Often times the rear video backup camera built into the car blanks out when reversing, randomly. Dealership said it’s possibly bad wiring but would be expensive to investigate, with me on the hook for paying if they can’t locate the issue. After going two years with this issues intermittently occurring, I was able to get a new camera installed under warranty, as a way to ensure the camera itself…
2017 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems
severe 92 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
92
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3crashes
2fires
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 92 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 92 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Hyundai Elantra in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2017 Elantra owner should be aware of two critical electrical/engine issues: sudden stalling without warning (occurring from 3,000 miles onward) and abnormal oil consumption requiring frequent top-ups with no warning light. Many owners report dealers unable to permanently fix these issues despite multiple visits.
The 92 complaints on the 2017 Elantra's electrical system paint a picture of widespread, hard-to-diagnose failures that hit owners when they least expect them. The most serious issue is unexpected engine stalling—the engine simply cuts off while driving, sometimes at highway speed, sometimes while turning. Owners report no warning lights beforehand; the car just dies. It restarts immediately, but by then you might be stranded in traffic or unable to brake or steer safely. Some owners have had this happen repeatedly at the same dealership where they purchased the car, with dealers unable to fix it even after months of visits and thousands in repairs.
Excessive oil consumption ranks second in severity. Owners are losing quarts of oil every few weeks with no warning light illuminating—the dip stick tells the story when they check manually. One owner burned through nearly four quarts between oil changes at only 3,000 miles; another's engine seized on the interstate after oil ran critically low. Hyundai's 2017 owner manual tells owners to check oil every 350 miles, which itself suggests the manufacturer knew something was wrong.
Ignition coil packs fail repeatedly, causing violent shaking, bucking, and loss of acceleration—sometimes without throwing a check engine light. Owners replace individual coils or all four at once, only to have the problem return within days. Door latches jam and lock actuators fail, trapping rear passengers inside vehicles; one owner had to squeeze through a sunroof because back doors wouldn't open. Headlights shut off while driving at night, rendering the car invisible. Battery drains mysteriously, leaving owners stranded or requiring multiple battery replacements within years. Smart junction boxes fail, locking doors randomly and killing headlights on the freeway. One vehicle caught fire while parked and idling, just a week after purchase. Throughout these narratives, owners describe visiting dealerships repeatedly, being told "nothing is wrong" or "we can't replicate it," and facing repair bills of hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Same Hyundai Elantra electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Stalling While Driving
Vehicle loses all power and shuts off without warning during operation—at traffic lights, during turns, on highways, on deceleration, or in roundabouts. Engine restarts immediately after shutdown. Multiple warning lights illuminate (check engine, battery, oil) during stall but often clear after restart. No warning lights precede the failure.
When: 3,000 to 108,000 miles; incidents throughout ownership; some reported from 2019 onward
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off suddenly with no advance warning; Vehicle loses power steering and power brakes during stall; Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously (check engine, battery, oil, 'no key detected'); Engine restarts immediately without hesitation after manual off/on cycle; All warning lights disappear after restart; Occurs at low speeds, turns, deceleration, roundabouts, stop signs, traffic lights, and highway speeds
Codes mentioned: P0014, P0301 (cylinder 3 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate issue on many occasions; some replaced alternator, battery, wiring harness, blind spot detection system, floor wiring assembly, BSD system components; diagnosis inconclusive without stored codes; one case identified metal shavings in oil suggesting internal engine damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 203 (NHTSA 21V301000) for improper piston ring heat treatment; Service Campaign 966 for engine bearing wear and lifetime long-block warranty extension (KSDS update); some customers report dealers unable to help due to lack of appointments or inability to diagnose intermittent issues.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine consumes oil at an abnormal rate with no visible leaks. Check oil light does not illuminate to warn owner despite severe oil depletion. Oil is lost within 2–3 weeks to a month at typical driving distances (1,000–3,000 miles). Owners discover low oil only through manual dip-stick checking. Some instances result in engine seizing and blown motors.
