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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 21, 2011
ENGINE CUT OFF WHEN MAKING A TURN.
Power train, Jun 17, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE IT PUT ITSELF INTO REVERSE. IN ORDER TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR SHE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000. UPDATED 07/28/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUALLY SHIFTED TO DRIVE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT GO INTO TO DRIVE, BUT STAYED IN REVERSE. EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT WAS IN DRIVE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WENT SEVERAL FEET IN REVERSE, BEFORE HE COULD STOP. UPDATED 08/17/11
Engine and engine cooling, May 20, 2011
THE 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 1.8LITER ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING THEN WHINING NOISE IN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS OF THE FIRST COLD ENGINE START OF THE DAY. ON THE DAY OF SALES DELIVERY THE VEHICLE MADE THIS NOISE FOR AT LEAST TWO MINUTES WHICH PROMPTED ME TO ALERT THE SALESMAN AND LIFT THE HOOD FOR CLOSER INSPECTION. THE SALES MAN REPLIED "ALL THE NEW ENGINES MAKE THIS SOUND, IT WILL QUIET DOWN." I HAVE ASKED ANOTHER OWNER OF THE SAME VEHICLE IF THEY NOTICED IT. THEY HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM UPON COLD START UP. WE BOTH HAVE VIDEO DOCUMENTATION OF THE ISSUE WHICH CAN BE VIEWED ON YOU TUBE BY SEARCHING FOR 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ENGINE NOISE. *TR
Power train, May 19, 2011
2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 800 MILES ON IT. TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY BUCKS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEN SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL. THERE IS SUDDENLY NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 60 MPH REQUIRING THE CAR TO BE COASTED TO SAFETY IF POSSIBLE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE KEY AND RESTARTING, THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE GONE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 DAYS IN A ROW FOR ME. *TR
Wheels, May 18, 2011
ON THIS 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING, THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE AFTER ONLY 2240 MILES. THE TIRE WAS A KUMHO SOLUS KH16 215/45/17. THE HYUNDAI DEALER ADVISED ME THAT THE TIRE WARRANTY WAS DIRECTLY WITH KUMHO, NOT WITH THE DEALER OR HYUNDAI. REPRESENTATIVES OF TWO KUMHO TIRE DEALERS (DISCOUNT TIRE AND SEARS) SAID ANY BUBBLES WERE THE RESULT OF IMPACT, SUCH AS WITH A POTHOLE, AND THE KUMHO WARRANTY EXCLUDED ROAD HAZARDS. BOTH REFUSED TO INSPECT THE TIRE CLOSELY WHEN I SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE PRODUCED SUCH A BUBBLE. THE KUMHO CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACT FAILED TO RETURN MY CALL.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 11, 2011
BRAKES ON MY 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN A EMERGENCY, PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT . CONSUMER AFFAIRS SAID THE BRAKES WERE OK AS LONG AS I DO NOT STOP QUICK. BUT IF I DO, THE CAR WILL PULL QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT AND DIP WHICH PUTS THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE OF TRAVEL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM.
Seat belts, May 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT TEST DROVE A 2011 HYNUDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS PLACED IN THE REAR CENTER SEAT AND THE SEAT BELT WEBBING WOULD NOT REMAIN TIGHTENED TO SECURE THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 10. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ABRUPTLY APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ABNORMALLY TO THE RIGHT LANE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED HOWEVER, TOOK A COMPLAINT ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF BUT PROVIDED NOT FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.
Equipment, May 4, 2011
CAR DEALERS ARE ALLOWED TO SELL NEW CARS WITH NO SPARE TIRE OR JACK. I ASSUME THIS IS TO INCREASE THE POTENTIAL GAS MILEAGE FOR ADVERTISING. THEIR POLICY IS TO ONLY INCLUDE A CAN OF AIR WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED. THEY ARE ALSO NOT KEEPING REPLACEMENT TIRES IN STOCK. THIS CAN OF AIR IS A HAZARD TO KEEP IN A CAR IN ARIZONA WHEN THE TEMPERATURES IN THE SUMMER REACH 115 DEGREES. AND WITH THE DEALERSHIP NOT STOCKING THE TIRES, MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND STRANDS THE MOTORIST. *TR
Tires, Apr 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, WHEEL, JACK OR LUG WRENCH. THERE WAS A MOBILITY KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL ON HOW TO INSTALL THE SPARE TIRE, BUT THERE WAS NO SPARE IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT WITH AN INSTRUCTIONAL SPARE TIRE KIT IN THE FUTURE. NO OTHER INFORMATION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120. UPDATED EVOQ 04/26/11 UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN