2017 Hyundai Elantra Headlight Problems

23 owners have reported lights problems with the 2017 Hyundai Elantra to NHTSA — 3% of all 795 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 36,000 miles. That ranks #6 of 29 Elantra model years for headlight complaints (a typical year has 9). No headlight recall has been issued for this model year.

23complaints
36ktypical miles
0related recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    431%
  • 25k–50k
    323%
  • 50k–75k
    323%
  • 75k–100k
    215%
  • 100k–150k
    18%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

When driving at night, sometimes the headlights and taillights will shut off leaving the car totally in the dark. This is a SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE as you can no longer see the road and other cars cannot see you. The problem appears to possibly be associated with the light switch, as you can jiggle it and get the lights back on. Also related to this problem of the lights shutting off is the fact that occasionally the lights will come on long after the car has been parked in the garage, which tends to drain the battery. After experiencing this problem, I checked the internet and found numerous other cases of Hyundai Elantra owners reporting the exact same symptoms, so it seems to be a somewhat generic problem. Hyundai's service department has been unable to isolate the problem on my car. The problem happens randomly and is infrequent but serious when it happens. …

Oct 2022

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The low beam headlights- 2017 Hyundai Elantra Value Edition How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - The low beam headlights on the vehicle need to be replaced every 3-6 months. Most recently both headlights went out at the same time while driving in the dark. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have a service appointment requested but the vehicle has not yet been inspected. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not at this time Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The warning light on my dashboard appeared as the headlights went out. no prior warning signs

Nov 2020

I was driving on the highway, operating vehicle at posted speed limit, traveling about 70mph when vehicle experienced complete power loss for a short duration of time. All electrical off, loss of braking, loss of power steering. Power subsequently returned and vehicle resumed normal operation. This is not the first time this has occurred, but this episode has me concerned since I was driving on the highway this time. I understand that Hyundai has other vehicles experiencing engine problems, not sure if my vehicle is may be experiencing a similar engine part failure.

Jul 2023

Hi, Over the course of the 8 years I have owned this vehicle. The brake lights have needed to be replaced multiple times on multiple areas. This is a common issue that there's entirely Facebook and Reddit pages dedicated to because of the known faulty harness issues. It is an incredibly expensive repair and these parts should be recalled as they are a known issue. My service guys know it. Every Hyundai owner knows it. And even random Facebook/redditors know it.

Jul 2025

Receiving intermittent warnings to check Automatic Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning System, and Automatic High Beam Light System. All three warnings occur together and happen intermittently while driving. Problem may or not begin when first start driving. The problem will also seem to rectify itself after a period of time then begin to cycle again several minutes or hours later. Will occur at any speed or while idling.

Mar 2023

My car has been stalling shortly after purchasing when slowing down and turning. Then it started stalling on the freeway which is a safety big time issue multiple times. Dealership spoke of maintenance they said it needed. They changed a part and parts on my car has been changed multiple times it doesn't make since.

Nov 2023

After driving the vehicle at night and turning the engine off certain exterior lighting components would not shut off. Turn signals and reverse lights and brake lamps we stuck in a static on position even when not being activate by turn signal switch or brake pedal being depressed

Nov 2023

My car was parked and all of a sudden I noticed the headlights and tail lights turned on. There was an incident where I live that the fire alarm went off in the apartment building and I just happened to be standing outside and my car's exterior lights turned on by themselves. I had my key and I tried to turn off the car remotely, but the lights would not shut off. I had to go to my car, turn it on, and then shut it off. The same thing happened again the next day about the same time around 11 p.m. I did the same thing. Turned the car on and off and then shut it off and used the key remote to lock it. What is worse, while I was driving at night, I had my right blinker on to make a right turn, and I noticed the head lamps completely went dark when I turned and I didn't do anything, the head lights came back on by themselves. This is a very dangerous situation to be in. …

0 miles · Jul 2019

The check oil light never came on, it's a malfunction. The was no oil in the car, I have regular oil changes, but the engine ceased due to lack of oil and never any warning. Never "check oil light" or "oil low" nothing. When aaa towed they told me oil was leaking that when we checked. The engine is gone and costing me $2,600 to replace on a 2017 ugh. The car stopped in the middle of the street at 3 am in the morning. It was driving along and just stopped. The day before the check engine light came on and we had it checked out and the code was p0011 "intake camshaft position timing.

98,000 miles · May 2019

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. While driving low speeds, turning left or right, reversing, or driving over bumps in the road, a loud abnormal noise was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the windows failed to go up or down and water entered into the passenger side headlight lens. The vehicle was taken to bob mayberry Hyundai (3220 w hwy 74, monroe, nc 28110, [phone]), but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 10,000.

10,000 miles · Dec 2016

Headlight complaints in other Elantra years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262244311191326382324361017731059231966285123
Headlight complaints per model year, Hyundai Elantra.

Frequently asked questions

How common are headlight problems on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the lights of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, 3% of the model year's 795 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2017 Hyundai Elantra headlight problems?

No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Elantra headlight problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.

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.