How Many Brake Lights Does a 2017 Hyundai Elantra Have?

A 2017 Hyundai Elantra typically has three brake lights: two main brake lamps at the rear corners and one high‑mounted center brake light (often called the third brake light or CHMSL) located in the rear window area or integrated into the trunk/spoiler, depending on trim and body style.

Understanding the Brake Light Setup on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra, sold primarily as a compact sedan (and in some markets as the Elantra GT hatchback), follows common modern safety standards by including a trio of brake lights. This configuration is designed to maximize visibility to drivers behind the vehicle, reducing the risk of rear‑end collisions.

The Standard Three‑Light Configuration

In most markets, a 2017 Hyundai Elantra is equipped with a standard set of three brake lights. These include the two conventional rear brake lamps and an additional elevated brake light in the center rear position. Together, they provide redundancy and better visibility at different heights and angles.

The following list explains the individual brake light units typically found on a 2017 Hyundai Elantra sedan sold in North America and similar markets.

• Left rear combination brake light: Located in the left tail lamp cluster, this light illuminates more brightly when the brake pedal is pressed and often shares the housing with the tail/parking light and turn signal (though the functions use different filaments or LEDs).
• Right rear combination brake light: Mirroring the left side, this lamp is in the right tail lamp cluster and serves the same braking function, giving a clear signal on both sides of the vehicle’s rear.
• Center high‑mounted stop lamp (third brake light / CHMSL): Positioned higher than the two main lamps—commonly at the base of the rear window or integrated into the trunk lid or rear spoiler—this light improves visibility for following drivers, especially in traffic or when a taller vehicle is behind.

Together, these three lights form the core braking‑signal system on a 2017 Elantra, ensuring that the car’s deceleration is clearly communicated from multiple vantage points to other road users.

Why There Are Three Brake Lights

The three‑light arrangement on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is not arbitrary; it is driven by safety regulations and decades of crash‑safety research, particularly in markets like the United States, Canada, and the European Union, where a high‑mounted third brake light has been required on passenger vehicles for many years.

Regulatory and Safety Background

Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, many jurisdictions have required a center high‑mounted stop lamp on passenger cars. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra, like other contemporary vehicles, complies with these rules to ensure consistent safety standards worldwide (with some regional variations in exact lamp design or technology, such as incandescent vs. LED).

The list below outlines the main reasons manufacturers, including Hyundai, use a three‑brake‑light configuration.

1. Improved visibility: The higher placement of the third brake light makes it more visible to drivers in taller vehicles (SUVs, trucks) and in heavy traffic when the standard brake lamps may be partially obscured.
2. Redundancy for safety: If one of the main brake lamps fails, the remaining ones—especially the third brake light—still provide a clear signal to following traffic, reducing the risk of an accident.
3. Standardization across models: Automakers design brake systems to meet or exceed global safety regulations, so using a three‑light setup on models like the 2017 Elantra simplifies compliance across multiple markets.
4. Proven reduction in collisions: Studies by safety agencies (for example, NHTSA in the U.S.) have linked third brake lights to a measurable decrease in rear‑end crashes, reinforcing their continued use in modern vehicles.

These factors explain why the three‑light layout has become an industry norm and why the 2017 Elantra’s configuration closely resembles that of many other compact sedans from the same era.

Model Variants and Minor Differences

While the basic count of brake lights on a 2017 Hyundai Elantra remains three, minor variations can occur based on trim level, lighting technology (halogen vs. LED), and body style (especially in markets where the Elantra GT hatchback was sold). These differences affect appearance and placement more than the overall number of brake lights.

Sedan vs. Hatchback (Elantra GT) Layout

Most 2017 Elantras on the road in North America are sedans, but in some regions there is also a hatchback variant known as the Elantra GT or i30. Both body styles use the same fundamental concept: two primary brake lamps and one center high‑mounted stop lamp.

The following list outlines how placement can differ slightly between common body styles while maintaining three brake lights.

• 2017 Elantra sedan: The left and right brake lamps are integrated into the rear corner light assemblies; the third brake light is typically mounted at the base of the rear window or in the upper portion of the trunk lid, depending on trim and market.
• 2017 Elantra GT (hatchback / i30 in some markets): The main brake lamps sit in the rear hatch clusters, while the third brake light is often embedded in the upper section of the hatch door or in a rear roof spoiler.
• LED vs. halogen implementations: Higher trims or certain regional versions may use LED technology for the brake lights, which can look different in shape and brightness but still count as the same three functional brake lights.

Regardless of these styling and placement variations, the core answer stays the same: whether sedan or hatchback, the 2017 Elantra uses a three‑brake‑light layout to meet safety expectations.

Practical Considerations for Owners

For owners of a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, understanding the three‑light setup is useful for inspections, bulb replacement, and general safety checks. Regularly verifying that all three brake lights work properly is a quick and effective way to maintain road safety and legal compliance.

Checking and Maintaining Brake Lights

Routine checks help ensure that the Elantra’s braking signals remain clearly visible at all times. This is especially important before long trips, during seasonal changes, or after replacing bulbs or performing electrical work.

The following list gives a basic overview of how an owner can verify and maintain the three brake lights on a 2017 Elantra.

1. Visual inspection with assistance: Ask someone to press the brake pedal while you stand behind the car to confirm both left and right rear brake lamps and the center high‑mounted light illuminate brightly.
2. Use of reflections or cameras when alone: If checking solo, you can reverse the car near a reflective surface (like a garage door or window) or use a rear‑facing camera/phone to confirm all three lights activate.
3. Bulb or LED module replacement: If one light fails, consult the owner’s manual for the correct bulb type or LED module procedure; some LED assemblies may require replacing an entire unit rather than a simple bulb.
4. Fuse and wiring checks: If more than one brake light fails at the same time, it may indicate a fuse or wiring issue that might require professional diagnosis.

By keeping all three brake lights fully functional, Elantra drivers not only comply with traffic laws but also significantly improve their visibility to drivers behind them, which can help prevent collisions.

Summary

A 2017 Hyundai Elantra is designed with three brake lights: two main rear brake lamps (left and right) plus a center high‑mounted stop lamp. This three‑light arrangement fulfills modern safety regulations, enhances visibility, and adds redundancy in case one lamp fails. Variations in trim, lighting technology, or body style (sedan vs. hatchback) do not change the fundamental count—drivers can reliably assume their 2017 Elantra uses three distinct brake lights to signal braking to traffic behind.