NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
292 reports9,000 miles · Dec 31, 2016
Wheels
THIS IS OUR THIRD ELANTRA. WHILE WE LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE WAY IT GENERALLY HANDLES WE ARE GREATLY DISSATISFIED WITH THE TIRES THAT ARE STANDARD ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE WE LIVE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND EXPERIENCE WINTERY WEATHER WE HAVE FOUND THAT THESE TIRES ARE VERY DANGEROUS ON WINTER ROADS. WE ARE SURE THA…
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THIS IS OUR THIRD ELANTRA. WHILE WE LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE WAY IT GENERALLY HANDLES WE ARE GREATLY DISSATISFIED WITH THE TIRES THAT ARE STANDARD ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE WE LIVE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND EXPERIENCE WINTERY WEATHER WE HAVE FOUND THAT THESE TIRES ARE VERY DANGEROUS ON WINTER ROADS. WE ARE SURE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS UNLESS DIFFERENT TIRES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED THAT PERFORM BETTER IN THESE CONDITIONS. WE HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT THE FIRST THING WE HAD TO DO WAS PURCHASE NEW TIRES IN ORDER TO DRIVE IN WINTER WEATHER. THE ADDED EXPENSE IN TOTALLY RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CAR! WE EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO NO AVAIL....I AM SURPRISED THERE IS NOT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS MATTER. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS WILL BE OUR LAST PURCHASE OF AN ELANTRA.
NHTSA ODI #10938914
20,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING THE CLOCK WILL START TO FLASH THEN THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLASH AS THE RADIO/CLOCK FLASHES. IF HEAD LIGHTS ARE OFF THE LIGHT BY GAUGES WILL START FLASHING MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES COME ON AND FLASH ALSO. IF I TURN THE AIR ON THE FLASHING WILL STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES IN T…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CLOCK WILL START TO FLASH THEN THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLASH AS THE RADIO/CLOCK FLASHES. IF HEAD LIGHTS ARE OFF THE LIGHT BY GAUGES WILL START FLASHING MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES COME ON AND FLASH ALSO. IF I TURN THE AIR ON THE FLASHING WILL STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10920146
9,999 miles · Sep 13, 2016
Air BagsCrashFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND EMITTED FIRE DURING THE DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND EMITTED FIRE DURING THE DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,999.
NHTSA ODI #10906014
7,000 miles · Sep 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other
MY VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE, BUT WITH SOMETHING CALLED A "TIRE MOBILITY KIT" WHICH IS USED TO INFLAT A FLAT TIRE (MAYBE). IN ANTICIPATION OF THE NEED TO USE THIS GADGET, I HAVE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAME ACROSS THIS ITEM: "WARNING: SEALANT IS AN IRRITANT TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY PASSAGES. OVEREXPOSURE MAY…
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MY VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE, BUT WITH SOMETHING CALLED A "TIRE MOBILITY KIT" WHICH IS USED TO INFLAT A FLAT TIRE (MAYBE). IN ANTICIPATION OF THE NEED TO USE THIS GADGET, I HAVE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAME ACROSS THIS ITEM: "WARNING: SEALANT IS AN IRRITANT TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY PASSAGES. OVEREXPOSURE MAY CAUSE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND KIDNEY EFFECTS......DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR OR MIST.....AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES....WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING....IN CASE OF SKIN OR EYE CONTACT, IMMEDIATELY FLUSH AFFECTED AREA WITH PLENTY OF WATER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT I WILL SUFFER A FLAT TIRE CLOSE TO A SOURCE OF CLEAN WATER. THIS PRODUCT IS POISONOUS AND DANGEROUS TO USE. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ALERTED AND THE PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A SAFE ALTERNATIVE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOUR AGENCY WILL PURSUE THIS MATTER WITH HYUNDAI.
NHTSA ODI #10903648
21,000 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Electrical SystemEquipment
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED DRIVING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED DRIVING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
NHTSA ODI #10884151
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE MOTOR WERE OFF SYNC AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE MOTOR WERE OFF SYNC AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS KEPT FOR LONGER THAN THREE WEEKS. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10874791
5,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Visibility/wiperCrash
THE VISIBILITY ON THIS CAR IS SO BAD. IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAD 1 ACCIDENT UNTIL I GOT THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD 3 MINOR ACCIDENTS IN LESS THAN A YEAR ALL DUE TO BACKING UP AND LOOKING OUT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN YOU BACK UP YOU CAN'T SEE OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FRONT DUE TO MIRROR PLACEMENT AND DOOR FRAME AND IN THE BACK…
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THE VISIBILITY ON THIS CAR IS SO BAD. IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAD 1 ACCIDENT UNTIL I GOT THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD 3 MINOR ACCIDENTS IN LESS THAN A YEAR ALL DUE TO BACKING UP AND LOOKING OUT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN YOU BACK UP YOU CAN'T SEE OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FRONT DUE TO MIRROR PLACEMENT AND DOOR FRAME AND IN THE BACK DUE TO FRAME AND HEADREST IN SAME POSITION. I FEEL THIS CAR WAS DESIGNED POORLY, I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE.
NHTSA ODI #10873299
9,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other
WHEN PARKING OUR CAR, THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. OBVIOUSLY, WE COULD NOT LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I LOOKED AT A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=A4T6YDZKB5G AND THIS GUY'S VIDEO SAVED THE DAY. THIS OBVIOUSLY HAS HAPPENED FOR OTHER PEOPLE…
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WHEN PARKING OUR CAR, THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. OBVIOUSLY, WE COULD NOT LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I LOOKED AT A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=A4T6YDZKB5G AND THIS GUY'S VIDEO SAVED THE DAY. THIS OBVIOUSLY HAS HAPPENED FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WE WILL BE TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER TO FIX, HOWEVER, SINCE IT APPARENTLY HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHERS FOR YEARS I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT TO YOU. IF IT IS NOT FIXED BY HYUNDAI I WILL LET YOU KNOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #10872941
501 miles · May 16, 2016
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
THE 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS WRECKED AT 501 MILES . IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND-NEW IT STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AT 45 MILES PER HOUR THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HYUNDAI HAS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO I HAVE A CLAIM NUMBER AGAINST HYUNDAI THE CLAIM NUMBER IS 8922194. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER TO THE CLAIM AGENT IS1-…
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THE 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS WRECKED AT 501 MILES . IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND-NEW IT STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AT 45 MILES PER HOUR THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HYUNDAI HAS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO I HAVE A CLAIM NUMBER AGAINST HYUNDAI THE CLAIM NUMBER IS 8922194. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER TO THE CLAIM AGENT IS1-714-965-3105. MY SON WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SUFFERED INJURIES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE ASKED THE HYUNDAI CLAIM AGENT TO DO AN INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS DONE ON MAY 4TH AND NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT RECEIVING ANY INFORMATION ON WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT . I WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR AGENCY TO LOOK INTO HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY IN THERE AIRBAGS THAT DO NOT DEPLOY . YOU MAY CONTACT ME AT[XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10865281
60 miles · May 2, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER PERFORMED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE RECURR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER PERFORMED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60.
NHTSA ODI #10862650
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.