NHTSA holds 8,062 complaints about the Hyundai Elantra across the 2001 to 2026 model years. The 2013 has the most by a wide margin, 1,329, led by service brakes, steering and engine, followed by the 2017 (767) and the 2012 (674). Engine is the top complaint category in every year from 2011 to 2020 except the 2013, while earlier years lean toward air bags, suspension and steering. Of 49 recall campaigns, 23V651000 carries a park-outside warning for the ABS module on 2011 to 2015 models, and NHTSA's audit query AQ23002 into Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires remains open for those years.
Hyundai Elantra Common Problems and Years to Avoid (NHTSA Data)
By the founder of CarWorthItPublished
Short answer
Hyundai Elantra years to avoid, going by NHTSA owner complaints: 2013 (1,329 complaints), 2017 (767) and 2012 (674), each at least twice the median model year (285). The components owners report most are engine (1,644), air bags (1,190) and steering (1,182). NHTSA lists 49 recall campaigns and 13 defect investigations for the 2001 to 2026 model years.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls and defect investigations for the 2001 to 2026 Hyundai Elantra, 8,062 complaints in all, pulled September 28, 2026.
Hyundai Elantra complaints and recalls by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation and distinct recall campaigns, for every model year with records, counted on September 28, 2026. The median model year up to 2021 drew 285 complaints; a year is marked to avoid when it is one of the three highest and drew at least twice that. Years after 2021 have had less time to collect complaints, so they are judged only if they already pass the same line.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Recalls | Crash / fire / injury reports | Most-reported components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new to judge | 2 | 0 | 0 / 0 / 1 | Air bags (1), Wheels (1) |
| 2025 | Too new to judge | 22 | 0 | 4 / 0 / 6 | Lane departure (5), Forward collision avoidance (4), Air bags (3) |
| 2024 | Too new to judge | 54 | 1 | 5 / 0 / 2 | Electrical system (15), Engine (8), Forward collision avoidance (8) |
| 2023 | Too new to judge | 98 | 2 | 8 / 0 / 5 | Electrical system (23), Forward collision avoidance (20), Engine (18) |
| 2022 | Too new to judge | 101 | 5 | 6 / 1 / 4 | Seat belts (23), Electrical system (19), Forward collision avoidance (17) |
| 2021 | Fewest complaints | 130 | 6 | 8 / 1 / 3 | Forward collision avoidance (32), Electrical system (30), Seat belts (27) |
| 2020 | Typical | 250 | 3 | 21 / 6 / 12 | Engine (105), Power train (47), Exterior lighting (28) |
| 2019 | Typical | 250 | 1 | 12 / 3 / 3 | Engine (132), Exterior lighting (65), Electrical system (37) |
| 2018 | Typical | 282 | 0 | 12 / 7 / 6 | Engine (140), Electrical system (43), Power train (24) |
| 2017 | Year to avoid | 767 | 4 | 37 / 6 / 19 | Engine (290), Structure (134), Electrical system (111) |
| 2016 | Typical | 292 | 2 | 22 / 5 / 16 | Engine (111), Power train (31), Air bags (26) |
| 2015 | Typical | 262 | 3 | 27 / 8 / 16 | Engine (92), Service brakes (55), Steering (26) |
| 2014 | Above median | 383 | 2 | 35 / 15 / 22 | Engine (164), Service brakes (86), Electrical system (47) |
| 2013 | Year to avoid | 1,329 | 4 | 95 / 31 / 50 | Service brakes (282), Steering (271), Engine (235) |
| 2012 | Year to avoid | 674 | 4 | 49 / 12 / 32 | Engine (140), Electrical system (129), Air bags (128) |
| 2011 | Above median | 460 | 5 | 21 / 9 / 11 | Engine (96), Air bags (81), Steering (77) |
| 2010 | Above median | 454 | 3 | 49 / 13 / 40 | Steering (233), Electrical system (58), Air bags (52) |
| 2009 | Typical | 285 | 4 | 28 / 11 / 20 | Steering (144), Air bags (50), Service brakes (29) |
| 2008 | Typical | 315 | 7 | 38 / 23 / 27 | Steering (55), Service brakes (51), Fuel system (39) |
| 2007 | Typical | 267 | 6 | 21 / 13 / 16 | Air bags (46), Visibility/wiper (42), Service brakes (37) |
| 2006 | Typical | 155 | 1 | 28 / 0 / 20 | Air bags (56), Exterior lighting (38), Service brakes (32) |
| 2005 | Typical | 137 | 4 | 30 / 3 / 19 | Air bags (71), Vehicle speed control (14), Service brakes (11) |
| 2004 | Typical | 182 | 5 | 24 / 2 / 18 | Air bags (114), Seat belts (12), Engine and engine cooling (11) |
| 2003 | Typical | 234 | 5 | 42 / 1 / 25 | Suspension (61), Air bags (48), Structure (32) |
| 2002 | Typical | 348 | 6 | 58 / 4 / 30 | Suspension (96), Air bags (71), Service brakes (34) |
| 2001 | Typical | 329 | 6 | 72 / 5 / 49 | Air bags (118), Suspension (82), Service brakes (29) |
Counts are raw totals and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so a big-selling year draws more complaints than a slow one. Crash, fire and injury columns count complaints that report one, as filed by the owner.
