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: other or unspecified
36 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2025
No incident. Airbag light came on without incident. Hasn’t gone out. Don’t know why. Haven’t gotten it looked at.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 18, 2024
The front power window motors on both the driver and passenger have both failed twice. This leaves the widow in the down position until it can be repaired which caused a safety hazard.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2024
Car was broken into and they tried to steal the car. Antitheft device?
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2023
Anti theft software upgrade.
Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2023
Lots of problems and concerns
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 9, 2023
Had oil changed at Take 5 recently as always do. 2 weeks later car cut off 3 times in traffic. Engine light came on. Car started to lose power/acceleration and engine began to make a ticking/knocking sound. I checked the oil and none was in it. I added 4 quarts to see would that help. It did not.
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2022, fire
My car caught on fire in the parking lot of a business while I was inside of the business. The car was not started and just parked. The abs light was on since I bought the car and I had not had it looked at. I had no clue of the recall until today when this happened. The fire started under the hood somewhere. The fire department put the fire out and nothing other than that has been done. I will have a report in a few days.
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2021
The engine stopped while driving 60MPH on the highway. All dash symbol lights lit up, the brakes did not work, there was no power, the emergency brake did not work, the hazard lights did not work, loss of steering capabilities and I used the grass and rough roadside to stop the vehicle. Avoiding any accidents.
Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2021
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT EVERY MONTH! SINCE THERE'S NO INDICATIONS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT, THE POLICE AND FELLOW DRIVERS ARE THE ONES TO TELL ME THE LIGHTS ARE OUT. NOT SAFE WHEN BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT!
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MY HUSBAND HEARD A LOUD POP. IMMEDIATELY THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT WHICH CAUSED SEVERE LOSS OF CONTROL. THANKFULLY HE WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD WITH NO OTHER CARS AT THE TIME. APPARENTLY A COIL SPRING FRACTURED OFF AND SLASHED THE TIRE. THIS SPRING STILL LOOKED BRAND NEW YET IT JUST SHEERED OFF WHICH MUST BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING OF THE PART. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND A RECALL #107096 FOR SUSPENSION FRONT SPRING COIL YET MY 2011 ELANTRA DOES NOT SHOW UP FOR THIS RECALL? THIS DEFECT IN THE SPRING COIL COULD HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC EFFECTS IF WE WERE DRIVING FASTER ON HIGHWAY. I HAVEN'T YET BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT HYUNDAI IN REGARDS TO THIS YET BUT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE....THIS DEFECT WHICH COULD BE DEADLY DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I NOW HAVE TO PAY $1000 TO REPAIR THE STRUTS AND COILS ON BOTH SIDES. I'M NOT SURE WHY HYUNDAI HAS NOT RECALLED ALL CARS, BUT THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED FOR SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, May 28, 2020, fire
AWOKE TO GARAGE FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT 04/27/2020. HYUNDAI ON MY LIFT FOR REPAIRS . UPON CLEARING THE DEBRIS, THERE WAS A HOLE/HOT SPOT IN THE CONCRETE WHERE THE CAR WAS FOUND. TOTAL LOSS OF 2011 HYUNDAI,OF MY BUILDING & MY SHOP EQUIPMENT. THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED BY THE MAINE STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2019
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE HAD SOMEONE GET THE CODE WHICH IS P0711. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION TEMP SENSOR IF THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN TO MANY MANY PEOPLE. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME $500-1000. THIS SHOULD BE HYUNDAI'S BILL TO PAY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2019, fire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 5 HOURS. FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2019
