Hyundai Elantra Complaints

8,883 consumer complaints on file.

#11675401July 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle has experienced ongoing powertrain and electrical malfunctions over several months. The most common symptoms include being stuck in 4th gear (limp mode), complete loss of RPM and speedometer readings, and illumination of the check engine and ESC lights. Most recently, while traveling at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of both acceleration and braking. The brake pedal became stiff and unresponsive, and the car had to coast to a stop without driver control. This posed a serious safety risk to myself and nearby traffic. These issues have persisted across multiple service visits to Ricart Hyundai in Groveport, Ohio. That dealership has replaced the crankshaft position sensor three times, the powertrain control module (PCM), and the battery, but the underlying problems remain unresolved. A technician at the dealership was able to reproduce the stalling event during a test drive. Despite that, the dealership has refused to proceed with further diagnostics unless I pay for an oil change, even though previous inspections by their own staff found no visible leaks and confirmed the oil level was sufficient at the time. They have also revoked complimentary access to a loaner vehicle despite the unresolved and unsafe condition of the car. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The problem has been confirmed by a dealership, has occurred repeatedly, and continues to pose a safety concern. Warning lights and gauge failures typically appear when the issue occurs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674664July 18, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES
The brake pedal stopper pad broke and fell off which resulted in the brake lights remaining illuminated the entire time the car was driving, which is very hazardous. I am not sure how long it had been broken for before I realized that this dangerous condition was occurring. The brake lights remained on even after the car was turned off. I had to tape a piece of cardboard to the brake arm where it hits the brake light switch to get the brake lights to appropriately go off and on and to be able to relatively safely drive the car to a mechanic. The mechanic was able to determine that the broken brake pedal stopper was causing the problem. 2013 elantras were recalled for this problem but not the 2012 models. This recall may need to be expanded to 2012s.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674602July 18, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Has not yet been officially diagnosed by a dealer or independent service center, but while turning into a neighborhood at around 15-25 mph the car jerked and the engine suddenly stalled while I was still in the middle of the road. Thankfully I rolled into the neighborhood before an oncoming car made its way over, but it was close. The gas pedal no longer worked, and I had to restart the car. It only drove once more before shutting down and the engine will no longer turn over.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674367July 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for servicing, the contact was informed that there was a mileage discrepancy. Additionally, the contact was informed that the check engine warning light had been tampered with and tape had been applied over the check engine warning light prior to the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, it was reported that the mileage was 85,000, and upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic shop, it was discovered that the mileage on the Carfax report was 215,000 on September 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674035July 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Headlight housing mechanism for high beam and low beam lights do not allow headlights to stay on high beam. Will not pass Massachusetts motor vehicle safety inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674097July 16, 2025
ENGINE
Vehicle routinely (3,000-5,000 miles, depending on oil used) maintained by qualified mechanics. Around 129,000 miles the engine began to knock / rattle. Mechanic was unable to determine the cause, but the rattle was only present between 0-40mph and would settle at higher speeds. Mechanic also noted the absence of sludge. Around 133,000 miles the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would start, but would stall again. Mechanic diagnosed timing chain failure and that the vehicle is burning oil. Vehicle has never indicated low oil, but it is now manually checked and burning about a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Replaced timing chain and vehicle has continued to operate. Around 134,500 miles some power loss during low-speed acceleration and a slight engine rumble at lower speed. Mechanic diagnosed a wrist pin failure on cylinder 2. Vehicle may be inspected upon request. Vehicle stalls create some safety concerns, but have only occurred at low speeds. Vehicle timing chain was diagnosed by two different mechanics. When the vehicle was brought to a Hyundai dealership for a trunk latch recall in May of 2024 at 125,000 miles, no issues were noted. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance represenstatives since May of 2024, with no reported issues. No check engine notifications or warnings appeared until the vehicle stalled. Prior to slightly decreased acceleration, the only notable indicator of an issue is the persistent engine rattle (knock, piston slap). The engine rattle began in February of 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673718July 15, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This seems to be a very common and serious issue with Hyundai vehicles. 2013 Hyundai Elanta, believed to be a frequent crankshaft position sensor issue. When driving the car, they vehicle will feel that it is losing power. When coming to a stop the engine will idle so low that it feels like it will stall or it does stall. The tachometer registered zero RPM's, even when accellearting. Attempting to accelerate up any incline and the car can not provide enough power. Sometimes the car will crank up, other times it will require time to restart. The car has stalled and low power idling multiple times, but it did happen in the middle of a 4 way intersection twice, and when the issue is present. Although we've been fortunate, no accidents have occurred, it is very unsafe for the owner and other drivers. This occurrence has happened several times over the past year. Two times it was immediately brought into the dealer service, the second time it did stall with the service member there. Both times they were unable to diagnose the problem and stated no error codes were reported. You have already issued a Recall for this same issue with a different model. Oct. 13, 2017 – Hyundai Motor America has recalled more than 400 vehicles potentially equipped with defective crankshaft assemblies, according to documentation submitted to the National Transportation Safety Administration. There are so many others that have reported this same issue and have been corrected with the replacement of the crankshaft position sensor. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673536July 14, 2025
