2011 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 461 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 21 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electricalJul 2, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Campaign 20V393000 on NHTSA.gov
Electronic stability control (ESC)Dec 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
Campaign 15V871000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, springs, coil springsOct 7, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.
Campaign 15V629000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Campaign 13V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Apr 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED A POSSIBLE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2017
AIR BAG INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. WIRES AND CLOCK SPRING ARE ALL OK. AS I WAS RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I REALIZED THAT MANY 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA DRIVERS REPORT THE SAME COMPLAINT.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 30, 2017
I HAVE 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 118000 M FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS TOLD CAR ISN'T PART OF RECALL, SO I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR REPAIR OF APPROX $300. I DIDN'T REPAIR AS I SEE SAME COMPLAINT FROM MANY OWNERS. ALSO, ALL BACK END OF CAR LIGHTING HAS TO BE REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A DEFECT WITH SOME WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURED.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2017
THE AIRBAG LIGHT SWITCHED ON SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH COSTS AROUND $300. IF THIS IS NOT REPLACED, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF A COLLISION. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH RECENTLY EXPIRED WARRANTIES. SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY SYSTEM DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE UNDER RECALL.
Air bags, Mar 1, 2017
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON. DEALER STATES THE CLOCKSPRING IS BAD. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. ALSO FOUND OUT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CLOCKSPRING.
Air bags, Feb 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE MAIN DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW CLOCK SPRING SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,550...UPDATED 04/11/17 *BF UPDATED 10/13/2017*JS
Suspension, Air bags, Feb 13, 2017
FRONT AND BACK STRUTS/SHOCKS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON
Air bags, Feb 2, 2017
AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT HAS COME ON SHORTLY AFTER 110K MILES, THIS DISABLES THE SYSTEM. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR HAD ANY ISSUES.
Air bags, Jan 18, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A UTILITY POLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 22, 2016
MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS IN THE PARKING LOT, AS I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DROP OF THE VEHICLE TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THE COSTS WOULD BE $250. SHOULDN'T AIRBAG SAFETY BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY? THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT! PLEASE HELP!
Air bags, Nov 14, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V115000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Air bags, Oct 31, 2016
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND I CONTACTED HYUNDAI, ROUND ROCK, TX, FOR SOME INFORMATION FOR WHICH THEY WERE UNABLE TO RELAY TO ME WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO COMPUTER ANALYZE FOR AN EXTREME COST. I FEEL ANYTHING TO DO WITH A SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND ANALYZED WITHOUT A CHARGE. PLEASE ADVISE WITH YOUR UNDERSTANDING. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Oct 12, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY IS LIT UP. I STARTED THE CAR ONE DAY AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A GARAGE AND IT CANNOT BE RESET. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG CHECKSPRING IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF CRASH. THE MECHANIC STATED THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY/RECALL ITEM AS IT SHOULDN'T JUST GO BAD.
Air bags, Sep 27, 2016
IN MY 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. THIS SEEMED LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SO I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY QUOTED ME $300.00 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND THAT I AM DEFINITELY NOT THE ONLY HYUNDAI ELANTRA CAR OWNER THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. WITHOUT THE $300.00 TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISON. HOW IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEREFORE NOT ON A RECALL LIST?
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 20, 2016
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON PANEL COMES ON WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN DRIVE AND ENGINE ENGAGED
Air bags, Aug 28, 2016
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM
Air bags, Aug 22, 2016
AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN DISABLED, THIS JUST HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH NO REAL REASON FOR IT TO GO ON. THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DISABLED APPEARED WHEN STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT FOR IT TO CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO INFLATE. I HAVE LOOKED UP IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR HYUNDAI ELANTRAS, AND I SEE THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX AND SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT WILL PREVENT THE OWNER TO REQUIRE THE STATE SAFETY CHECK REQUIREMENTS.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 29, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND REQUIRED A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Air bags, Apr 25, 2016
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE MAIN DASH CONSOLE STAYING ON. WAS CONCERNED AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TOO TIGHT/DEFECTIVE AND THERE IS A 50/50 CHANCE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE JUST WENT OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING ISSUE THEN I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL.
Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,162. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Feb 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 27, 2015, crash
DRIVER OF OUR CAR, THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING, SLOWED TO ABOUT 20-25 MPH TO LET A CAR IN FRONT OF US TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY. DRIVER OF A HONDA CRV TRAVELING BEHIND US AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH DID NOT SLOW AND SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF US. FRONT SEAT PASSENGER HIT HER HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD RESULTING IN A BRUISE AND BLACK EYE AND WHIPLASH BECAUSE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER'S SEAT SLID BACKWARDS, LOOSENING HIS SEATBELT. HE HIT HIS HIP AND KNEE ON THE DOOR AND EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH. POLICE ON SCENE LOOKED AT SEATBELTS ON BOTH SIDES AND DETERMINED THERE WERE NO "STOP MARKS" INDICATING THE SEATBELTS HAD ENGAGED. *TR
Air bags, Dec 19, 2014, crash
I WAS HIT BY AN UNLICENSED, ILLEGAL DRIVER DRIVING FAR PAST THE SPEED LIMIT IN A NO-CROSSING ZONE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO MAJOR HARM, BUT MY SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND MY HEAD SLAMMED AGAINST THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. NO ONE CONTACTED ME. *TR
Air bags, Oct 27, 2014, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND THEN WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE BACK OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL, THEN JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDOW OR THE CENTER POST, NOT SURE. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 28, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND A RIGHT KNEE REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,092. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. SHE WAS INFORMED, IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. UPDATED 10/15/14 ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THEY STATED THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE NOT INTENDED TO DEPLOY DURING EVERY IMPACT THAT WAS GENERALLY DIRECTED AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END. FRONTAL AIR BAS WERE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY WHEN A VEHICLE SUSTAINED A SUFFICIENT FORWARD DECELERATION TO TRIGGER THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE AIR BAG SENSOR REACTED TO EXTREME DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE'S FORWARD MOVEMENT. BASED UPON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, IT APPEARED THE VEHICLE WAS HIT AT AN ANGULAR IMPACT INVOLVING LATERAL FORCES. UPDATED 11/26/14 UPDATED 12/17/14. *JB LAWYER ON BEHALF OF CLIENT. UPDATED 01/16/15.*JB UPDATED 02/24/15*LJ UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT