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2020 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 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

75 reports with mileage · 175 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 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2026
Air BagsForward Collision AvoidanceCrash

I no longer have this vehicle, as I traded it in once I was able to lower some of my negative equity. During owning the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a deer it the side of my vehicle and knocked me into the center of the road while I was driving. No airbags had come out, nor was any sensor activated. About 6-8 months later, I was drivin…

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I no longer have this vehicle, as I traded it in once I was able to lower some of my negative equity. During owning the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a deer it the side of my vehicle and knocked me into the center of the road while I was driving. No airbags had come out, nor was any sensor activated. About 6-8 months later, I was driving down the same road and a deer had run across the road. The forward collision sensor did not alert me (I was paying attention to the road, but would have absolutely heard it), and my airbags did not deploy. My car suffered over $9,000 in damage and I had a concussion.

NHTSA ODI #11728934

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2024
Air BagsCrashInjury

On [XXX] at about 1:40 p.m. I was driving to work, and got distracted and had a front-end collision with a tree that was about 1-3 feet next to the side of the road. Extensive damage to the vehicle, and personal injuries occurred (mild concussion, stress fracture of left forearm, bruising/abrasion on ride side torso, sprained le…

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On [XXX] at about 1:40 p.m. I was driving to work, and got distracted and had a front-end collision with a tree that was about 1-3 feet next to the side of the road. Extensive damage to the vehicle, and personal injuries occurred (mild concussion, stress fracture of left forearm, bruising/abrasion on ride side torso, sprained left thumb, and abrasions on head). Both the driver and passenger airbags did not deploy which contributed to me almost flying through the windshield. The emergency responders and tow truck operator were very surprised I wasn't in critical condition or dead and noted that the airbags failing was a serious issue and I was lucky. This was reported to the manufacturer and geico insurance on December 20th, and I am currently awaiting to hear back from both to get the inspections scheduled. The vehicle is currently located at OC's Auto at 598 Armistead Blvd, Holt FL 32564. I have already signed papers giving permission for inspections by the insurance company if they request it, but currently inspections haven't been done yet to determine damage estimates or to investigate the airbags. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11631902

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury

On May 2, 2021 I was involved in a hit and run accident. An individual in a pickup ran a red light and t-boned my car on the driver side. No air bags deployed. I was taken to the hospital with a severe concussion.

NHTSA ODI #11421895

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2020
Air BagsSteeringStructureCrash

MY CAR SOLD TO ME WITH OUT IT BEING DISCLOSED THAT IT WAS CRASHED NOW MY LKA WILL KILL YOU IF USED AND THE FENDER IS OBVIOUSLY REPAINTED MY STEERING IS WEIRD AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NEW PURCHASED AT 6 MILES CRASH REPORTED AT 0 REPAIR COMPLETED 2/10 MY PURCHASE 2/11

NHTSA ODI #11317971

7,000 miles · Feb 19, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

A CAR DARTED INTO MY LANE AT 90 DEGREES. MY RENTAL CAR RIGHT CORNER ENDED UP AGAINST THE OTHER CAR'S LEFT FENDER. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT DID START TO INFLATE. A LOT OF DARK GRAY SMOKE ISSUED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THE BAG STARTED TO DEPLOY. THE BAG COVER APPEARED TO EXTEND ABOUT 6" FROM …

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A CAR DARTED INTO MY LANE AT 90 DEGREES. MY RENTAL CAR RIGHT CORNER ENDED UP AGAINST THE OTHER CAR'S LEFT FENDER. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT DID START TO INFLATE. A LOT OF DARK GRAY SMOKE ISSUED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THE BAG STARTED TO DEPLOY. THE BAG COVER APPEARED TO EXTEND ABOUT 6" FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SIDES LOOKED PLEATED, LIKE AN ACCORDION BELLOWS. ALSO SOMETHING HAPPENED UNDER THE DASH AROUND THE PEDALS. I SAW A RECTANGULAR LIGHT COLORED AREA 4-9' TALL AND 10-20" WIDE AS IF A PANEL HAD BLOWN OFF A LOWER AIRBAG BUT NO INFLATION OCCURRED THERE AT ALL. JAN. 22, 2020 ON BON AIR RD, KENTFIELD. NOT SURE IF I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. RENTAL COMPANY ASKED THAT THE CAR BE TOWED TO A BODY SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #11310064

Official recalls

3

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.

19V720000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Oct 9, 2019

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.

19V721000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Oct 9, 2019

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.

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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