NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
23 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 7, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringStructure
On February 17, 2023, my vehicle was broken into and damaged because thieves tried to highjack the car using a now common method of the end of a USB cable in the ignition. The passenger rear window, the steering column, and the key ignition were all damaged, and I had my vehicle towed to a Hyundai dealership. Nearly all 2011-202…
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On February 17, 2023, my vehicle was broken into and damaged because thieves tried to highjack the car using a now common method of the end of a USB cable in the ignition. The passenger rear window, the steering column, and the key ignition were all damaged, and I had my vehicle towed to a Hyundai dealership. Nearly all 2011-2021 Kia and Hyundai vehicles are made easy to operate without a key, to steal, and to vandalize. This security vulnerability has resulted in Kia and Hyundai owners paying for repairs (even with insurance, owners need to pay the deductible) and higher insurance premiums. Hyundai and Kia did not disclose this defect, which is a material fact, and a fact that a reasonable person would rely on when purchasing a vehicle, consequently making these vehicles easy to steal, unsafe, and worth less than they should be. The service writer at the dealership informed me that it could take 30-45 days to get the parts since this type of vandalism has increased significantly over the last six months. It has become well-known that these thefts are due to security flaws (re: failure to implement standard security measures and install anti-theft devices) in Kia and Hyundai vehicles, leaving them notably susceptible to theft. Kia and Hyundai owners, including myself, are left with limited time use of rental cars during repairs, oftentimes because of the delay in the delivery of parts. This situation also leaves Kia and Hyundai owners with higher insurance rates (or being simply denied of obtaining insurance) because of these vehicles.
NHTSA ODI #11510696
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
At any given time without warning the car dies. There is a red light that is sometimes visible on the dash but flashes too quickly and tell which light it may be (due to location of light owner’s manual showing possible oil light/battery). The car has had regular scheduled maintenance. This happens when driving in everyday traff…
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At any given time without warning the car dies. There is a red light that is sometimes visible on the dash but flashes too quickly and tell which light it may be (due to location of light owner’s manual showing possible oil light/battery). The car has had regular scheduled maintenance. This happens when driving in everyday traffic and sometimes when going from stopped to accelerating. This happens when going in reverse or ahead. I have almost been in several different accidents due to it dying in the middle of intersections. Code reader has not been able to locate the problem because there’s no indication of a problem on the check engine light. This is a very serious problem that needs to be taken seriously before it gets someone badly injured or killed.
NHTSA ODI #11500974
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
The headlights randomly turn off or switch between high and low beams. This is dangerous especially at night because high beams can impair another driver's vision or having the lights turn off completely makes me unseen on the road. My car is available for inspection upon request. When I have gone online, I have seen other Hyun…
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The headlights randomly turn off or switch between high and low beams. This is dangerous especially at night because high beams can impair another driver's vision or having the lights turn off completely makes me unseen on the road. My car is available for inspection upon request. When I have gone online, I have seen other Hyundai customers have experienced the same thing.
NHTSA ODI #11496397
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2022
Electrical System
Brake lights stay on constantly - even when vehicle is off. If driver is unaware of their brake lights being stuck in an on position can cause an accident very easily.
NHTSA ODI #11470944
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2020
Electrical System
WHEN MY TURNING LIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT COMES ON IT I'M THINKING IT TIME TO CHANGE THE LIGHT I DID THAT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON. NOW I REALIZE THIS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD LAST YEAR WITH MY CAR AND THEY SAID IT'S A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. NOW BOTH OF MY TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. BU…
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WHEN MY TURNING LIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT COMES ON IT I'M THINKING IT TIME TO CHANGE THE LIGHT I DID THAT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON. NOW I REALIZE THIS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD LAST YEAR WITH MY CAR AND THEY SAID IT'S A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. NOW BOTH OF MY TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. BUT ONCE THE LIGHTS GO OFF THE TURNING SIGNAL WORKS AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11331634
45,800 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Electrical SystemSuspension
ELECTRIC PROBLEM : WHEN CAR COOLS OFF ,SITS IN HARD RAIN FOR NUMEROUS HOURS OR OVERNIGHT ,THERE IS A PROBLEM AFTER RESTARTING. NEITHER THE HEADLIGHTS NOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR AIR BLOWER WORKS UNTIL THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP AND DRIVEN FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR ALL ARE ONGOING. SUSPENSION PROBLEM : A WHILE BACK THERE WA…
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ELECTRIC PROBLEM : WHEN CAR COOLS OFF ,SITS IN HARD RAIN FOR NUMEROUS HOURS OR OVERNIGHT ,THERE IS A PROBLEM AFTER RESTARTING. NEITHER THE HEADLIGHTS NOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR AIR BLOWER WORKS UNTIL THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP AND DRIVEN FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR ALL ARE ONGOING. SUSPENSION PROBLEM : A WHILE BACK THERE WAS A RECALL ABOUT A FRONT SPRING , NO DETAILS,INCLUDING 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S WHEN THE CAR SITS OVERNIGHT, IS STARTED, IT WILL EMIT A CREAKING / RATTLING SOUND FROM THE FRONT , TRAVELING OVER A SERIES OF BUMPS , THEN DISAPPEARS . *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329253
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I JUST NEED CHECK CAR ABS OIL
NHTSA ODI #11316683
125,659 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLICKER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR STARTED TO FLICKER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE OIL AND FILTER WERE CHANGED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. SOUTH BAY HYUNDAI (20433 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90503, (310) 974-8180) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,659.
NHTSA ODI #11257411
97,935 miles · May 11, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I WAS ON THE WAY TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO HER SISTER'S HOUSE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE WE WERE STOPPED BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. SO, I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, AND TURNOVER THE CAR ONCE I TURNED IT OFF FOR A MOMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11206983
38,000 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes
I WAS RETURNING HOME THIS AFTERNOON AND MY WIFE'S HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS LIT. I FIGURED MY WIFE HAD LEFT HER LIGHTS ON AND LOOKED IN THE CAR TO SEE THEY WERE OFF. I STARTED THE CAR AND PRESSED THE BRAKE A FEW TIMES BUT THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON SO I THOUGHT THE SWITCH HAD GONE BAD. MY WIFE …
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I WAS RETURNING HOME THIS AFTERNOON AND MY WIFE'S HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS LIT. I FIGURED MY WIFE HAD LEFT HER LIGHTS ON AND LOOKED IN THE CAR TO SEE THEY WERE OFF. I STARTED THE CAR AND PRESSED THE BRAKE A FEW TIMES BUT THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON SO I THOUGHT THE SWITCH HAD GONE BAD. MY WIFE WATCHED AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH MANUALLY AND THE SWITCH WORKED BUT THE PEDAL DID NOT COME FAR ENOUGH BACK TO DEPRESS THE SWITCH AND I SAW ONLINE THAT A PAD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PRESENT BUT WAS MISSING. I FOUND RECALLS FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS MENTIONING AN ISSUE WITH PAD DETERIORATION AND FIGURE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING TO THIS MODEL AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #11182014
Official recalls
3May 14, 2026
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.
Feb 23, 2024
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.
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.
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
2AQ23002 · 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.
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