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: suspension
67 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Sep 19, 2016
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS PART FOR ELANTA'S MANUFACTURED FROM NOV 2010 TILL MARCH 2011 IN STATES THAT USE SALT AS THE PART CAN QUICKLY ERODE AND BREAK. MINE WAS MANUFACTURED 12/23/10 AND HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN NEW YORK SINCE AT LEAST 2013. HYUNDAI IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT MY CAR DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY CARS MANUFACTURED IN KOREA. MY GARAGE ALSO BELIEVED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE RECALLED PART AND SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI CAME BACK STILL REFUSING TO COVER IT BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE MILES AND THAT I AM THE 2ND OWNER (NOT EVEN 74,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND OTHER SIDE COIL ABSOLUTELY FINE). MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE PART BROKE. I AM HAVING A HYUNDAI CERTIFIED GARAGE REPLACE THE PART BUT I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE UNDER HYUNDAI'S RESPONSIBILITY AS THEY ALREADY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THAT PART AND ARE TRYING TO FIND LOOPHOLES TO AVOID FIXING THE PROBLEM.
Suspension, Sep 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V629000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 10/27/16*LJ *TR
Suspension, Aug 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE ANCHOR SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V629000 (SUSPENSION) 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 83,718. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Suspension, Jun 24, 2016
THE SUSPENSION ON MY CAR IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE. WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE REAR END WOBBLES AND SWAYS BACK AND FORTH. IN RAIN OR SNOW THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL ON A FEW OCCASIONS THE BACK END HAS SLID OUT A BIT CAUSING CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN. THIS APPARENTLY IS A MAJOR PROBLEM BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. I HAVE BEEN IN FOR THE PROBLEM 5 TIMES WITH NO SOLUTION.
Suspension, May 19, 2016
OUR HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED, BUT NO ONE EVER TOLD US THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. A WEEK AGO, ONE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED AND GAVE US A BLOWOUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. LUCKILY FOR US, WE WERE ON A SIDE ROAD AND NOT THE FREEWAY. WE BROUGHT IT TO A LES SCHWAB FOR REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS CLOSER. IT WILL TAKE 3 WEEKS FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN, SO I LOOKED IT UP. TURNS OUT THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE WE NEVER GOT. I DIDN'T TAKE A PHOTO BEFORE WE TURNED IT IN, BUT AM ATTACHING A SERVICE ESTIMATE FROM LES SCHWAB.
Suspension, Apr 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ANOTHER DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A FRONT COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REMEDIED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V629000 (SUSPENSION). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTED HYUNDAI ONLY REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT AND COIL SPRING; HOWEVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING AND STRUT WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Steering, Suspension, Feb 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.
Suspension, Wheels, Jan 13, 2016
THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF BRAND NEW TIRES (MICHELINS) THAT HAS FAILED IN LESS THAN 25K MILES ON THE 17" RIMS THIS CAR CAME WITH. EVERY SMALL POTHOLE IS FELT SO STRONGLY, THE WIPERS GO ON AND THE GLOVE BOX POPS OPEN. THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUBBER BET. THE RIM AND THE ROAD. WE DON'T WANT TO END UP DEAD IN A DITCH WHEN ONE OF THESE TIRES BLOWS OUT. AS NOTED ON THE HYUNDAI BLOGS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND FOLKS ARE JUST WAITING FOR A CLASS ACTION OR RECALL ACTION TO HAPPEN. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2015
