Hyundai Elantra Complaints

8,883 consumer complaints on file.

#11704616December 11, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The Forward collision warning light comes on randomly at times and disables the system. It’s done this on 3 occasions. No one has inspected the vehicle. I was told everything was normal. No injuries involved. The problem has occurred 3 times now with code c1620078. The history codes show this has happened to the previous owner as well. I bought it in 7/2025 and it happened driving it home from buying it, in 11/25, and 12/10/25
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704412December 11, 2025
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light intermittently flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who replaced the clock spring on two separate occasions, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704298December 10, 2025
ENGINE
My 2019 Hyundai Elantra sel had catastrophic engine failure at 95k. I was riding at 40mph on the highway when the engine failed. It had zero warnings lights whatsoever before it happened. I was barely even able to make it off the road. I had it towed to the dealer. They said it was a rod bearing. My catalytic converter also failed. They said I was burning oil which again had no idea I was since I didn’t smell it nor did I have an engine light. However the dealer said my vin wasn’t part of the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704321December 10, 2025
ENGINE
my engine started to make a horrible noise and the car won’t start anymore. Hyundai engines are known to burn oil and don’t light the low oil dash light until it is too late. Other Elantra trims have a recall for Hyundai to fix this yet mine does not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704352December 10, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, WHEELS
Driver side wheel baron was scrubbing together and brake fluid was leaking I lost speed can't go over 35 miles on the speedometer my airbag light is on on the dashboard, abs, the car with 2 lines and tire along with engine sign is on I look up for recall and it listed everything my 2012 Hyundai Elantra is doing I took it to Hyundai dealership in Orlando Florida on West colonial drive and 2 hours they called said it was ready they didn't do anything all the the same lights still on on the dashboard still leaking brake fluid and wheel baron and my brakes still scrubbing against each other speed reduction they claim they did the recall would not look at it again said they did it nothing changed I'm taking a risk of fire starting from brake fluid hitting the electrical box and wheel coming of and again All the lights on the dashboard is still on my name email address and everything is wrong on the paperwork except my phone number and I gave him my license with my information on it I'm asking the advisor how can he tell me that the work was done and recall doesn't necessary fix the problem but he knew my car remember everything that's impossible I told him why the lights still on and nothing changed also I asked him how do he know it's repaired he showed me no parts came off my car to say it was replaced nothing was replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704060December 9, 2025
ENGINE
I've owned a 2017 Hyundai Elantra for a few years now, and it has been a headache. Over the course of the past year and a half, the engine has went out (seized) not once, not twice, but three times without any warning. I go to start the car one day and the engine bay starts shaking and power of the engine goes either completely out or down significantly. It feels like a gamble every few months of if my car will simply stop working. I've had the engine rebuilt twice already and will probably have to have it rebuilt again for the same issue (the timing).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703870December 9, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete brake assist failure, including the emergency brake. I was unable to stop the vehicle, which directly resulted in a collision. Prior to the crash, the car showed no warning lights. After the accident, I had the vehicle inspected at the Hyundai dealership. The dealership stated they could not reproduce the failure and “found no issues,” which contradicts the symptoms. Since the crash, I discovered two Hyundai Technical Service Bulletins that directly match the failure I experienced: TSB 23-01-036H-1 (Relates to HECU/Electronic Parking Brake failure) TSB addressing DTC C1620 (Relates to FCA Sensor/Automatic Braking malfunction) These TSBs relate to brake assist malfunction, emergency brake concerns, and similar stopping failures. The dealership did not disclose these TSBs, did not apply the corrective procedures, and cleared the car as having “no defects.” The dealership wrote “could not reproduce concern” and “no problems found,” despite the vehicle having just been in a brake-failure crash. This brake failure created a major safety risk with potential for severe injury or fatality. I am reporting this because the defect appears unresolved, the dealership denied it, and the TSBs show Hyundai is aware of brake-related issues. I request that NHTSA investigate this brake-system failure as part of a potential manufacturer safety defect. The vehicle is currently secured at the dealership (Lithia Hyundai, Las Vegas) and is available for inspection upon request by NHTSA investigators.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703722December 8, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle has less than 2,000 miles on it being a 2024 model (hybrid limited) and on more than 2 occasions without warning the car will be dead while parked. No accessories left plugged in to cause drainage, no warning from the MyHyundai bluelink app, and the dealers are completely clueless. The vehicle gets driven every day, and in order to "fix" the issue temporarily, i have to unlock the car manually using the physical key, and press the 12V reset button. That wont last long before the backup battery dies too.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703391December 6, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I got this car right at the beginning of 2020, I didn’t even KNOW HOW to use my high beams until 2-3 years in. I used them all of 4-6 times and they magically stopped working. I don’t need them often so I didn’t notice right away. I’ve known for a while now but didn’t know I could submit a form like this. And no way in hell am I paying that much money for something that broke after a few uses. I’ve heard this is very common for my car make and model; I can hear the doors of the light trying to switch open but they’re stuck or something… I’m definitely not the only one having this issue…
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703406December 6, 2025