Check the value and recall status of a specific Hyundai Elantra
Model-year counts cannot tell you about the car in front of you. Enter its 17-character VIN for the free report: the exact year, trim and engine it was built with, the safety recalls NHTSA lists for its year, make and model, its crash-test ratings and running costs. No account. Then, from $2.99, see what that Hyundai Elantra is worth at its mileage near your ZIP code, with the listings behind the number, and whether the asking price is fair. The $6.99 Full Report also checks that VIN for recalls still outstanding.
2013: brakes, steering and the most crash reports
The 2013 Elantra has 1,329 complaints, against a median of 285 per model year. These are raw totals, not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints. Service brakes (282), steering (271) and engine (235) lead, and the 2013 tops the model for complaints mentioning brakes (308), steering (283) and fire, smoke or a burning smell (78). It also has more crash reports (95), fire reports (31) and injury reports (50) than any other Elantra year. Two recalls, 16V574000 (2013) and 17V769000 (2013 and 2014), cover a brake pedal stopper pad that can deteriorate, leaving the brake light switch plunger extended so the brake lights stay on.
2008 to 2010: steering power assist
Steering is the top category for the 2008 (55), 2009 (144) and 2010 (233), and after the 2013, complaints mentioning steering peak in the 2010 (234) and 2009 (137). Recall 15V100000 covers the 2008 to 2010 because the electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and disable the steering power assist.
2017 and 2012: engine complaints and loss of power
Engine leads the 2017 with 290 complaints, ahead of structure (134) and electrical system (111). That year also leads the model for complaints describing stalling or loss of power while driving (134), a check-engine light (123) and hesitation, jerking or surging (45). NHTSA's defect petition DP22003 on loss of motive power, covering the 2017 to 2021, closed in December 2023 without a recall. Recall 21V301000 covers the 2019 and 2020 because the piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage. The 2012, with 674 complaints, is led by engine (140), electrical system (129) and air bags (128).
ABS fires, air bag inflators and seat belt pretensioners
Recall 23V651000 covers the 2011 to 2015 with a park-outside warning, because the ABS module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. NHTSA's audit query AQ23002 into these fires remains open. A second park-outside recall, 23V526000, covers the 2023 because the controller for the Idle Stop and Go oil pump may overheat. Filed in May 2026, 26V307000 covers the 2015 and 2016 because the driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment. The 2021 and 2022 have four recalls between them for front seat belt pretensioners that may explode upon deployment in a crash: 21V796000, 22V123000, 22V218000 and 22V354000.
What to check on a used Elantra
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup, which lists any recall not yet repaired on that car (see what else a free VIN check shows) and confirm 23V651000 is complete on any 2011 to 2015; until it is, park the car outside.
- On a 2015 or 2016, confirm the driver's air bag inflator recall 26V307000, and on a 2021 or 2022, the seat belt pretensioner recalls.
- On a 2013 or 2014, have someone watch that the brake lights go off when you release the pedal, and confirm 16V574000 or 17V769000 was done.
- On a 2008 to 2010, confirm 15V100000 was completed.
- On a 2017, watch for a check-engine light, hesitation or stalling.
- On a 2001 to 2003, inspect the front lower control arms for corrosion (09V125000); these years lead the complaints mentioning rust or corrosion.
- Before you settle on a price, check the seller's asking price against the Elantras for sale near you with the used car price check.
Then check what a specific Elantra is worth by VIN: the valuation, from $2.99, prices that VIN at its mileage near your ZIP code against cars for sale.
