AI DamageHyundai Elantra: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Hyundai Elantra across 11 model years: 1,363 owner complaints and 283 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 36% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 7% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 486 complaints (36% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 46.
- Electrical system: 202 complaints (15% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 332.
- Powertrain: 136 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 77.
- Forward collision avoidance: 99 complaints (7% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Steering: 79 complaints (6% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 53.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2017–2020
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1993–1995
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2017–2026named in 1 complaints
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1993–2016named in 1 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1999–2026named in 18 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2022–2026
- 1.6 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2021–2026named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 1993–2012
- automatic, 6-speed 2011–2020
- CVT 2020–2026named in 2 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2021–2026named in 7 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2017–2026named in 7 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed 2022–2026named in 7 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 1993–2012named in 3 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2011–2026named in 3 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,363 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 486 | 10 | 46 |
| Electrical system | 202 | 4 | 332 |
| Powertrain | 136 | 1 | 77 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 99 | 6 | 16 |
| Steering | 79 | 10 | 53 |
| Service brakes | 77 | 12 | 20 |
| Exterior lighting | 76 | 0 | 32 |
| Vehicle speed control | 71 | 8 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 62 | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 61 | 39 | 24 |
| Structure | 57 | 3 | 20 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 55 | 2 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 39 | 4 | 11 |
| Wheels | 31 | 2 | 14 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My vehicle did not have any warning lights or issue lights on the dashboard at the time of crash. We were at a full stop on the highway when a car rear ended us going 50-70MPH. The driver had a broken left clavicle. No air bags deployed despite the severity of the crash.
Depiste this severe impact, neither airbags nor seatbelt pretensioners deployed. At -2.5 sec. prior to impact, the Forward Collision Avoidance Assist data drops off and goes completely silent. There were no warnings or alerts on the vehicle instrument cluster. This proves catastrophic CAN-bus network crash.
Braking system failed to brake properly. It feels like even though the brakes were pressed all the way down, the car did not brake as it should. Also, the automatic collision avoidance system did not respond.
The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that no warning illuminated before and after the incident. A Police report was filed. The contact sustained an injured knee, neck, and back and has experienced emotional distress.
My car was hit from the rear by another vehicle while I was traveling with my [XXX] daughter. The impact was very strong, and one of the tires came off. None of the airbags deployed, and I feel there may have been an issue with the airbag system.
During owning the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a deer it the side of my vehicle and knocked me into the center of the road while I was driving. No airbags had come out, nor was any sensor activated. About 6-8 months later, I was driving down the same road and a deer had run across the road.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
- Hyundai has become aware that your Hyundai Elantra equipped with a 2.0 ATK engine may have been…
- Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior…
- Certain Elantra (ADA) vehicles may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System…
- Certain Elantra (ADA) vehicles may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System…
- Some Elantra (CN7), Elantra Hybrid (CN7 HEV), and Elantra N (CN7 N) vehicles may exhibit loose windshield…
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in…
- Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels
- Some Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.