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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

What owners actually said

250 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2023
Power Train

Loud knocking noise coming from engine. Car unable to be driven. No recall for my particular make and model per Hyundai dealer. Extra consumption of oil and loss of power during acceleration. No warning lights or other messages. 79, 500 miles. Problem inspected by certified auto mechanic.

NHTSA ODI #11508758

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2023
Engine

The vehicle was purchased Nov 2023 with 60,000 mile on it. in december or early january the check engine light comes on. take the vehicle to auto zone to get the codes read where it stated TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE so we took it to the hyundai dealership and they said they were booked up for the next month or so,called around…

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The vehicle was purchased Nov 2023 with 60,000 mile on it. in december or early january the check engine light comes on. take the vehicle to auto zone to get the codes read where it stated TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE so we took it to the hyundai dealership and they said they were booked up for the next month or so,called around to there shops were booked as well so vehicle wasnt serviced. on feb 3,2023 the car stalled and shut off than wouldnt start back up. i contacted enterprise dealer and informed him the situation, he had me call the warrenty company. they towed the car to the shop and they informed me it was the starter and transmission.had to pay out of pocket for a rental than when i asked could we trade it in because the car add to many issues to be a brand new car,enterprise said they advise we keep the car for a year so basically stuck with a car they already had issuses and a car payment and the car still in the shop.

NHTSA ODI #11507232

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2023
Exterior Lighting

High beams are not functioning,lighting same on high or low beam setting.

NHTSA ODI #11507085

3,000 miles · Feb 9, 2023
Structure

The contact leased a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for the cabin air filter replacement, she was informed that there were rodent feces, leaves, and grains inside the cabin filter. The contact was informed that the debris was also present in the blower motor, which caused the blowe…

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The contact leased a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for the cabin air filter replacement, she was informed that there were rodent feces, leaves, and grains inside the cabin filter. The contact was informed that the debris was also present in the blower motor, which caused the blower motor to make abnormal grinding sounds when engaging the heating system. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was caused by rodents. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a strong feces odor coming from the vents. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring, causing the cabin filter to be replaced approximately once a week. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #11506469

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System

The car has issues with starting, and accelerating. Dealerships have zero availability for weeks out to provide any sort of diagnostics, and are unable to assist with this issue. The following email was sent to Hyundai Customer Service: I am currently leasing a 2020 Hyundai Elantra.  In July of this year, the car suddenly had …

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The car has issues with starting, and accelerating. Dealerships have zero availability for weeks out to provide any sort of diagnostics, and are unable to assist with this issue. The following email was sent to Hyundai Customer Service: I am currently leasing a 2020 Hyundai Elantra.  In July of this year, the car suddenly had trouble accelerating.  Being due for an oil change, and wanting to get the engine codes read, I contacted my local Hyundai dealership, and they had no availability for weeks.  I used a local service station to have the codes read/get the oil change, and the car continued to have difficulty (I am attaching the BlueLink reports on said codes).  I was finally able to bring it in to the local dealer who cleared the codes, and said they were the result of "not having enough oil."  The car drove well until 11/27, when the car started to sputter, not allowing it to accelerate properly, and with multiple error messages, including a flashing engine light.  After contact my local dealer who I first used in July, they said "it is probably low oil like last time, these cars are known to burn oil quickly."  I again brought it to my local service station for the oil change, and for a NYS inspection.  As my car is under 15k miles, and up-to-date with oil changes, I would imagine it would pass said inspection.  It did not. 

NHTSA ODI #11495647

29,775 miles · Oct 14, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate violently. The contact noticed a burning smell from …

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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate violently. The contact noticed a burning smell from the vents. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 29,775. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11489326

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2022
Engine

While Driving A Notification Pop Up Saying The Engine Was Running Hot , When I Tried To Take It To Hyundai The Engine When Out While I Was In The Free Way My Friends Dad Had To Call A Tow Company To Tow It Home Because Hyundai Was Closed By The Time The Tow Truck Came Also The Oil Light Was On As Well ,

NHTSA ODI #11487167

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control

When cruise control is activated the rpm increases 700 to 1000 rpm regardless of the speed

NHTSA ODI #11484125

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2022
Engine

Since the onset of leasing this 2020 Hyundai Elantra, the check engine light appeared intermittently. I reported this to the dealer on Route 4 in Paramus, New Jersey. They advised me that they ran scans to determine what the problem was. On one occasion they stated a censor needed replacing, and later told me that was done. …

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Since the onset of leasing this 2020 Hyundai Elantra, the check engine light appeared intermittently. I reported this to the dealer on Route 4 in Paramus, New Jersey. They advised me that they ran scans to determine what the problem was. On one occasion they stated a censor needed replacing, and later told me that was done. Thereafter, on Friday, August 26, 2022, I was positioned to bring the car in again because the check engine light remained on, and additionally, another dash light came on causing a loss of power and the car to stall. The dealership told me they ran another scan and found metal shavings in the engine, and the engine would need to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11482021

25,000 miles · Aug 30, 2022
EnginePower Train

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that he attempted to start the vehicle and felt the vehicle shaking. The contact then stated that he attempted to start the vehicle again when the engine revved and misfired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it wa…

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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that he attempted to start the vehicle and felt the vehicle shaking. The contact then stated that he attempted to start the vehicle again when the engine revved and misfired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder #2, engine, and powertrain control module (PCM) needed to be replaced. Additionally, the ECU and TCU needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle because the recalls were originated from Puerto Rico. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall could not be honored and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11481952

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.

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems