MYRModel Year Report

2011 Hyundai Elantra

◆ Worse than typical
2011 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Elantra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 29 complaints 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 76 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1995 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2005 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 247 complaints 2010: 378 complaints 2010 2011: 431 complaints 2011 2012: 649 complaints 2013: 1307 complaints 2014: 379 complaints 2015: 258 complaints 2015 2016: 286 complaints 2017: 759 complaints 2018: 274 complaints 2019: 242 complaints 2020: 240 complaints 2020 2021: 128 complaints 2022: 95 complaints 2023: 90 complaints 2024: 52 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 0 complaints 2026
2011: 431 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199476
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009247
2010378
2011431
2012649
20131307
2014379
2015258
2016286
2017759
2018274
2019242
2020240
2021128
202295
202390
202452
202520
20260

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 21%

21% of complaints: engine — 92 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE COMING THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AFTER NOTICING SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180424

AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 77 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring Date of Crash: [XXX] Location of Crash: Duluth, MN Description of Incident: I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring straight through an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and T‑boned the...

NHTSA ODI report, 20260112

VEHICLE SPUN AND HIT GUARD RAIL ON INTERSTATE 90 HEAD ON , THEN ALSO ON RIGHT SIDE BUT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED!!! WE HAD PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING BOTH A 2005 SONATA AND 2007 ELANTRA IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120731

STEERING 17%

17% of complaints: steering — 73 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My 2011 Hyundai Elantra has a steering problem. Just yesterday, The steering became loose and clicked when initially turning left or right.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231002

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

On February 14, 2023, around 6:30 PM the right front passenger front coil spring broke on my 2011 Hyundai Elantra. I was driving while crossing railroad tracks when the front end dropped down on the right side and the car wouldn’t move.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 431
I 20120913 — EA (closed 20131209)

Headliner Bracket Detachment

R 20130423 — air bags, structure

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become dis

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai

Campaign 13V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160106 — suspension

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently...

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016.

Campaign 15V629000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160509 — electronic stability control (esc)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.

Campaign 15V871000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200928 — equipment

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020.

Campaign 20V393000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240410 — service brakes, hydraulic

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell,...

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024.

Campaign 23V651000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (92 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (77 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (73 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V115000 (air bags, structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V629000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V871000 (electronic stability control (esc)) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V393000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2017 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.