What Hyundai Elantra owners report most
NHTSA files each complaint under one or more component categories. Across all 8,062 Hyundai Elantra complaints, these are the most common:
| NHTSA component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,644 | 20.4% |
| Air bags | 1,190 | 14.8% |
| Steering | 1,182 | 14.7% |
| Service brakes | 995 | 12.3% |
| Electrical system | 963 | 11.9% |
| Suspension | 584 | 7.2% |
| Power train | 518 | 6.4% |
| Structure | 456 | 5.7% |
| Exterior lighting | 414 | 5.1% |
| Hydraulic | 392 | 4.9% |
The categories are broad, so the owners' own descriptions were also searched for specific symptoms. These are counts of complaints whose text mentions each one, not diagnoses, and one complaint can mention several.
| What the complaint describes | Complaints | Share | Model years with the most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1,387 | 17.2% | 2013 (308), 2012 (126), 2014 (90) |
| Steering | 1,284 | 15.9% | 2013 (283), 2010 (234), 2009 (137) |
| Air bags | 1,217 | 15.1% | 2013 (181), 2012 (128), 2001 (117) |
| Stalling or loss of power while driving | 682 | 8.5% | 2017 (134), 2013 (60), 2014 (56) |
| Engine failure, seizure or knocking | 582 | 7.2% | 2013 (93), 2017 (70), 2014 (58) |
| Check-engine light | 523 | 6.5% | 2017 (123), 2013 (50), 2018 (46) |
| Fire, smoke or a burning smell | 406 | 5.0% | 2013 (78), 2008 (34), 2012 (33) |
| Ball joints, control arms or suspension | 371 | 4.6% | 2002 (96), 2001 (69), 2003 (53) |
| Hesitation, jerking or surging | 324 | 4.0% | 2017 (45), 2013 (33), 2012 (27) |
| Transmission problems | 288 | 3.6% | 2020 (41), 2012 (33), 2010 (25) |
Hyundai Elantra recalls (49 campaigns)
Every recall campaign NHTSA lists for the Hyundai Elantra, newest first, with the model years it covers and NHTSA's own description of the defect, shortened. A recall on the model is not proof a given car was affected or left unrepaired: check a specific car by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or in the free CarWorthIt VIN report.
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V307000 | May 15, 2026 | 2015 to 2016 | Air bags | The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment. An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death. |
| 24V879000 | November 21, 2024 | 2021 to 2022 | Back over prevention | Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." |
| 24V308000 | May 1, 2024 | 2024 | Engine and engine cooling | An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. |
| 24V146000 | February 23, 2024 | 2015 to 2016 | Latches/locks/linkages | The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release." |
| 23V651000 | September 22, 2023 | 2011 to 2015 | Service brakes, hydraulic | NHTSA park-outside warning. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. |
| 23V526000 | July 27, 2023 | 2023 | Power train | NHTSA park-outside warning. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat. An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. |
| 22V632000 | August 18, 2022 | 2022 to 2023 | Air bags | The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment. A detached air bag cover emblem may strike a vehicle occupant, which can increase the risk of injury. |
| 22V354000 | May 19, 2022 | 2021 to 2022 | Seat belts | In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment. An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury. |
| 22V218000 | April 1, 2022 | 2021 to 2022 | Seat belts | In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment. Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury. |
| 22V123000 | March 3, 2022 | 2022 | Seat belts | In the event of a crash, the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment. An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury. |
| 21V00M000 | December 28, 2021 | 2021 | Visibility | During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 21V796000 | October 13, 2021 | 2021 | Seat belts | In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment. An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury. |
| 21V302000 | April 28, 2021 | 2021 | Seats | The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 21V301000 | April 28, 2021 | 2019 to 2020 | Engine | The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V393000 | July 2, 2020 | 2011 to 2012 | Equipment | The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire. |
Show the other 34 Hyundai Elantra recalls
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V061000 | February 4, 2020 | 2007 to 2010 | Service brakes, hydraulic | Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short. An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury. |
| 19V721000 | October 9, 2019 | 2020 | Suspension | The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm. A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V720000 | October 9, 2019 | 2020 | Wheels | The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle. A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash. |
| 17V769000 | November 30, 2017 | 2013 to 2014 | Service brakes, hydraulic | The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. |
| 17V213000 | March 28, 2017 | 2017 | Steering | The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance. Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash. |
| 17V063000 | January 26, 2017 | 2017 | Service brakes, hydraulic | In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist. A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V956000 | December 30, 2016 | 2017 | Air bags | In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash. |
| 16V574000 | August 2, 2016 | 2013 | Exterior lighting | The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. |
| 16V232000 | April 21, 2016 | 2017 | Air bags | In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended. |
| 15V871000 | December 23, 2015 | 2011 to 2012 | Electronic stability control (esc) | Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster. |
| 15V629000 | October 7, 2015 | 2011 | Suspension | Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V100000 | February 23, 2015 | 2008 to 2010 | Steering | The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist. |
| 13V115000 | April 1, 2013 | 2011 to 2013 | Air bags | A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment. If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury. |
| 13V113000 | April 1, 2013 | 2007 to 2010 | Exterior lighting | In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. |
