2020 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 15th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 21 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 2 people 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
Suspension, front, control arm, lower ball jointOct 9, 2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.
Campaign 19V721000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, lugs/nuts/bolts/studsOct 9, 2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.
Campaign 19V720000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
109 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 31, 2022
Approximetly 8 months after purchase car stalled while sitting at RR tracks and traffic light. Replaced battery after stranded due to dead battery. After putting twenty dollars of gas car engine sputtered very loud as if it was running out of fuel this continues to occur. At departure engine stalls restarts and stalls repeats hyndai unavailable for at least 30 days and would not provide loaner or alternative for car with under 60k miles disabled. Enterprise car sales would not assist in trade or repair. Engine light appears then disappears. Headlights feature stopped working it is manual operation only. Collision warning activated on an empty roadway. Tire light illuminated Replaced 1 of 4 older mismatched tires. Car is unsafe due to early occurances of electrical, mechanical, engine and computer fail without warning. Enterprise car sales will not take car as trade in, Hyndai service appointments booked 30 to 45 day waiting period with no alternative repair or loaner car I have been affected financially and loan is defaulted since I am unable to work. Excessive time spent trying to trade in car, find repair facility, roadside. Car towed due to stalled unable to drive unsure about using car with no warning disabling issues.
Engine, May 6, 2022
2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED, AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE THEN LURCH FORWARD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,089. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BRAKING WITH THE LEFT FOOT WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONSUMER DISAGREED THIS WAS THE CAUSE, SINCE THE CONSUMER HAS ALWAYS DRIVEN THIS WAY IN OTHER VEHICLES.
Engine, Mar 8, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine malfunctioned, then failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I decelerated from 65 mph to exit a freeway. At the end of an offramp, I slowed to a stop sign where the vehicle malfunctioned. It jerked, violently, forward as I attempted to accelerate endangering pedestrians crossing the intersection at the stop sign, other drivers on the offramp, and myself. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? To date, 3/8/2022, the Hyundai dealership has not performed any diagnostic testing or repairs on the vehicle since receipt of the vehicle on 2/18/2022. Hyundai Motor America has also refused to acknowledge that NHTSA Campaign Number 21V301000 (4/28/2021) is associated to the vehicle. To date, I have made three (3), separate, follow-up attempts to communicate with an assigned case manager. The assigned case manager was unresponsive. After that, I made three (3), separate, case manager escalated supervisor requests. The case manager supervisor was unresponsive. My most recent request has been an initial Hyundai management team request (3/7/2022) …I am waiting for a response but am not hopeful that anyone will respond. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle remains at a Hyundai dealership. I received a text message that read, “the technician has had the vehicle, it has been starting and driving normally.” In my opinion, the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I cannot, in good conscience, operate the vehicle until it is safe to drive. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A check engine light presented just before engine failure. The engine did not start after it failed. Remedy for the mechanical concerns is not yet available." The dealership remains silent on the cause of the Malfunction Indicator Light and Hyundai Motor America is now suggesting consumer take the car to another dealership for a second opinion.
Engine, Jan 23, 2022
The power train system:P001 intake camshaft position timing - over advanced bank 1. My car was in good working condition no lights were on in my car up until January 16, 2022, I went to get gas on a regular morning routine before going to work when I turned my car back on after getting gas and I began to pull into traffic and my car stalled and the engine oil pressure light and battery charge warning light came on. My safety could have turned out bad but grace of God my car allowed me to turn it back on and go to the closest location to me and that was auto zone. I got the car towed from there to a hyundai dealer (Preston Hyundai in hurlock, md) is where the car is currently being looked at.
Engine, Dec 28, 2021
Checked VIN for open recall and that number doesn't come up. My engine had to be replaced under factory warranty. The issue was the exact same as a current recall. I am concerned that Hyundai is not expanding the recall in an effort to downplay the issue. 2020 Elantra, 2.0 liter engine, stalling while driving. The tech found the piston rings were bad. I hope this will help others and Hyundai will be held accountable.
Engine, Nov 18, 2021, crash
At least 5 or 6 times, I have experienced sudden uncommanded acceleration with my 2020 Hyundai Elantra. One time my car hit a tree. These have been terrifying incidents. It usually happens when I am slowing down or braking.
Engine, Nov 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was rattling, hesitated to accelerate, and lost motive power. The oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed an oil consumption test and informed the contact to bring the vehicle back after 1,000 miles. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the dealer diagnosed that there was no failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Sep 23, 2021
2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PISTON RING OIL SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR.
