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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 251

Of the 2020 reports, 21 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernEngine106 reports · 42% of complaints
Owner complaints251Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine106
  2. Power train47
  3. Exterior lighting28
  4. Electrical system27
  5. Other or unspecified25
  6. Steering20
  7. Forward collision avoidance14
  8. Service brakes14

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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: exterior lighting

28 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2023

    High beams are not functioning,lighting same on high or low beam setting.

  2. Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2021

    THE NORMAL BEAM BRIGHTNESS FOR THE FRONT HEADLAMPS IS ABOUT 50% OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT ON THE LOW-BEAM SETTING. WITH THE HIGH BEAM SETTING, VISIBILITY IS ABOUT AS IT SHOULD BE FOR THE NORMAL SETTING.

  3. Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2020

    THE HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM HAVE A BLACK LINE ACROSS AND ONLY ABOUT 25 YARD VISIBILITY, ON HIGH BEAM THEY ARE A VERY DULL YELLOW AND THE VISIBILITY OUT IS ABOUT 50 TO 75 YARDS. THE LEVEL OF LIGHT IS SO LOW THAT YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING IN THE ROADWAY. THESE LIGHTS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP PARTS AND SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD TRY CHANGING THE FACTORY BULB.