Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 252 safety complaints
about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra with the US government. Of those, 21 describe a crash, 6 mention a fire, 16 people were injured and 2 deaths are recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 107 complaints, 42% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 9,831 miles,
the median across the 76
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers September 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
252 complaints on file
252
Complaints
21
Describe a crash
6
Mention fire
16
People injured
2
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints rose by half year on year: 57 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 33 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 107 · 42%
107 42%
POWER TRAIN 47 · 19%
47 19%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 28 · 11%
28 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27 · 11%
27 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25 · 10%
25 10%
STEERING 20 · 8%
20 8%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14 · 6%
14 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 13 · 5%
13 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13 · 5%
13 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 · 4%
9 4%
STRUCTURE 7 · 3%
7 3%
AIR BAGS 5 · 2%
5 2%
04692
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 252.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2021 at 48.
52 39 26 13
192019202020212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Hyundai ELANTRA, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
10.7%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 158,493 vehicles across all model years covered
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
19V721000 · October 9, 2019
The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
The risk
A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 744 vehicles across all model years covered
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
19V720000 · October 9, 2019
The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
The risk
A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 48 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AT APPROXIMATELY 16,000 ' 17,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED HAVING TECHNICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THERE SEEMED TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM SETTING. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE GLOVE BOX LIGHT, THE OVERHEAD READING LIGHT, AND THE CHARGING PORT FOR CAR ADAPTERS ALL STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER THOSE THINGS WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE, WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE DRIVING FROM MISSOURI TO CALIFORNIA AND WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY THROUGH KANSAS, THE CAR UNEXPLAINABLY JOLTED TO THE LEFT INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION LANE OF TRAVEL. I WAS GOING AROUND 65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT SEEMED THE CAR THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH THE RPMS GOING TO THE RED. …
NHTSA complaint 11383011, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
2 injured · fire · crash · towed
Car emitted carbon monoxide into car cabin, causing driver to lose consciousness and crash on highway and burst into flames
NHTSA complaint 11430751. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 injured · fire · crash · towed
Car stalled while driving on highway… causing the car to crash. The air bags deployed and me out! The car burst into flames and I was rescued by another motorist
NHTSA complaint 11432397. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 7,000 miles
A CAR DARTED INTO MY LANE AT 90 DEGREES. MY RENTAL CAR RIGHT CORNER ENDED UP AGAINST THE OTHER CAR'S LEFT FENDER. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT DID START TO INFLATE. A LOT OF DARK GRAY SMOKE ISSUED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THE BAG STARTED TO DEPLOY. THE BAG COVER APPEARED TO EXTEND ABOUT 6" FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SIDES LOOKED PLEATED, LIKE AN ACCORDION BELLOWS. ALSO SOMETHING HAPPENED UNDER THE DASH AROUND THE PEDALS. I SAW A RECTANGULAR LIGHT COLORED AREA 4-9' TALL AND 10-20" WIDE AS IF A PANEL HAD BLOWN OFF A LOWER AIRBAG BUT NO INFLATION OCCURRED THERE AT ALL. JAN. 22, 2020 ON BON AIR RD, KENTFIELD. NOT SURE IF I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE. PASSENGER SIDE …
NHTSA complaint 11310064, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Back in early July, I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine so when I took it in to a Hyundai dealership, they told me the only way I could pursue any help further was by completing a oil consumption test, which I complied and paid for out-of-pocket very soon after within 48 hours my check engine light came on and was flashing. after pulling the code at an AutoZone which I have documentation of it was a P 1327 which signals that the car had entered limp mode. I very quickly reached out to Hyundai themselves and after going back-and-forth on paperwork, they assured me that since I had no coverage on the vehicle due to its mileageand that it was not produced in the same factory as the …
NHTSA complaint 11767885, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
102,474 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) as a potential cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently with an abnormal electrical wire burning odor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine starter failure. The engine starter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 102,474.
NHTSA complaint 11766673. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
The vehicle entered limp mode. The Hyundai dealer diagnosed a camshaft problem, said the repair would be covered, ordered the part, and began the work. After the engine was opened, the dealer noted sludge/varnish and denied coverage, claiming lack of maintenance. This VIN is included in safety recall 21V301 for improperly heat-treated piston oil rings on the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Hyundai told NHTSA that chipped rings can scuff the cylinder bore, cause accelerated oil consumption, knocking, oil-pressure warning, connecting-rod bearing seizure, stall, and in limited cases fire. The published remedy is inspection of the cylinder bore and piston skirt, engine replacement if damage is found, and …
NHTSA complaint 11763344, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 injured · crash · towed
2020 HYUNDAI [XXX], VIN: [XXX] Incident Description: On XXX I was pulling into a parking spot and had my foot firmly on the brake pedal. When I attempted to shift the vehicle into Park the engine suddenly revved up excessively. The vehicle then accelerated forward on its own and crashed into a building. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11763045. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 46,961 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted but unexpectedly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure caused by a misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The manufacturer was not …
NHTSA complaint 11761736, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission TCM/IVT had a service campaign recall #963 for TCM relearn / IVT replacement for premature transmission failure. Hyundai USA and dealership Big Star Hyundai of Friendswood, TX have made claims of the repair being done. Service records indicate there was no replacement, relearn or anything transmission related done with the vehicle and Hyundai USA has claimed on their end that their records show it was completed, but refuse to show or display records of completion, and have not maintained outreach to the dealership regarding maintenance records for this specific issue. Transmission has popped a P0867 code at 65,000 miles, just outside of it's warranty, and reflects the same …
NHTSA complaint 11760645, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed April 28, 2021.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst