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2011 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Elantra years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

285 reports with mileage · 147 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

92 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2026
Engine

I have a Piston/Engine Defect according to the mechanic at the car shop. Any time any acceleration is applied you can hear the knocking. I believe it should be covered through the class action alleged that 2011-2016 Elantras engines (including the Limited trim) have a piston defect leading to engine failure. A settlement offere…

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I have a Piston/Engine Defect according to the mechanic at the car shop. Any time any acceleration is applied you can hear the knocking. I believe it should be covered through the class action alleged that 2011-2016 Elantras engines (including the Limited trim) have a piston defect leading to engine failure. A settlement offered extended warranties, engine repairs, and reimbursement. I was unaware and have already spent tons of money towards repairs to the engine over the years. Now I am aware of this lawsuit and would like some kind replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11717069

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine

Car stop working once I got home I notice while I was driving the car kept back firing and Jurking while driving .had a mechanic look at the car he tried to start it but it started and shut off..he even tried to jump start the car with the jumping cables but it will not start..he told me it was electrical..I have a brand new bat…

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Car stop working once I got home I notice while I was driving the car kept back firing and Jurking while driving .had a mechanic look at the car he tried to start it but it started and shut off..he even tried to jump start the car with the jumping cables but it will not start..he told me it was electrical..I have a brand new battery and a complete tune up on the car..I have not been able to drive the car in 3 weeks

NHTSA ODI #11655110

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2024
Engine

My engine completely stop working.

NHTSA ODI #11620920

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

UnKnown. When financing the vehicle through Adonis Auto Group I was unaware of the unrepaired safety recall. Also I am under the impression nothing was done to the car before purchasing it, I have had to make repairs to the car only after 10,000 - 15,000 miles of driving. For example replacing the control arm, axle, brake hardw…

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UnKnown. When financing the vehicle through Adonis Auto Group I was unaware of the unrepaired safety recall. Also I am under the impression nothing was done to the car before purchasing it, I have had to make repairs to the car only after 10,000 - 15,000 miles of driving. For example replacing the control arm, axle, brake hardware. My point is they are selling cars without repairing them and not advising the customer upon purchase. I also asked for the repair paperwork for what has been done to the car before purchase and never received it.

NHTSA ODI #11589419

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

Unknown Sensors possibly is the issue

NHTSA ODI #11579468

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

They have failed to address the recall in a timely manner. Sep 22,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number251 NHTSA Recall Number23V651000

NHTSA ODI #11570443

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Engine

When I start the engine, I hear pronounced knocking sounds in the engine for approximately 1-2 seconds, and they are quite loud. As the engine warms up, the knocking persists, albeit at a lower volume. The ongoing knocks are not as loud, resembling a consistent noise similar to that of a diesel engine, although it is not a diese…

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When I start the engine, I hear pronounced knocking sounds in the engine for approximately 1-2 seconds, and they are quite loud. As the engine warms up, the knocking persists, albeit at a lower volume. The ongoing knocks are not as loud, resembling a consistent noise similar to that of a diesel engine, although it is not a diesel-powered vehicle

NHTSA ODI #11564757

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

There's a piston slap ,the engine block is damaged to the risk pin bushing ,connecting rods needs replacing the piston slap noise is in the upper end of the engine ,the gas tank want hold gas

NHTSA ODI #11529486

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2023
Engine

10 am Sunday morning going to church I am about 2 miles away from home I started hearing trickled sound at front before entering the freeway. Then about 5 miles before my exit the noise start to get louder and I decided to go 25 mph after I exited the freeway. I stopped at AutoZone parking lot to check and didn't find anything u…

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10 am Sunday morning going to church I am about 2 miles away from home I started hearing trickled sound at front before entering the freeway. Then about 5 miles before my exit the noise start to get louder and I decided to go 25 mph after I exited the freeway. I stopped at AutoZone parking lot to check and didn't find anything unusual.No engine lights or anything on the dashboard. After 2 hours parked at AutoZone I drove it home at slow speed and decided not to use the freeway so I can keep moving 25 mph max. It's a scary situation and good thing is I'm the driving not my wife. It has closed to 130,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11506880

123,500 miles · Jan 18, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagn…

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The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a piston to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,500.

NHTSA ODI #11502429

Official recalls

5

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

20V393000 · Equipment:electrical

Jul 2, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

15V871000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Dec 23, 2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.

15V629000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Oct 7, 2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.

13V115000 · Air Bags:side/window; Structure

Apr 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Air Bags:side/window

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

EA12008 · Headliner Bracket Detachment

Opened Sep 13, 2012 · Closed Dec 9, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window; Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Unknown Or Other

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:side/window

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Unknown Or Other

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

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