ENGINE
Car began to make clicking noise which turned into a louder “dying” sound. Car completely stopped, and had to get towed. I was told the engine failed due to parts from the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672635July 11, 2025
ENGINE, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I started to see the oil light on the dashboard and i heard a hard sound from the engine so that i changed the oil then after a couple days i saw the light again on with a little bit high temperature, so stooped by a gas station and i added some more oil after i shut the car off and waited to cool the engine down and i started the car, the oil light was gone and the engine sound was smoother then i started to get the same issue every couple days and i used to fix it the same way and I've had the same experience with my previous car which was the same brand but different year band model which i found a recall on the engine after it blown and the agency or the manufacturer changed the engine for free for that car and the current car has the same issues and it's included in the year range for that recall which from 2012 to 2019, that scares me because i drive everyday for rideshare and that can be dangerous for me and my clients who ride with me, also some of them stopped calling me for rides once they knew about that issue. And today i noticed the car beep which i used to hear when i lock the car with the remote has stopped too.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672636July 11, 2025
AIR BAGS
There is a light is always on and it says passenger airbag off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672638July 11, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The traction contril indicator is always light is always showing up on the dashboard at the night time till morning since a couple of months so far.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672727July 11, 2025
ENGINE
My oil plug fell out causing engine damage. They are saying it is fault of wal mart who did last oil change but 2 months and 12,000 miles have passed since oil change and they will not cover under warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672296July 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights and back lights turn off at random times when the headlights are on the automatic setting. This problem happens very frequently at night, putting my family at risk when the lights go off and cannot see what is ahead of us. In addition to a cop pulling me over for not having my lights on and he asked me if I was playing with the lights since they were going on and off and luckily the cop did not give me a ticket when I explained and he saw the problem (he advised me to get on this website and to make a report). I have reported this problem to the Hyundai dealership for the past 3 years and I don’t even think they take the time to investigate. The dealership just keeps telling me that with another update in the software is going to get fixed. But that is not the case. This is a very dangerous problem that is going to get someone killed. Need to be fixed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672334July 9, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while in the process of parking the vehicle at the residence and driving 1-5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and hit another unoccupied parked vehicle, causing the other vehicle to move 50-60 ft. away. The rear end of the other vehicle was damaged, and the front end of the contact's vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deployed. There was no injury sustained. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672351July 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
On multiple accounts did I find my 2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL rear camera not working. Now it displays a green screen and I’ve tested it but with someone directly right behind me while in reverse (not moving) the sensors aren’t going off. This is a huge safety concern for a lot of people who own Elantras
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672184July 9, 2025
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a customer's driveway at 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and rolled back and crashed into a parked Ford F-150. The brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle failed to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The collision feature failed to engage. There was no fire or airbag deployment. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to her neck and shoulder, and medical attention was provided at the hospital. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11672112July 8, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My trunk latch hasn’t worked since January. I took it in to McCarthy Olathe Hyundai in Olathe, KS on January 13th for an appointment but they didn’t have the parts available so we rescheduled. When the parts were in, my fiancé took it back on February 18th, 2025 but was told that the repair couldn’t be done since there was previous trunk damage. I explained via the telephone that the damage to my truck was minor from an incident two years prior and that it hasn’t caused any issues with opening or shutting the trunk since. But the gentleman I talked to reiterated that the recall repair to my trunk latch couldn’t be done. I recently found out that the recall was marked as completed when it was not. I don’t know what to do!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671669July 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671767July 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671577July 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver Attention Warning System. It is often incorrect, and EXTREMELY annoying, and distracting. It can not be shut off. It does not understand that wind, and potholes cause somewhat erratic driving habits, coupled with overly sensitive steering systems. Issue occurred on the Maine Turnpike, at legal speeds, and persisted for the entire journey from Gray to Houlton. Approximately EVERY five minutes, I would get an alert.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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