Research · Midsize Cars

2017 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 770 owner complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve engine (291) and structure (134). The EPA rates it 25–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–35mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2017
Owner complaints
770
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Mar 28, 2017NHTSA 17V213000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 26, 2017NHTSA 17V063000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 30, 2016NHTSA 16V956000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

770 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine291
  2. Structure134
  3. Electrical system112
  4. Steering71
  5. Power train62
  6. Latches/locks/linkages53
  7. Service brakes45
  8. Air bags32
  9. Fuel/propulsion system27

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

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
37
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
24
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

291 reports4 crashes5 fires
“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: While driving home, the vehicle began producing a loud, severe metallic knocking noise from the engine compartment. The engine continued running, but the noise persisted throughout the trip. Upon inspecting the vehicle, a certified mechanic removed the engine oil and discovered a significant amount of metallic debris and metal shavings inside the oil pan, indicating severe internal engine component wear (connecting rod bearing / crankshaft failure). The mechanic advised that the engine is at immediate risk of seizing or experiencing complete catastrophic failure. Safety Risk: A sudden engine failure or seizure while driving on a highway or at high speeds creates a critical safety hazard, as it can cause an immediate loss of power, loss of power steering/braking assistance, and significantly increase the risk of a crash or rear-end…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026EngineODI 11773388

Structure

134 reports2 crashes
“All four rear/side door latch mechanisms have exhibited intermittent failure to release the door from the interior and/or exterior handle. Repeated operation or increased force can sometimes cause the door to release. This creates a potential safety hazard because an occupant may be unable to exit the vehicle through an affected door during an emergency. The manufacturer has previously issued an extended warranty/TSB addressing this latch failure, but the vehicle is now beyond the 10-year extension period.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2026Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11762346

Electrical system

112 reports6 crashes2 fires
“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 the documents indicated that the mileage was 179,942. The dealer and title location were contacted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Electrical systemODI 11770046
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM7) · Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
324035$1,850256
Elantra SE
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293833$1,950272
Elantra
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283732$2,000282
Elantra
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263329$2,200305
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263629$2,200301
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550356
  • Elantra
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    32 city · 40 hwy · $1,850/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra SE
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    26 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Later Release
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Overall
4 / 5
Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Early Release
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 11835Vehicle 11377
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Hyundai Elantra have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 770 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (291), structure (134), electrical system (112). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Hyundai Elantra at 25–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Hyundai Elantra 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026