Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly over a concrete bar and drove up a hill. The contact depressed the brake pedal but to no avail. The contact steered the vehicle to the right direction to avoid entering a pool. She then crashed into multiple objects including trees, concrete parking bars, and multiple vehicles before coming to a stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was treated for injuries to her neck and back. A police report was filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it was destroyed. Parking barriers and trees were damaged as a result of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a driveway, she was unaware if she was depressing the brake pedal or accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle accelerated out of control and crashed into her barn, where it came to a stop. No air bags deployed. The contact stated that she did not sustain injuries. No medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by her insurance company. The fire department was at the scene. The contact mentioned the vehicle was stuck in the barn on both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did not retract. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I got into a car accident on August 29, 2021. My driver side aid bag never deployed and I found out there was a recall 2 years before I bought the car from the dealership in 2019. I ended up getting stitches on my eyebrow, and my nose needed some but it was to late by the time I received medical attention so they gave me strips and my lip was split open. I have pictures of my car and my face and the side airbags went off but not the steering wheel
Air bag light will not turn off so I'm not sure if the air bags work. Oil is going missing from the car causing it to suddenly shut down. It also makes the rpm's go really high (close to 5,000) when trying to go up hills or accelerate. I don't see a leak, or puddles under the car, nor black smoke.
The cars breaks are difficult to stop, it does not slow down. The steering wheel is very stiff to turn. And my car was stolen due to Hyundai not equiping it with an immobilizer. It was recovered smashed in the front, no airbags were deploited. I have photos for proof.
I was currently in an accident and my airbags did not deploy. My safety was at risk because I am pregnant. The vehicle was inspected by insurance representatives or body shop. No warning or other symptoms of problems prior to failure
For more than two years, at irregular intervals, the passenger air bag light on the front panel blinks and the associated chime sounds for about two minutes, then stops. This happens with no passenger in the seat. I have asked the dealer (Fitzgerald Hyundai in Rockville, MD) several times to look into this. My concern is that if the air bag alarm cannot be trusted when there is no passenger, how can it be trusted to work when it needs to? This seems to me to be an unsafe condition. The dealership stated that since the problem occurs intermittently, they cannot determine a cause, and advised me to contact Hyundai Motor America and would likely meet with a representative. I contacted the company in July, and was designated Case No. [redacted]. Over the next two months, in several email communications with "[redacted]," I was informed that I should take the car to another dealer. …
When my car was stolen and crashed the whole front end was smashed in but the air bags did deploy. I saw there's several recalls on these cars, one was the airbags. I never got any recall for it and it shows there are no recalls. The brakes have problems, being that it takes forever to slow down. I have to leave about 3 car lengths ahead of me because I can't stop, it takes a while to slow it down. And the steering wheel feels stuck. I had a friend drive it and he said the same thing. It's difficult to handle and not lose control. I'm to the place I'm scared to get on the highway anymore because not being able to stop quickly and swerving all over cause it's hard to control the vehicle. I have had zero recalls tho even with me experiencing this. And the paint is coming off, but at least that won't kill me.
The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel seized. There was an abnormal popping noise detected and the air bags deployed. The contact stated the steering was stuck in a trucker's position. A police report was filed. There was no reported crash or fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The driver sustained injuries to her hands, arm, thighs, brain, and neck and medical attention was provided. The local dealer was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Car was involved in a left frontal/undercarriage accident after being run off the interstate by an inattentive driver. Vehicle was travelling at approximately 40mph upon impact with a large drain grate in a pothole. Impact should have been sufficient enough to deploy the frontal airbags. Side curtain airbags deployed, front airbags did not. Vehicle was deemed a total loss. No major injuries occurred, only minor bruising and burns as a result of side curtain air bag deployment. Driver and two children were inside the vehicle upon impact, all properly restrained by seat belts. Police report was filed. Emergency medical and fire were dispatched as well. Accident occurred on interstate 95 s, in savannah, ga.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal
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.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the model year's 795 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-956 (inflator module, Dec 30, 2016); NHTSA recall 16V-232 (frontal, Apr 21, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.