The car is very hard to keep in a straight line going down the road. Constant inputs have to be given to keep the wheel at center as the wheel will not re-center after small inputs (I.e. changing lanes, gentle curves in road, etc.). I feel it is a safety hazard
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Steering complaints
9 reportsHyundai Elantra was stolen for the 2nd time AFTER Hyundai's immobilizer was supposedly installed in the vehicle. Car was parked and locked in a secured employee parking lot with cameras. Rear window was busted out steering column torn down and ignition switch removed. Car was started with a USB. Just like everyone else's. The v…
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Hyundai Elantra was stolen for the 2nd time AFTER Hyundai's immobilizer was supposedly installed in the vehicle. Car was parked and locked in a secured employee parking lot with cameras. Rear window was busted out steering column torn down and ignition switch removed. Car was started with a USB. Just like everyone else's. The vehicle was located and is currently at the dealership where they are refusing to do any work because it is a "Branded" title and no longer under any warranty.
My car was stolen. I'm waiting to hear how much repairs will cost. The steering wheel ignition lock is easy bypassed by using only a small screwdriver or USB cord. This makes the car easily stolen and therefore violates the requirements of 571.114 which requires a "starting system which, whenever the key is removed from the star…
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My car was stolen. I'm waiting to hear how much repairs will cost. The steering wheel ignition lock is easy bypassed by using only a small screwdriver or USB cord. This makes the car easily stolen and therefore violates the requirements of 571.114 which requires a "starting system which, whenever the key is removed from the starting system prevents.. the normal activation of the vehicles engine or motor". This affects all Kia / Hyundai vehicles with a normal keyed ignition and without a vehicle immobilizer produced from approximately 2009-2022. Since the technology required to comply with the regulation (i.e. a vehicle immobilizer) is readily available and available on other cars from this maker, the vehicle manufacturer knowingly violated this regulation. I request a NHTSA inquiry into this clear safety defect.
When steering, the steering wheel makes a rubbing noise.
The contact rented a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle the tire pressure monitoring system would remain illuminated although the tire air pressure was at the correct levels. Additionally, while driving at speeds exceeding 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel would shak…
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The contact rented a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle the tire pressure monitoring system would remain illuminated although the tire air pressure was at the correct levels. Additionally, while driving at speeds exceeding 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel would shake and vibrate and, on several occasions, nearly caused another vehicle to crash into the rear. The steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 63,270.
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEN STOLER HYUNDAI (11275 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL…
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THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEN STOLER HYUNDAI (11275 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL SAFETY FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF A HEADLIGHT RECALL FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED HOWEVER, PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.
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.
I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE ON SEP. 5, 2019 AND TOOK IT IN ON DEC. 4, 2019 FOR AN OIL CHANGE. HAD COMPLAINTS -- LIGHTS, BRAKES PEDAL FLAPPING, AND RUNNING SLUGGISH.THAT WERE CHECKED OUT. REPAIR RECEIPT REPORTS A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS COMPLETED DUE TO A RECALL.NOTHING WAS REPORTED TO ME BEFORE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. WHEN I CHECKED FOR…
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I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE ON SEP. 5, 2019 AND TOOK IT IN ON DEC. 4, 2019 FOR AN OIL CHANGE. HAD COMPLAINTS -- LIGHTS, BRAKES PEDAL FLAPPING, AND RUNNING SLUGGISH.THAT WERE CHECKED OUT. REPAIR RECEIPT REPORTS A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS COMPLETED DUE TO A RECALL.NOTHING WAS REPORTED TO ME BEFORE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. WHEN I CHECKED FOR RECALLS, INCLUDING YOUR SITE, BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THERE NO RECALLS AND YOU REPORT NONE. WHAT IS 97HYZZ1: RECALL. T3W - ELANTRA ECM SOFTWARE UPDATE (19-01-027H) CAUSED BY RECALL THIS VEHICLE IS 3 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 2156 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN. IF THERE WAS A RECALL, SHOULD IT HAVE BEEN MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME AND DISCLOSED? IS THIS PROHIBITED. WHAT PROTECTION DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE?
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER OF A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND A SMALL ABANDONED HOME. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND BURNED TO DEATH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISH…
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER OF A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND A SMALL ABANDONED HOME. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND BURNED TO DEATH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE STATE TROOPER CONTACTED HYUNDAI OF DOTHAN (LOCATED AT 2329 ROSS CLARK CIR, DOTHAN, AL 36301, (334) 699-6416) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Official recalls
121V301000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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