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 and engine cooling, Engine, Jan 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine and oil warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the piston had scarred the cylinder wall, and the piston needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The manufacturer was contacted and offered to assist with the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2023
My high beam lights stopped working. Replaced bulbs and they still don’t work.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 21, 2023
Hyundai Elantra was stolen for the 2nd time AFTER Hyundai's immobilizer was supposedly installed in the vehicle. Car was parked and locked in a secured employee parking lot with cameras. Rear window was busted out steering column torn down and ignition switch removed. Car was started with a USB. Just like everyone else's. The vehicle was located and is currently at the dealership where they are refusing to do any work because it is a "Branded" title and no longer under any warranty.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 19, 2023
Sometimes the car will not start batter is testing good replaced it anyway same for starter and Is Alternator and still happens hyundai dealership said they don't know. Now the car will start to break on its own saying something is there even when in open parking lot by yourself with nothing or any one around. After that started now the trunk will open when driving down the road if you are home and unlock the car the trunk will open 3 times before staying closed and as soon as you pull of up to 3 minutes it will open back up even when doing 70 on the interstate just pops open have took batteries out of key fob and still happens
Engine, Jan 16, 2023
My hyundai elantra 2019 has developed a Piston Slap issue. Although the elantra has regular oil change everytime the warning system notifies me not sure to why it would be a defected part like a Piston Slap in a 2019 elantra. Help with the situation...
Engine, Jan 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that a claim would be submitted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2023
When I was driving in very dark areas I was trying to turn on my high beams. I have manual headlights so I have to push the lever back. I see the high beam logo on the dashboard, but no lights appearing higher than the low beams. I searched up that it’s a common recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra’s and I believe I have that problem with my car. I hope that this description helps out in making the decision as soon as possible. Thank you!
Engine, Jan 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently while driving and slowing down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist as he was the second vehicle owner. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The consumer stated the vehicle is leaking oil.
Engine, Dec 19, 2022
Drove my car 12 miles from work to father’s house no issues. Started car back up and engine light came on. Called my boyfriend and said light came on and now car isn’t staying on. Tried to drive 4 miles home and every time I stopped at stop sign or light the car died. One time it died as I was going 35 mph. I pulled up to busy intersection and the car died and I could not get it to start. A guy was stuck behind me got out of truck and pushed me through the intersection and off to the side of the road. My boyfriend got there got it started and drove the remaining 2 miles home. He changed the oil which was low and had just been changed 2 months ago. The car still repeated the same behavior. My VIN is not included in the engine recall.
Exterior lighting, Nov 25, 2022
Dim headlights and faulty high beam lights that do not work at all; while the sensor remains lit up on the dash board.
Exterior lighting, Nov 24, 2022
the high beam actuator has failed which has resulted in loss of high beam usage.
Engine, Nov 24, 2022
The check engine light went on in my Elantra a couple of weeks ago. I immediately take it to my local Jiffy Lube and they tell me it’s a camshaft protector sensor and that I need to take it to the dealership. After multiple failed attempts at contacting the dealership, I’m finally able to make an appointment to drop it off a few days later. However, my car doesn’t make it that far. Within those 3 days, the car breaks down on me three times. It happens when I am either at a red light at a complete stop, or as I am slowing down, waiting to make a turn. The engine shutting down put me at extreme risk as I was driving in a busy area. Luckily, I was able to change my appointment to that very day (November 16th) and I make it to the dealership for drop off. They take one week to get back to me and tell me that there is oil sludge causing the engine to fail, and they want me to pay for the engine replacement because it is due to lack of maintenance. I find this hard to believe because I just had my oil changed and my engine checked due to an open recall in July of this year. It has been 4 months (and I don’t drive that far on a daily basis) since my car was serviced and Hyundai is trying to place the blame on me for their faulty engine. The attached photo is the maintenance that I received in July.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Nov 11, 2022
I hit a small center divider in a parking structure going about 1 MPH which hit under the car. The three front airbags deployed. There is no body damage to the front of the car so I don’t think that the airbags should have deployed. My local dealership can’t fix it and I have reached out to Hyundai USA and they are not responding.
