COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Hyundai Elantra electrical problems

1,059 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

38 crash reports69 fire reports20 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

506 reports with mileage · 553 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 owners actually said

1,059 reports
2001 model year · 160,000 miles · Aug 26, 2012
Electrical SystemService Brakes

THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON ALL NIGHT AFTER CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, CAUSING BATTERY TO LOSE ALL POWER. THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY BRAKE/STOP LIGHT SWITCH. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR BRAKE/STOP LIGHT SWITCH ON DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES. MY 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN…

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THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON ALL NIGHT AFTER CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, CAUSING BATTERY TO LOSE ALL POWER. THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY BRAKE/STOP LIGHT SWITCH. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR BRAKE/STOP LIGHT SWITCH ON DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES. MY 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472506

2012 model year · 4,273 miles · Aug 9, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

CAR LURCHED, ENGINE SHUT OFF. CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. EVENTUALLY MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WHERE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO PLACE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL BUT CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. OCCURRED AGAIN 800 MILES LATER AFTER "REPAIR" BOTH INCIDENTS N…

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CAR LURCHED, ENGINE SHUT OFF. CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. EVENTUALLY MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WHERE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO PLACE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL BUT CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. OCCURRED AGAIN 800 MILES LATER AFTER "REPAIR" BOTH INCIDENTS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470002

2013 model year · 465 miles · Aug 5, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 4 DOOR. ONCE A PERSON TURNS ON THEIR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALL OF THE VEHICLES PARKING LIGHTS TURN ON AS WELL. NO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURE HAS MANDATED ALL THIS ILLUMINATION DURING DAYTIME HOURS. ON AUGUST 3RD 2012 AT 11:40AM I WAS ISSUED A MOVING VIOLATION BY A LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICER …

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PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 4 DOOR. ONCE A PERSON TURNS ON THEIR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALL OF THE VEHICLES PARKING LIGHTS TURN ON AS WELL. NO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURE HAS MANDATED ALL THIS ILLUMINATION DURING DAYTIME HOURS. ON AUGUST 3RD 2012 AT 11:40AM I WAS ISSUED A MOVING VIOLATION BY A LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF VAN NUYS, C.A. I WAS CITED FOR VIOLATING CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 24800 WHICH STATES "NO VEHICLE SHALL BE DRIVEN AT ANY TIME WITH THE PARKING LAMPS LIGHTED EXCEPT WHEN THE LAMPS ARE BEING USED AS TURN SIGNAL LAMPS OR WHEN THE HEADLAMPS ARE ALSO ILLUMINATED". I EXPLAINED THE SCENARIO TO MY LAWYER AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE CITATION IS VALID BECAUSE IN C.A. THE WORD HEADLAMPS IN VC SECTION 24800 IS INTERPRETED BY THE COURTS AS THE VEHICLES PRIMARY SOURCE OF FORWARD ILLUMINATION AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT FALL INTO THIS PRIMARY SOURCE CATEGORY. TO AVOID FUTURE CITATIONS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT IF YOU OPERATE ANY 2013+ HYUNDAI PRODUCT DO NOT USE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FEATURE BECAUSE THE PARKING LIGHTS WILL LIGHT UP AND YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO A CITATION. I ADVISED HYUNDAI VIA A RECORDED PHONE CALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY DO NOT TAKE PROPER ACTION TO CORRECT THIS THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED NEGLIGENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469269

2011 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE CAR STALLED. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THE AIRCONDITIONING WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE CAR WAS OTHERWISE ON BUT IT COMPLETELY STALLED. I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AND THE CAR STAL…

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WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE CAR STALLED. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THE AIRCONDITIONING WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE CAR WAS OTHERWISE ON BUT IT COMPLETELY STALLED. I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN WITH ALL THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS AS BEFORE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469073

2010 model year · 43,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ALARM OFF BY ACTIVATING THE KEYLESS REMOTE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF ANY POSSIBLE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ALARM OFF BY ACTIVATING THE KEYLESS REMOTE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF ANY POSSIBLE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462459