| 11V179000 | March 15, 2011 | 2007 to 2008 | Air bags | The driver's Seat Track Position Sensor Determines the Seat's fore and aft position and allows the driver's frontal air bag to deploy at the pressure appropriate for that seating position, with a lower pressure deployment in the most forward seating positions. The air bag control module may receive an unstable electrical signal from the seat track position sensor such that, in a crash that requires driver frontal air... |
| 11V143000 | March 15, 2011 | 2007 to 2009 | Air bags | The front passenger seats in the vehicles contain a weight sensor designed to deactivate the right frontal airbag when occupants of certain weights occupy the seat. The electrical connector for the weight sensor is located under the center console, between the front seats. |
| 09V280000 | July 21, 2009 | 2005 to 2007 | Exterior lighting | A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A defective stop lamp switch may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission would not be able to be shift out of the "Park" position. |
| 09V125000 | April 16, 2009 | 2001 to 2003 | Suspension | Road salt used during the winter months in these jurisdictions may result in internal corrosion and thinning of the steel in the front lower control arms. The corrosion may progress to the point where the lower control arm's upper and lower panels become perforated. |
| 09V122000 | April 15, 2009 | 2007 | Exterior lighting | The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. |
| 08V694000 | December 29, 2008 | 2008 | Fuel system, gasoline | The fuel pump motor may not have the proper, uniform internal electrical surface contact. This may cause the fuel pump to produce less pumping pressure than required to supply the fuel injection system. |
| 08V533000 | October 14, 2008 | 2001 to 2002 | Air bags | Movement of the side impact air bag wiring harness mounted under each front seat, possibly caused by contact from materials placed under the seat, may result in an electrical resistance that would cause supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light illumination. |
| 08V532000 | October 14, 2008 | 2001 | Air bags | If a liquid is spilled in the area of the cupholder on the center console, it may seep through the console opening for the parking brake lever and then drip onto the air bag control module electrical connector. The spilled liquid may contaminate the air bag control module and its electrical connector to the air bag wiring harness and cause the supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light to illuminate. |
| 08V429000 | August 25, 2008 | 2008 | Fuel system, gasoline | The fuel pump motor may not have the proper uniform internal electrical surface contact. This may cause the fuel pump to produce less pumping pressure than required to supply the fuel injection system. |
| 05V479000 | October 17, 2005 | 2004 to 2005 | Air bags | Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (OCS) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. |
| 05V395000 | September 12, 2005 | 2004 to 2005 | Air bags | Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (OCS) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. |
| 05V187000 | April 28, 2005 | 2005 | Steering | Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with threaded portions of the steering gearbox assembly's left and right inner ball joint assemblies that contain internal cracks in the material structure. |
| 04V370000 | July 30, 2004 | 2004 | Fuel system, gasoline | During an insurance institute for highway safety (iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test, it was determined that fuel tan damage could occur. On certain passenger vehicles, a vapor tube hose clamp that is located near the fuel tank may not be positioned properly and could cause fuel leakage. |
| 04V369000 | July 26, 2004 | 2002 to 2003 | Fuel system, gasoline | Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 301, "Fuel System Integrity" a valve on the fuel tank assembly may not close properly. If a vehicle rolls over and the fuel tank assembly valve is not properly closed, fuel spillage may occur. |
| 04V208000 | May 3, 2004 | 2004 | Fuel system, gasoline | During an insurance institute for highway safety (iihs) offset frontal barrier impact test on certain passenger vehicles, fuel spillage occurred as a result of fuel tank damage caused by contact between a vapor tube hose clamp ear and the fuel tank. The vapor tube hose clamp ear was found to be mispositioned and facing toward the fuel tank. |
| 04V178000 | April 9, 2004 | 2002 to 2003 | Fuel system, gasoline | Some passenger vehicles contain a fuel tank assembly valve that may not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly closed were to roll over, fuel spillage may occur. |
| 03V496000 | December 3, 2003 | 2001 to 2003 | Service brakes, hydraulic | On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets. Contact between the rear brake tubes and the steering gearbox mounting brackets may result in rear brake tube wear and corrosion, increasing the risk of brake fluid leakage. |
| 03V322000 | August 26, 2003 | 2004 | Air bags | On certain vehicles, if the front passenger seat is unoccupied or is occupied by someone lighter than 56.4 pounds, the passenger air bag is deactivated and will not deploy if a crash occurs. However, the occupant classification sensor may incorrectly interpret that a seated adult is an infant seat and deactivate the passenger air bag if someone heavier than 56.4 pounds who is seated with one leg resting on the outboa... |
| 03V257000 | July 22, 2003 | 2001 to 2003 | Service brakes, hydraulic | On certain passenger vehicles, the rear brake tubes pass behind the front suspension crossmember. Two steering gearbox mounting brackets are welded to the crossmember. |
| 00V332000 | October 17, 2000 | 2001 | Air bags | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The supplemental restraint system side air bag satellite sensors installed were improperly manufactured, causing the air bag warning light to illuminate and the side air bags to not deploy as intended in the event of a crash. |
NHTSA defect investigations
Investigations are opened when NHTSA sees a possible safety defect, often from complaints like the ones above. PE is a preliminary evaluation, EA an engineering analysis, RQ a recall query into whether an earlier recall went far enough, DP a defect petition and AQ an audit query.
