2017 Hyundai Elantra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Hyundai Elantra ranks 2nd worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 95 and 767 complaints, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 40% of complaints, and the car has 4 recalls covering steering, brakes, and airbags.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Elantra years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 767
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 37
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 24
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30.5
- 27 city / 36.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
Top 2017 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine303 (40%)
- Structure & Body186 (24%)
- Other131 (17%)
- Electrical System127 (17%)
- Steering71 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain62 (8%)
- Brakes53 (7%)
- Airbags32 (4%)
- Fuel System30 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal goes to the floor or fails to respond, sometimes causing a front-end or rear-end collision.
- Electric power steering suddenly fails or becomes extremely hard to turn during low-speed maneuvers, leading to crashes into curbs or poles.
- Driver frontal airbags fail to deploy or only partially inflate during a crash, sometimes with a torn or damaged airbag.
- An unfamiliar beeping sound occurs from the dashboard with no visible warning light.
- Brakes fail intermittently, working again after the pedal is pumped multiple times.
2017 Hyundai Elantra recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V213000Mar 28, 2017Steering99 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V063000Jan 26, 2017Brakes33,803 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:hydraulic
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V956000Dec 30, 2016Airbags110 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
2017 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 36.5 MPG
- Combined
- 30.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Elantra ranks 2nd worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 95, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Elantra years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
- Engine issues lead with 40% of complaints (303 total), followed by structure and body problems at 24% and electrical system issues at 17%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2017 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Elantra covering steering (EPS connector damage), brakes (brake booster failure), and two airbag campaigns involving the driver's frontal air bag module.
- What mileage do 2017 Elantra problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 44,000 miles overall, with engine complaints at 45,500 miles and transmission complaints appearing earlier at 32,000 miles.
- How does the 2017 Elantra compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 95 is close to the worst year, 2013, which has an index of 100, while later years like 2022, 2024, and 2025 earn Best verdicts with much lower indexes.