2017 Hyundai Elantra: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra
On the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, the failure owners report most often is other engine problem, and the reports cluster around 60,000 miles. The earliest to appear is thermostat failure, reported by a median of 10,000 miles. Overall it scores 76 out of 100, severe risk for a 2017.
Severe risk for a 2017 — 97th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. 1,075 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 71 named failure modes on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, and the three most-reported carry 33% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other engine problem leads with 161 reports, about 4.8 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 35k to 85,000 miles.
Other body or interior problem follows with 117 reports, usually reported between 35k to 77,500 miles.
Misfire or rough idle follows with 74 reports, usually reported between 31k to 50,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (338), body (193) and electrical (93).
The mileage the reports cluster at
424 of the reports on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 42,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 57% by 50,000 miles, 88% by 100,000 miles and 99% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 2 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 18% of the dated reports.
42% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
In the order they tend to show up: thermostat failure around 10k, other wheel or tire problem around 22k, other brake problem around 22k and complete engine failure or seizure around 32k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 71. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 2 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 47 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 20 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.86, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000, misfire or rough idle at $250–$1,600 and other electrical problem at $250–$2,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
38% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other engine problem | engine | 161 | 69 | 35k | 59k | 84k | 4.8 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 117 | 39 | 35k | 60k | 77k | 3.5 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 74 | 26 | 31k | 40k | 50k | 2.2 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 61 | 22 | 31k | 45k | 72k | 1.8 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Door latch or handle failure | body | 49 | 14 | 39k | 57k | 88k | 1.5 | $250–$1,200 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 48 | 15 | 41k | 55k | 73k | 1.4 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 36 | 21 | 800 | 41k | 80k | 1.1 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 27 | 22 | 10k | 22k | 47k | 0.8 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 23 | 4 | — | 34k | — | 0.7 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Paint peeling or clear coat failure | body | 23 | 2 | — | 49k | — | 0.7 | $600–$6,000 | Low |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 22 | 6 | — | 61k | — | 0.7 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 19 | 8 | 26k | 32k | 74k | 0.6 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 19 | 3 | — | 100k | — | 0.6 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 19 | 9 | 39k | 45k | 60k | 0.6 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 17 | 2 | — | 108k | — | 0.5 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 17 | 7 | — | 88k | — | 0.5 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 17 | 12 | 7k | 45k | 82k | 0.5 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 14 | 6 | — | 53k | — | 0.4 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 14 | 12 | 27k | 42k | 92k | 0.4 | $200–$900 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 14 | 9 | 18k | 22k | 40k | 0.4 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 13 | 10 | 7k | 10k | 11k | 0.4 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 13 | 5 | — | 10k | — | 0.4 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 10 | 7 | — | 36k | — | 0.3 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 9 | 4 | — | 4k | — | 0.3 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 8 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 0.2 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 8 | 7 | — | 45k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 7 | 1 | — | 70 | — | 0.2 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 6 | 1 | — | 6k | — | 0.2 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 6 | 3 | — | 3k | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 6 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.2 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 5 | 5 | — | 25k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Tire pressure monitor failure | wheels | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $80–$600 | Low |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 5 | 3 | — | 34k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 4 | 1 | — | 7k | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 4 | 4 | — | 59k | — | 0.1 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 4 | 3 | — | 71k | — | 0.1 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Air conditioning failure | hvac | 4 | 3 | — | 40k | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Oil leak | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Overheating | cooling | 3 | 1 | — | 100 | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Transmission slipping | transmission | 3 | 3 | — | 5k | — | 0.1 | $1,200–$5,500 | High |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Dual-clutch or clutch-pack failure | transmission | 3 | 2 | — | 200 | — | 0.1 | $1,800–$5,500 | High |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 3 | 3 | — | 59k | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 3 | 3 | — | 1k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Engine knock or bearing noise | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $2,500–$9,000 | High |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 2 | 1 | — | 68k | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 2 | 1 | — | 53k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 2 | 1 | — | 145k | — | 0.1 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Engine bay fire | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $4,000–$20,000 | Critical |
| Piston, ring or cylinder wall damage | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $3,000–$9,500 | Critical |
| Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,800–$7,000 | High |
| Intake carbon buildup | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 2k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 55k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 5k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 94 | 33 | 17k | 34k | 70k | 2.8 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra draws about 32 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 95th percentile of complaint rates among 2017 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 33,803 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2017 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other engine problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that there was a strong chemical odor inside and near the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor caused headaches, burning eyes, excessive coughing, burning nostrils, a burning throat, and severe fatigue. The contact also stated that other passengers in the vehicle experienced similar reactions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The cabin air filter was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5.
