Reliable Auto DB

2017 Hyundai Elantra reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has 767 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 51 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Elantra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Electric power steering, Hydraulic, and Inflator.

2012 Hyundai Elantra
Photo by SsmIntrigue, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

767

Per year

51

Recalls

4

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (290 of 767), then Structure (134) and Electrical system (111). Those filings include 37 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 19 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Elantra has 292 complaints, 20 per year, and the 2018 has 282 complaints, 22 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Hyundai Elantra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall Electric power steering 2017-03-28 · NHTSA campaign 17V213000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall hydraulic brakes, power assist, hydraulic 2017-01-26 · NHTSA campaign 17V063000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2016-12-30 · NHTSA campaign 16V956000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall air bags, frontal 2016-04-21 · NHTSA campaign 16V232000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (767 total)

Engine
290
Structure
134
Electrical system
111
Steering
71
Powertrain
62
Latches, locks, and linkages
53
Service brakes
44
Air bags
32
Fuel and propulsion system
27
Speed control
24
Exterior lighting
23
Wheels
14
Suspension
12
Electronic stability control (ESC)
9
Seat belts
8
Visibility and wipers
7
Tires
5
Engine and engine cooling
4
Forward collision avoidance
3
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Hydraulic brakes
2
Lane departure
2
Seats
2
Visibility
2
Air brakes
1
Back-over prevention
1
Show 18 more Show less
Crash-flagged

37

Fire-flagged

6

Injury reports

19

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

72016352017442018672019852020128202112520221072023752024592025352026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-09-17
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-11
  • "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.…"
    Structure, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-05
  • "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…"
    Structure · filed 2026-08-29
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off and…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Early Release 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD Later Release 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Elantra 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 26 33 29 MPG $2250
Elantra 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 28 37 32 MPG $2050
Elantra 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 22 30 25 MPG $2600
Elantra 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 32 40 35 MPG $1850
Elantra 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 26 36 29 MPG $2250
Elantra GT 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 32 27 MPG $2400
Elantra GT 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 24 32 27 MPG $2400
Elantra SE 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 29 38 33 MPG $1950

Specs and fitment

6th generation (AD), 2017–2020
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L Nu; 1.4L turbo where equipped) , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 205/55R16 to 225/40R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 21V301000. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Hyundai Elantra Next year 2018 Hyundai Elantra See every Hyundai Elantra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has 767 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 51 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Elantra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Electric power steering, Hydraulic, and Inflator.

What are common problems with a 2017 Hyundai Elantra?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (290 of 767), then Structure (134) and Electrical system (111). Those filings include 37 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 19 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Elantra has 292 complaints, 20 per year, and the 2018 has 282 complaints, 22 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Hyundai Elantra been recalled?

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 767 complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Hyundai Elantra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is 29.6 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Elantra take?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.8L and 2.0L per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-769 cover on the Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA campaign 17V769000.

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?

5th generation (MD) (2012-2016).