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: steering
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jun 30, 2021
The steering column clicks and pops when you turn wheel. Upon research. I have found this is an issue Hyundai knows about. Has an upgraded replacement part for. But refuses to recall.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Mar 13, 2021
I HAVE ALREADY REPORTED MY PROBLEM REGARDING THE RECALL #107096 FOR SUSPENSION FRONT SPRING COIL. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 15V629000; DATE: OCT. 7, 2015 IF A FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, IT MAY CONTACT THE TIRE, POSSIBLY PUNCTURING IT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH...AND WANTED TO UPDATE SINCE I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED HYUNDAI. THIS WAS THEIR REPLY: CAMPAIGNS AND RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC, THEREFORE, YOUR 2011 ELANTRA MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED IN THE SAME TIME PERIOD AS THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BUT AT A DIFFERENT FACTORY. NOT ALL ELANTRA'S FOR THIS TIME PERIOD WERE RECALLED. ONLY THE AFFECTED VIN'S. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE AFFECTED DATES, BUT THEY ARE APPARENTLY ONLY VIN SPECIFIC. MY CONCERN IS THAT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED...IF OTHERS OUTSIDE THE VIN SPECIFIC ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM MAYBE THEY NEED TO EXPAND THE RECALL FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEMS AND WOULD LIKE TO WARN OTHERS TO GET THIS CHECKED EVEN THOUGH HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER THE PROBLEM.
Steering, Feb 11, 2021
POWER STEERING CLICKING AND GOING OUT. UNSAFE TO DRIVE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES
Steering, Suspension, Jan 27, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED AND A DISTURBING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT ON MY CAR. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PROBLEM DESCRIPTION PDF AND ACCOMPANYING PHOTOS.
Steering, Aug 21, 2020
A COUPLER BETWEEN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND STEERING ROAR IS TORNED OUT AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT MAKE MAY STEERING VIBRATE AND NOICE EVERYTIME I TURN FROM CENTER TO RIGHT OR CENTER TO LEFT..IT'S $ 8 COUPLER BUT TO FIX YOU HAVE TO PAY LABOUR OF $ 300 AND OF DON'T THAN WE MIGHT END UP HAVING LOCKED STEERING ON THE ROAD OR LOOSE STEERING
Steering, Electrical system, May 31, 2020
MY STEERING WHEEL IS SCRUBBING AND HAS FREE PLAY IN IT. IT STARTED WITH FREE PLAY IN IT NOW IT IS SCRUBBING SOMEWHERE. AND MY ODOMETER READING, HORN DOES NOT WORK. *BF
Steering, Apr 7, 2020
WHEN I TURN MY CAR I HEAR A CLICKING SOUND AND THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES WOBBLY. I HAVE NOTICED THIS FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS BUT EARLY WAS ONLY OCCASIONAL BUT RECENTLY HAVE BECOME MORE FREQUENT. HAPPENS IN SLIGHT TURNS AND WHILE STREET DRIVING. LAST TIME IT OCCURRED WHILE PARKING.
Steering, Feb 19, 2020
MY STEERING WHEEL "POPS" AND WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, MOVES LOOSELY, BUT DOES NOT MOVE THE TIRES. IT ALSO RATTLES WHEN I GO OVER ROUGH AREAS OF A ROAD.
Steering, Suspension, Jan 19, 2020
WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 40MPH AND GOING OVER BUMPS IN ROAD LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURS. THIS CREATES THE DRIVE TO OVER CORRECT AND CAUSE TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERNS WITH VEHICLES AROUND THE ELENTRA AS WELL AS COLLISION ISSUES FOR ELENTRA DRIVER.
Steering, Dec 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND ATTEMPTS TO MAKE STEERING CORRECTIONS, POSSIBLY DUE OT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. MANUFACTURER SAYS IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT MAKES DRIVING A HAZARD.
Steering, Nov 15, 2019
WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, 50-70 MPH, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT LOSES CONTACT WITH ROAD SURFACE. MAKING IT FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR.
Steering, Oct 4, 2019
I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FOURTH WITH HYUNDAI ABOUT THE STEERING. THEY HAVE CLAIMED TO FIX THE RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AS I TRY TO DRIVE AND I WAS TOLD IN JUNE OF 2019 DURING MY STATE INSPECTION IT WAS TAKEN CARE OFF.I RECENTLY GOT MY BRAKES CHANGED AND THE PEOPLE SERVICED MY CAR AGREED IT HAD NOT BEEN FIXED AND IN FACT IS DANGEROUS.
Steering, Sep 29, 2019
FALL 2018 - LOUD BRUSHING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT. MECHANIC TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI TO FIX THE CLOCK SPRING. DID BUT THE SOUND RETURNED WITHIN 3 WEEKS. LIVED WITH IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T AS LOUD AS BEFORE. ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO THE LOUD SOUND RETURNED. TOOK IT BACK TO HYUNDAI WHO SAID THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DID NOT TRUST HYUNDAI. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAYS THAT THERE IS A DAMAGED BEARING IN THE COLUMN. BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON GUESSING IF THE CORRECT BEARING HAS BEEN FOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL MOTOR MAY OR MAY NOT ALSO BE COMPROMISED, I AM ALLOWING MY MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE ESTIMATED COST IS $1600. FYI THE SOUND IS LOUDEST WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO WHEN I AM TURNING IN TO A PARKING SPACE. IT CAN ALSO BE HEARD WHEN THE CAR IS MAKING TURNS WHEN ON THE ROAD. THERE IS A SLIGHT GIVE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING BUT IT IS MANAGEABLE. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO WILL NOT LOCK.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 24, 2019
WHILE STEERING OR MAKING TURNS THERE IS A POPPING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND A HESITATION
Steering, Sep 23, 2019
WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN STEERING COUPLER ISSUE THAT IS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 100,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY MY VEHICLE EXCEEDS THAT RANGE AND WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SAID REPAIRS. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS AFFECTING MY MODEL IN GENERAL, NOT JUST THE MILEAGE.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 10, 2019
CAR STALLS WHILE IN MOTION AND COMING TO STOPS. ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK AND ALSO HAS A TICKING NOISE. CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS FRONT AND BACK. ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH STEERING WHEEL MAKING A WINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF EVEN WHEN AIR IS PUT IN OR ALL NEW TIRES ARE PUT ON. ALSO CONSTANTLY HAVING ISSUES DRIVER SIDE UP FRONT TIRE ISSUES. HAD NEW BRAKES DONE AND SHORTLY AFTER THERE MAKING NOISES AGAIN. I ALWAYS HAVE HYUNDAI DO MY WORK ON MY CAR EXCEPT I DO HOWEVER GO TO WALMART TO GET MY TIRES. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS AND CONSTANTLY HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH IT. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI AGAIN.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 8, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF REGULARLY FOR SOME DAYS, THEN FINALLY IT STAYS ON PERMANENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS DOESN'T COME ON WHEN I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CAR BOUNCES AND SWAY TO THE SIDE EACH TIME I HIT A POTHOLE NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE POTHOLE IS.
Steering, Apr 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED WIESNER HYUNDAI (1645 INTERSTATE 45 N #400, CONROE, TX 77304, (936) 523-6300) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY AND TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,883.
Steering, Engine, Apr 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING MORE THAN 60 MPH OVER A BUMP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE DETECTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER COUPLING AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Steering, Suspension, Air bags, Mar 5, 2019
'TAKATA RECALL' (1) SUSPENSION PROBLEM.. IT DRIFTS OR BOUNCES TO ONE SIDE WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR WHEN I GO INTO A POTHOLE... I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS TO FIX THIS BUT HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY SOLUTION.. CHANGED SWAY BAR LINKS, TIE-RODS, STRUTS AND BALL JOINTS, STILL NO IMPROVEMENT. (2) STEERING ISSUES - STEERING FEELS STIFF WHEN TURNING AND SOMETIMES MAKES FUNNY SOUNDS (3) CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR
Steering, Feb 22, 2019
WHEN I DROVE (IN MOTION) MY CAR OVER POTHOLES OR ROAD EDGES, MY CAR IS DRIFTING BY SIDE TO SIDE. I HAD THIS ISSUE FROM THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I SHOWED MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE EXACT REASON AND I SPENT AROUND $2000 TO REPLACE ALL THE PARTS AS PER HYUNDAI'S DEALERSHIP SUGGESTION. AFTER SPENDING THIS MUCH OF MONEY I STILL HAVE A DRIFTING ISSUE IN POTHOLES. RECENTLY, I CONTACTED OTHER HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP .AND THEY SUGGESTED ME TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN AND UNIVERSAL SHAFT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED NOW AND REQUESTING HYUNDAI AMERICA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE BY THEIR SIDE BECAUSE IT IS REALLY A SAFETY CONCERN.