MY HYUNDAI MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. IT HAPPENS WHENEVER I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE/REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND VICE VERSA, AND ALSO IF I SPEED UP, OR SLOW DOWN QUICKLY. I TRIED GETTING THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AT A DEALER, AND I WAS TOLD "I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT MANY OF THE ELANTRA'S COME FROM FACTORY MAKING THAT NOISE, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHY. OBVIOUSLY, IF IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEN HYUNDAI WOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL BY NOW." I WAS UPSET BY THIS STATEMENT, BECAUSE IT DOES CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN I AM ACCELERATING AND BREAKING, AS WELL AS OTHER STRANGE THINGS, SO I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE. I DID BUY THIS VEHICLE PRE-OWNED, AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO TRY TO GET IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE. I FEEL REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING MY OWN VEHICLE WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT, AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
Suspension, Aug 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP CORRODED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. MA 10/16/15 *CN
Suspension, Feb 7, 2015
WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IF YOU GO OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD OR A POT HOLE THE LEFT REAR TIRE/SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO SWAY OR ALMOST JUMP TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT SIDE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CAR BOTTOMS OUT AND THE WHEEL COMES OFF OF THE PAVEMENT. IT HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. IF I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT AND YOU FEEL AND HEAR IT BOTTOMING OUT. IT'S TERRIBLE. THERE IS A DEFECT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR DO THIS. HYUNDAI SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER ELANTRA OWNERS. TO HYUNDAI, ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM!!!!!!! *JS
Steering, Suspension, Jul 9, 2014
I WAS TRAVELING TO MEMPHIS, TN. THE REAR END OF THE CAR WOULD CONSTANTLY JERK OUT TOT THE LEFT WHEN I WOULD HIT BUMPS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A NORMAL REACTION FOR THIS KIND OF SUSPENSION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANT, AND DURING THE WINTER, IT TRIED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL, AND IT IS SCARY BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW IF OR WHEN IT'S GONNA CRASH. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEONE UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Jun 27, 2014
ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE .. BUY 89 OCTANE GAS IN THE WINTER TIME. DRIVE SHAFT IS DEFECTIVE.....BUY A NEW BEARING AND DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE DEALER AND MAKE CERTAIN THE NEW ONE IS NOT DEFECTIVE. I REPLACED THE BEARING ONLY AND IT APPEARS TO BE FINE, FOR NOW. .......TIRES WEAR OUT EXTREMELY FAST....BUY NEW SHOCKS AND STRUTS EARLIER THAN YOU HAD TO ON THE MORE EXPENSIVE FOREIGN CARS. *TR
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.
Suspension, Dec 11, 2012
HYUNDAI MECHANIC, [XXX], CLAIMED THAT THE SHAKING OF THE REAR SUSPENSION IS A "NORMAL" FEATURE FOR ALL HYUNDAI ELANTRAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE "REAR DRIVE TRAIN IS A SOLID PLATFORM NOT INDEPENDENT." THIS WAS THE CERRITOS HYUNDAI'S TECHNICIANS EXACT STATEMENT FOR MY CAR'S MALFUNCTION. I PROVIDED PROPER DOCUMENTATION FROM A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC, ROBERT VELIS FROM RENNSTAR MOTORS, STATING THAT MY HYUNDAI ELANTIC HAS "ERRATIC DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AT SPEED BUMPS." THIS "NORMAL" FEATURE NOT ONLY IS UNSETTLING BUT CAUSES UNDO STRESS TO THE DRIVER CAUSING DISTRACTIONS WHEN DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A ROAD HAZARD, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS UNSETTLING FEATURE. I AM PRESENTING MY DISTRESS TO YOU SINCE, HYUNDAI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. "ERRATIC DIRECTIONAL STABILITY" IS NOT A BIG ENOUGH OF A MALFUNCTION FOR HYUNDAI TO TAKE INTO SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. SO, WHO IS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: THE PURCHASER OR THE MANUFACTURER? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Suspension, Oct 22, 2011
I HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2011 TIRES CONTIPRO R17. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I HIT A 4 INCH POTHOLE AND FOR SOME REASON THE AIR ESCAPED THE TIRE AND HAD TO CALL A TOW IN TRUCK. THE DEALER REPLACED MY TIRE FOR ONLY $321 (AM I LUCKY HA HA). NOW IT IS OCTOBER AND ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE HIT A MUCH SMALLER POTHOLE AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. WHAT IS GOING ON? THESE TIRES ARE MADE OUT OF BUBBLE GUM. MY FORD CONTOUR 1997 DROVE THROUGH THE GRAND CANYON AND TIRES LASTED FOR 80 THOUSAND MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HOPE THEY REPLACE THOSE THINGS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT....... THANKS *TR
Suspension, Jun 24, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.