Engine. Review the 139 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

47 crash reports11 fire reports30 injury reports

What owners actually said

652 reports

38,000 miles · Feb 28, 2019

Engine

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I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, WHEN IT HAD 35,000 MILES ON IT. AROUND 38,000 MILES, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE AN ENGINE TICKING NOISE AND VIBRATION BEFORE COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN STARTING UP AFTER A STOP. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WILL STALL, BUT IT NEVER ACTUALLY STALLS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THE HEAD MECHANIC AT A HYUNDAI DEALER. THE HYUNDAI MECHANIC SAID THE ISSUE IS "COMMON" WITH HYUNDAI ELANTRAS. HE LISTED OFF VARIOUS FIXES HE HAS TRIED, BUT SAID HE CAN'T FIGURE OUT A COMMON CAUSE. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER HYUNDAI ELANTRA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM (E.G. CARCOMPLAINTS.COM). IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE MANY HYUNDAI ELANTRA OWNERS WAITING ON ENGINE REPLACEMENTS, WITH HYUNDAI OFTEN NOT WANTING TO PAY FOR THE ENGINE. I WONDER IF A RECALL IS NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #11183180

94,000 miles · Feb 26, 2019

Air Bags

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" TAKATA RECALL" - I GOT IN MY CAR, STARTED IT UP AND THE ONLY LIGHT THAT WOULD NOT GO OFF LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN YOU START UP THE CAR WAS THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT. SO I TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND FIGURED MAYBE ITS A FLUKE AND STARTED MY CAR UP AGAIN AND IT STAYED ON. MY LIGHT FOR MY AIRBAG CAME ON FOR NO REASON. I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING AND DIDN'T RUN OVER A POTHOLE. I FIND IT REALLY ODD THAT THE LIGHT JUST CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CAR DIDN'T EVEN HAVE 94,000 MILES ON IT YET. I'M ALWAYS TELLING PEOPLE HOW GOOD MY CAR IS AND HOW IT HAS AIRBAGS FOR DRIVER, PASSENGER AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. SOMEONE SHOULD REALLY CHECK THIS OUT. BEFORE THIS CAR, I OWNED A SUBARU AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A 2002, NOT ONCE DID MY AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON. THE YELLOW LIGHT YOU SEE ON THE PICTURE CAME OFF WITH THE LAST RECALL ON MY CAR REGARDING THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM. I TOOK IT INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY HANDLED THE RECALL, AFTER THAT THE LIGHT CAME OFF AND HAS STAYED OFF. BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON.....

NHTSA ODI #11182540

67,000 miles · Feb 23, 2019

Engine

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I HAVE A 2012 ELANTRA, I AM 2ND OWNER OF THE CAR, IT JUST TURNED 67,000 MILES AND BEGAN MAKING A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO DID AN OIL CHANGE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL IN THE OIL PAN AND SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION AT DEALERSHIP THEY STATED I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY SO THEY DEALER SENT THE INFORMATION INTO HYUNDAI CORPORATE, OUTCOME IS NO FREE ENGINE I HAVE TO PAY 3,000 OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE I AM NOT ALONE IN MY PAIN! SHAME ON HYUNDAI YOUR CAR SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE LEAST WANTED LIST! I WOULDN'T PURCHASE ANOTHER HYUNDAI IF IT COST ONE CENT! HYUNDAI IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE ENGINES AND YET FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. BEWARE DO NO PURCHASE A HYUNDAI ANYTHING! I WOULD NOT TRUST ANY OF IT'S VEHICLES THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANY ONE THAT OWNS ONE - DO YOU HOMEWORK CHECK OUT THE FACTS. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I DIDN'T ENCOUNTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR. I AM NOW THE OWNER OF A VERY EXPENSIVE CAR THAT IS WORTH ABOUT THE COST OF THE ENGINE!

NHTSA ODI #11182095

92,000 miles · Feb 16, 2019

Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ODI #11180506

70,000 miles · Feb 15, 2019

Suspension

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VEHICLE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT LOW SPEED OF LESS THAN 10 MPH. COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AS SEEN IN THE PHOTOS ATTACHED TO THIS WRITING. COIL SPRING FAILURE FOLLOWS A SIMILAR PATTERN TO THE COIL SPRINGS IN THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2011, WHICH WAS RECALLED OVER THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS FAULTY PRODUCT HAS MADE ITS WAY INTO THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 SUPPLY CHAIN. HERE IS A LINK TO A WEBSITE LISTING OTHER HYUNDAI 2012 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME FRONT COIL SPRING ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/ELANTRA/FRONT-SUSPENSION-COIL-SPRING-PROBLEMS.PHP IF THIS FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR AT SPEED, PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAPPEN. IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT DEADLY, TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL COULD OCCUR AT SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #11180350

86,000 miles · Feb 8, 2019

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN HYUNDAI (3675 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226, (716) 992-6536) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15444915. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11175697

84,200 miles · Feb 3, 2019

Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON AND OFF. THE LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES NOT TURN ON EXCEPT DURING IGNITION AND SOMETIMES WILL BE LT CONTINUOSLY WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS, ON SURFACE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, IN ANY GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11173791

89,000 miles · Jan 27, 2019

Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING NOISES WHEN TURNING AND HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN TOUGHER TO TURN AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #11172336

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2019

StructureUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

THE SUNROOF DOOR IS NOT WORKING GOOD

NHTSA ODI #11166642

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2019

Air Bags

AIRBAG DASH LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11166330

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.

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

PE12012 · Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment

Opened May 10, 2012 · Closed Sep 17, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:side/window

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra.An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.The metal bracket caused a laceration to the driver's ear and other possible injuries.Approximately 75,000 MY 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles, built in Korea and sold in the U.S., have stiffeners in the headliners while the MY 2012 Elantra vehicles built in the U.S. utilize a different headliner that does not use a stiffener. Thus, the latter vehicles are not included in this investigation.Hyundai has inspected the headliner assemblies from eight Elantra vehicles (which were sold in the Korean market) with production dates in the same range as the field incident vehicle.Hyundai reported to ODI that the metal brackets from these vehicles were found to be securely attached to the headliners.Hyundai also has conducted several static deployment tests in attempts to replicate the field incident. In one test, the metal bracket detached from the headliner but the test condition did not replicate or explain the condition observed in the incident vehicle.This Preliminary Evaluation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA12-008) to further assess whether incidents like the single field incident could potentially occur with other subject vehicles.In addition to the subject vehicles, ODI also will collect and review information on MY 2011 and 2013 Elantra vehicles that have headliners with stiffeners similar to those in the subject vehicles. To date, there have been no reports on the MY 2011 and 2013 vehicles.The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Air Bags:side/window

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems

Hyundai Elantra electrical problems →Hyundai Elantra transmission problems →