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2019 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 57 of 250 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2026
EngineForward Collision Avoidance

On 6/12/26, the engine had a sudden, catastrophic failure that caused a life-threatening hazard on a 2-lane highway in a remote mountain grade with no shoulder. Prior to this incident, the forward collision system had falsely gone off several times in dark or rainy conditions when there was no actual hazard or oncoming traffic…

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On 6/12/26, the engine had a sudden, catastrophic failure that caused a life-threatening hazard on a 2-lane highway in a remote mountain grade with no shoulder. Prior to this incident, the forward collision system had falsely gone off several times in dark or rainy conditions when there was no actual hazard or oncoming traffic on the road, which is very distracting and dangerous. Hyundai is not abiding by the terms of the federal class action lawsuit settlement, refuses to replace the defective engine, and is generally a danger to the public. What is the NHTSA going to do the next time a Hyundai catches fire and causes a catastrophic disaster in Southern California? I was fortunate the engine didn't catch fire...it was lightning-hot when I opened the hood a full 30 minutes after the breakdown. This has a Nu series MPI engine...there are 5 known classes of Hyundai/Kia engines that fail without warning and the company is still getting away with endangering drivers, refusing to replace or reimburse. I have a 10k lien on this vehicle and my livelihood is at risk because of Hyundai's negligence and disregard for the law. My stalled vehicle could have caused a deadly accident when it failed had another driver failed to see it blocking the road. This is happening to millions of Hyundai owners and we're not getting the recourse we were promised. My VIN was excluded from recalls and class action, yet it has the same exact dangerous engine defect. Please investigate the Nu 2.0 MPI engine series if this hasn't already been established as an additional unsafe configuration. It would be in the interest of public safety if Hyundai went out of business; the company's manufacturing is a danger to society and Hyundai doesn't care as long as they continue to profit from consumer hardship and suffering.

NHTSA ODI #11758964

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2025
Electrical SystemExterior LightingForward Collision AvoidanceCrashInjury

The driver and passenger headlight has been replaced and the bulbs but the headlights keep going out was told it is an electrical problem and contact manufacturer. Also emergency braking did not work in recent accident nor did forward collision warning.

NHTSA ODI #11654195

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

While driving on the highway, engine light comes on and THEN CAR SHUTS OFF MID DRIVE. Days later, tire pressure light comes on and stays on showing GOOD pressure. The car doesn't properly shift gears. Luckily I didn't have an accident. I have a case opened with Hyundai, but unable to get diagnosis until March. Car hasn't be…

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While driving on the highway, engine light comes on and THEN CAR SHUTS OFF MID DRIVE. Days later, tire pressure light comes on and stays on showing GOOD pressure. The car doesn't properly shift gears. Luckily I didn't have an accident. I have a case opened with Hyundai, but unable to get diagnosis until March. Car hasn't been consistently operable since purchase 3 years ago, as you can tell by my mileage

NHTSA ODI #11572036

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance

I was pulling into my driveway to do a 3 point turnaround and my cars forward collision warning came on, then the tire pressure light as well. There was nothing around me. I put the car in park shut it off and left it off. I figured if it the lights were still on and it wouldn’t move I’d call the dealership in the morning and ha…

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I was pulling into my driveway to do a 3 point turnaround and my cars forward collision warning came on, then the tire pressure light as well. There was nothing around me. I put the car in park shut it off and left it off. I figured if it the lights were still on and it wouldn’t move I’d call the dealership in the morning and have it towed again!! I started it after it was off/ not running for 2 hours and it was gone.

NHTSA ODI #11527796

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

I was driving on the freeway & the engine just cut off. I lost complete power but luckily, I was able to get to the side of the road without any incident. About a month ago, the same thing happened but I was down the street from my house so it wasn't a big deal. The day after, the front collision light went off twice while I was…

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I was driving on the freeway & the engine just cut off. I lost complete power but luckily, I was able to get to the side of the road without any incident. About a month ago, the same thing happened but I was down the street from my house so it wasn't a big deal. The day after, the front collision light went off twice while I was driving. My particular car VIN number is not on the recall list.

NHTSA ODI #11526255

11,622 miles · Feb 19, 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance

MAY 2019 VEHICLE WENT IN HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED WHETHER IN TOWN OR HIGHWAY OR PARKED. NOV 2020 CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE SAME TIME NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT …

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MAY 2019 VEHICLE WENT IN HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED WHETHER IN TOWN OR HIGHWAY OR PARKED. NOV 2020 CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE SAME TIME NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR (RATTLING) WHEN TURNING LEFT AND WHEN HITTING BUMPS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD BECOME LOOSE DAMAGING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, STRUTS AND AFTER TIGHTEN THEY BECAME LOOSE AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THIS TOOK THEM MONTH AND HALF TO FIND THE ISSUE AS WELL AS REPLACING THE CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT DRIVE CORRECTLY NOR DOES IT ALIGN PROPERLY ONLY SLIGHTLY OFF IN THE FRONT BUT WAY OFF IN THE REAR. SINCE PICKING THE VEHICLE UP 2 WEEKS LATER THE STEERING COLUMN IS MADE A POP SOUND AND HAS STARTED MAKING THE SAME RUBBING NOISE WHEN TURNING. I BOUGHT IT NEW NO ACCIDENTS TO DATE. HYUNDAI IS REPURCHASING THE VEHICLE. VERY SLOW PROCESS NOT TO MENTION CONCERNED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AS SEEN HERE.

NHTSA ODI #11397024

40,000 miles · Jan 28, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane DepartureSteeringCrash

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE SET DRIVING MY RPMS WENT TO 8 HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE ENDED UP CROSSING THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC HITTING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD GOING DOWN THE HILL INTO A DITCH.

NHTSA ODI #11390555

Official recalls

1

21V301000 · Engine

Apr 28, 2021

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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