2017 Hyundai Elantra Complaints

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/24/2026

AIRBAGS FAILED

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 04/19/2025

Component or system failed: The electrical and/or engine system failed spontaneously. Gray smoke originated from under the hood, followed by black smoke and an intense fire. The vehicle is NOT available for inspection as it was declared a total loss and scrapped 30 days after the incident. Safety risk: My safety was at immediate risk as I was inside the vehicle when the fire began. Public safety was also threatened; the Bloomingdale Fire Department had to evacuate a Wendy’s restaurant and its customers for two hours due to the intensity of the fire and smoke. Confirmation of problem: The problem was confirmed as a Total Loss due to fire by the Bloomingdale Fire and Police Departments on the scene. Inspections: The vehicle was inspected at the scene by police and fire officials. No manufacturer or dealer inspection was possible because the fire occurred only 7 days after purchase and the vehicle was destroyed. Warning symptoms: There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The smoke appeared suddenly while the vehicle was parked and idling.

ENGINE — Filed 01/13/2026

Driving on the highway in the far left lane. Check engine light came on, car stopped accelerating. Car came to a stop, car shut off. Smoke was coming out from under the hood and flames were seen underneath the car. Police and fire department arrived. Report states an electrical fire. Had car towed to Hyundai. Hyundai stated that the engine seized followed by the starter catching on fire. Car was only 2,000 miles in from last oil change. Was up to date on maintenance and safety inspection. Hyundai also stated there was a hole in the engine block. No prior issues with the car. The car would need roughly $16,000 in work done, confirmed by Hyundai. Car is now totaled. Car only had 121,000 miles on it.

ENGINE — Filed 04/01/2019

Excessive oil consumption/ vehicle dies while driving.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 11/09/2025

The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that they were informed by a family member that when the vehicle was turned on and moved into the driveway, smoke was coming from underneath the hood, where the engine was located. A while later, when returning to the vehicle, they noticed the vehicle had caught fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. The contact was unsure if a report was filed. The vehicle was towed and determined totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/23/2025

I was currently in an accident and my airbags did not deploy. My safety was at risk because I am pregnant. The vehicle was inspected by insurance representatives or body shop. No warning or other symptoms of problems prior to failure

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 04/20/2025

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a driveway, she was unaware if she was depressing the brake pedal or accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle accelerated out of control and crashed into her barn, where it came to a stop. No air bags deployed. The contact stated that she did not sustain injuries. No medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by her insurance company. The fire department was at the scene. The contact mentioned the vehicle was stuck in the barn on both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did not retract. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/09/2023

I was driving down the street, and the air bags deployed in their own. I was injured.

STEERING — Filed 07/11/2023

The steering wheel locked up on my daughter making her go straight while the road turned. She ended up in the grass on the right side of the road and ended up crashing into the guardrail from behind. The stability control light was on the entire time.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS — Filed 10/26/2022

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly over a concrete bar and drove up a hill. The contact depressed the brake pedal but to no avail. The contact steered the vehicle to the right direction to avoid entering a pool. She then crashed into multiple objects including trees, concrete parking bars, and multiple vehicles before coming to a stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was treated for injuries to her neck and back. A police report was filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it was destroyed. Parking barriers and trees were damaged as a result of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/08/2023

The cars breaks are difficult to stop, it does not slow down. The steering wheel is very stiff to turn. And my car was stolen due to Hyundai not equiping it with an immobilizer. It was recovered smashed in the front, no airbags were deploited. I have photos for proof.

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/02/2022

I hit a bus and totaled my car and none of my airbags deployed which seems suspicious.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 02/23/2022

The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the fuel warning light flickered and the radio activated and deactivated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the vehicle was performing as designed due to a satellite not being connected. On another occasion, the vehicle accelerated on its own and the brake pedal hesitated to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard in order for the vehicle to come to a stop. The vehicle was taken to another dealer due to the above failures; in addition to shuttering and jerking while depressing on the accelerator, as if it was not receiving fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact did a private diagnosis which indicated electrical system malfunction. The contact was informed to start using a halo battery charger to jump the vehicle. The contact then stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH at night, the vehicle started accelerating inadvertently, and she then turned on high beams for better visibility to pull over safely; however, they failed. The contact then pulled her emergency brakes and ended in a ditch. All air bags deployed. The contacts phone and alert device did not operate. The contact was able to call her son, who called 911. The police, fire, and paramedics arrived on the scene. The fire department cut the contact out of the destroyed vehicle. There were no medical treatments on the scene. The contact was transported to the hospital. The entire driver's side of the vehicle from the front end to the back rear and the entire front of the vehicle was destroyed. The contact experienced a bad concussion and blacked out. The vehicle was towed to the wrecking yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