2012 model year · 11,000 miles · Jun 4, 2012
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUT OF COMPLETELY. ELECTRICAL, ENGINE, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND SHUTDOWN. I WAS FORCED TO MANUALLY FORCE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC/INTO SAFETY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 2 WEEKS! THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUT OF COMPLETELY. ELECTRICAL, ENGINE, POWER STEERING, WINDOWS, EVERYTHING WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND SHUTDOWN. I WAS FORCED TO MANUALLY FORCE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC/INTO SAFETY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 2 WEEKS! THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD REPLACED THE PCM/ECM. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THIS IS COMPLETELY INEXCUSABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460525

2001 model year · 102,783 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 -45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 -45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,783. UPDATED 5/7/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP TRIED THREE TIMES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/14/12

NHTSA ODI #10453535

2011 model year · 30 miles · Mar 22, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30 AND THE CURRENT MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66. THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN REVERSER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RE-PROGRAMMED TWICE BY THE DEALER. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE GEAR SUDDENLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND STOPPED SHORT. UPDATED 09/14/15. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10452663

2007 model year · 125,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEDAN. HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES, FOR ABOUT THE PAST WEEK. YESTERDAY WHEN I PARKED THE CAR, I PUT IN NEUTRAL PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE HAD SMALL FIRE, FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED OUT TO MY HOUSE NO INJURIES. I WAS SURE TO GET OUT OF…

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OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SEDAN. HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYING ON AT ALL TIMES, FOR ABOUT THE PAST WEEK. YESTERDAY WHEN I PARKED THE CAR, I PUT IN NEUTRAL PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE HAD SMALL FIRE, FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED OUT TO MY HOUSE NO INJURIES. I WAS SURE TO GET OUT OF CAR QUICKLY IN CASE TURNED OUT TO BE HUGE FIRE. NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED GETTING LOOKED AT TOMORROW, NEED IT TOWED CAR FILLS UP WITH SMOKE AND YOU CAN PEEK IN AT THE WIRING AND WAS A SMALL FLAME THIS TIME. IF I TURN THE KEY ON THIS HAPPENS. UNOPERATABLE, AS OF NOW. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS PEOPLE COULD BE GETTING HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451544

2012 model year · 3,412 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Electrical System

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED (AS IF I HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD) COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. DASH, RADIO, NAVIGATION, POWER STEERING WENT DEAD. A FEW SECONDS LATER POWER CAME BACK WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROLLING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART BY DEPRESSING BRAKE AND "START/STOP" BUTTON. A FEW MINUTES LATER WHILE …

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TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED (AS IF I HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD) COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. DASH, RADIO, NAVIGATION, POWER STEERING WENT DEAD. A FEW SECONDS LATER POWER CAME BACK WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROLLING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART BY DEPRESSING BRAKE AND "START/STOP" BUTTON. A FEW MINUTES LATER WHILE TRAVELING AT LOWER SPEED, THE EVENT REPEATED. THIS TIME POWER WOULD NOT RETURN. CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO EMERGENCY SHOULDER. CAR WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL SO EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED TO PREVENT ROLL BACK. POWER GONE, UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS, ACTIVATE SUNROOF, RADIO OR ANYTHING REQUIRING POWER. WHILE CALL WAS BEING MADE TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND AFTER 10 MINUTE WAIT ON HOLD, DASH ILLUMINATED POWER AND CAR WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED WITH START/STOP BUTTON. DECISION WAS MADE TO LEAVE INTERSTATE AND TAKE BACK ROADS TO AVOID FATALITY IN EVENT OF REPEAT. FAILURE EXPERIENCE 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES. WAS ABLE TO VIDEO TAPE FAILURE: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XN9BPQ9FOGM&LIST=FLE9MKXPPKTQATS9TX4ZU9FQ&FEATURE=MH_LOLZ *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445803

Related Official recalls

2

00V259001 · Electrical System:wiring

Sep 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES AND ALL ELANTRA MODEL VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOW-SPEED ENGINE STALLING, WHICH COULD OCCUR IF THE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR ELECTRICAL SIGNAL IS INTERRUPTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED TO THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE MAF SENSOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS.

94V090000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

May 11, 1994

IN SOME VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER'S PROTECTIVE INTERNAL COATING OF THE ELECTRONIC CRANK ANGLE SENSOR DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ENGINE STALLING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SENSOR IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND REPLACE ANY SENSOR FOUND WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COATING.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.