MYRModel Year Report

2011 Hyundai Elantra

◆ Worse than typical
2011 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
433
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

21% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2011 433 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1995 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2001 2002: 342 complaints 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2011 433 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2013 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2019 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2025 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1994 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1996 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2011 433 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2014 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2018 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2020 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2024 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026

2011: 433 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199478
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009253
2010379
2011433
2012652
20131,312
2014384
2015262
2016293
2017767
2018283
2019250
2020252
2021131
2022101
202397
202454
202522
20262

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

21% · 92 reports
CRASHFIRE
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, 2018-04-24

Air bags

18% · 77 reports
CRASHINJURY
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, 2026-01-12

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, 2012-07-31

Steering

17% · 75 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While the contact's wife was reversing at 2 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-28

My steering wheel began to make clanking sound and lost the tension that allows for smooth turning of the wheel for both left and right. I looked it up and have found that this is a known issue that Hyundai has not addressed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-05

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, 2023-10-02

Suspension

15% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing rear and coil springs.

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, 2023-10-03

Electrical system

12% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and key/sender.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 433 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2012-09-13Engineering analysisClosed 2013-12-09 Headliner Bracket Detachment
  3. R
    2013-04-23Air bags, structure13V115000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-01-06Suspension15V629000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-05-09Electronic stability control (esc)15V871000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2020-09-28Equipment20V393000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  8. I
    2023-11-17Audit queryOpen Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
  9. R
    2024-04-10Service brakes, hydraulic23V651000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 92 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 77 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 75 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V115000 · Air bags, structure
  • Recall 15V629000 · Suspension
  • Recall 15V871000 · Electronic stability control (esc)
  • Recall 20V393000 · Equipment
  • Recall 23V651000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.