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

Structure complaints

6 reports

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57,000 miles · Jan 7, 2020

Structure

FROM PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE IN 2 PIECES AS I PRESSED HANDLE TO OPEN MY 2011 HUNDAI ELANTRA. THIS IS DOOR I RARELY USE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SAME ISSUE OCCURS TO DRIVER SIDE DOOR? I BELIEVE MATERIALS ARE DEFECTIVE FOR PURPOSE. THE PRESENTS BIG SAFETY ISSUE IN EMERGENCY EGRESS SITUATION. ONLINE SAW OTHER HUNDAI VEHICLES WITH …

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NHTSA ODI #11297776

69,000 miles · May 28, 2014

Power TrainStructureWheelsCrashInjury

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ON MARCH 07, 2014, MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A LARGE JEEP. WE TOOK OUR 17 YEAR OLD GRANDSON TO THE HOSPITAL TO BE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE OF A HEADACHE BUT OTHER THAN THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND NOW TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. MY CONCERN IS; THERE HAVE BEEN TWO (2) FRONT AXLES PUT IN MY CAR AND NEITHER WORKED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY ORDERED A THIRD (3) ONE AND IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY DID NOT INSTALL IT. NOW THEY HAVE ORDERED THE FOURTH (4) AXLE TO INSTALL, IF IT ISN'T DEFECTIVE. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. I DO NOT TRUST LUCK FOR ANOTHER DEFECTIVE FRONT AXLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594586

34,000 miles · Sep 15, 2013

Structure

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ON OR AROUND MAY 29, I NOTICED SOME RUST SPOTS IN THE HOOD OF MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2011. BEING A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, RUST IT SOMETHING THAT I WOULDN'T EXPECT. SO I TOOK IT TO GLOBAL AUTO MALL IN NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, ON JUNE 12, 2013 TO HAVE THE ISSUE INSPECTED AND, I HOPED, RESOLVED. AFTER PATIENTLY AWAITING FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS, I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DIAGNOSE: "PAINT CHIP DUE TO IMPACT FROM ROCK KICKING UP ON VEHICLE". I STRESSED TO BOTH THE SERVICER ADVISOR, [XXX], AND THE PERSON THAT WORKED ON THE ISSUE, [XXX], THAT I COULD NOT BELIEVE A SIMPLE ROCK HITTING A HOOD OF THE CAR COULD CAUSE RUST DAMAGE. WE'VE DRIVEN THE SANTA FE FOR ALMOST 7 YEARS AND IT HAS NO RUST STAINS AT ALL, EVEN THOUGHT ROCKS HAVE HIT THE HOOD AND OTHER PARTS OF THE SANTA FE QUITE A FEW TIMES. FURTHERMORE, ROCKS HAVE HIT A FEW TIMES OTHER PARTS OF THE ELANTRA BODY AND THE REST OF THE BODY SHOWS NO RUST DAMAGE. I DO BELIEVE IT'S UNACCEPTABLE FOR A 2 YEAR CAR TO HAVE RUST DAMAGE. CONSIDERING THAT GLOBAL AUTO MALL REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE RUST ISSUE, I REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI ON JUNE 23 VIA E-MAIL, BUT HYUNDAI REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I REACHED OUT AGAIN ON AUGUST 12, 2013, AND I INCLUDE A LINK TO SIMILAR OCCURRENCES I COULD FIND ON THE INTERNET IN THE LINK HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/NEWS/FEDS-PROBE-HYUNDAI-SAFETY-AND-RUST-PROBLEMS-ONCE-AGAIN-040213.HTML AND HYUNDAI ONCE AGAIN REPLIED SAYING HYUNDAI WILL NOT FIX THE RUST ISSUE. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED PICTURES OF THE HOOD OF MY ELANTRA OR IS YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE COPIES OF MY COMMUNICATIONS WITH HYUNDAI. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543759

32,000 miles · Sep 3, 2013

Air BagsEngineStructureCrash

FRONT OF ELANTRA TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT ANOTHER CAR ENTERING 4 LANE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.(T-BONED") THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE HEAD , FRONT OR SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #10538585

61,973 miles · Nov 5, 2012

Structure

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SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2011 I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MICE GETTING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE IN SPITE OF ALWAYS CLOSING ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS. I HAVE ALSO HEARD OF A COWORKER'S FAMILY MEMBER WHO HAD THE SAME CAR AND THE SAME PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY THERE WAS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT FILED RECENTLY WITH NHTSA (ODI ID NUMBER : 10477843). AT EVERY SERVICE STOP, I WOULD ASK IF THERE WAS ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS SENT BY HYUNDAI FOR THE ISSUE. ON WED, 10/17 WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK, THERE WAS A MOUSE ON THE DASHBOARD INCHES AWAY FROM ME. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND THAT I WANTED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THEM LOCATE THE PLACE WHERE THE MICE ARE GETTING IN. I WAS AMAZED WHEN THEY SHOWED ME A LARGE OPENING IN THE METAL FIREWALL FOR THE CABIN AIR FILTER RIGHT NEXT TO A LARGE GAP IN THE COWL MEANT TO COVER IT. THAT DESIGN ALLOWS A RODENT, LIKE A MOUSE, UNINHIBITED ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE CABIN WITHOUT ANY NEED TO DAMAGE OR CHEW THE COWL TO GET IN. I SUPPLIED FOIL TAPE AND ALUMINUM SCREENING TO CORRECT THE FLAW, BUT I HAD TO PAY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT FOR THE LABOR TO DO SO. I FILED A DISPUTE WITH HYUNDAI USA AND IT WAS DECLINED, MEANING THEY THOUGHT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THEIR DESIGN OVERSIGHT. IF I DID NOT SEE THE MOUSE UNTIL AFTER I WAS ON THE ROAD, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483332

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2012

Structure

2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FILTER AND MICE ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED MICE WERE FOUND IN THE TRUNK TWICE, LAST MONTH. THE DEALER STATED THEY ENTERED THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE, THAT BROUGHT AIR INTO THE A/C AND HEATING SYSTEM. IN THE PROCESS, THEY ATE A FILTER THAT WAS PART OF THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #10477843

Official recalls

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

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

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

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

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

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Unknown Or Other

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