Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Hyundai Elantra GT problems

Owners filed 735 complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT with NHTSA between Jul 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (284).

Complaints
735
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
35
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
23
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine284
  2. Structure127
  3. Electrical system104
  4. Steering66
  5. Power train62
  6. Latches/locks/linkages52
  7. Service brakes45
  8. Air bags30
  9. Fuel/propulsion system28
  10. Vehicle speed control23
  11. Exterior lighting22
  12. Suspension14
  13. Wheels14
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20167
201735
201844
201968
202087
2021137
2022127
2023109
202476
202538
20267

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

284 reports3 crashes3 fires
“The Engine stalled completely at highway speeds. It was then towed to the dealership and was diagnosed with engine rod bearing failure. Hyundai is denying the warranty extension for this engine failure based on an incomplete 'Service Campaign 966' that does not appear on the NHTSA public recall database, leaving consumers unnotified of safety-critical software updates."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2026EngineODI 11755675

Structure

127 reports2 crashes
“The rear door no longer open and the front doors need to be tugged several times before opening. This is a huge safety problem and I’ve seen many others with my type of vehicle and year with the same problem. The actual door problem is unknown. I just know they will not open and it all happened at once. I haven’t gotten into an accident or no force to prevent the door from opening has not happened. So I’m not sure of the actual problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2025StructureODI 11647375

Electrical system

104 reports6 crashes1 fire
“I am writing to formally log a critical safety and product reliability complaint regarding my Hyundai Elantra GT. The vehicle has suffered catastrophic engine failure characterized by severe rod knock. This failure occurred without any prior warning from the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic systems, exposing an engineering and sensor flaw that creates an immediate safety hazard.The vehicle was operating normally when it suddenly developed a distinct, heavy metallic knocking sound from the engine block, indicative of failed connecting rod bearings. Upon immediate inspection, the issue was linked to critical oil starvation or pressure drops.Crucially, the vehicle’s warning systems failed entirely to alert me to an issue:No Low Oil Pressure Warning: The dashboard oil pressure light never illuminated to warn of low pressure or critical oil level depletion.No Check Engine Light (CEL): The engine sensors failed to detect underlying mechanical distress, oil degradation, or early-stage misfires before the catastrophic failure occurred.Complete System Silence: The vehicle gave absolutely no visual or audible alerts on the instrument cluster, depriving me of the chance to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11737885

Steering

66 reports7 crashes
“I bought a vehicle used and it malfunctions in six days. It is a safety hazard to me the driver and other drivers on the roads. The vehicle is weighing heavy on the passenger side the car is not parallel. Also the vehicle stalls while driving. The pedal stops giving power to the car. I attempted to fix the car and the problems still persist. The mechanics said the car need shocks, struts, and wheel alignment.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2026Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11751348

Power train

62 reports2 crashes
“The vehicle has experienced ongoing powertrain and electrical malfunctions over several months. The most common symptoms include being stuck in 4th gear (limp mode), complete loss of RPM and speedometer readings, and illumination of the check engine and ESC lights. Most recently, while traveling at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of both acceleration and braking. The brake pedal became stiff and unresponsive, and the car had to coast to a stop without driver control. This posed a serious safety risk to myself and nearby traffic. These issues have persisted across multiple service visits to Ricart Hyundai in Groveport, Ohio. That dealership has replaced the crankshaft position sensor three times, the powertrain control module (PCM), and the battery, but the underlying problems remain unresolved. A technician at the dealership was able to reproduce the stalling event during a test drive. Despite that, the dealership has refused to proceed with further diagnostics unless I pay for an oil change, even though previous inspections by their own staff found no visible leaks and confirmed the oil level was sufficient at the time. They have…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11675401

Latches/locks/linkages

52 reports
“The door locks are faulty and do not allow the door to open. This is the second time the vehicle has had issues with the doors not unlocking. The first time it was my front passenger side a few years ago and I paid an auto shop to repair it as this was an immediate safety concern in case of a car accident or fire. A few months later Hyundai issues a recall and sent me an email about the faulty door locks and that they could be repaired at a Hyundai. I called to ask for reimbursement since I paid out of pocket and they refused. Now another door lock is broken, this time the rear driver side, and I have the same safety concerns as before since the door does not open from the inside or outside. In both cases, the issue was sudden and no other damage occurred to the vehicle. It's unsafe to have to drive with doors that cannot unlock from either inside or outside.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2024Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11632482
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.