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

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2013

Power TrainSteering

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I BOUGHT THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2012 AND HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS. THE CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIME TILL I START MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SHIFTER. IT HAS DONE IT TO ME SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I ARGUED THAT THERE IS THEY EXPECT ME TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALER FOR A WHILE TILL THEY FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THE ONLY THING IS THAT IT'S MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. THE SHIFTER LOCKS ON ME WHILE I'M HOLDING THE BRAKE DOWN, I HAVE TO USE THE MANUAL BUTTON TO UNLOCK IT. I NOTICE THAT WHEN IT DOESN'T WANT TO START AND I MANUALLY SHIFT THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL THE CAR STARTS. THE DEALER WANTS ME TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND I ASK MY SELF HOW??? IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. I HAVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND I CALLED THEM BUT BY THAT TIME THEY GET TO ME I GOT THE CAR TO START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524109

32,000 miles · Jul 7, 2013

Air BagsCrashInjury

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MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS HIT IN WHAT I BELIEVE IS KNOWN AS THE B-PILLAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (THE CENTER COLUMN BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS).I AM UNCERTAIN HOW FAST THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING BUT IT WAS FAST ENOUGH TO DO APPROXIMATELY $6000 WORTH OF DAMAGE, AND I SUFFERED A HEAD AND BACK INJURY.THANKFULLY I DID NOT HAVE ANY PASSENGERS OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.I NORMALLY HAVE BOTH OF MY CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEAT BUT THEY WERE NOT WITH ME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.I HAVE BEEN GIVEN SEVERAL EXPLANATIONS AS TO WHY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NONE OF WHICH MAKE SENSE TO ME.I UNDERSTAND THAT AIRBAGS THEMSELVES CAN CAUSE HARM AND THEY ARE DESIGNED ONLY TO DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE IMPACT POINT ON MY VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE AT EXACTLY THE POINT OF THE SENSOR IN THAT PILLAR (ACCORDING TO THE ILLUSTRATION IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL).I RECOGNIZE THAT MY CAR CAN SENSE WHETHER I HAVE A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, BUT I AM NOT AWARE OF A SENSOR BEING IN THE REAR SEAT. I WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF ONE OF MY CHILDREN HAD BEEN IN THAT REAR SEAT.MY VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE SO I HAD TO LEAVE IT AT A BODY SHOP THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.I AM UNABLE TO TRANSPORT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY ARE UNABLE TO INSPECT IT AT THE BODY SHOP.THEY TELL ME TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION AFTER THE REPAIR.THE BODY SHOP TELLS ME THEY HAVE TO RELY ON THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM TO DISPLAY A PROBLEM IF THERE IS ONE.AT THIS POINT, I HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN THE VEHICLE AND AM UNWILLING TO ACCEPT A FAILURE OF THE LIGHT TO COME ON AS A PROOF THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY.ADDITIONALLY, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW-THE EXTERIOR IS RED AND THE INTERIOR IS BLACK. I LATER LEARNED THAT THIS COLOR COMBINATION WAS NEVER AN OPTION, LEAVING ME TO QUESTION THE QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES IN PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523565

29,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013

Engine

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THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START. INITIALLY, IT WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY START AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF WAITING. LATER, IT WOULD NOT START UNTIL YOU'D WAIT ABOUT 3 HOURS. BEEN IN THE SHOP, WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW, ABOUT SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN. THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AT NIGHT, AND I'M STUCK IN MY RURAL TOWN OR AT MY URBAN OFFICE, MY VERY LIFE IS AT STAKE. AND I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO FIX OR REPLACE THIS LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521602

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2013

Air BagsCrashInjury

2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10521331

34,900 miles · Jun 7, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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HAVE HAD 3 INSTANCES DURING WARM/HOT WEATHER THAT THE ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON (BLINKING) DURING NORMAL CITY DRIVING (AFTER A LITTLE FREEWAY DRIVING & USING THE AC) & THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE IS IMPAIRED DUE TO THE ESC (NO PWR OR INADVERTENT BRAKING W/O DRIVER BRAKING). ONLY WAY TO BYPASS THIS IS BY USING THE ESC OFF BUTTON. IT APPEARS TO GO AWAY AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF & COOLED DOWN. GUESSING THAT THIS IS SOME KIND OF HEAT RELATED PROBLEM (MAYBE A SHORT) WHICH CAUSES THE ESC TO IMPROPERLY KICK IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515699

18,800 miles · May 24, 2013

Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

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CAR WILL PERIODICALLY NOT START - ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THERE IS A HUMMING SOUND. OFTEN OCCURS WHEN WHEEL IS ON AN ANGLE. CAR WILL TYPICALLY NOT START 4-5 TIMES IN A ROW. OVERHEAD LIGHTS WORK AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, AFTER MUCH JIGGLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING ON IGNITION, IT STARTS FINE. ONE TIME IT STARTED AFTER EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS RELEASED AND THE CAR ROLLED A BIT. BROUGHT TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED WITH OTHER ELANTRAS. DEALER WAS ABOUT TO RELEASE CAR WHEN DRIVER DEMONSTRATED THAT GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. DEALER FOUND CODE C1513 BRAKE SWITCH SHORTED. BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. DEALER KEPT CAR A FEW DAYS WITH NO REPLICATIONS. 7 DAYS LATER, STARTING PROBLEM RECURRED AT DRIVER'S HOME AND AGAIN AFTER A DAY AT WORK. IN BOTH CASES, WHEEL WAS NOT IN "12 O"CLOCK" POSITION. IN CONVERSATION WITH DEALER, WE DISCUSSED THAT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED (NOT SURE OF DEFINITION), CAR SHOULD NOT START. HE RECOMMENDED JIGGLING THE WHEEL WHILE TURNING IGNITION. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WILL ONLY MOVE OUT OF PARK IF 1) IGNITION IS IN ON POSITION AND 2) FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. WHY IS STEERING WHEEL LOCKING SO OFTEN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513467

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2013

Suspension

2012 HYUNDIA ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, WAS CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY, DOWN TO THE TREAD. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN, DUE TO THE LACK OF TRACTION. THE CONSUMER WA…

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NHTSA ODI #10513173

35,000 miles · May 14, 2013

TiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE SPLIT AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE TIRE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE TI…

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NHTSA ODI #10511941

14,000 miles · May 1, 2013

Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK RADIAL TUBE LESS TIRES, TIRE SIZE: P215/45/R17 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD DEVELOPED BUBBLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CONTACT DRIVING OVER POTHOLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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NHTSA ODI #10510225

23,000 miles · Apr 3, 2013

Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

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THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE 2011 RECALL WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. MY CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK AND 3 TIMES HAS CUT OFF ON ITS OWN. IT WILL NOT CUT BACK ON TILL VEHICLE IS PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED BUT ITS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND IM NOT SATISFIED WITH EITHER COCOA BEACH OR MELBOURNE DEALER. I HAVE A RECURRING CLUTCH PEDAL ISSUE AS WELL AND DO NOT TRUST THEIR TECHNICIANS ANY LONGER. I WILL JUST DRIVE THE CAR TILL IT LEAVES ME STRANDED OR IN A WRECK. WESTLAND HYUNDAI HOWEVER HAS NEVER HAD A REPEAT REPAIR. IM NOT SURE WHY THEIR TECHS ARE SO MUCH MORE RELIABLE. WISH I STILL LIVED IN UTAH TO HAVE MY ISSUES RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505559

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 →