Engine, Sep 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts however, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds when he depressed the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the dealer did not inform the contact of the result. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. Parts distribution disconnect
Engine, Sep 15, 2021
For several months, my leased vehicle will suddenly stall while driving or not start at all. This often leads to me suddenly stopping the vehicle in traffic. I am 5.5 months pregnant and cannot continue to operate this vehicle in this condition, as it is a risk to both my safety and the safety of my child. I have communicated my concerns about this several times to the dealership, with the only resolution offered to me being to pay to lease a new vehicle. The check engine light has continuously been lit, despite service appointments. I have only been advised that there is “no solution yet”.
Engine, Sep 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, she was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). However, the dealer also informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and a case was open. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Sep 13, 2021
This is regarding recall number: 203 nhtsa:21v-301 My vehicle failed this recall inspection and has been with the hyundai dealer(Hyundai South Bay Torrance) for the past 2.5 weeks and I still have not heard anything regarding the remedy. The recall letter says that the engine would be replaced but the hyudai dealer said that the hyundai corporate office has not replied to them and it could take months to fix this. This is irrational as they have kept my vehicle and there is no guideline on when i will get it back.
Engine, Sep 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Aug 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that prior to receiving the recall notification, the contact had heard abnormal banging noises while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was later made aware of the recall but informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 27, 2021, crash, fire
Car emitted carbon monoxide into car cabin, causing driver to lose consciousness and crash on highway and burst into flames
Engine, Aug 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The part was not available for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Aug 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while turning off the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to the recall repair was not yet available. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 400. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer stated happens randomly while driving as well.
Engine, Jul 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Jul 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle at start-up. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the oil level was low. The mechanic replaced the lifters and rocker arms. The vehicle was returned and soon after the failure persisted. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact received a call from the dealer about the repair and the contact was informed that the original defective parts were placed in the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tires, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the tire pressure and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who checked the tire pressure and the engine oil levels. The contact was informed that the levels were at the correct levels however, the TPMS warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a defective sensor. The dealer performed am electronic control module software update to attempt to fix the failure however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, Lane departure, Jun 30, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle erroneously switched from smart mode to sport mode causing the vehicle to independently accelerated. Additionally, the lane departure system would erroneously activate. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle pulled to the right. The contact also stated that the exhaust pipe was rusted. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 400. Consumer stated vehicle needs to brought in again, passenger seatbelt alarm goes off without anyone being in the vehicle. AC was leaking water and sensors keep changing automatically. In addition tire has been replaced after 3500 miles. Manufacture has been contacted several times and refused to buy the car back. Consumer has filed the complaint with the BBB.
Engine, Jun 29, 2021
There is a recall on my 2020 Hyundai Elantra that I was notified about on June 28th 2021. I called the dealership where I purchased my car and was told that since there is no remedy for the piston oil ring that there was nothing they could do until a remedy becomes available. My car has been hesitating when accelerating and that is one of the signs of my car affected by the piston oil ring. I was told that if I continue to drive the car I am taking a risk of damaging it further. According to the NHTSA website It says the remedy is to have the whole engine replaced and they are not going to fix the recall until a remedy becomes available on their end.
Engine, Jun 28, 2021
Hyundai has failed to remedy the engine manufacturing defect for the past few years. Hyundai has not been able to remedy the engine defect in the 2.0 nu mpi engine in a timely manner. The Hyundai dealership, Tipton Hyundai sold me a dangerous, unsafe car with an engine manufacturing defect. The correct remedy for the engine 2.0 nu mpi defect is a buyback program issued by Hyundai.
Engine, Jun 17, 2021
My car has 27,000 miles on it and is using oil. The oil turns black. This has been going on for a while. It has a ticking sound. It did have a bad loud when I took it to Hyundai. Hyundai is trying to blame me for the engine problem but a NEW car should not use oil and the oil turn black! Not sure of date. Been having problems with car for six mo. I see a recall for this problem. Thank u
Engine, May 18, 2021
Vehicle engine seizes and will not start. Happens multiple times. Towed vehicle to dealership and they state there is no recall for this problem however; NHTSA has a recall number of: 21V301000. Really getting the runaround. Same problem happened on 2013 Sonata we owned that caught fire, in which Hyundai paid lien and offered discount pricing to buy 2020 Elantra. Is this a trend?