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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.

About this comparison →

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
23,000 miles · Apr 3, 2021
Exterior Lighting

THE NORMAL BEAM BRIGHTNESS FOR THE FRONT HEADLAMPS IS ABOUT 50% OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT ON THE LOW-BEAM SETTING. WITH THE HIGH BEAM SETTING, VISIBILITY IS ABOUT AS IT SHOULD BE FOR THE NORMAL SETTING.

NHTSA ODI #11406211

3,700 miles · Apr 2, 2021
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLES TACHOMETER STARTED OSCILLATING SLIGHTLY, JUMPING UP AND DOWN. THE NEXT SYMPTOMS WAS THE CAR AT TIMES FELT LIKE IT HAD A BUCKING/JERKING SENSATION. THE TACHOMETER SUDDENLY JUMPED UP TO AROUND 5000 RPM. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER WHIL…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLES TACHOMETER STARTED OSCILLATING SLIGHTLY, JUMPING UP AND DOWN. THE NEXT SYMPTOMS WAS THE CAR AT TIMES FELT LIKE IT HAD A BUCKING/JERKING SENSATION. THE TACHOMETER SUDDENLY JUMPED UP TO AROUND 5000 RPM. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, DANGEROUSLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HITTING/REAR ENDING ME FROM BEHIND WITH THIS SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER AND SPEED. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND I FOUND I COULD NOW NOT DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN ABOUT 20 MILES/HR. AS I PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE TACHOMETER JUST INCREASED IN RPM, WITH NO TRANSFER OF POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER 2020 AND IT NOW HAS 3700 MILES ON IT. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE EVENT HAPPENING AS I STARTED VIDEOING WHEN THE CAR DID NOT FEEL RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11406056

4,500 miles · Mar 23, 2021
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY RPM STARTED JUMPING WHILE I WAS KEEPING A CONSTANT SPEED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER MY RPM JUMPED AND I WAS ALMOST RED LINING. I SLOWED DOWN TO 35 MPH AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WOULDNT GO PASS 30 WITHOUT REVING INCREDIBLY HIGH. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLAC…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY RPM STARTED JUMPING WHILE I WAS KEEPING A CONSTANT SPEED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER MY RPM JUMPED AND I WAS ALMOST RED LINING. I SLOWED DOWN TO 35 MPH AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WOULDNT GO PASS 30 WITHOUT REVING INCREDIBLY HIGH. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. MY MILEAGE WAS AT 4500.

NHTSA ODI #11404566

5,000 miles · Mar 18, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WENT ON FOR A WEEK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WENT ON FOR A WEEK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSING MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL DRIVABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK CASE HYUNDAI (3550 WESTON RD, DAVIE, FL 33331, (954)994-2397) WHO STATED THAT THE THERE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.*DT

NHTSA ODI #11403639

8,200 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SAN LEANDRO HYUNDAI (1066 MARINA BLVD, S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SAN LEANDRO HYUNDAI (1066 MARINA BLVD, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577) WHERE THE MECHANIC TOPPED OFF THE ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE STARTED OPERATING NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE SAME DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,200.*DT

NHTSA ODI #11403489

4,200 miles · Feb 28, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR LOST POWER DROPPING DOWN TO 10-20 MILES PER HOUR. APPEARS CAR STUCK IN LOW GEAR AND WON'T GO FORWARD OVER 10MPH WITH RPM REVINNING

NHTSA ODI #11398257

5,000 miles · Feb 16, 2021
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT FULL SPEED, THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR ON ITS OWN. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY, BUT FAST, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER. IT WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11396396

2,600 miles · Jan 14, 2021
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT FULL SPEED, THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR ON ITS OWN. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY, BUT FAST, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION CONTROL BOARD ISSUE, AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SERVICED SOO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT FULL SPEED, THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR ON ITS OWN. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY, BUT FAST, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION CONTROL BOARD ISSUE, AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SERVICED SOON. IT WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11388100

1,700 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Forward Collision Avoidance

TL* THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD INITIALLY TAKEN THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD INITIALLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MITCHELL HYUNDAI (1600 E. PARK AVE, ENTERPRISE, AL 36330) WHERE THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT THE DEALER TAG MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DISPUTED THE CLAIM. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700.*DT

NHTSA ODI #11383433

16,500 miles · Dec 11, 2020
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

AT APPROXIMATELY 16,000 ' 17,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED HAVING TECHNICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THERE SEEMED TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM SETTING. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE GLOVE BOX LIGHT, THE OVERHEAD READING LIGHT, AND THE CHARGING PORT FOR CAR ADAPTERS ALL STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER…

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AT APPROXIMATELY 16,000 ' 17,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED HAVING TECHNICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THERE SEEMED TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM SETTING. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE GLOVE BOX LIGHT, THE OVERHEAD READING LIGHT, AND THE CHARGING PORT FOR CAR ADAPTERS ALL STOPPED WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER THOSE THINGS WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE, WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE DRIVING FROM MISSOURI TO CALIFORNIA AND WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY THROUGH KANSAS, THE CAR UNEXPLAINABLY JOLTED TO THE LEFT INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION LANE OF TRAVEL. I WAS GOING AROUND 65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT SEEMED THE CAR THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH THE RPMS GOING TO THE RED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AFTER THE CAR HAD JERKED OVER. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T BUDGE. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING RIGHT AT US. I WAS TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO GO ANY DIRECTION BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. SO WE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE 2 OTHER OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR DID NOT MAKE IT, I WAS THE ONLY SURVIVOR. THESE CARS HAVE ELECTRIC STEERING. THE CAR WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE TYPE OF STEERING IT HAD. I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ANY OF THE SAME EXPERIENCES/PROBLEMS?*DT*DT*JB*DT*JB*JB*JB

NHTSA ODI #11383011

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