Hyundai Elantra owners filed 2,503 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra drew the most complaints (767); across all years, owners complain most about engine (37% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2017, with 767 complaints, led by engine (290) and 4 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Engine drew 922 complaints but 2 recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Stop-driving recalls: 2 recalls told owners to park outside until repaired (23V651000, 23V526000).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2017 (3.1 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: brakes complaints came at a median 20k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 37 complaints mention a fire and 162 a crash, with 120 injuries and 5 deaths reported.
Hyundai Elantra complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 3 recalls | 259 | Engine (91), Brakes (29), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (26) median 54k mi · 27 crashes · 8 fires |
| 2016 2 recalls | 292 | Engine (111), Transmission / powertrain (31), Air bags (26) median 55k mi · 22 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2017 4 recalls | 767 | Engine (290), Body structure (134), Electrical system (111) median 44k mi · 37 crashes · 6 fires |
| 2018 no recall | 282 | Engine (140), Electrical system (43), Transmission / powertrain (24) median 27k mi · 12 crashes · 7 fires |
| 2019 1 recall | 250 | Engine (132), Exterior lights (65), Electrical system (37) median 50k mi · 12 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2020 3 recalls | 250 | Engine (105), Transmission / powertrain (47), Exterior lights (28) median 9k mi · 21 crashes · 6 fires |
| 2021 6 recalls | 130 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (32), Electrical system (30), Seat belts (27) median 24k mi · 8 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2022 5 recalls | 100 | Seat belts (23), Electrical system (19), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (16) median 24k mi · 6 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 2 recalls | 98 | Electrical system (23), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (20), Engine (18) median 17k mi · 8 crashes |
| 2024 1 recall | 53 | Electrical system (15), Engine (8), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (8) median 21k mi · 5 crashes |
| 2025 no recall | 22 | Lane departure assist (5), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (4), Engine (3) median 4k mi · 4 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 27, more than the 20 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Hyundai Elantra problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 922 | 37% | 2 | 58k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Electrical system | 351 | 14% | 0 | 40k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 220 | 9% | 1 | 33k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Body structure | 200 | 8% | 0 | 56k mi | — |
| Steering | 178 | 7% | 1 | 27k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Exterior lights | 156 | 6% | 0 | 35k mi | Headlight replacement cost |
| Brakes | 149 | 6% | 2 | 20k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Air bags | 115 | 5% | 4 | 30k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Hyundai Elantra owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Engine
Rapid loss of power failure of ignition coil. Happened for all four. Suddenly unable to open front or rear doors on passenger side. Actuator failures. Both of these conditions reported to Hyundai, my complaint is that Hyundai is well aware of these pproblems dealer confirmed they are common across models. They are expensive repairs. Why are they not recalls.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11680723
My 2015 Hyundai Elantra fits the 'window' of elantras where the engine transmission slips gears without notice. Hyundai dealers have been replacing transmissions at no cost, if the car is still under 100,000 miles, as part of a class action settlement. As the second owner, I have no warranty rights to get Hyundai to fix my car at no cost.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11681902
Related recalls: 24V308000 (2024): A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. 21V301000 (2019–2020): A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
922 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
My vehicle has been in the shop here at mcgrath Hyundai in chicago, il 30+ times since I bought it 5/21. Electrical, (rear), 6 horns, 6 blower motors, multiple warranty and recalls and now my front driver seat belt. They’re refusing to fix it even though I have reported it before. They’re saying over 60,000 miles makes it no longer under warranty. I reported it before and they said that it was okay.
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11717820
Both front headlamp assemblies broken hi beam mechanism. My cars headlights burn out every couple months and the bright lights will not work. I took to a Hyundai dealership on 03/28/2026 who told me it would be $5,333.30 to fix. I have done nothing to cause this electrical problem on both headlamps and when searching the internet; this issue seems to be a big problem on this vehicle year.
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11727708
None of these 351 electrical system complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
351 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
Check engine light didn't come on until the car no longer went into gear. Prior to light coming on car started jumping like 3 feet when going from park to drive sometimes and would do the same sometimes after proceeding from a stop. After about 2 weeks of doing this car would only go in reverse then the check engine light came on. Had it towed to dealer to be serviced.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11434949
Transmission completely went out at 86K miles with no warning. No lights on the dash, no slow build of issues. Has always had regular maintenance since I bought the car at the dealership. Second owner, and car is paid off. Drove it one day with absolutely no issues, and the very next day, all gears were slipping and was not safely drivable.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11513340
Related recalls: 23V526000 (2023): An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
220 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Hyundai Elantra recalls
Check these first: 23V651000 (2015, service brakes, hydraulic: park outside); 23V526000 (2023, transmission / powertrain: park outside).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V307000 | 2026-05-15 | 2015–2016 | Air bags | An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death. |
| 24V879000 | 2024-11-21 | 2021–2022 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash. |
| 24V308000 | 2024-05-01 | 2024 | Engine and cooling | A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. |
| 24V146000 | 2024-02-23 | 2015–2016 | Latches and locks | A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. |
| 23V651000 | 2023-09-22 | 2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V526000 | 2023-07-27 | 2023 | Transmission / powertrain | An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. |
| 22V632000 | 2022-08-18 | 2022–2023 | Air bags | A detached air bag cover emblem may strike a vehicle occupant, which can increase the risk of injury. |
| 22V354000 | 2022-05-19 | 2021–2022 | Seat belts | An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury. |
| 22V218000 | 2022-04-01 | 2021–2022 | Seat belts | Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury. |
| 22V123000 | 2022-03-03 | 2022 | Seat belts | An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury. |
| 21V00M000 | 2021-12-28 | 2021 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 21V796000 | 2021-10-13 | 2021 | Seat belts | An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury. |
| 21V301000 | 2021-04-28 | 2019–2020 | Engine | A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 21V302000 | 2021-04-28 | 2021 | Seats | An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 19V720000 | 2019-10-09 | 2020 | Wheels | A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash. |
| 19V721000 | 2019-10-09 | 2020 | Suspension | A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V213000 | 2017-03-28 | 2017 | Steering | Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash. |
| 17V063000 | 2017-01-26 | 2017 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V956000 | 2016-12-30 | 2017 | Air bags | In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury. |
| 16V232000 | 2016-04-21 | 2017 | Air bags | An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,503 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Hyundai models in the index
- Hyundai Tucson (4,848)
- Hyundai Sonata (3,717)
- Hyundai Santa Fe (2,823)
- Hyundai Palisade (2,302)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.