Steering, Dec 13, 2018
A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING AREA WHEN I MADE TURNS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULD FIND THE ACTUAL PART BUT KNEW IT WAS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. AFTER SOME RESEARCH HE FOUND THAT A FEW PEOPLE WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE COUPLER INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE THE PART LOOKED LIKE WHEN HE REMOVED IT. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING SINCE I USE THIS VEHICLE DAILY AND TRANSPORT MY 2 KIDS TO DAYCARE. I PUT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT EACH YEAR SINCE DRIVING FROM HOME TO MY KIDS DAYCARE AND WORK PUT LESS THAN 10 MILES ON IT A DAY.
Steering, Wheels, Oct 29, 2018
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: IT GRIEVES ME TO ESCALATE THIS CONCERN TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SEEK RESOLUTION WITH HYUNDAI, BUT THE CORPORATE OFFICE IS UNRESPONSIVE AND IGNORANT TO THE SAFETY CONCERN. THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE DEFECT OF THE POWER STEERING COUPLER ON HYUNDAI ELANTRA MODELS THAT AFFECTS TIRES, STEERING, BALANCING, ALIGNMENT. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND HAS EITHER REPAIRED OR REIMBURSED OWNERS OF HYUNDAI ELANTRA FOR THE DEFECT UP TO 100,000 MILES OR 120,000 MILES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. I PURCHASED THE ELANTRA AT 89,000 MILES AND INQUIRED ABOUT A NOISE IN THE CAR. THE DEALER IGNORED IT, AND THE CARFAX DID NOT HAVE ANY MENTION OF THE DEFECT. AFTER TWO SETS OF TIRES, 3 ALIGNMENTS, AND ADDITIONAL REPAIR, I BEGAN TO WONDER AFTER, SEVERAL TIRES BLEW DURING MY DRIVE AFTER LOADING ON THE GROCERIES! HOW CAN THE TIRES WITH 50% LIFE LEFT--ALL OF THEM--BLOW ON THE ROAD? THERE IS NOTHING MENTIONED IN THE MANUAL? SADLY, DURING MY SEVERAL VISITS TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS (BOTH IN TAMPA AND ORLANDO), NOBODY AT THE DEALER MENTIONED ONCE ABOUT THIS ISSUE?! FINALLY, THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE I REPLACED THE TIRES INDICATED ABOUT THE COUPLER ISSUE. I REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI'S CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS INFORMED TO REPAIR AND WILL BE REIMBURSED. WELL, I REPAIRED THE ISSUE UPON DISCOVERY AT 122,800 MILES, BUT HYUNDAI IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE FOR THE DEFECT OF THEIR ISSUE. I WRESTLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE TIRES BLOW UP ON THE ROAD, SEVERAL SETS OF TIRES MUST BE REPLACED WITH ALIGNMENT AND ADDITIONAL REPAIR? I WRESTLE TO GRASP THAT HYUNDAI DOES NOT INFORM BUYERS IN ANY WAY OF THE ISSUE, AND THE DEALERS ARE SILENT ON THE ISSUE. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE? AFTER HOURS OF SPENDING TIME ON THIS ISSUE, ALL THAT I WOULD LIKE IS THE REIMBURSEMENT OF $340 I PAID TO FIX THE DEFECT OF THE CAR.THIS IS NOT MY FAULT!
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 14, 2018, fire
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES GET ACTIVE WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES . ABS START KICKING AND THE CAR LOOSE POWER . IF I HATE THE BRAKE THE BRAKE PARKS GET REALLY SENSITIVE AND THE CAR START SHAKING . HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FINED ANY PROBLEMS . FROM MY EXPERIENCE THIS IS A USE SENSOR PROBLEM AND I SPOKE WITH HONDA OF AMERICA AND THEY SAID MY CAR AND MY VIN # HAS NO RECALL .
Steering, Jan 29, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE FLEX STEERING CUPPLING. IT MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND BECOMES VERY HARD TO CONTROL.