AIR BAGS
On [XXX] I was struck by a OVI driver at 50mph the side airbags deployed however the front airbag never deployed. The vehicle was totaled out my insurance company. The vehicle had no record or open recalls for the airbag and had been given a multiple point inspection in November 2024 with no issues noted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11703440December 6, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Gas pedal, would not work as I was trying to accelerate when going from the ramp onto the freeway. The pedal had no pump in it, it just went all the way down as I was trying to press and the car started slowing down. I had to pull over on the side of the freeway and restart the car for the pedal to start working again. I came to the dealership the next day on 12/5/25, at around 5:45pm in which I was scheduled to come back at 8am on 12/6/25. My safety was at risk, because the car lost pedal power for me to pickup speed as I merged onto the freeway. I brought it in for inspection, at the dealership I purchased it from. There were not any signals or displays that came on during the incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703140December 5, 2025
SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn is not working when I press the horn or on the key fob. I had it checked and the fuses were fine. The seat belt chime also does not work out of nowhere, same time the horn stopped working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702957December 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 51,192 and at the time of receiving the vehicle from the dealer it was discovered that the mileage was 50,310.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702831December 3, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle Issue Description for NHTSA Complaint: Component/System Failure: The engine of my 2013 Hyundai Elantra (VIN: [insert VIN]) completely failed at 51,000 miles. The alternator also failed and had to be replaced. There was a persistent smell of gasoline inside and outside the vehicle, creating a fire hazard. All components are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The engine failure left the vehicle completely inoperable. The gas smell created a serious fire hazard and caused me to experience health issues, requiring an ER visit. The combination of engine malfunction, electrical issues, and fuel leaks posed a risk to my safety and the safety of others while driving. Confirmation by Dealer / Mechanic: Independent mechanics inspected the vehicle and confirmed the engine failure and alternator issues. Multiple mechanics advised not to drive the car due to the fire hazard. The original selling dealer (Larry H. Miller Toyota) inspected the car and acknowledged engine problems in writing on a business card. Inspection by Manufacturer / Others: Hyundai corporate has been notified, but they declined warranty coverage as the vehicle is a second-owner car and beyond the original warranty. The dealer has also been made aware of the engine failure. Warning Lamps / Symptoms: No warning lamps indicated imminent engine failure prior to the engine dying. The first symptoms were mechanical issues, gas smell, and eventual total engine failure. Alternator failure and repeated maintenance issues occurred within 8 months of purchase. Additional Notes: Vehicle purchased at 34,000 miles; engine failed at 51,000 miles. Independent repair receipts, ER paperwork, are available to support the case.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702297December 1, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The brake hydraulic system failed due to a rusted and leaking brake line running from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The damaged brake line is still on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The brake line leak caused the brake pedal to go to the floor, significantly reducing or eliminating braking ability. This created a high risk of being unable to stop the vehicle, which could lead to a collision and put myself, passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers in danger. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue was confirmed by an independent service center (Busse Automotive) during a brake system evaluation. They traced the brake fluid leak to a rusted brake line section that needs replacement. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? No, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. The only inspection so far has been by the independent repair shop. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Not that I know of.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702335December 1, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hello I own a Hyundai Elantra 2015 SE I am having trunk latch issues the trunk will not open at all I cannot pull seats down without getting into the trunk once something is in there it cannot get out I believe this is a safety hazard I called my dealership to see if there is a recall on this but there is not this is a big issue .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702064November 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver side lock cannot be opened. Defect
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702148November 30, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The car was being driven nomore than 1hr. It began to smoke under the hood. The ABS EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE Then the EPS lights were on. The vehicle was pulled over and stopped. Fire was then observed falling from under the car. The hood was then popped to see the engine mainly on the driver side was totally catching fire. Then it spread. The engine needle never showed over heated. The car took no more than 6 minutes to catch fire from the time it started smoking. It was very scary
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702006November 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Both Driver and Passenger doors do not open from the outside.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702038November 29, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving and my car just shut down. Thank goodness I was only in a drive thru because my car was still in gear. I got it restarted and it was making a terrible noise. I took it to hyandai where they told me that I had a piston slap. Hyandai corporate knows that this is a problem. I am lucky to have not been on the highway it could have caused serious injury or death to me or anyone around me. Hyandai corporate should replace the engine that they know is bad or if someone has had it replaced they should be reimbursing. Them. It's dangerous the 1.8l 4-cylinder nu engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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