2017 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Value Edition Mileage: ~135,000 miles Engine: 2.0L Nu 4-Cylinder VIN: [XXX] Incidence Summary: Engine internal failure, metallic debris/shavings found in oil, severe knocking noise, high risk of sudden engine stall/failure while driving. Detailed Description of the Incident…Owner complaint, filed 2026

I bought my 2017 Hyundai Elantra SE earlier this year with about 119,000 miles. It had good maintenance records when I bought it, and it now has about 128,000 miles. Since buying it, I've had two oil changes done along with new spark plugs, coils, front brake pads, and tires. About two days before the engine failed, I noticed the car had…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (128), Doors: latch (40).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Doors are not unlocking on open from the outside both front doors from inside and out do not open unless you pull three or four times the rear doors the passenger side rear door does not open at all. It’s like it doesn’t unlock and the driver side rear door only opens if you pull a handle like four or five times.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Both passenger-side doors won't open without tugging on the handle when unlocking them. The front seat passenger door opens from the inside but has trouble opening from the outside. The backseat passenger does not open from the inside at all and has a hard time opening from the outside. Once we get the door open and the car remains…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 99,546, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the title mileage was 99,498. A Carfax report was obtained. During research…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 179,942 miles

There was a recall Electronic Power Steering (EPS) motor connector that was being done for 2017 hyundai elantras and my car is affected by it. Hyundai is saying my car is not affected by the recall that they put out for this issue.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving and turning, the car loses power steering. This has happened multiple times to my wife at lower driving speeds. These disconcerting safety incidents have randomly occurred without warning since the first week of May. The incident was first reported and taken to the Hyundai dealership on May 6th. The dealer looked at the car…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 18,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The ignition coil in my 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited has failed multiple times over the past several years. This recurring issue has caused the vehicle to malfunction unexpectedly…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The clutch/transmission clunks or jerks randomly when accelerator is pressed to gain speed, from stop or passing, in any drive mode. Believe this has been going on the past several years.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2017 Hyundai Elantra SE 2.0L (outside Recall 157/17V063 VIN range) has suffered 7 intermittent brake failures since 06/03/2026 (~118,563 mi), involving total loss of braking power, a rock-hard pedal, and/or resistance during pedal depression. The vehicle is at Temecula Hyundai and available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Across 7…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Was traveling at 5mph in traffic. Pressed the brake to stop, and my car kept rolling. I pressed the foot pedal brake many many times without stopping. I pulled the emergency brake and I still didn’t stop. I came to rest on the back bumper of a semi truck in front of me.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The passenger airbag is not activating reliably. There was not an accident but the light indicating airbage is active does not light up when passenger sits in front.Owner complaint, filed 2026

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 failureOwner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal whistling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was fractured and…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 15,000 miles

It has happened multiple times over the years that when I press the gas pedal to go, the car does not go or does not accelerate. Several times it has happened when attempting to make a left turn. So the car goes enough to get me in the way of the intersection but not very fast so I have been nervous that I might get hit. Generally…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Hi, Over the course of the 8 years I have owned this vehicle. The brake lights have needed to be replaced multiple times on multiple areas. This is a common issue that there’s entirely Facebook and Reddit pages dedicated to because of the known faulty harness issues. It is an incredibly expensive repair and these parts should be recalled…Owner complaint, filed 2025

In front of vehicle there are side marker park lights and in center there are 2 park light turn signal combinations. Drivers side park lamp in center works passenger side does not inside headlight assembly on passenger side there is not a power feed wire on original or [VIN] for the park light circuit. Drivers side does have this wire.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

While trying to increase speed to get on highway the rpm increased but my car would not speed up. Has happened on several occasions.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 31,000 miles

I leased my 2017 Hyundai Elantra new in July 2016 and later purchased it. As of September 2026, it has approximately 77,000 miles. I am reporting two unresolved safety concerns despite repeated repairs and more than five months of seeking assistance from Hyundai. Multiple ignition coils have failed during my ownership. Most recently, I…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

I have a 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport and I do not put excessive miles on my car, I do not drive hard and I do not beat on my car. Today my father pointed out that one my tires appeared to have "DRY ROT." and he said that tire is dangerous and needs to replaced. Then I told him my other tires also had the same cracking or dry rot on them.…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driver side strut popped through housing, and penetrated front hood. Confirmed by Hyundai dealer on 10 April 2023, and also confirmed by another mechanic - which will make the repair, on 10 April 2023. No warning lamps. Alerted by rattling/rubbing/popping noise that occurred soon after taking the car to a Hyundai dealer in Springfield…Owner complaint, filed 2023

My passenger side front strut exploded, drove the shock through the hood. Very dangerous! Just happened, no warning. Schedule to take to dealer to see if covered by warranty. Car has 67,000 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 29,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

A few weeks ago I had to brake really hard when stopping and I noticed that my seat belt didn't lock. I have tested the seat belts a few times since then and both the driver and passenger seat belts did not lock any of the times.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 115,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the driver's seat belt failed to retract and lock into position. The dealer and [VIN] were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 66,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driving at 70mph, another vehicle that is sitting on the grass on the side of the road decides to pulls out in front of me as I'm approaching(no warnings occurred from the collision assist system). I swerved to avoid the other vehicle and then he decides to pull into the lane that I'm trying to get into to avoid him. I break hard but not…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Receiving intermittent warnings to check Automatic Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning System, and Automatic High Beam Light System. All three warnings occur together and happen intermittently while driving. Problem may or not begin when first start driving. The problem will also seem to rectify itself after a period of time…Owner complaint, filed 2023