2020 Hyundai Elantra

● Typical for this model

2020 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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

2020: 240 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1990	0
1991	0
1992	29
1993	24
1994	76
1995	112
1996	100
1997	115
1998	55
1999	128
2000	197
2001	315
2002	342
2003	234
2004	182
2005	137
2006	155
2007	266
2008	314
2009	247
2010	378
2011	431
2012	649
2013	1307
2014	379
2015	258
2016	286
2017	759
2018	274
2019	242
2020	240
2021	128
2022	95
2023	90
2024	52
2025	20
2026	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 42%

42% of complaints: engine — 100 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

On [XXX} 2023, [XXX]. I was driving to work which is only 5 miles away. All my my dash lights came on. Next thing I know smoke, and fire started billowing out from under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240526

POWER TRAIN 18%

18% of complaints: power train — 43 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11%

11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 26 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

A fire started in the passenger headlight assembly. The car had only been running for about 7 minutes directly prior to the fire being noticed. At the time of the fire it was parked & turned off. No injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240821

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 24 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND BEGAN INCREASING SPEED (10-15 MPH), I FELT LIKE MY FRONT TIRES MAY HAVE NEEDED AIR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191203

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20191115 — wheels

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.

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.

Campaign 19V720000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191120 — suspension

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.

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.

Campaign 19V721000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210824 — engine

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.

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.

Campaign 21V301000 — check if this car was fixed