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, Jul 16, 2014, crash
2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. *SMD PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THE LAWYER FIRST BECAME AWARE OF A RECALL, AFTER READING AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *JB
Air bags, Jan 23, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED MUCH LATER THAN THE CRASH OCCURRED AND CAUSED HIM TO SUFFER BLEEDING TO THE BRAIN AND A BROKEN NOSE DUE TO MAKING CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Suspension, Air bags, Structure, Engine, Sep 3, 2013, crash
FRONT OF ELANTRA TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT ANOTHER CAR ENTERING 4 LANE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.(T-BONED") THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE HEAD , FRONT OR SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 27, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 22 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jul 31, 2012, crash
VEHICLE SPUN AND HIT GUARD RAIL ON INTERSTATE 90 HEAD ON , THEN ALSO ON RIGHT SIDE BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!!! WE HAD PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING BOTH A 2005 SONATA AND 2007 ELANTRA IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN FACT, THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE 2005 ACCIDENT SPENT ALMOST $10,000 TO REPAIR THE CAR RATHER THAN TOTAL IT AND SPECIFICALLY STATED TO ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TOTALED THE VEHICLE HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR