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
461 reports, newest first.
Steering, Sep 26, 2017
MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLOCKING NOISE THAT TO ME FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND I WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NO LONGER WORK WHICH WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ITS NOT COVERED FOR REPAIR NOR IS IT A RECALL WHICH IT SHOULD BE. IDK WHAT TO DO
Air bags, Sep 14, 2017
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT SOUNDS LIKE ALLOT OF PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. WE LITERALLY TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT LIT UP AND HASN'T SHUT OFF. *TR
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
Engine, Sep 14, 2017
WHILE DRIVING CITY OR HIGHWAY THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND AND AS YOU ACCELERATE IT GETS FASTER AND LOUDER. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT HYUNDAI IN VALLEY STREAM, NY FOR 4 DAYS WITH NO CONCLUSION.
Steering, Air bags, Aug 8, 2017
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHENEVER STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED.
Engine, Jul 22, 2017
OUR CAR HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY NOT STARTING AND RATTLING. WE IT TOOK TO A HYUNDAI DEALER THREE TIMES IN 9 MONTHS AND PAID OVER $600 BUT EACH TIME THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. FINALLY THE MECHANIC DRAINED THE OIL AND TOOK A MAGNET TO IT. METAL FRAGMENTS WERE PULLED OUT. THE MECHANIC SAID THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT-SAME AS THE SONATAS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WE CALLED HYUNDAI TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THERE IS NOTHING THEY ARE ABLE TO DO.
Steering, Jun 23, 2017
WHEN CAR IS IDLING OR WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHEEL MOVES SLIGHTLY. THIS IS NOT NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING.
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.
Steering, Jun 17, 2017
IN MAY MY STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A METALLIC LIKE SOUND EVERY TIME I TURNED IT. THERE IS SOME LOOSE PLAY IN THE STEERING NOW NOTHING MAJOR BUT THE NOISE IS VERY FREQUENT WHEN TURNING.
Suspension, Jun 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AREA, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, INSPECTED THE FRONT END, AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. THE TIRE WAS UNABLE TO RETAIN AIR. A TOWING COMPANY INSPECTED THE AREA AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER RECALL AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 08/08/17*LJ *TR
Air bags, Jun 2, 2017
2 DAYS AGO, 05/31/2017, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT VEHICLE START AND TURNED OFF DURING THE DRIVE. 06/01/2017, THE SAME LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYS ON. 06/02/2017, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE CLOCK SPRING. DEALER NOTIFIED ME OF BOTH FAILED CLOCK SPRING AND FAILED AIRBAG UNIT AND ADVISED A WARRANTY FIX FOR THE CLOCK SPRING AND $700 REPAIR FOR THE AIRBAG. THIS CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND THE AIRBAG UNIT DOESN'T JUST UP AND QUIT WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I URGE NHTSA TO RESEARCH AND CALL FOR A RECALL, OTHERWISE OWNERS ARE PAYING EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR A REPAIR OF SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T FAIL EVER.
Engine, May 23, 2017
I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011. I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AT ALL SO MY CAR HAS 33,000 MILES. SO WHEN MY CAR STARED MAKING A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, THAT WAS LOUDER WHEN IDLING BUT NEVER WENT AWAY COMPLETELY. I DIDN'T THINK TO MUCH OF IT. DROPPED IT OFF TO GET LOOKED AT AND THAT'S WHEN I FOUND OUT THERE WAS METAL IN MY ENGINE. THIS MEANT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE, THIS WAS ABOUT 14 MONTHS AGO, SO IT WENT IN FOR 3-4 DAYS AFTER WAITING A MONTH TO GET THE PART. AFTER THE REPLACED ENGINE IT WORKED WELL AND THE NOISE WAS GONE, SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE END. SO WHEN THE NOISE CAME BACK JUST 11 MONTHS LATER I WASN'T HAPPY. DROPPED IT OFF AND SURE ENOUGH IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. THIS TIME IT TOOK 3 WEEKS FOR THEM TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. THE SERVICE AT MY LOCAL HYUNDAI IS SO BAD. EVERYDAY I CALLED TO SEE IF MY CAR WAS READY BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST 3 DAYS, 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD A SECOND NEW ENGINE. NOW YESTERDAY JUST 2 MONTHS LATER MY CAR IS YET AGAIN MAKING THE TICKING NOISE AND NOW IS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. I CALLED MY LOCAL HYUNDAI TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND HAD TO LEAVE A MESSAGE, STILL HAVEN'T HEARD BACK ITS BEEN 2 BUSINESS DAYS. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED MY CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS JUST 33,000 MILES AND WORKING ON ITS 3RD NEW ENGINE.
Air bags, May 17, 2017
AIR BAG LIGHTS RANDOMLY CAME ON AND OFF. THEN STAYED ON. I WAS TOLD TO REPORT THIS CAUSE IT SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE OR BE UNDER RECALL.
Service brakes, May 16, 2017
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS APPROX. ~76K MILES IN 6.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. IT IS GARAGED WHEN NOT IN USE. IT HAS ONLY EVER BEEN SERVICED AT THE SAME LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER. AT THE 72,501-MILE SERVICE, THE BRAKES WERE ASSIGNED A YELLOW SCORE ON A RED-YELLOW-GREEN SCALE BUT NO REMEDIAL WORK WAS RECOMMENDED. SINCE THEN I HAVE NOTICED NO OBVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM NOR RECEIVED ANY DASHBOARD INDICATORS OF VEHICLE ISSUES. AT YESTERDAY'S 76,184-MILE SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED URGENT REPAIR WORK. WHEN I ASKED WHEN I COULD BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR REMEDIAL WORK, I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY ELSE I MAY LOSE THE REAR BRAKES. THE INNER REAR PADS WERE FOUND TO BE COMING APART FROM BACKING PLATES AND "FLAPPING". THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND REAR ROTORS RESURFACED. FOR SOMEONE WHO DRIVES CONSERVATIVELY SPECIFICALLY TO INCREASE BRAKE LIFE, IT IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WENT FROM OK 3500 MILES AGO, TO NOW THEY COULD STOP WORKING IMMINENTLY. FOR A FWD VEHICLE, IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE REAR BRAKES SPECIFICALLY HAVE THIS ISSUE. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, I AM CONCERNED THOSE THAT DO NOT SERVICE THEIR HYUNDAI AS FREQUENTLY AS I DO, MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE OF FACTORY-INSTALLED BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND OTHER FACTORY PARTS WITHOUT WARNING, WITH OBVIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR OCCUPANT SAFETY.
Air bags, May 6, 2017
THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING, AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, AND RADIO PRESET CHANNELS OFTEN ARE ERASED. OUR MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BEING A MALFUNCTIONING CLOCK SPRING.
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?
Suspension, Apr 25, 2017
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE IN MY DRIVEWAY, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS PART FOR ELANTA'S MANUFACTURED FROM NOV 2010 TILL MARCH 2011 IN STATES THAT USE SALT, THE PART CAN QUICKLY ERODE AND BREAK. HYUNDAI IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT MY CAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW, IT HAS 85,000 MILES. THE CAR DOCUMENTATION STATES THAT THE PARTS WERE MANUFACTURED IN KOREA. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. HYUNDAI KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THAT PART AND ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PART BROKE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
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.
Engine, Apr 13, 2017
WHILE RUNNING IN PARK, IDLING IN DRIVE, OR DRIVING LESS THAN 30MPH THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING/KNOCKING NOISE. THE NOISE COULD STILL BE THERE AFTER 30MPH BUT I CAN'T HEAR IT OVER THE MOTOR AND ROAD NOISE. HYUNDAI AND KIA RECENTLY RECALLED 1.4 MILLION CARS FOR THIS EXACT REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE. BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS MODEL/YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED. RESEARCHING ONLINE, YOU CAN SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DESPITE BEING ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD WITH LOW MILES. MY VEHICLE IS A 2011 WITH 70,000 MILES.
Suspension, Tires, Mar 31, 2017
2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURERS REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR LABOR COST OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILURE RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD...UPDATED 05/17/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE TIRES DUE TO THE SERVICE NOT BEING PERFORMED WITH THE DEALER. UPDATED 03/31/2017*JS *TR
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.
Suspension, Mar 27, 2017
WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TIRE POPPED WILL I WAS APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAD TO CALL AND GET A TOW, I COULDN'T BRING IT TO HYUNDAI BECAUSE NONE WERE OPEN AT THE TIME. WAS BROUGHT TO A LOCAL SHOP THINKING IT WAS ONLY A TIRE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE SPRING ON THE STRUT HAD BROKE AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE WHICH LEAD IT TO POP. LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS. I CALLED UP HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE WHICH WAS ON THE RECALL FORMS AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THERE RECALL BECAUSE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED A MONTH AFTER THE YEARS LISTED. I HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE RECALL REGARDING THE STRUT/SPRING TO BREAK CAUSING IT TO PUNCHER THE TIRE BUT THEY SAID IT WONT BE COVERED? I HAVE PICTURES OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND ALSO THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE.
Engine, Mar 16, 2017
TICKING SOUND COMING FROM CAR, LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING , TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 77,800 MILES