STEERING,AIR BAGS — Filed 10/18/2021

The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel seized. There was an abnormal popping noise detected and the air bags deployed. The contact stated the steering was stuck in a trucker's position. A police report was filed. There was no reported crash or fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The driver sustained injuries to her hands, arm, thighs, brain, and neck and medical attention was provided. The local dealer was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 04/01/2022

Car stalled out. Parked it on should and 15-20 minutes later smoke started coming from the hood. Then fire from behind the engine.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/16/2022

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/31/2021

Often times the rear video backup camera built into the car blanks out when reversing, randomly. Dealership said it’s possibly bad wiring but would be expensive to investigate, with me on the hook for paying if they can’t locate the issue. After going two years with this issues intermittently occurring, I was able to get a new camera installed under warranty, as a way to ensure the camera itself is the issue. In the end, blanking out condition is still present. I do check my mirrors often but it’s not safe for this camera to blank out as often as it does. I’m hoping this is an isolated issue but in the case more owners have this concern I’d like NHTSA to investigate the matter and if needed, recall affected vehicles. A family member drove my car and was involved in a minor fender bender, with the family member stating that the back up camera camera blanked out a few times in a couple seconds as another vehicle entering their mirrors blinds spots (directly in back of car) came through. If the camera would’ve been working properly it’s possible my driver wouldn’t have stuck the other vehicle.

ENGINE — Filed 09/27/2021

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at 25-30MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated he saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, where he checked the engine and oil level but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated he continued to drive the vehicle, however, the vehicle would not go past 30 MPH. The independent mechanic came to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a lack of engine oil. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that they would cover the replacement of the engine based on the dealer's diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 09/27/2021

Randomly stall all different times all lights will light up and coast until stopped. Down a hill and to turn it would stall. Go into 8 most serious accidents. I need someone to reach out cuz this car is not safe to drive wit kids at all

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/29/2021

I got into a car accident on August 29, 2021. My driver side aid bag never deployed and I found out there was a recall 2 years before I bought the car from the dealership in 2019. I ended up getting stitches on my eyebrow, and my nose needed some but it was to late by the time I received medical attention so they gave me strips and my lip was split open. I have pictures of my car and my face and the side airbags went off but not the steering wheel

ENGINE — Filed 09/02/2021

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 35 mph, the engine seized. The driver detected smoke and oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was pushed into a parking lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact mentioned the rod punctured the engine.The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

STRUCTURE — Filed 01/01/2021

THEIR DRIVER'S AND REAR DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY START TO MALFUNCTION. THE REAR DOORS DON'T OPEN ANYMORE, THE REMOTE CONTROL IS WORKING APPARENTLY BUT I CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR EVEN MANUALLY FROM INSIDE. THE DRIVER LOCK DOOR NEEDS TO OPERATE MORE THAN 3 TIMES TO OPEN THE DOOR. I ALMOST NEVER USE THE REAR DOORS BECAUSE I AM SINGLE.*DT

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/16/2020

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING ADJUSTED WHILE PARKING ALONG SIDE A CURB ON A HILL. THE DRIVER PULLED FORWARD, THEN ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET CLOSER TO THE CURB, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL AND HIT THE BACK OF A PARKED SUV AND ENDED UP WEDGED UNDER THE BACK OF THE SUV. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED, BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED.

STRUCTURE — Filed 05/17/2019

APPROXIMATELY MAY 2019 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS UNLOCKED. CURRENTLY, IT HAS BEEN STUCK CLOSED FOR NUMEROUS MONTHS NOW. TO ME, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT. ESPECIALLY IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR. TODAY, 6/30/20 I STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. *TR

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 04/11/2020

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