Engine. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports8 fire reports16 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

5 reports

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Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2026

EngineExterior LightingStructure

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I am submitting a vehicle safety complaint regarding a vehicle purchased on March 5, 2026. Within days of purchase, the vehicle exhibited multiple safety-related issues despite reportedly passing a Virginia safety inspection on February 27, 2026. The safety concerns identified include: - Driver-side headlight partially inoperable, which resulted in a traffic stop on March 15, 2026 - Front hood not properly secured/latching, creating a risk of opening while driving - No engine oil present upon inspection shortly after purchase - Coolant reservoir completely empty - Check engine light illuminated shortly after purchase Diagnostic testing following the check engine light revealed code P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold). A mechanic advised that this condition is not a new issue and would have developed over time, indicating that it likely existed prior to the sale of the vehicle. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had an outstanding manufacturer safety recall identified as NHTSA Recall No. 23V651000 (Recall #251), dated April 3, 2024. This recall had not been completed prior to sale and was only addressed on March 24, 2026, after I took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership. Additionally, the vehicle was subject to a manufacturer campaign identified as Campaign #P33, dated December 15, 2025. This further indicates that the vehicle required manufacturer-related service that had not been fully addressed prior to sale. An independent inspection conducted on March 16, 2026 confirmed conditions inconsistent with a vehicle that had recently passed a safety inspection. These issues raise serious concerns about the safety, inspection integrity, and roadworthiness of the vehicle at the time it was sold. I am requesting that this matter be reviewed for potential safety-related concerns and any related violations. I am available to provide supporting documentation, including inspection reports, diagnostic results, service records, and photographic evidence.

NHTSA ODI #11731101

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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NHTSA ODI #11496397

38,000 miles · Feb 22, 2019

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

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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

77,000 miles · Jun 23, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes

THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING. THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKES. WHEN I WAS READY TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND SAID THE BRAKE RELAY (WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED) CAUSED THE BRA…

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NHTSA ODI #11000825

9,000 miles · May 24, 2016

Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OFFER ADEQUATE VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS MET THE MANUFACTURER ALIGNMENT STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FA…

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NHTSA ODI #10870615

Official recalls

26V307000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 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.

24V146000 · Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch

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.

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.

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.

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