Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
2725–50K
2650–75K
1975–100K
19100–150K
5150K+
127 reports with mileage · 134 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
What owners actually said
261 reports
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
70,000 miles · Sep 22, 2019
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemCrash
I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WENT TO MOVE UP A FEW FEET. I TOUCHED THE GAS PETAL AND THE CAR FLEW INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THIS FRONT END COLLISION. I WAS ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC. NO RAIN. I AM UNSURE IF IT WAS THE GAS PETAL OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS LINE ITSELF
NHTSA ODI #11257197
98,000 miles · Sep 19, 2019
Engine
WE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR TWO MONTHS AGO FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. MY SON WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE CAR AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A CAR DEALERSHIP NEARBY AND THEY LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND SAID THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED. ALSO, WHEN YOU OPEN UP THE HO…
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WE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR TWO MONTHS AGO FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. MY SON WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE CAR AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A CAR DEALERSHIP NEARBY AND THEY LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND SAID THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED. ALSO, WHEN YOU OPEN UP THE HOOD OF THE CAR THERE'S ALSO OIL ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11256694
55,103 miles · Aug 27, 2019
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,103.
NHTSA ODI #11251848
65,000 miles · Aug 26, 2019
Steering
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11246445
128,000 miles · Jul 30, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
I T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO TURNED ACROSS MY LANE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 TO 35 MPH AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WITH THE FRONT END OF MINE. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I INJURED MY NECK DUE TO THAT CRASH. ALSO MY CHILD AND HUSBAND WERE INJURED AS WELL. I AM REPORTING A FAULTY 2015…
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I T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO TURNED ACROSS MY LANE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 TO 35 MPH AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WITH THE FRONT END OF MINE. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I INJURED MY NECK DUE TO THAT CRASH. ALSO MY CHILD AND HUSBAND WERE INJURED AS WELL. I AM REPORTING A FAULTY 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AIRBAG. IT DID NOT DEPLOY IN MY CRASH. WE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11240586
37,000 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Service Brakes
I WAS ON A CITY STREET AND A DRIVER BEHIND ME INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. I CHECKED AT HOME AND THEY DID NOT LIGHT UP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE VEHICLE IS MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA ODI #11234153
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other
CAR BURNS OIL WHICH HAS NOW DESTROYED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT
NHTSA ODI #11233785
103,960 miles · Jul 10, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other
CAR USED TO RUN WELL , BUT LAST WEEK STARTED TO MAKE A VERY LOUSY NOISE FROM THE ENGINE , I DONT FEEL SAFE TO USE IT ANYMORE ,ALSO THE CAR DONT HAVE THE SAME PUSH TO MAKE IT RUN I HAVE TO PUSH THE PEDAL ALMOST COMPLETELY BUT STILL IT DONT .IT DONT WORK AS IT USED TO BE
NHTSA ODI #11230910
43,465 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Engine
ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AT VERY LOW MILEAGE. KNOCK WAS APPARENT WHILE STATIONARY, DRIVING, ACCELERATING. ENGINE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IF ENGINE HAD FAILED DURING OPERATION IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION.
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.
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.
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
2
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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