| Number | Opened | Status | Hyundai Elantra years | Subject | Recall campaign linked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQ23002 | November 17, 2023 | Open | 2011 to 2015 | Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires | No |
| DP22003 | September 12, 2022 | Closed December 12, 2023 | 2017, 2021 | Loss of Motive Power | No |
| RQ22003 | August 8, 2022 | Closed May 26, 2023 | 2021 to 2022 | Seat Belt Pretensioners May Rupture | 23V094000 |
| EA21003 | December 22, 2021 | Closed February 5, 2024 | 2013 | Engine Fires | 23V877 |
| DP21003 | November 12, 2021 | Closed June 20, 2023 | 2007 to 2016 | Throttle control system vulnerabilities | No |
| EA12008 | September 13, 2012 | Closed December 9, 2013 | 2011 to 2013 | Headliner Bracket Detachment | 13V115000 |
| PE12012 | May 10, 2012 | Closed September 17, 2012 | 2012 | Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment | No |
| PE09011 | February 18, 2009 | Closed April 21, 2009 | 2001 to 2003 | FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING | 09V125000 |
| PE09003 | January 14, 2009 | Closed April 24, 2009 | 2007 | STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE | 09V122000 |
| PE08044 | July 17, 2008 | Closed September 3, 2008 | 2007 to 2008 | ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE | 08V429000 |
| EA08012 | July 10, 2008 | Closed November 14, 2008 | 2001 to 2002 | AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION | 08V532000 |
| PE08017 | March 10, 2008 | Closed July 10, 2008 | 2001 to 2003 | AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION | No |
| PE04041 | April 16, 2004 | Closed July 13, 2004 | 2004 | POST-CRASH FUEL TANK LEAK | 04V208000 |
How these numbers were counted
Complaints: NHTSA's complaints API for NHTSA model names ELANTRA, ELANTRA ICE, ELANTRA N-LINE, each complaint counted once per model year; hybrid and plug-in versions, which NHTSA files separately, are not included. Recalls: distinct campaign numbers from NHTSA's recalls databasefor the same names and years. Investigations: NHTSA's defect investigation file. All pulled September 28, 2026. These are counts of reports, not failure rates, and they say nothing about any individual car. For that, check the VIN.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Hyundai Elantra?
Engine is the most cited NHTSA component category, on 1,644 of 8,062 complaints, followed by air bags (1,190), steering (1,182) and service brakes (995). In the complaint narratives, 1,387 mention brakes, 1,284 mention steering and 1,217 mention air bags.
What Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?
The years to avoid are the 2013 (1,329 complaints), 2017 (767) and 2012 (674). No other year old enough to judge is more than twice the median of 285 per model year, and among those years the 2021 has the fewest complaints, 130.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 49 recall campaigns for the Elantra. Two carry a park-outside warning: 23V651000 for the ABS module on the 2011 to 2015 and 23V526000 for the 2023. The newest, 26V307000, covers the 2015 and 2016 because the driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
What problems does the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have?
Its 1,329 complaints are led by service brakes (282), steering (271) and engine (235), and 308 of them mention brakes. Recalls 16V574000 and 17V769000 cover a brake pedal stopper pad that can deteriorate and leave the brake lights on, and the 2013 is also covered by the ABS module recall 23V651000.