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
251 reports, newest first.
Tires, Jun 24, 2021
No warning lamps. Incident reported to tire manufacturer; no liability acknowledged. While parking at very low speed, sidewall contacted smooth metal curb at a slight angle and blew out. IMO, tire should have withstood the typical parking process and not destroyed the sidewall and burst under the conditions.
Air bags, Jun 22, 2021, crash
On May 2, 2021 I was involved in a hit and run accident. An individual in a pickup ran a red light and t-boned my car on the driver side. No air bags deployed. I was taken to the hospital with a severe concussion.
Power train, Jun 20, 2021
Everytime when I driving around 20 minutes The transmission start failed on the first gear...every time when I stop at the traffic light and then go forward car loose the power in the first gear even sport mode or smart mode or normal mode he do that.... that's to dangerous cause if I have to crossing a way that only have a stop sign might can get an accident.
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
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 14, 2021
The forward accident avoidance system repeatedly cuts off the gas and prevents the car from moving even when there is nothing that could be considered a hazard in front of the car. It leaves me stranded half way through a turn in an intersection or the entrance to a parking lot. The gas pedal is disabled until the computer decides that it is safe. The service manager at the dealer says there is nothing they can do as the system is extremely sensitive and they get a lot of complaints about it. To be left in the middle of an intersection as the light changes and cross traffic starts or to to be stopped halfway through a turn onto a road with approaching traffic is not safe.
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?
Engine, May 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REGIONAL HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 2380 W KENOSHA ST, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V301000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Power train, Apr 29, 2021
INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE
Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 20, 2021
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE RPM AUTOMATICALLY INCREASES BY ABOUT 700 RPM. AT 75 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM IS 2300. WHEN CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, ENGINE RPM INCREASES TO 3000 RPM AND REMAINS THERE. THIS DECREASES GAS MILESGE AND INCREASES WEAR ON ENGINE.
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 14, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL UPON PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI OF JEFFERSON CITY (3215 MISSOURI BLVD, JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65109) WHERE THE RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SOLD THE VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Apr 12, 2021
DRIVING VEHICLE AT 20 MILES PER HOUR ONE BLOCK FROM RESIDENCE ON A CITY STREET AND MADE A NOTICEABLE KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. DRIVE HOME AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATED METAL IN THE OIL PAN AND SAID INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. WAITING ON FURTHER FROM HYUNDAI.
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.
Power train, Apr 2, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLES TACHOMETER STARTED OSCILLATING SLIGHTLY, JUMPING UP AND DOWN. THE NEXT SYMPTOMS WAS THE CAR AT TIMES FELT LIKE IT HAD A BUCKING/JERKING SENSATION. THE TACHOMETER SUDDENLY JUMPED UP TO AROUND 5000 RPM. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, DANGEROUSLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HITTING/REAR ENDING ME FROM BEHIND WITH THIS SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER AND SPEED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND I FOUND I COULD NOW NOT DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN ABOUT 20 MILES/HR. AS I PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE TACHOMETER JUST INCREASED IN RPM, WITH NO TRANSFER OF POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2020 AND IT NOW HAS 3700 MILES ON IT. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE EVENT HAPPENING AS I STARTED VIDEOING WHEN THE CAR DID NOT FEEL RIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY RPM STARTED JUMPING WHILE I WAS KEEPING A CONSTANT SPEED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER MY RPM JUMPED AND I WAS ALMOST RED LINING. I SLOWED DOWN TO 35 MPH AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WOULDNT GO PASS 30 WITHOUT REVING INCREDIBLY HIGH. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. MY MILEAGE WAS AT 4500.
Engine, Mar 18, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WENT ON FOR A WEEK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL DRIVABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK CASE HYUNDAI (3550 WESTON RD, DAVIE, FL 33331, (954)994-2397) WHO STATED THAT THE THERE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.*DT
Engine, Mar 17, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SAN LEANDRO HYUNDAI (1066 MARINA BLVD, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577) WHERE THE MECHANIC TOPPED OFF THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE STARTED OPERATING NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE SAME DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,200.*DT
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR LOST POWER DROPPING DOWN TO 10-20 MILES PER HOUR. APPEARS CAR STUCK IN LOW GEAR AND WON'T GO FORWARD OVER 10MPH WITH RPM REVINNING
Power train, Feb 16, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT FULL SPEED, THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR ON ITS OWN. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY, BUT FAST, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER. IT WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Power train, Jan 14, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT FULL SPEED, THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR ON ITS OWN. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY, BUT FAST, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION CONTROL BOARD ISSUE, AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SERVICED SOON. IT WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Forward collision avoidance, Dec 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD INITIALLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MITCHELL HYUNDAI (1600 E. PARK AVE, ENTERPRISE, AL 36330) WHERE THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT THE DEALER TAG MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DISPUTED THE CLAIM. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700.*DT
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2020, crash
AT APPROXIMATELY 16,000 ' 17,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED HAVING TECHNICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THERE SEEMED TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM SETTING. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE GLOVE BOX LIGHT, THE OVERHEAD READING LIGHT, AND THE CHARGING PORT FOR CAR ADAPTERS ALL STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER THOSE THINGS WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE, WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE DRIVING FROM MISSOURI TO CALIFORNIA AND WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY THROUGH KANSAS, THE CAR UNEXPLAINABLY JOLTED TO THE LEFT INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION LANE OF TRAVEL. I WAS GOING AROUND 65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT SEEMED THE CAR THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH THE RPMS GOING TO THE RED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AFTER THE CAR HAD JERKED OVER. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T BUDGE. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING RIGHT AT US. I WAS TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO GO ANY DIRECTION BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. SO WE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE 2 OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR DID NOT MAKE IT, I WAS THE ONLY SURVIVOR. THESE CARS HAVE ELECTRIC STEERING. THE CAR WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE TYPE OF STEERING IT HAD. I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ANY OF THE SAME EXPERIENCES/PROBLEMS?*DT*DT*JB*DT*JB*JB*JB
Power train, Dec 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER UPON ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WHICH RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HYUNDAI (675 STATE AVENUE, EMMAUS, PA 18049, (610) 967-6500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,440. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Dec 7, 2020
11/10/2020 AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR I HAD MY WINDOWS DOWN I PULLED OVER IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM SOMEONE ELSE CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS MINE I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 6 MONTHS THE CAR HAD 2552 MILES ON IT I REPORTED TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE ONLY TO BE DISAPPOINTED AND GIVEN THE RUNA ROUND. I HAVE A CASE NUMBER AS WELL #17456723 I SPOKE WITH 2 MANAGERS AND I WAS BEING TOLD OH THIS MANAGER HANDLES THIS AND THEN WHEN I SPOKE WITH THAT MANGER I WAS TOLD I HAD TO SPEAK TO ANOTHER MANAGER, SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO ONLY BE TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE SMELL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR BUT THEY HAD PERFORMED A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WHERE I WASN'T EVEN INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL FROM HYUNDAI EVEN WHEN I WENT ON THE RECALL WEBSITE THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALLS LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE SO I GOT FRUSTRATED AND HAD THEM REPOSSESS THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I REFUSED TO RISK MY LIFE BY CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE OVERHEATING ISSUE I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WOULD RISE REALLY QUICK AND THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN BE RUNNING THAT LONG AND IT EVEN TOOK THEM A WEEK TO COME GET THE VEHICLE NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE CAR WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF AND WHAT EVER THEY DON'T GET FOR THE VEHICLE I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE IN WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE IS FAIR AFTER COMPLAINING THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE PROBABLY SPRAYED SOMETHING ON THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM RUSTING I WAS UPSET BECAUSE I NEVER TOOK IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE I EXPLAINED THIS TO THE MANAGER AS WELL I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR SOME WHERE ELSE I COULDN'T I HAVE MEDICAL ISSUES I AM DEALING WITH AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO MUCH FOR ME.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2020
I JUST BOUGHT/ FINANCED MY NEW 2020 HYUNDAI ELENTRA ON 11/15/2020 AND RECENTLY IN PAST COUPLE OF DAYS I HAVE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE WITH THE GAS/ THROTTLE/ POWER OF DRIVING MY NEW CAR. THE RPM IN MY VIDEO JUMPS UP & DOWN WITH NO POWER REALLY PUSHING TO DRIVE. I ALMOST GOT INTO 1 BAD ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI-TRUCK. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS LOW READING PSI OF 29 AND I NEVER RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT UNTIL WAY LATER FOR PSI READING 32. EVEN THOUGH I AIRED MY TIRES TO THE CORRECT PSI MY WARNING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON.
Wheels, Nov 18, 2020
IT WAS NOTICED ON MY NEXEN TIRE THAT A BUBBLE HAD OCCURRED ON THE EXTERIOR/SIDE OF THE TIRE. WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT IT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BUBBLE OCCURS WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND THE CABLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE PUSH OUT TO CREATE THE BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING, AND A BLOWOUT COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT THEY SEE MULTIPLE CARS EACH MONTH WITH THESE BUBBLES ON THE NEXEN TIRES. NEXEN IS THE TIRE COMPANY THAT HYUNDAI USES FOR THEIR NEW VEHICLES. WHEN I CALLED NEXEN ABOUT THE ISSUE, THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A CLAIM, WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED AND COMPENSATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT. THEY DIDN'T INDICATE IF THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE OR NOT, BUT WHEN IN CONVERSATION WITH A REPRESENTATIVE, IT APPEARED THAT THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE AND WERE QUICK TO RESPOND ABOUT FILING A CLAIM.