IllustrationOn 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.
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.
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
480–25K
1025–50K
650–75K
475–100K
7100–150K
0150K+
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 reportsEverytime when I driving around 20 minutes The transmission start failed on the first gear...every time when I stop at the traffic light and then go forward car loose the power in the first gear even sport mode or smart mode or normal mode he do that.... that's to dangerous cause if I have to crossing a way that only have a stop…
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Everytime when I driving around 20 minutes The transmission start failed on the first gear...every time when I stop at the traffic light and then go forward car loose the power in the first gear even sport mode or smart mode or normal mode he do that.... that's to dangerous cause if I have to crossing a way that only have a stop sign might can get an accident.
My car has 27,000 miles on it and is using oil. The oil turns black. This has been going on for a while. It has a ticking sound. It did have a bad loud when I took it to Hyundai. Hyundai is trying to blame me for the engine problem but a NEW car should not use oil and the oil turn black! Not sure of date. Been having problems wi…
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My car has 27,000 miles on it and is using oil. The oil turns black. This has been going on for a while. It has a ticking sound. It did have a bad loud when I took it to Hyundai. Hyundai is trying to blame me for the engine problem but a NEW car should not use oil and the oil turn black! Not sure of date. Been having problems with car for six mo. I see a recall for this problem. Thank u
The forward accident avoidance system repeatedly cuts off the gas and prevents the car from moving even when there is nothing that could be considered a hazard in front of the car. It leaves me stranded half way through a turn in an intersection or the entrance to a parking lot. The gas pedal is disabled until the computer decid…
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The forward accident avoidance system repeatedly cuts off the gas and prevents the car from moving even when there is nothing that could be considered a hazard in front of the car. It leaves me stranded half way through a turn in an intersection or the entrance to a parking lot. The gas pedal is disabled until the computer decides that it is safe. The service manager at the dealer says there is nothing they can do as the system is extremely sensitive and they get a lot of complaints about it. To be left in the middle of an intersection as the light changes and cross traffic starts or to to be stopped halfway through a turn onto a road with approaching traffic is not safe.
Vehicle engine seizes and will not start. Happens multiple times. Towed vehicle to dealership and they state there is no recall for this problem however; NHTSA has a recall number of: 21V301000. Really getting the runaround. Same problem happened on 2013 Sonata we owned that caught fire, in which Hyundai paid lien and offered di…
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Vehicle engine seizes and will not start. Happens multiple times. Towed vehicle to dealership and they state there is no recall for this problem however; NHTSA has a recall number of: 21V301000. Really getting the runaround. Same problem happened on 2013 Sonata we owned that caught fire, in which Hyundai paid lien and offered discount pricing to buy 2020 Elantra. Is this a trend?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REGIONAL HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 2380 W KENOSHA ST, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REGIONAL HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 2380 W KENOSHA ST, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V301000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE RPM AUTOMATICALLY INCREASES BY ABOUT 700 RPM. AT 75 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM IS 2300. WHEN CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, ENGINE RPM INCREASES TO 3000 RPM AND REMAINS THERE. THIS DECREASES GAS MILESGE AND INCREASES WEAR ON ENGINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL UPON PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI OF JEFFERSON CITY (3215 MISSOURI BLVD, JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65109) WHERE THE RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ST…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL UPON PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI OF JEFFERSON CITY (3215 MISSOURI BLVD, JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65109) WHERE THE RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SOLD THE VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
DRIVING VEHICLE AT 20 MILES PER HOUR ONE BLOCK FROM RESIDENCE ON A CITY STREET AND MADE A NOTICEABLE KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. DRIVE HOME AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATED METAL IN THE OIL PAN AND SAID INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. WAITING ON FURTHER FROM HYUNDAI.
Official recalls
321V301000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.