Engine, Nov 6, 2022
Car stop while I’m drying for no reason no warning
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH at night, the high-beam headlights failed to work as needed. The contact was able to drive to her destination; however, the contact stated that the vehicle became undrivable at night. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,900.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2022
I was driving down a main highway, approaching a busy intersection preparing to turn left... I had a green light without a green arrow and had quite a bit of distance/time between myself and any approaching vehicle so I went ahead and proceeded. Just as I entered the intersection, all of the sudden my car stopped responding to my pressing on the gas pedal. The motor was very loud and dry sounding, and the RPM gauge was running abnormally high but the car itself, was barely moving. I continued trying to give it gas, even checked to see if something had knocked it out of gear (that was NOT the case)! Cross-traffic began to approach the intersection so I really started to work on the gas pedal, pumping it and when that failed, I mashed the gas all the way to the floor and finally just before I was about to be hit the car down the pedal and finally the car began to move!! It has been doing some hesitating for a while now but it barely made it out of the intersection this time and that was terrifying!! I have it in the shop now waiting to see what the problem is but this needs reporting. I do everything I'm supposed to with maintaining my car... oil changes, spark plugs, fluid checks and it has less than 50,000 miles so that shouldn't have happened!
Engine, Oct 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idles at the red light. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning oil odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number:21v301000 (Engine) as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 19, 2022
The headlight high beams do not function, leaving me unable to see.
Exterior lighting, Sep 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall for the headlamps; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the headlights occasionally would not illuminate after the vehicle was started or while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that when the headlights failed to illuminate, the warning messages for daytime running lights and headlight and taillight out warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the driver’s headlight needed replacement because it did not illuminate. The contact then stated that the passenger’s side headlight needed replacement; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the repair for the headlights would be out of pocket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also informed the contact that the repairs would not be covered for the headlights. The contact stated that the manufacturer referred him to the NHTSA Hotline and informed him that he may seek legal advice. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. However, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure could be associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 3, 2022
My car stalled for no apparent reason… The warning lidhts weren’t on the dash and the oil indicator didn’t show low. I restarted it and drove home. It stalled a couple more times. The idiot lights didn’t come on again nor did it show me low oil. When I got home my son checked the oil and it was dangerously low. We added more oil and drove it again it appeared to be fine. He changed the oil just to be on the safe side. And when he restarted it all hell broke lose. He then ran a diagnostic test on it to see what was wrong. The engine was blown. I had it towed to a shop for confirmation. Yep a rod blew through the block.
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2022
Vehicle high beams have been inoperable, even after replacing bulbs multiple time. Hyundai indicates it is a known issue that requires costly replacement of headlight assembly. When will the NHTSA order Hyundai to recall this safety issue. I drive nightly on a two lane highway that is dark and has lots of donkeys. Speed limit is 65 if I slow down to compensate for visibility I’m bound to get rear ended by a semi truck. If I follow the posted speed limits I won’t have enough time to stop for a donkey. Both are life threatening situations that should prompt this agency to order Hyundai to recall
Steering, Engine, Aug 19, 2022
My car was stolen. I'm waiting to hear how much repairs will cost. The steering wheel ignition lock is easy bypassed by using only a small screwdriver or USB cord. This makes the car easily stolen and therefore violates the requirements of 571.114 which requires a "starting system which, whenever the key is removed from the starting system prevents.. the normal activation of the vehicles engine or motor". This affects all Kia / Hyundai vehicles with a normal keyed ignition and without a vehicle immobilizer produced from approximately 2009-2022. Since the technology required to comply with the regulation (i.e. a vehicle immobilizer) is readily available and available on other cars from this maker, the vehicle manufacturer knowingly violated this regulation. I request a NHTSA inquiry into this clear safety defect.
Engine, Jul 20, 2022
Vehicle stalled at red light, towed to dealer with Seized Motor according to dealer. According to recall this may happen. Car is 2019, purchased new, still under warranty. Denying warranty work due to missing 1 oil change. Will not make good on recall.
Exterior lighting, Jul 20, 2022
The High beams will not engage lights stay on dim mode