Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 147,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% | 45,000 miles |
| 2017 | 53 | 7% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 0% | 76,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% | 43,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | 130,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 18,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% | 99,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% | 101,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% | 20,000 miles |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% | 73,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% | 154,000 miles |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Kinergy GT H43, Tire Size: 225/45/R17, DOT Number: (Unavailable). The contact stated that while making a left turn, she heard a loud popping sound. The tire pressure warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that she maneuvered the vehicle to a service station. The contact then stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the front passenger's side tire tread had detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tire needed to be replaced; however, the tire was replaced with the temporary spare tire until the tire became available. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact then stated that the same front passenger's tire had recently been replaced in less than a year. …
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact also stated that the rear passenger's side door failed to open when the unlock button was engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed regarding the door failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,541.
The contact's son owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power locks would intermittently unlock then lock independently with the door ajar warning light illuminated. All doors were inspected after each failure warning however, each time the doors were found to be securely closed. The contact also stated that upon parking the vehicle and locking the doors, the doors were unlocked upon return to the vehicle. The contact called the dealer where she purchased the vehicle and an appointment was scheduled for an inspection. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, he looked in the rearview mirror and noticed that the trunk of the vehicle was open. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he was unable to lock the trunk using the lever on the front seat, key fob, or the button on the trunk door. The contact continued driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the next availability would be in February 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe. The contact stated that the trunk locking mechanism had failed. The contact stated that while attempting to use the key fob to unlock the trunk, the contact heard a sound as if the locking mechanism was activating however, the trunk failed to open as designed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated she was unable to open the trunk manually or with the key. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the tailgate latch to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,300. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 65 MPH, the hood latch disconnected and caused the hood to open and crash through the windshield. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Trunk lid opens by itself either when driving or while parked. Had my 2010 Elantra towed to dealer Saturday 03/05/11 after hearing a loud sound under rear of car as if something metal had broken, then it sounded like something under the rear of the car had dropped, then a loud scraping noise occurred, this happened while turning right into my paved driveway. I stopped immediately and looked under the car, there was nothing in the road or my driveway. As I pulled the car in the driveway loud rattling and scraping sounds and sounds of springs stretching and breaking were coming from the left rear wheel, I looked for anything foreign stuck in the wheels and saw nothing. The dealer said all they found was rust on the rotor. Give me a break, all rotors rust and it rained all day Sunday before they looked at the car. …
Related recalls (1)
Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Latch
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Elantra years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (53), 2016 (13) and 2000 (6) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Elantra door lock & latch problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 24V-146 (latch, Feb 23, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Elantra door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the doors › latch (49 mentions), followed by the hood › latch (11).
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.