2017 Hyundai Elantra GT Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 12, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

Brake line corroded AFTER recall with treatment was done. Loss of brakes while driving on highway. Avoided collision but could've been highly fatal accident. Hyundai should've replaced a serious safety issue instead of covering it with a coating and hoping it holds. It is a XXX Car driven in [XXX]. I don't know if XXX reports matter but I think it should. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: July 22, 2026 · Filed: August 10, 2026

2017 Hyundai Elantra GT suffered leakage from the hydraulic brake lines located under the driver's seat which can cause sudden and total braking failure. The leakage was caused by severe rust and corrosion trapped by the underbody panels. The fuel line was also severely corroded, with imminent failure. While Transport Canada issued an official safety recall for this exact engineering defect on the same generation of Elantra GT under Transport Canada (Campaign 2023125), Hyundai Motor America has failed to extend this protection to U.S. consumers, leaving vehicles on U.S. roads with active, life-threatening brake and fuel line failures.

Incident: April 26, 2026 · Filed: August 8, 2026

The Engine stalled completely at highway speeds. It was then towed to the dealership and was diagnosed with engine rod bearing failure. Hyundai is denying the warranty extension for this engine failure based on an incomplete 'Service Campaign 966' that does not appear on the NHTSA public recall database, leaving consumers unnotified of safety-critical software updates."

Incident: May 21, 2026 · Filed: July 19, 2026

I bought a vehicle used and it malfunctions in six days. It is a safety hazard to me the driver and other drivers on the roads. The vehicle is weighing heavy on the passenger side the car is not parallel. Also the vehicle stalls while driving. The pedal stops giving power to the car. I attempted to fix the car and the problems still persist. The mechanics said the car need shocks, struts, and wheel alignment.

Incident: November 10, 2025 · Filed: June 7, 2026

My vehicle was brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership In November 2025 to complete safety recall campaign KSDS (Campaign 966). Soon after picking up the vehicle after the dealer flashed the ECU, the vehicle went into a permanent, dangerous "limp mode" that severely limits the engine's RPMs, making it impossible to accelerate to highway speeds. The vehicle's computer displays zero OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes (no P1326 or standard fault codes). The dealership is refusing to address this issue, falsely claiming a plugged catalytic converter, despite the vehicle having passed a strict California Smog Check with perfect emissions and zero catalyst codes, just a few weeks before the update was performed, and ran perfectly normal. This recall software update has rendered my vehicle extremely unsafe to drive on public roads, and the manufacturer's authorized repair facility is refusing to remedy the electronic damage caused by the recall installation. I am trapped driving a disabled vehicle in a permanent, dangerous software loop.

Incident: February 12, 2026 · Filed: May 14, 2026

I am writing to formally log a critical safety and product reliability complaint regarding my Hyundai Elantra GT. The vehicle has suffered catastrophic engine failure characterized by severe rod knock. This failure occurred without any prior warning from the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic systems, exposing an engineering and sensor flaw that creates an immediate safety hazard.The vehicle was operating normally when it suddenly developed a distinct, heavy metallic knocking sound from the engine block, indicative of failed connecting rod bearings. Upon immediate inspection, the issue was linked to critical oil starvation or pressure drops.Crucially, the vehicle’s warning systems failed entirely to alert me to an issue:No Low Oil Pressure Warning: The dashboard oil pressure light never illuminated to warn of low pressure or critical oil level depletion.No Check Engine Light (CEL): The engine sensors failed to detect underlying mechanical distress, oil degradation, or early-stage misfires before the catastrophic failure occurred.Complete System Silence: The vehicle gave absolutely no visual or audible alerts on the instrument cluster, depriving me of the chance to pull over safely and shut off the engine to prevent total destruction.This sensor failure is an unacceptable safety risk. Total engine seizure at highway speeds can cause a sudden loss of motive power, power steering, and braking assist, endangering my life and the lives of others on the road. The failure of Hyundai’s diagnostic sensors to communicate active oil or mechanical breakdown directly directly caused this total engine loss.I request that Hyundai review this case immediately, investigate the failure of the warning systems, and provide financial remediation for the required engine replacement.I look forward to your prompt response regarding the next steps for a corporate review.

Incident: April 3, 2026 · Filed: April 3, 2026

After a Hyundai dealership installed the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update to prevent engine bearing failure and potential fires in certain Theta II, Nu, and Gamma engines, my Elantra GT is stuck in limp mode and will no longer accelerate. Since it takes my car a very long time to reach safe driving speeds, I took the car back to the dealership and they conveniently blamed the catalytic converter. I went for a ride with a California BAR associate, and he agreed that the update was causing my engine to go into limp mode, and it wasn't a symptom of a plugged CAT, but he was unable or unwilling to help me. Hyundai acknowledged that the engine does qualify for the Theta II extended warranty but will not explore that possibility until I have them replace the cat for $3,300, which we both know isn't going to solve anything. I have contacted Hyundai Corporate Customer Relations, and even the BBB, who refuses to qualify my car for their Engine Replacement class action lawsuit because the engine hasn't seized up yet, which will never happen since the update is preventing it. Even lemon law lawyers refuse to assist me because the car is too old. Since this is the only car I have, I am a nervous reck whenever I have to use it. If I press the accelerator pedal just a bit too much, the engine cuts out.

Incident: April 22, 2025 · Filed: May 2, 2025

Was driving the car on a two lane road and engine shut off. Had to coast to side of road. Had car towed to deal and they say it is a bottom end knock and engine has to be replaced. It has 54,000 miles and has been serviced regularly by Hyundai dealers. Dealer can not specify what is wrong with engine other than bottom end knock and won’t drop the pan or do an oil analysis to find out more details.

Incident: August 6, 2024 · Filed: September 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal to gain forward momentum, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact observed that the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle was operating in "LIMP Mode" and was able to exit the highway. The contact stopped and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC Code: P1326; and determined that the PCM needed to be flashed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the contact had experienced a similar failure a year and a half prior. The contact stated that another dealer had performed a similar repair of flashing the PCM. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,600.

Incident: December 23, 2023 · Filed: January 2, 2024

Knock Sensor and decreased internal battery No harm to me or others Yes No No, 12-23-2023 date of incident.