Hyundai Elantra Complaints

8,883 consumer complaints on file.

#11696959November 1, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
In early May 2023 I was driving my 2018 Elantra vehicle on the expressway. I had hot an area where there was traffic and had to slow down and move along with the speeds everyone else was going. When I slowed down my engine quit. Everything turned off and the car was stalled. I was able to turn the car back on and start the engine but there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine and when applying my foot on the gas it wasn't going anywhere. It stalled in traffic again. I put it in park, and restarted it and got enough gas for it to move and get off the main road. I called a tow company and had a certified mechanic take apart the engine $600 and Inform me the engine was shot. The car had maybe 80,000 miles on it. I had no idea what to do. The car sat at the repair shop for several weeks while I figured out what to do. I had it towed to a Hyundai dealership and had them look at it. They told me that there was no recall and that since I wasn't the original owner their powertrain warrenty was not valid. They did their diagnosis, another $300 just for them to tell me the same thing the other mechanics told me, the engine was shot and needed to be replaced. They put together a list of items that needed to be replaced and repaired and it came out to over $17,000 and Hyundai would do nothing for me. A vehicle with less than 80,000 that's engine fails is a recall in my book. It's now been over 2 years and I continue to pay for a car I cannot drive, and Hyundai still doesn't accept responsibility. This is a faulty car and would never recommend to anyone. Look at all the complaints regarding the engine and powertrain, obviously this is an issue. Hyundai needs to acknowledge this and replace these failing engines. Maybe by the time I'm done paying this car off they will take responsibility and the NHTSA will fully support the individuals that are owed a vehicle or engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696793October 31, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Minor issue, but when driving this vehicle, I keep getting alerts asking if I want to take a coffee break. Unable to turn this feature off and it is very distracting, causing me to check screen at random times while I am driving when I should be focused on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696783October 31, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights go off and on randomly It happens during the day and evening I have brought it to the dealer two times and they said after five days they cannot duplicate the problem At night time it is very dangerous when the headlights go off as I drive in a rural area I have submitted daytime photos which shows the malfunction I cannot submit nighttime photos as it is too dangerous The problem occurs daily The vehicle is available for inspection
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696626October 30, 2025
ENGINE
I own a 2016 Hyundai Elantra, and the engine makes a noticeable knocking or “tapping” noise when started cold. The sound resembles piston slap and usually lessens as the engine warms up, but it’s been gradually getting louder over time. It’s most noticeable for the first few minutes after startup, especially in cooler weather. I’m concerned this may indicate premature piston or cylinder wear. I’ve found many other 2016 Elantra owners reporting the same problem online, suggesting it may be a design or manufacturing issue. The vehicle has been properly maintained with the correct oil grade and regular service, so this shouldn’t be happening at this mileage. This could eventually lead to engine failure or costly repairs if the piston or cylinder surfaces deteriorate further. I’m reporting this so NHTSA can track the issue and determine if it poses a broader reliability or safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696505October 30, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
All of the electric warning lights turn on and the power steering goes out while I am driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696414October 29, 2025
ENGINE
Check engine turn on , sent to shop for check up and they find out the engine is leaking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696465October 29, 2025
WHEELS
Partner was traveling at or under the posted speed limit, when the front passenger tire "blew." He lost control of the vehicle and was thrown into a home. Car is a total loss. The home is damaged, and he suffered injuries. There were no warning lights or alarms. This was a certified pre-owned, purchased 2 months prior. Milage was at 17737 when the incident occurred, 16242 at purchase. The same tire was reported as being replaced due to a flat by the dealership, before my purchase. The incident is under investigation by the insurance company. Contacted the dealer, they said that "tires blow" at any time, new or used. Instructed us to report it to Hyundai; the insurance company did that, and Hyundai stated there is no known issue with the vehicle. Tire make is Kumho brand, solus TA3 to the best of my knowledge. A police report was filed, and it was deemed related to a malfunction; the driver was not cited. Speed, drugs, and alcohol were not a contributing factor.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11696089October 28, 2025
ENGINE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact also stated that the rear passenger’s side door failed to open when the unlock button was engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed regarding the door failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,541.