The car was driving down a city street when the engine ceased while driving in front of a highway off-ramp. The car would not restart and was towed to hyundai where they installed a new engine, claiming an oil bearing failed.
Other body or interior problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 hyundai elantra. While drivng various speeds, the vehicle's trunk opened without warning on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to multiple dealers to be repaired, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 hyundai elantra. While the vehicle was parked, the trunk suddenly opened and the vehicle rolled down the driveway while the contact was inside his home. The rear passenger side wheel was stopped on a curb. The contact stated that the trunk opened unexpectedly several times prior. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failures could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 576.
Misfire or rough idle
The car was purchased as a new car with 3 miles on the odometer from an authorized hyundai dealership in june 2016. In august 2018, the car was driven for a little over 30,000 (highway)miles and was checked for the 30k-mile-service at the hyundai dealership. The day after, engine check line turned on and the vehicle began shaking heavily in both high and low speed. Although I knew that the issue was related to the engine misfire, and was able to provide a obdii scan results from autozone, but the hyundai dealership completely ignored all information I provided. In fact, they boasted about how well their "hyundai scanners" are the only scanners that can correctly scan the vehicle. Consequently, I had to make four visits to the dealership within five days in order for them to admit their mistake and fix the problem. However, now the engine is still throttling in an unusual manner at a very subtle level. I spoke to the hyundai's regional customer service manager about how this misfire could lead to dangerous situations on a highway where a driver's at a greater risk in higher speed traffic. But the response was simply advising me to…
The car was purchased as a new car with 3 miles on the odometer from an authorized hyundai dealership in june 2016. In august 2018, the car was driven for a little over 30,000 (highway)miles and was checked for the 30k-mile-service at the hyundai dealership. The day after, engine check line turned on and the vehicle began shaking heavily in both high and low speed. Although I knew that the issue was related to the engine misfire, and was able to provide a obdii scan results from autozone, but the hyundai dealership completely ignored all information I provided. In fact, they boasted about how well their "hyundai scanners" are the only scanners that can correctly scan the vehicle. Consequently, I had to make four visits to the dealership within five days in order for them to admit their mistake and fix the problem. However, now the engine is still throttling in an unusual manner at a very subtle level. I spoke to the hyundai's regional customer service manager about how this misfire could lead to dangerous situations on a highway where a driver's at a greater risk in higher speed traffic. But the response was simply advising me to…
Recalls on the 2017 model year
NHTSA has issued 4 recall campaigns covering the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, affecting an estimated 33,965 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover steering:electric power assist system, service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:hydraulic, air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module and air bags:frontal. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
99 vehicles 2017-03-28- Defect
- 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
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
33,803 vehicles 2017-01-26- Defect
- 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
- 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
110 vehicles 2016-12-30- Defect
- 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
- 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
33 vehicles 2016-04-21- Defect
- 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
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2017 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2017 sits in the model line
Severe risk for a 2017 — 97th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 30 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1998 comes out best at 60 and 2020 worst at 82, with 2017 itself at 76.
If the model year is negotiable, 1998, 1996, 2025, 2005, 1999, 1997, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2009, 2000, 2001, 2014, 2016, 2015, 2011 and 2010 score lower than 2017 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2017–2020 generation specifically, 2018 is the strongest year at 75 and 2020 the weakest at 82.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2017-2020 generation, 2018 Hyundai Elantra scores best at 75 and 2020 Hyundai Elantra worst at 82.
What to look at before buying one
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other powertrain problem from about 800, other speed control problem from about 7k, thermostat failure from about 7k and other brake problem from about 10k.
On a 2017 Hyundai Elantra with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other powertrain problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
The limits of complaint data
1,075 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 1,075 reports, 424 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 39% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported failures are other engine problem (161 reports, median 60,000 miles), other body or interior problem (117 reports, median 60,000 miles) and misfire or rough idle (74 reports, median 40,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Thermostat failure is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 10,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 42,000 miles.
Is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
It scores 76 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 97th riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2017 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Hyundai Elantra is best?
Within the 2017–2020 generation, 2018 scores best at 75 out of 100 and 2020 worst at 82. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed