NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
292 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 9, 2021
Suspension
Anytime I hit a bump going at least 35 mph the back of my car jumps to one side or another. I've tried adding weight to the back of the car, less and more air in tires, new tires, but nothing seems to fix the problem. It has knocked me sideways on the roads and when on the highway or interstate it's gets worse as you are drivin…
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Anytime I hit a bump going at least 35 mph the back of my car jumps to one side or another. I've tried adding weight to the back of the car, less and more air in tires, new tires, but nothing seems to fix the problem. It has knocked me sideways on the roads and when on the highway or interstate it's gets worse as you are driving faster. Winter time I have to drive the least amount I can on the faster roads because it can get out of control. I read on hyundai forums that this has been a problem for this type of car. Some people said getting better shocks reduces the problem, but does not completely fix it. I'm worried I will get into an accident because of this. I can't afford to try new shocks, because it doesn't completely fix the problem. It is also wearing the tires much faster then they should. Consumer made several attempts to reach out to the manufacturer but no response. Vehicle has issues with rear end sliding back and forth as well as the rear axle.
NHTSA ODI #11424129
47,000 miles · Jun 2, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. Twenty minutes later, there was a ticking sound coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle started sputtering. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and the vehicle stalled. T…
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The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. Twenty minutes later, there was a ticking sound coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle started sputtering. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder. the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
NHTSA ODI #11419307
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2021
Engine
OIL CONSUMPTION,IN THREE MONTHS OR 3K MILES, IT CONSUMES 3 LITTERS, I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY DID TEST AND THEY SAID YES THAT IS NORMAL, IT CANNOT BE NORMAL, IF I DRIVE ANOTHER 3K MILES WILL MOST LIKELY BURN THE ENGINE FOR SURE, I KEEP POURING OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES
NHTSA ODI #11414679
180,000 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Engine
I WAS DRIVING TO NORWOOD ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND THE CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING SO I PULLED OVER, LET IT COOL DOWN, AND ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR. I DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD OVERHEAT, BUT ONCE IT COOLED, I DROVE BACK HOME. WE CHECKED THE OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS TO BE SURE IT WASN'T LOW. THE FLUIDS WERE FINE AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS GO…
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I WAS DRIVING TO NORWOOD ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND THE CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING SO I PULLED OVER, LET IT COOL DOWN, AND ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR. I DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD OVERHEAT, BUT ONCE IT COOLED, I DROVE BACK HOME. WE CHECKED THE OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS TO BE SURE IT WASN'T LOW. THE FLUIDS WERE FINE AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE THE RADIATOR. THE NEXT DAY, I WENT TO A LOCAL RESTAURANT IN EASTGATE OHIO. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE DRIVE THRU, IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WASN'T GETTING POWER AND THEN SHUT OFF. I WENT TO START IT, BUT IT WOULDN'T START. THE ENGINE WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY APARTMENT BY OUR MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND EXPLAINED THAT THE ENGINE IS LOCKED UP. I STILL OWE ON THE VEHICLE SO I PARKED IT AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SAVE MONEY TO GET AN ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11414472
90,000 miles · Apr 14, 2021
SteeringStructureSuspension
ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR THE FRONT AXLE SHAKES REALLY BAD CAN I KEEP IT IN THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11408048
43,564 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Suspension
PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING ON MY 2016 ELANTRA SNAPPED AFTER DRIVING OVER A NORMALLY WORN ROAD. TAKING TO A MECHANIC TOMORROW TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER HAD WITH HIS 2011 SONATA AND A FRIEND OF MINE'S 2015 ELANTRA. FINDING IT VERY ODD THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS OUT FOR THE SAME REASON ON…
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PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING ON MY 2016 ELANTRA SNAPPED AFTER DRIVING OVER A NORMALLY WORN ROAD. TAKING TO A MECHANIC TOMORROW TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER HAD WITH HIS 2011 SONATA AND A FRIEND OF MINE'S 2015 ELANTRA. FINDING IT VERY ODD THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS OUT FOR THE SAME REASON ON MANY OTHER YEARS AND ON SONATAS.
NHTSA ODI #11407818
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine
MY CAR IS A PUSH START N IT WILL NOT TURN OFF .. I OUT THE BOTTOM TO TURN IT OFF BUT THE ENGINE IS STILL CONSTANTLY RUNNING IT WON'T TURN OFF
NHTSA ODI #11405679
60,500 miles · Mar 15, 2021
Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND, THERE WERE NOT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON. I TURNED DOWN THE RADIO AND A/C SO I COULD HEAR IT BETTER, MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND SLOWED DOWN, A RED OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON BRIEFLY AND THE KNOCKING GOT VERY LOUD. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT APPROX. 1 1/2 MILE…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND, THERE WERE NOT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON. I TURNED DOWN THE RADIO AND A/C SO I COULD HEAR IT BETTER, MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND SLOWED DOWN, A RED OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON BRIEFLY AND THE KNOCKING GOT VERY LOUD. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT APPROX. 1 1/2 MILES DOWN. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, HAD IT TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN VENICE. 2 DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME IT HAD NO OIL IN IT. 5 DAYS LATER THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW $8000 ENGINE! I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES. I WAS 2000 MILES OVER THIS TIME, BUT THAT SHOULD NOT LEAVE 0 OIL IN THE CAR. APPROX. 60,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. AND IF OIL WAS GETTING LOW WHY DIDN'T ANY LIGHTS COME ON.
NHTSA ODI #11403055
97,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Engine
ENGINE IS CONSUMING 1.2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI THAT IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN. I DON'T THINK THAT IS NORMAL AT ALL. I DRIVE MOSTLY ON HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11398836
72,000 miles · Feb 24, 2021
EngineLane Departure
I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY I HEAR A KNOCK IN THE ENGINE AND A GRINDING SOUND INSIDE THE ENGINE AND A MECHANIC INSPECTED IT AND SAID THAT IT IS ROD BEARING THAT THEY HAVE DAMAGE, SPEAK TO THE HYUNDAI DEPARTMENT AND THAT THEIR SYSTEM DID NOT WORK THAT THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME INFORMATION
NHTSA ODI #11397739
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · 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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