When: 60,000+ miles through 108,000+ miles; documented in 2024 complaints and earlier; oil consumption visible within months to over a year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid oil level drops every 2–3 weeks or every 1,000–3,000 miles; No check oil warning light illuminates despite severe depletion; No visible oil leaks underneath vehicle; Engine begins seizing, knocking, or clinking as oil depletes; Engine stalls on interstate/highway as oil reaches critical low; No indication lights warn owner before critical oil loss
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite cost of frequent oil fills; one owner spent $2,700 on repairs for related stalling before diagnosis; some dealers confirm 'engine is eating oil' but offer no resolution; some owners report needing to add 4 quarts within 3,000 miles; one blown engine at 5 years old with 103,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners cite expectation in 2017 manual to check oil every 350 miles (excessive frequency suggests manufacturer awareness); some owners believe Hyundai aware of issue but no formal recall cited in narratives; owners report oil consumption recall exists for some model years but not confirmed for 2017 Elantra.
Ignition Coil Pack Failure
Ignition coil packs fail causing engine misfire, rough idle, violent shaking, bucking, and loss of acceleration. Issue is intermittent and may not trigger check engine light, complicating diagnosis. Replacements of individual coils or all four coils plus spark plugs often fail to permanently resolve the problem. The problem recurs within days to weeks after repair.
When: 37,000–40,000 miles; issues documented from 2017 through 2023; recurring even after multiple repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Engine runs rough, shakes, bucks violently with no warning lights; Difficult or delayed acceleration; car cannot accelerate when needed; Engine drops RPMs while idling or vibrates during idle; Intermittent engine noise—small exhaust-like hiss or loud metallic clank; Check engine light may not illuminate despite misfire; Symptoms disappear after turning car off and back on (temporary fix)
Codes mentioned: Coil pack code (specific code not always stored; one case cited coil 2), P0301 (cylinder misfire—specific cylinder varies)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced individual coils ($cost not specified); one owner replaced all 4 coils and spark plugs; problem recurred within days; dealer installed updated coil pack style (part 27300-2E601) for $700 in one case; some mechanics noted older-style coils were substandard.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for coil packs released late 2017 (TSB or recall mentioned but specific recall number not cited); owners report dealer failed to proactively notify about recall; one owner stated mechanic claimed recall existed but online sources contradicted it.
Rough Idle and Engine Vibration
Engine idles roughly at low RPM (~300) with vehicle vibration in park or neutral. Issue is intermittent and worsens with air conditioning use. Occurs early in vehicle ownership at low mileage.
When: 5,000–40,000 miles; noticed at 40,000 miles in one case, early ownership in others
Symptoms owners cite: Rough, uneven idle at approximately 300 RPM; Vehicle vibration while parked in neutral or drive; Intermittent occurrence; worsens with A/C use; Engine sounds like it wants to die out while idling
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer replaced ignition coil; issue persisted or recurred
Door Latch and Lock Actuator Failure
Door latches and/or lock actuators fail, preventing doors from opening from the inside, outside, or both. Requires repeated pulling/pushing of handles (5–30 times) or jiggling to achieve opening. Rear doors and passenger doors most commonly affected. Creates severe safety hazard in emergency egress situations.
When: Throughout ownership; one case documented from 2020 onward; another noted recent onset
Symptoms owners cite: Doors will not open from outside handle; must be opened from inside; Doors will not open from inside handle; must be opened from outside; Both rear doors completely unable to open from any access point; Driver or passenger door requires 5–30+ handle pulls before opening; Jiggling or manipulating handle sometimes enables opening; Child lock not engaged yet doors behave as if it is
Repairs/costs cited: Door latch/actuator replacement cost $65–$650+ per door; one owner had extended warranty and received repair at no charge; one case documented under warranty extension 21-BD-006H for door latch replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension program 21-BD-006H covers door latch replacement free of charge at Hyundai dealerships; owners unaware of program and had to research independently; one owner cited lack of recall notification or manufacturer support.
