2019 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 251 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 12 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 4 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineApr 28, 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Campaign 21V301000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
251 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 15, 2024
Vehicle started making strange noises and not accelerating properly. On April 1, 2024 Took to dealership where purchase was made and it died upon arrival. Dealership couldn't identify issue but believed oil consumption was excessive and said to take it to a Hyundai dealer. On April 30, Hyundai tech said issue was a valve and would be fixed by May 3. It is now May 15 and my vehicle remains in the shop with no resolve. When I dropped my vehicle to the Hyundai dealership I informed them about the possible oil consumption issue and they have yet to examine that.
Engine, May 12, 2024
My vehicle will randomly stop driving and then might be fine. The check engine light has been in for over a year and the dealership says it leaks oil and builds up sludge when we were only taking it to them. When checking the code for the check engine light it says it’s the cam shaft sensors. The dealership said it was fine and cannot figure out why there is a light or why it stops driving. Last night it was sputtering when breaking and then when turning.
Exterior lighting, May 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, she became aware that the high beam headlights were not functioning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the headlight housing assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that an internal oil leak had resulted in the engine seizing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 196,000. The contact stated Hyundai has refused to replace engine under the recall and had to voluntarily have the car repossessed.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2024, fire
Vehicle caught on fire. There were not any warnings, and no alarms went off prior to this.
Engine, Apr 19, 2024
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat treated, which resulted in engine damage.
Engine, Mar 29, 2024
I am experiencing an issue where the O-rings in the engine are not preventing oil from entering the engine stated by a repair shop that took a look into issues where my engine would cut out while driving, lurching when downshifting. I believe this to be related to a current recall that is happening with 2019-22 model elantras. This poses a significant safety hazard to me and other drivers due to the engine cutting out while driving and prevents oil from being distributed in the engine without a warning light telling me that my oil pressure and oil level were low potentially causing a vehicle fire. I received a check engine light and not long after started to see my engine cut out, lurch and have a significant lack of power about 20 miles after the check engine light came on. My car currently is at 67k miles and mostly use it on the highway.
Engine, Mar 27, 2024
Vehicle stalls when coming to a stop or light. Very reminiscent of recall [XXX], but when I called local dealership and Natl Hyundai Customer Service, I was told that the recall was not specific to my Vin Nbr. The vehicle stalls in traffic which is extremely dangerous and gives no engine light or OBD code. I have taken it to a few local mechanics and they cannot resolve the issue. They have changed parts that could possibly be the issue, but it solves nothing. The vehicle has 109,471 miles 2019 Elantra which is practically new still. I would like my Vin added to that recall so it can get fully checked out by Hyundai. Ive spent a few hundred dollars already and am tapped out, plus the stress of getting into an accident crosses my mind every day and worries me. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 16, 2024, crash
My car was a total lost after car did not break, and instead the accelerator got stuck. My car went straight into a pole, causing the accident. Car was purchased 2 weeks prior, the dealer did not acknowledge it was a defect, and I lost my deposit of $7000.
Engine, Feb 24, 2024, crash
bought this car for my son's graduation the car had 59000 miles as a used car. The engine seized after one year and 18000 miles. No one is taking responsibility and I still owe 15000 on this car. Many articles have been written about the engines being defective. Hyundai will not help me because they say there is a Korean engine in this car. What the heck does this have to do with it I bought a Hyundai. I have been to the dealership, the car company, the car salesman at the car lot I bought it at. No one will help me. I sit with a dead car and in dept 15000. Where do I go from here.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 15, 2024
While driving on the highway, engine light comes on and THEN CAR SHUTS OFF MID DRIVE. Days later, tire pressure light comes on and stays on showing GOOD pressure. The car doesn't properly shift gears. Luckily I didn't have an accident. I have a case opened with Hyundai, but unable to get diagnosis until March. Car hasn't been consistently operable since purchase 3 years ago, as you can tell by my mileage
Engine, Feb 11, 2024
Car kept stalling. Then wouldn’t start. Mechanic found a ton of sludge in the engine. Engine is bad now. I kept up on routine maintenance. Lots of engines are being recalled except for my specific one with the same engine problems.
