE OIL PAN CAUSING THE ENGINE OIL TO POUR OUT AND THE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326453
68,000 miles · May 6, 2020
EnginePower Train
MY 2017 ELANTRA LOST POWER AND DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11323520
40,430 miles · May 3, 2020
Structure
DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH KEY FOB OR INSIDE HANDLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY PARKING LOT.
NHTSA ODI #11323127
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
CAR ENGINE SMELLS LIKE IT'S BURNING
NHTSA ODI #11323118
75,000 miles · Apr 30, 2020
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WAS FIRM. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENE MESSER HYUNDAI (4025 W LOOP 289, LUBBOCK, TX 79407) HOWEVER, THE MEC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WAS FIRM. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENE MESSER HYUNDAI (4025 W LOOP 289, LUBBOCK, TX 79407) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V063000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11322827
35,000 miles · Apr 19, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringCrashInjury
YES I HAD BOUGHT A USED 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEI THEY NEVER INFORMED ME OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR BLEW UP BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WERE STICKING BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DEFECT THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR THE SECOND MOTOR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING GETTING STUCK AND SHAKING THE STEERING…
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YES I HAD BOUGHT A USED 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEI THEY NEVER INFORMED ME OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR BLEW UP BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WERE STICKING BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DEFECT THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR THE SECOND MOTOR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING GETTING STUCK AND SHAKING THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP SOMETIMES WHERE I COULD NOT EVEN STEER OR IT WAS HARD TO STEER WHY EVEN WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY DID NOT INFORM ME OF RECALLS WHEN I TALK TO THE CAR BACK AND HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED THEY STILL DID NOT INFORM ME OF ANY RECALLS THESE THINGS COST ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND TOTALED MY VEHICLE
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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