Headlight and Taillight Electrical Failure
Headlights and/or taillights shut off intermittently while driving, leaving vehicle dark and invisible to other drivers. Lights may be restored by jiggling light switch or cycling lights on/off. Also occurs that lights remain on after vehicle is parked and shut off, draining battery. Problem is intermittent and difficult for dealers to diagnose.
When: Throughout ownership; one case reported over 2-year period with ~10 occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights shut off completely while driving at night; Taillights shut off simultaneously with headlights; Vehicle becomes invisible in darkness; safety hazard to driver and other traffic; Lights flicker or shut off when switching high/low beams or using turn signals; Jiggling light switch arm restores lights intermittently; Lights come on while vehicle parked and shut off, draining battery
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to isolate problem due to intermittent nature; one dealership quoted $372.84 for multifunction switch replacement (warranty expired at time of quote); one case noted new backup camera installed under warranty did not resolve related lighting issues.
Passenger Seat Belt Warning Malfunction
Passenger airbag light and associated chime activate intermittently with no passenger in seat. Light blinks and chime sounds for ~2 minutes, then stops. Issue occurs repeatedly over years with no clear trigger.
When: Over 2-year period; intermittent occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light blinks on dashboard; Associated chime sounds for approximately 2 minutes; No passenger present in seat; Light and chime self-resolve after ~2 minutes; Problem recurs randomly after intervals
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership (Fitzgerald Hyundai, Rockville, MD) stated intermittent nature prevents diagnosis; advised contacting Hyundai Motor America; Hyundai Motor America assigned case number and suggested second dealer visit; ultimately provided no solution and owner terminated case.
Rear Backup Camera Electrical Failure
Rear backup camera display blanks out intermittently while reversing, obscuring rear view. Occurs randomly and unpredictably. Warranty replacement of camera did not resolve issue, suggesting wiring problem.
When: Over 2-year period; intermittent occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Camera display blanks out (goes dark/black) while reversing; Occurs randomly without pattern; Happens frequently enough to be safety concern; Persists even after camera replacement under warranty
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership cited possibly bad wiring but estimated cost for investigation would be owner's responsibility if issue not found; camera replaced under warranty; blanking out condition persisted after camera replacement.
Electrical System and Smart Junction Box Malfunction
Multiple electrical subsystems malfunction simultaneously or in sequence—doors lock/unlock autonomously, headlights shut off, turn signals stop functioning, relay switches rapidly cycle on/off. Smart junction box failure requires replacement at high cost.
When: Throughout ownership; issues overlap with other electrical complaints
Symptoms owners cite: All doors lock and unlock automatically without input; Headlights shut off while driving; All four turn signal blinkers stop functioning simultaneously; Relay switch rapidly turns on and off, producing audible clicking in engine compartment; Multiple subsystems fail in sequence or simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Smart junction box replacement quoted at ~$2,000 by independent mechanic; factory repair cost not stated
Vehicle Fire
Electrical and/or engine system failure resulted in fire while vehicle was parked and idling. Gray smoke followed by black smoke and intense fire originated from under hood. Vehicle declared total loss; no manufacturer inspection possible.
When: 7 days after purchase (January 2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Gray smoke originates from under hood; Black smoke follows; Intense fire engulfs vehicle; No warning lamps or symptoms prior to failure; Smoke appeared suddenly while parked and idling
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed in fire; declared total loss; fire department evacuated nearby Wendy's restaurant and customers for 2 hours due to fire intensity.
Battery Drainage and Alternator Failure
Battery drains rapidly without warning, leaving vehicle unable to start. Battery fails prematurely (within 2 years or less) despite no visible drain. Alternator may also fail, compounding battery issues. Owners report purchasing multiple replacement batteries in short timeframes.