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695783October 27, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Subject: 2019 Hyundai Elantra – High Beam Headlight Failure and Warranty Denial To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to document and request review of an ongoing issue with my 2019 Hyundai Elantra regarding an inoperable high-beam headlight system and the handling of my warranty claim. Shortly after a warranty period service, my vehicle’s high beams stopped working correctly. I reported the issue to my Hyundai dealership as soon as it occurred, while the vehicle was still within warranty coverage. The vehicle was inspected by Hyundai, but the warranty claim was denied without a satisfactory explanation. Following Hyundai’s denial, I filed a complaint through the BBB Auto Line, providing the same information and documentation, but the claim was again denied. After researching further, I discovered that Hyundai has issued a service campaign (T5G – Headlamp High Beam Repair) for certain 2019–2020 Elantra models addressing the exact same defect—an inoperable high-beam function due to failure in the headlamp assembly mechanism. Multiple owners have reported identical failures online, and the campaign documents confirm this is a known defect. Because my vehicle clearly exhibits this same defect, I believe my Elantra should be covered under the same campaign or under warranty/goodwill coverage. The failure occurred under normal use, and I reported it promptly. I am requesting: A review of my VIN and confirmation of whether it falls under Service Campaign T5G (Headlamp High Beam Repair). If excluded, a written explanation for the denial and a reconsideration under warranty or goodwill repair. Clarification of why this known defect is not being covered when it matches the campaign description exactly. I am providing this information in good faith and hope Hyundai will stand by its quality and customer service commitments.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695819October 27, 2025
STEERING
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that there was a lot of play in the steering wheel, and the steering wheel moved back and forth with no resistance while the vehicle was being driven or while idling. There was a loud clunking noise coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering column flexible coupler had failed and caused the wheels to not respond correctly while turning the steering wheel. The contact was informed that the steering column flexible coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695773October 27, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The “consider taking a break” warning pops up way too frequently and cannot be disabled. It completes the exact opposite of its intended purpose, and actually is a danger to driving, as it diverts your attention away from the road. It has no maximum warnings either - so it can divert your attention and distract you every few minutes for as long as you are driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695597October 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2024 Hyundai Elantra horn failed, and has to be replaced at under 20,000 miles. Safety of myself and occupants was put at risk when another oncoming vehicle was not paying attention and veered in my lane going 75 mph and my horn would not work to call their attention back to the road. No warning light was on or notified me. The dealer confirmed and claimed it was a recall because they keep going out for a lot of people… but there’s no recall listed online. Extremely unsafe, and vehicle will not pass inspection without horn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695220October 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
We were heading back to Ohio at Mile marker 8 75N Kentucky when we heard a boom. Then we saw smoke as my husband was pulling over. We jump out to get our child out of the car seat and at the same time a pickup truck pulls up with two guys. They yell that our cars on fire and began putting the fire out with a fire extinguisher. We had an oil change before we left Ohio by Valvoline. This area of the hwy isn't really patrolled and only has a volunteer fire department. A constable just happened to pass by US on the way to Indiana.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694991October 22, 2025
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in direction with the ABS warning light illuminated. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but the failure reoccurred. Recently, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was restarted, but failed to self-correct. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 85,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695102October 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Taylor Hyundai of Findlay FAILED too complete these recalls. X3 times !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695151October 22, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The mounted brake light went out 3 days after my purchase. It worked again after i turned the off the car and turned it back on. However, this kept happening that past two years. I noticed it has to do something with the wiring. It is a dangerous issue and will be sending it to the dealership. This keeps happening while i am driving the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694695October 21, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES
Passenger side brake light keeps going out and has been replaced twice
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694830October 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The trunk latch was recalled. I supposedly got it fixed in July 2024. It was functioning at the time it was supposedly fixed. It Does say it’s a safety issue.Now it is not working, exactly the symptoms of the recall, not open from the inside. There isn’t a key hole to open it. My belongings are inside, and if I get a flat, there is no way of opening the trunk. I’ve called their corporate office. They want to charge me a diagnostic fee, of $200.00 to check the recall. Isn’t it their legal obligation to check if the recall has taken affect?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694187October 17, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My fuel pump comes up and my check engine light saying that it needs to be replaced when I fill up my car it automatically resets my mileage for AAA and trippy and it will tell me that I have no gas even though I just filled up or it will say I’m full when I know I’m empty so it’s not reliable. It comes and goes. And then for an electrical issue my Car will randomly stop working and then like come back up and it was underneath the positive plug. there is a clip that someone had to extend because it was too short and causing electrical surges so it’s still a problem if I go over a bump it gets loose so that clip under the positive terminal I believe is loose and makes my car shut off in the middle of driving at once and then it came right back on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693779October 16, 2025
AIR BAGS
No incident as of yet, however there are multiple Hyundai vehicle owners whose air and lights have come on after having the vehicle for at least 5 years. Other manufacturers have issued recall notices on this matter, but not Hyundai.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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