MY CAR WON'T START WHEN TURNING THE KEY IT WOULD MAKE A CLICK NOISE BUT WON'T TURN ON UNLESS YOU TRY SEVERAL TIMES AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD TAKE A HOUR OR MORE TO DO SO. TWO YEARS AGO CHANGED THE BATTERY THINKING IT WAS THAT BUT AFTER ALL THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE STARTER SO IT GOT CHANGED. THREE YEARS SINCE THEN NOW I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CAR LOOKS FINE EVERYTHING WAS DIAGNOSED AND SEEMS OK SO DECIDED TO LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT SO THEY CAN TEST IT NEXT DAY. ONCE THEY DID THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO TURN ON SO THEY BOOSTED IT AND SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. AFTER CHANGING THE BATTERY THREE DAYS LATER THE CAR STILL GIVING ME THE SAME PROBLEM SOMETIMES IT WON'T TURN ON. NEXT STEP WILL BE CHANGE THE STARTER AGAIN BUT MECHANICS CAN'T FIND THE REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE ONCE THE CAR DESIDES TO TURN ON THERE IS NO PROBLEM BUT IT IS A STRUGGLE NOT KNOWING WHEN AND WHERE THIS WILL HAPPEN, IT IS VERY UNSAFE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING AND MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT IS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS CALLED A CLOCK SPRING? THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 13, 2018
VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOES NOT START. WHEN KEY IS TURNED TO POSITION ONE LIGHTS, RADIO, WINDOWS, INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL WORK AS EXPECTED. WHEN KEY IS TURNED TO START THE ENGINE NOTHING HAPPENS. THE ENGINE DOES NOT TURNOVER OR EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURNOVER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IN APRIL 2018. AT THAT TIME I HAD THE ALTERNATOR AND STARTER CHECKED BOTH WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE IT HAS ALWAYS STARTED, EVENTUALLY; IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2 MINUTES TO 30+ MINUTES FOR THE ENGINE TO ENGAGE. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED OCCURRING IT HAPPENED PRETTY OFTEN. PRIOR TO LAST FRIDAY IT HAD BEEN A COUPLE MONTHS SINCE IT TOOK MORE THAN 30 MINUTES TO START. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC YESTERDAY. AGAIN STARTER, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR ARE ALL FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THIS MODEL IS KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY MAY KNOW WHAT IT IS EXACTLY. I'VE CALLED TWO DEALERSHIPS TODAY, BOTH SAY THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IGNITION PROBLEMS IN THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2018
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. IT IS SAID TO BE THE CLOCKSPRING. HYUNDAI WANTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON, MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED! IT IS WORTH NOTHING THAT I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER HYUNDAI FIXED THE ECM RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AS I DROVE HOME FROM THIS SERVICE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2018
CAR WILL NOT START SOME TIMES. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2018
MY VEHICLE PICKED UP A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. THE VIBRATION HAS GOTTEN WORST OVER TIME. I AM CURRENTLY AT 57,000 MILES AND THE VIBRATION CAN BE INTENSELY FELT INSIDE THE VEHICLE BY ALL PASSENGERS WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP/IDLING/STATIONARY. THE VIBRATION GETS MORE INTENSE WHEN YOU HAVE THE A/C RUNNING. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL FORUM PAGES AND OTHER DRIVERS WITH SIMILAR CARS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO A CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICE. I PAID $130 FOR A FULL DIAGNOSTIC ON JULY 17, 2018 AFTER THE VIBRATIONS STARTED GETTING WORST, AND NOTHING WAS FOUND ABOUT THE VIBRATIONS. MECHANICS COULDN'T PINPOINT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I FEEL THESE VIBRATIONS EVERYDAY, AND SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I AM IN MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS IT IS CAUSING UNEASINESS AND STRESS. THE VIBRATIONS CAN BE FELT AT ALL SPEEDS AND MORE INTENSE IF YOU HAVE THE A/C ON. I EXPERIENCE THE ISSUE IN ALL SEASON AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 7, 2018
MY CAR HAS MAKING NOISE FOR A WHILE. EMAILED HYUNDAI AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND NO RECALL FOR ENGINE. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HA E BEEN MADE ONLINE FOR THIS CAR REGARDING THE ENGINE WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT'S MY ONLY CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $5000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GRIND THE ENGINE UP.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2017