When: Within 2 years of ownership; one case documented premature failure at 2 years, second failure at ~1 year after first replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely dead after short parking period (8 hours); No warning indicators that power is draining; Vehicle cannot be jumped; battery is too drained; Battery fails prematurely (2 years old or less); Multiple battery replacements required within short timeframe (3–5 batteries per customer over vehicle lifetime)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced alternator and battery; owners report purchasing 3–5 batteries over vehicle ownership; second battery failure occurred ~1 year after first replacement.
Engine Bearing Wear and Metal Shavings
Engine develops internal metal shavings in oil, indicating bearing wear or internal damage. Accompanied by loud metallic clanking noises and oil pressure loss. Engine may seize or require removal for full diagnosis and likely replacement.
When: 37,000 miles; occurs after coil pack and spark plug replacement attempts fail to resolve stalling
Symptoms owners cite: Loud metallic clanking or 'crankshaft' noise from engine; Engine sounds like metal pieces colliding; Loss of oil pressure (suspected based on mechanic diagnosis); Engine stalling during operation or on inclines; Metal shavings present in drained engine oil
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic drained oil and found metal shavings; advised engine may be blown and would require full engine removal and disassembly for diagnosis; noted few/no replacement engines available; no repair completed; customer declined work to avoid wasting money on failed diagnosis.
Transmission or Drivetrain Shuddering and Loss of Acceleration
Vehicle shudders, jerks, bucks violently while accelerating or idling with no warning lights. Accompanied by loss of acceleration capability—vehicle struggles to increase speed. May occur after dealership service without resolution.
When: 38,000 miles; recurring issues after service
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and bucking with no warning lights initially; Vehicle will not accelerate when gas pedal pressed; Shaking/bucking occurs immediately upon ignition or during acceleration; Problem persists after dealership service; Loud metallic collision sound during shaking event; Malfunction indicator light illuminates after shaking episodes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer initially found no issues; coil packs updated under recall (late 2017); problem recurred the next day; vehicle towed; diagnosis of transmission suspected but unconfirmed; no updates provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for coil packs (late 2017) applied; owner stated they were never notified of recall despite regular dealership service.
Engine Control Module (ECM) Failure
Engine control module fails intermittently, causing violent shaking, loss of acceleration, and stalling. Check engine light illuminates and disappears unpredictably. Issue recurs repeatedly despite multiple repairs. Owners research suggests ECM is root cause, though dealership offers only software updates and component replacements.
When: Early ownership through multiple years; recurring issues documented from 2020s onward
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and lunging while driving; Check engine light illuminates during shaking episodes; Check engine light extinguishes after restart; Loss of acceleration capability; Engine stalling; Multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repairs attempted without permanent resolution; spark plug replacements, software updates, and various component replacements cited by owners as ineffective; customers warn against accepting 'new spark plugs' or 'software update' as fix.
Thermostat and Heating System Failure
Thermostat fails during cold/winter season. Replacement does not restore proper heating system function. Vehicle's heating system remains non-functional despite repair.
When: First winter season after purchase (January 2024 purchase, failure noted within months)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle heating system does not function; Inadequate heat output even after thermostat replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replaced; heating system still non-functional after repair
Headlight Lens Degradation and Cracking
Headlight lenses develop spiderweb-pattern cracking and shatter from the inside without any external damage or impact. Occurs within approximately 9 months of vehicle use.
When: Within 9 months of use; noted in recent purchases (2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Spiderweb-pattern cracking visible on headlight lens; Headlight shatters from inside without external damage; No impact or accident caused failure
Paint Quality Defects
Paint chips and peels across vehicle body including door jambs and protected areas, suggesting manufacturing or paint application defect. Occurs within normal use timeframe.
When: Over several months to 2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Paint chipping on hood, roof, side panels, and door jambs; Paint peeling from protected areas despite no external damage; Chipping/peeling occurs despite normal use
Engine Underbody Cover Deterioration
Lower engine underbody cover breaks down and disintegrates over time as attachment clips repeatedly fail and fall out.