Engine, Jan 19, 2024
The vehicle has demonstrated a recurring and dangerous problem of stalling while in operation, without any warning indicators or lights. This fault has not only persisted but has also led to a near-collision incident, underlining its severity. The first occurrence of this issue was when my car stalled unexpectedly during regular driving, with no dashboard warning lights or indicators of a malfunction. After taking the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership, I was informed that the car was burning oil, which had spread throughout the engine. This diagnosis led to costly repairs amounting to $2,500. However, merely two months post-repair, the same problem reoccurred. The car stalled abruptly as I was merging onto a highway, nearly causing a severe accident. This incident was particularly alarming as it happened without any prior warning or indication of engine trouble. I emphasize that I have diligently maintained the vehicle, adhering to the recommended 3,000-mile oil change intervals and ensuring all fluids are regularly checked and replaced as necessary. The recurrence of this issue despite proper maintenance raises significant concerns about the reliability and safety of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra model.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2024
Vehicle turned off while turning into an intersection, low power when on the highway. Alternator was already replaced several months ago. Safety was definitely put at risk, no lights were on the dash
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Dec 31, 2023
I was going 40MPH when my car started to produce loud noises and stalled. It immediately lost power and I had to pull over on the side of the road. It started back up after 30 minutes and I was able to drive it home, but it continued to make loud noises and I had to drive very slow. Battery is good with 70% charge and the alternator is good.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 31, 2023
I think my transmission is messed up because my car stalls to go and my RPM jump up to 4/5 after I accelerate
Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2023
The headlights on this vehicle have been repetitively malfunctioning, the lamps are not burnt out but the high and low beam lights malfunctioning regularly. I have had the system and computer checked, the computer reset. Nothing is appearing to be wrong but my high beam lights are completely non functional for the third time in 3 months
Engine, Dec 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The battery and low-oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 7, 2023
The electrical plate for the right daytime running light must have fallen out of the engine compartment, according to the dealer service center, because it was no longer there. A warning light appeared on the dashboard system as a yellow triangle enclosing a yellow exclamation mark. It presented a safety issue by causing the warning light to appear on the dashboard panel while the vehicle was being driven. The dealer service center informed me of the cause of the dashboard warning light when I took it to them for diagnosis. There were no warnings prior to the failure.
Exterior lighting, Nov 23, 2023
When Daylight Savings time changed, I realized that my headlights were not aimed properly. While having them aimed, the tech noticed that the aiming rod had fallen off the track, and the light on the drivers side is shining only five feet from the car, onto the ground, whether on high beams or low beams.
Seat belts, Nov 10, 2023
The driver side seatbelt is pulled out and will not retract. Our safety is at risk every time we drive this vehicle as the seatbelt won't protect the driver from being flung into other passengers or prevent from being flung out of the vehicle. This issue has been confirmed by Walser Hyundai in Brooklyn Park, MN on 11/7/23. There were no warning signs of the issue except for seat belt seeming to retract slow for the last5/1/ couple years.
Engine, Nov 6, 2023
I bought this car March 2022 with 56.000 miles on it. I have had the car for 1 1/2 years, car gave no warning, motor seized at night on the highway, it had a loud noise and did not even have enough time to get to the shoulder. Hyundai Motors is saying it is not their issue, considering I have found tons of documentation there are many engine issues with these cars. This is dangerous and could have been a fire. My son was driving the vehicle could have been hurt very badly. He was driving 65 MPH and when the engine seized it stop abruptly stalling on the hwy. I have read hundreds of claims of engine fires. Hyundai is not taking responsibility.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 31, 2023
High beams quit working I. Weather conditions and now high beams don’t work period and have to replace head light do to problem with assembly driver side and passenger side high beams don’t work. Vehicle engine light came on and vehicle started driving rough at times stalling while driving it. Took it to a mechanic after replacing all coils plus spark plugs vehicle still showed engine light on. It also diagnosed sensors and cam shafts, solenoids. After all work performed vehicle engine light was still on and was driving rough at times still stalling on the road. The car would stall constantly with out warning. Sometimes will start up again and sometimes it wont. Then increased oil consumption, progressing to a knocking sound, and the engine seizing and stalling. Also warning light in the instrument panel, knocking noise from the engine, reduced power or hesitation when accelerating, or the smell of burning oil. Engine shut off while driving. Now car won't start at all. Took the car to be looked at they ran all kinds of diagnostic testing, one of which came back showing my engine lost almost all compression. Bought it from dealer car was used as a rental. I am the first real owner. There was a hyndai Elantra recall for engines but I believe my car is not included and I think my car has a 2l engine. I found the information below from a search engine. "Hyundai motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 158,493 2019-2021 Elantra cars, equipped with the 2. 0l nu mpi engine".
Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2023
High beams quit working I. Weather conditions and now high beams don’t work period and have to replace head light do to problem with assembly driver side and passenger side high beams don’t work
Engine, Oct 9, 2023
I was driving on the interstate and suffered a sudden loss of power with a check engine light. I stalled on the interstate which is dangerous. Waited 2 minutes and started the car again, check engine came on almost immediately. Drove off the interstate and had car towed to dealer. Dealer Tony Hyundai found no oil in the car and the engine failed a bearing clearance test. The dealer serviced the engine under Hyundai CPO warranty but I am concerned that there is no root cause of the engine failure. I am reporting to NHTSA in the hopes that other owners who experience this will also report it and if there is a common problem it will be discovered. Additional documentation is available by request.