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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 · Sep 15, 2021
Engine

For several months, my leased vehicle will suddenly stall while driving or not start at all. This often leads to me suddenly stopping the vehicle in traffic. I am 5.5 months pregnant and cannot continue to operate this vehicle in this condition, as it is a risk to both my safety and the safety of my child. I have communicated my…

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For several months, my leased vehicle will suddenly stall while driving or not start at all. This often leads to me suddenly stopping the vehicle in traffic. I am 5.5 months pregnant and cannot continue to operate this vehicle in this condition, as it is a risk to both my safety and the safety of my child. I have communicated my concerns about this several times to the dealership, with the only resolution offered to me being to pay to lease a new vehicle. The check engine light has continuously been lit, despite service appointments. I have only been advised that there is “no solution yet”.

NHTSA ODI #11433134

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2021
Engine

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, she was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). However, the dealer also informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact s…

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The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, she was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). However, the dealer also informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and a case was open. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11432948

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2021
Engine

This is regarding recall number: 203 nhtsa:21v-301 My vehicle failed this recall inspection and has been with the hyundai dealer(Hyundai South Bay Torrance) for the past 2.5 weeks and I still have not heard anything regarding the remedy. The recall letter says that the engine would be replaced but the hyudai dealer said that th…

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This is regarding recall number: 203 nhtsa:21v-301 My vehicle failed this recall inspection and has been with the hyundai dealer(Hyundai South Bay Torrance) for the past 2.5 weeks and I still have not heard anything regarding the remedy. The recall letter says that the engine would be replaced but the hyudai dealer said that the hyundai corporate office has not replied to them and it could take months to fix this. This is irrational as they have kept my vehicle and there is no guideline on when i will get it back.

NHTSA ODI #11432837

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2021
Unknown Or OtherCrashFireInjury

Car stalled while driving on highway… causing the car to crash. The air bags deployed and me out! The car burst into flames and I was rescued by another motorist

NHTSA ODI #11432397

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2021
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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reaso…

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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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11432175

5,000 miles · Aug 30, 2021
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 not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that prior to receiving t…

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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 not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that prior to receiving the recall notification, the contact had heard abnormal banging noises while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was later made aware of the recall but informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11431047

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2021
EngineSeatsUnknown Or OtherCrashFireInjury

Car emitted carbon monoxide into car cabin, causing driver to lose consciousness and crash on highway and burst into flames

NHTSA ODI #11430751

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2021
Steering

Purchased used from Carvana. Steering pulls to right and left, unexpectedly and sporadically. Noticeable by both drivers, independently. Also, noticeable from passenger seat and not by driver alone. Suspected LOWER BALL JOINT issue which could result in sudden loss of control, crash, and death. IF this work was done, perhaps def…

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Purchased used from Carvana. Steering pulls to right and left, unexpectedly and sporadically. Noticeable by both drivers, independently. Also, noticeable from passenger seat and not by driver alone. Suspected LOWER BALL JOINT issue which could result in sudden loss of control, crash, and death. IF this work was done, perhaps defective "repair"? Carvana advised this is a death trap (my words). Have been trying to return vehicle since MONDAY 8/23. Driving to the 'vending machine' to hand back over THEIR vehicle, uninvited yet announced, on 8/27 a.m. in Las Vegas. This issue occurs at low, medium, and highway speeds without any apparent cause, except perhaps dips and uneven road surfaces. Perhaps the mismatched set of front/back tires?

NHTSA ODI #11430694

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2021
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

I rented a 2020 Hyundai Elantra from Pittsburgh PA to Rockville MD. It was raining. Because the steering wheel was sensitive compared to other cars I had driven, I turned on the car's Lane Keeping Assistance, which tightened the steering wheel a bit and made an alarm sound and steered back by itself when the car got close to a l…

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I rented a 2020 Hyundai Elantra from Pittsburgh PA to Rockville MD. It was raining. Because the steering wheel was sensitive compared to other cars I had driven, I turned on the car's Lane Keeping Assistance, which tightened the steering wheel a bit and made an alarm sound and steered back by itself when the car got close to a lane line. I drove under the speed limit and exercised all caution necessary on a raining day. On highway 70 East close to Hagerstown MD, I noticed the car deviate towards the left on a curve. Lane Keeping Assist did not alarm. To prevent it from hitting the left divider, I tried to steer back to the right but the steering wheel was locked up. I pressed the brake pedal, but the car did not slow down. The car suddenly slid to the far right, left the highway pavement, rolled over on the lawn. All of the front and side airbags on the driver’s seat and co-driver’s seat popped out. Smoke was everywhere. I got bruises on my knees and legs, and cuts in left hand and arm. The mileage was 43316 according to the rental company after the incident. I purchased the damage waiver so the rental company did not charge me or provide a report. Consumer stated she would like to withdrawal the complaint.

NHTSA ODI #11429334

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Ours and other vehicles were broken into with intent to steal in our neighborhood last night. Side passenger window smashed and steering column torn apart. Due to poor design of our vehicle, we are a flag to theft. We are now out an important vehicle for family and home, along with money to repair and stress.

NHTSA ODI #11428276

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