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
72,388 miles · Jan 12, 2020
Electrical System
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE FAILED PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM BEING OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE LOCKS WILL NOT DISENGAGE. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ANY REAR PASSENGERS ARE FORCED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HYUNDA…
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THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE FAILED PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM BEING OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE LOCKS WILL NOT DISENGAGE. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ANY REAR PASSENGERS ARE FORCED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES AND CAN COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR A PART THAT IS NOT GENERALLY CONSIDERED CONSUMABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11298874
90,000 miles · Jan 10, 2020
Engine
MY 2017 HYUNDAI ELENTRA 2.0 LOSE POWER AND START JACKING. I WAS TOLD TO CHANGE COILS AND STARK PLUGS. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY. I CHANGE THEM IN MAY 2019. MY CAR STARTED JACKING AGAIN THIS MONTH. I BROUGHT NEW STARK PLUGS FROM HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TODAY.
NHTSA ODI #11298472
37,300 miles · Jan 7, 2020
Structure
2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA; THE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY ON THE ROOF AND, HOOD AND FRONT BUMPER.
NHTSA ODI #11297601
80,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Structure
LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN USING EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HANDLE. DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS OFF BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN USING EITHER HANDLE. HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR AFTER STOPPING. ALL THE DOORS UNLOCK BUT ONLY THE LEFT REAR ONE WILL NOT OPEN. IF YOU HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR BY THE…
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LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN USING EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HANDLE. DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS OFF BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN USING EITHER HANDLE. HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR AFTER STOPPING. ALL THE DOORS UNLOCK BUT ONLY THE LEFT REAR ONE WILL NOT OPEN. IF YOU HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR BY THE HANDLE WITH YOUR PALM THE DOOR WILL UNLOCK AFTER A FEW TRIES, VERY STRANGE. WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE DURING AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY WITH A CAR SEAT OR PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET THEM OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11292057
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CAR IS SHAKING HEAVILY AT IDLE, NO CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO ONE WILL DIAGNOSE, TURNED AWAY BY DEALERSHIP. WHEN TURNING CAR WILL STALL MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THIS IS UNSAFE AND DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME AND I AM TURNED AWAY. I'M STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY…
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2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CAR IS SHAKING HEAVILY AT IDLE, NO CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO ONE WILL DIAGNOSE, TURNED AWAY BY DEALERSHIP. WHEN TURNING CAR WILL STALL MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THIS IS UNSAFE AND DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME AND I AM TURNED AWAY. I'M STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. I MAINTAIN IT UP TO MANUFACTURER STANDARDS. TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKY AND NOT WORKING WELL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO CODES. DEALERSHIP AND OTHER MECHANICS WILL NOT LOOK INTO ISSUES. TRANSMISSION IS SEALED SYSTEM BUT IS IN NEED OF FLUID CHANGE. FLUID IS DIRTY AND FILLED WITH METAL AT 55,000 MILES. OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF SAME ISSUE AT 35000 MILES. DEALERSHIPS SAY THIS IS A LIFETIME SYSTEM AND DOES NOT NEED SERVICE. THIS CAR IS STARTING TO SEEM UNSAFE. THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON HYUNDAI FORUMS TO THIS NATURE SHOULD REFLECT SOME NEED TO MAKE THE CAR NOT DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11291744
70,000 miles · Dec 24, 2019
Steering
STEERING WHEEL IS GETTING HARD TO TURN AT TIMES. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS STICKING WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #11291076
76,000 miles · Dec 20, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
BACK PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN
NHTSA ODI #11290373
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2019
Unknown Or Other
PUSH BUTTON START GETS STUCK
NHTSA ODI #11289898
50,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System
BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALER SHIP WITH 40,000 MILES IT NOW HAS 70,000 MILES IN BETWEEN 40K & 70K IT'S BEEN SHAKING LOSS OF POWER NO ACCELERATION HORRIBLE ON FUEL .. I'VE CHANGE SPARK PLUGS IGNITION COIL MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND STILL GIVES ME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STILL SAYING P304 WHICH IS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 4 I JUST DON'T…
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BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALER SHIP WITH 40,000 MILES IT NOW HAS 70,000 MILES IN BETWEEN 40K & 70K IT'S BEEN SHAKING LOSS OF POWER NO ACCELERATION HORRIBLE ON FUEL .. I'VE CHANGE SPARK PLUGS IGNITION COIL MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND STILL GIVES ME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STILL SAYING P304 WHICH IS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 4 I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE HYUNDAI WANT A TO CHARGE ME TO TAKE IT IN DIAGNOSED IT AND I JUST DON'T HAVE THE CASH FOR THIS CAR PLEASE HELP IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING ELSE BOUT THIS CAELR THANKS
NHTSA ODI #11289202
41,000 miles · Dec 12, 2019
Engine
MY VEHICLE IS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 41,000 MILES. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. ON DECEMBER 3RD, 2019, I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE CAR APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. AS MY FOOT WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, AND THE RPM NEEDLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE AROUND. I PULLED MY VEHICLE OFF TO THE …
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MY VEHICLE IS A 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 41,000 MILES. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. ON DECEMBER 3RD, 2019, I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE CAR APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. AS MY FOOT WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, AND THE RPM NEEDLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE AROUND. I PULLED MY VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. AT THIS POINT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT OPEN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON, SO I DECIDED TO WAIT TILL THE MORNING TO CONTACT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. AS I DROVE HOME, I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. I PULLED THE CAR INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND LEFT IT THERE OVERNIGHT. THE HYUNDAI SHOP KEPT MY VEHICLE TWO DAYS. THEY GAVE ME A LOANER CAR FOR THE SECOND DAY, SO I DID NOT MISS ANOTHER DAY AT WORK. THEY STATED THE ISSUE WAS 'FAULTY IGNITION COILS' AND REPLACED THE WIRES. IT WAS COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURES WARRANTEE THANKFULLY. TODAY, DECEMBER 12TH, I GOT IN MY VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN I STARTED IT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AND I CALLED THE MAINTENANCE SHOP. THEY HAD A LOANER FOR ME WAITING, AND I AM NOW WAITING TO HEAR WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT THIS TIME. I HAVE PUT ON APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN THE LAST 4 DAYS.
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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