I leased my 2017 Hyundai Elantra new in July 2016 and later purchased it. As of September 2026, it has approximately 77,000 miles. I am reporting two unresolved safety concerns despite repeated repairs and more than five months of seeking assistance from Hyundai. Multiple ignition coils have failed during my ownership. Most recently, I paid approximately $400 for service after another coil failure. Although the check engine light is no longer illuminated, the vehicle continues to struggle to accelerate and abruptly jerks or “burps,” particularly around 30 mph. At times, I must press the accelerator nearly to the floor to gain enough speed to safely merge onto the highway. I commute approximately 40 miles round trip, including stop-and-go highway traffic, and am concerned about my safety. When I reported that the symptoms continued after the repair, the Hyundai dealer said I would need to pay another diagnostic fee while also stating their equipment might not identify the problem without an illuminated check engine light. My driver-side exterior door handle is also completely inoperable. This issue was previously repaired by Hyundai under warranty and a known issue with the model year, but the repair has failed and the driver’s door cannot be opened from outside. To enter my vehicle, I must climb through the front passenger door, lower the driver’s window, exit, walk around the vehicle, reach through the window, and open the door using the interior handle. After more than five months of contacting Hyundai and seeking service, both issues remain unresolved. I am concerned about the safety of continuing to operate this vehicle and about the failure of a previously completed recall repair. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and review these safety concerns.
Hyundai Elantra door locks problems
177 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Hyundai Elantra describe doors won't lock, open or latch, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 177
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical repair cost reported
- $800
- typical mileage
- 65,000
By model year
Often reported together
Key fob 8Check engine light 8Jerking 5Headlights 4Fire or smoke 4Wipers 3Pulling 2Ball joint 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0128 1
What owners say
All four rear/side door latch mechanisms have exhibited intermittent failure to release the door from the interior and/or exterior handle. Repeated operation or increased force can sometimes cause the door to release. This creates a potential safety hazard because an occupant may be unable to exit the vehicle through an affected door during an emergency. The manufacturer has previously issued an extended warranty/TSB addressing this latch failure, but the vehicle is now beyond the 10-year extension period.
Door Lock Actuator, the door latch is stuck on unlock and it won’t close or lock when the lock button is pressed on key fob.
Both passenger-side doors won't open without tugging on the handle when unlocking them. The front seat passenger door opens from the inside but has trouble opening from the outside. The backseat passenger does not open from the inside at all and has a hard time opening from the outside. Once we get the door open and the car remains unlocked, the doors open fine (except for the back seat door). But once we lock and unlock the car, we get the same issue. I'm also experiencing paint chippng and rust on the roof of my car and the creases of the trunk.
Door lock actuator on rear driver's side door not working. Door stuck closed, even though power to lock is present and locking / unlocking mechanism works. Door will not open from inside or outside.
passenger front door wont open as of2-15-25 and rear door won't open as of 3-14-2024
Front doors won't open from outside.
The door locks are faulty and do not allow the door to open. This is the second time the vehicle has had issues with the doors not unlocking. The first time it was my front passenger side a few years ago and I paid an auto shop to repair it as this was an immediate safety concern in case of a car accident or fire. A few months later Hyundai issues a recall and sent me an email about the faulty door locks and that they could be repaired at a Hyundai. I called to ask for reimbursement since I paid out of pocket and they refused. Now another door lock is broken, this time the rear driver side, and I have the same safety concerns as before since the door does not open from the inside or outside. In both cases, the issue was sudden and no other damage occurred to the vehicle. It's unsafe to have to drive with doors that cannot unlock from either inside or outside.
When car is unlocked the drivers door will not open until you pull 3 times. Now the passenger door will not open at all from the outside. You have to open door inside car and push door open.
The rear passenger door will NOT open from inside or outside. The front passenger door will ONLY open from the inside. This is a safety concern with young children in car seats in the back or for general emergencies. F on my research this is a common Hyundai issue.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: latch
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
- 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.
Recall number 24V146000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Elantra door locks
Which Hyundai Elantra years have doors won't lock, open or latch problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (113 complaints), 2010 (11 complaints) and 1994 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix doors won't lock, open or latch on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $800 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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