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE CAR WHEN MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED, LIKE TAKE OFF AT A SIGNAL LIGHT, THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN. WHILE IN MOTION THE CAR WILL MAKE LOUD NOISE WHEN TAKING OFF SLOW. THE SIR BAG LIGHT IS ON BUT DEALER STATES NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A MONTH. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO TELL ME WHAT IS THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO REPAIR IT. I CHECKED GOOGLE FOR THE PROBLEM AND MANY HYUNDAI ELANTRA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I FEEL LIKE I WAS RIPPED OFF AND HYUNDAI ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE HELP
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 19, 2017
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISOR HINGE BROKEN. WON'T STAY UP. HANGS DOWN IN THE DRIVERS FACE AND HINDERS DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 17, 2017
WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR STALLED. THE TACH READING DROPED TO ZERO, AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED RESTARTING MY CAR. I COULD DRIVE SLOWLY, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, AND THE TACH READING WAS STILL ZERO. THIS HAPPENED FOR A FEW TIMES --- WHEN I DROVE ON HIGHWAY, ON A LOCAL STREET, AND WHEN I WAITED FOR A LONG LIGHT. IF STARTING AFTER A LONG ENOUGH REST, THOSE SYMPTOMS MIGHT DISAPPEAR TEMPORARILY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2017
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FLEW OFF OF MY CAR DURING A RAIN STORM WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY THE PLACE THAT REPAIRED IT THAT THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T FASTEN THEM ON CORRECTLY. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID HE FIXED MY RECALL AS WELL - THE CAR NEVER HAD A RECALL REPAIR NOTICE ! AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK - WHEN SERVICE DID OIL CHANGE THEY TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS GOING TO BE 415 DOLLARS TO FIX THE AIR BECAUSE THE DISCHARGE HOSE IS LEAKING. THE DISCHARGE HOSE COSTS 11.00 ON THE INTERNET & VALVOLENE INSTANT OIL CHANGE WILL REFILL THE FREON IN YOUR CAR FOR LESS THAN 140 DOLLARS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALL HAVE NEEDED REPLACED CONSISTENTLY EVERY OTHER MONTH - I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF SHORT IN THE WIRING?
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 14, 2017
CITY DRIVING; THERE WAS THE USUAL AMOUNT OF "STOP AND GO". AS I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I NOTICED SOME SMOKE/STEAM COMING FROM SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE MY CAR. I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER LOOKING AT MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO SEE IF IT WAS RUNNING HOT; BUT IT WAS STILL IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I ASSUMED IT WAS COMING FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AROUND ME. THE NEXT TIME I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, I SAW THE SMOKE/STEAM AGAIN; THIS TIME I NOTICED THE DISTINCT "SWEET" SMELL ASSOCIATED TO A VEHICLE OVERHEATING. MY TEMP GAUGE WAS STILL REGISTERING AS NORMAL, BUT IT WAS CLEAR IT WAS COMING FROM MY VEHICLE. I TURNED THE HEAT ON UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE PARKING LOT TO TURN OFF MY CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER RESTARTING IT, THE TEMP GAUGE REGISTERED AS NORMAL AGAIN, SO I DROVE OFF. SHORTLY AFTER, THE TEMP GAUGE STARTED TO REGISTER THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING AND SMOKE/STEAM WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. JUST AS I WAS PULLING INTO ANOTHER PARKING LOT, THE TEMP GAUGE SPIKED. AFTER I PARKED AND LET THE ENGINE COOL A BIT, I OPENED THE HOOD AND IT WAS CLEAR THAT A HOSE OR SOMETHING HAD BURST; THERE WAS COOLANT SPEWED EVERYWHERE AND I SAW A SMALL HOLE IN ONE OF THE HOSES. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP; AFTER LOOKING AT IT, THEY SAID THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE SOME OIL/FLUID HAD BACKED UP INTO IT, APPARENTLY AT SOME POINT DURING THAT ORDEAL. I BELIEVE ONE OF TWO THINGS TO BE THE CAUSE: EITHER THE TEMP GAUGE/COMPONENT FAILED, THEREFORE NOT NOTIFYING ME OF THE ENGINE OVERHEATING; OR THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY. MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS NOT ON, AND DID NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER THE TEMP GAUGE SPIKED. THIS ISSUE COST ME A TOTAL OF NEARLY $6000 IN REPAIRS, INCLUDING A NEW ENGINE AND THE COMPONENT THAT "TALKS" TO THE TEMP GAUGE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD; I BOUGHT IT USED AND HAD LESS THAN 2 YEARS.