2017 Hyundai Elantra: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Engine · VA · fire

Driving on the highway in the far left lane. Check engine light came on, car stopped accelerating. Car came to a stop, car shut off. Smoke was coming out from under the hood and flames were seen underneath the car. Police and fire department arrived. Report states an electrical fire. Had car towed to Hyundai. Hyundai stated that the engine seized followed by the starter catching on fire. Car was only 2,000 miles in from last oil change. Was up to date on maintenance and safety inspection. Hyundai also stated there was a hole in the engine block. No prior issues with the car. The car would need roughly $16,000 in work done, confirmed by Hyundai. Car is now totaled. Car only had 121,000 miles on it.

Filed Nov 13, 2025 · Engine · 160,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that they were informed by a family member that when the vehicle was turned on and moved into the driveway, smoke was coming from underneath the hood, where the engine was located. A while later, when returning to the vehicle, they noticed the vehicle had caught fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. The contact was unsure if a report was filed. The vehicle was towed and determined totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Engine · FL

The vehicle's engine light has been coming on for the past 3 years(2020-2023). I had multiple engine servicing checks done at the Hyundai dealership, but the dealership continued to say that there was nothing wrong with the car until this year 2023. Starting 2023 when I would drive, the engine oil light started flashing on and off and the car kept cutting off at stops AND while driving, which can cause accidents leading to death. In 2023 I started noticing that the oil kept being low, but it did not have an oil leak, it was like the oil was vanishing. Now the same Hyundia dealership claims that reason the oil light flashes on is because engine oil is going into the engine which can cause a fire to the car resulting in death. There are also a multiple lawsuits about Hyundai engines catching on fire and oil going into the engine but the dealership is claiming that it's not my particular model which I do not believe! At this point I am fearful to drive the car because it will definitely stop while in drive and stop in traffic and I'm afraid of having an accident and someone dying in the car or the car Catching Fire in my driveway or garage. PLEASE HELP these companies should not get away with this knowing MANY of there models have oil/Engine issues!!

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Locks · MO

Rear driver door will NOT open whether in the unlock position manual or power, or lock position. Has not been checked by a dealership, police, or otherwise. Has been "locked" and unable to open for about 2 months. Safety issue- if in an accident, such as car is on fire, or under water, or passenger side is damaged to impare door, persons will be trapped and can cause death. There are no sensors, lights, etc. to indicate a problem. Internet research shows other individuals with this same problem related to Hyundai vehicles.

Filed May 31, 2022 · Locks · TN

Driver side door handle has become inoperable. A manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin has been issued in response to repeated failures. This is a safety risk and should be a Manufacturer Recall (not a TSB). Vehicle occupants could become trapped inside the vehicle and unable to escape if the car is on fire, submerged in water or if the occupant needs to exit the vehicle for other personal safety reasons.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Transmission · OH

1) The transmission has a delay in shifting, and I smell burning under the hood. I took it back to the dealer where I bought it. I was told nothing was wrong with it. The problem has been coming back. The dealership was Dennis Hyuandai on Morse Rd in Cols. Oh. 43219 2) I am afraid I may have this problem on the highway some day, as it has become more frequent. 3) Dealer claims nothing wrong with the transmission. 4) No I didn't know I had this opption. 5) No none. It has been and on and off problem for nearly 2yrs

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Engine · 101,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at 25-30MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated he saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, where he checked the engine and oil level but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated he continued to drive the vehicle, however, the vehicle would not go past 30 MPH. The independent mechanic came to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a lack of engine oil. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that they would cover the replacement of the engine based on the dealer's diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2017 · Engine · 5,700 miles · NJ

Was driving on interstate 287 w when the car shut down. There was no warning light. I had to quickly try to get the car to the shoulder. There was a burning smell when the car shut down. The elantra was bought new and I only owned it for 5 months. I called aaa and they towed us to their gas station in ny. From there, another tow truck took us to the mazda repair location, in nj, which does repairs for the hyundai dealer. They put oil in the car and then realized that there was no oil in the car. They stated we needed a new engine and it would take one month to order and install. Only two weeks earlier, we went to that same repair location for a 5,000 mile check up where they did an oil change. Nothing was wrong with the car. I am 88 and very lucky I knew what to do when the car shut down. I hope this does not happened to a new driver.