When: Over months to year+ of ownership; one case noted recent breakdown
Symptoms owners cite: Underbody cover clips fall out repeatedly; Cover breaks down and disintegrates
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Malfunction
Tire pressure gauge warning indicator light does not function when tire pressure is low or tire becomes flat. Light fails to alert driver of tire deflation.
When: Throughout ownership; one documented case on same vehicle as engine stall complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure warning light does not illuminate when tire goes flat; No alert to driver of low tire pressure
Repairs/costs cited: One case noted tire sensor malfunction; issue self-resolved
Radio/Media Screen Electrical Glitch
Radio and media screen display goes blank intermittently multiple times, then self-resolves without intervention.
When: Recent months; one documented case
Symptoms owners cite: Radio/media screen display goes dark/blank; Occurs multiple times intermittently; Self-resolves without driver intervention
Repairs/costs cited: Owner noted issue self-resolved before dealership visit was necessary
Brake Light Intermittent Failure
Brake light on driver's side fails intermittently, going out every 6 months or so. Bulb replacement by dealership does not permanently resolve issue. Light behaves erratically—on while driving, off when brake pedal pressed, intermittently resetting when car is shut off for extended period.
When: Recurring every ~6 months; complaint filed after third occurrence within a year
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light goes out intermittently; Light may be on during driving, then goes out when brakes pressed and emergency brake released; Light remains out until vehicle shut off for extended period; Bulb replacement does not permanently resolve issue
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb replaced twice; dealer stated second replacement was installed incorrectly first time; third failure occurred within year
Relay Switch Malfunction
Relay switch rapidly cycles on and off, producing audible clicking in engine compartment. Occurs intermittently, usually at stops and idle.
When: 32,000 miles; intermittent occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Relay switch rapidly turns on and off; Audible clicking sound in engine compartment; Occurs at stops and idle, usually intermittent
Loss of Braking Power and Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle loses braking capability during operation or exhibits unintended acceleration. Brakes become difficult to engage, and vehicle accelerates on its own at stops or in stop-and-go traffic. No warning precedes failure.
When: Throughout ownership; instances documented in 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes fail or become difficult to apply; Vehicle accelerates on its own when stopped or in traffic; Unintended acceleration occurs multiple times in same outing; No warning lights or indicators precede failure
Vehicle Theft Despite Anti-Theft Software Recall
Vehicle equipped with anti-theft software from recalled security update was broken into and stolen within 3 months of software installation. Vehicle recovered with damage. Anti-theft software was either not installed correctly or ineffective at preventing theft.
When: 3 months after anti-theft software recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle broken into despite anti-theft software; Vehicle stolen with installed security software
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai anti-theft security software (Recall 993) installed per recall notice; owner questions effectiveness of software for vehicles without immobilizers.
Lights Remaining On After Vehicle Shutdown
Various lights (parking lights, headlights, reverse lights, or all lights except engine lights) remain on after vehicle is turned off and parked, draining battery. Lights only turn off if vehicle is turned back on and off again.
When: Recurring issue; one case documented three times in three days
Symptoms owners cite: Lights remain on after vehicle shut off; Lights stay on for extended periods (2+ hours documented); Lights cannot be turned off except by starting vehicle and turning it off again; Occurs intermittently and unpredictably
Synthesized from 92 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Headlight bulb continues to burn out and bulb wiring melted for some reason.
Back passenger doors will not open
Check engine lights keep coming on for ignition coils and engine keeps stalling out. This seems to be a common problem and surprise theres no recall. The engine stalling is very dangerous because of the potential to cause a traffic accident. The problem originally started in August and has continue to happen up to date. I have had close calls for a traffic accidents which is very scary. The…
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
It's a meaningful issue. 92 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 27 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 42,378. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Hyundai/Elantra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.