Hyundai Elantra — years to avoid
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
3 model years to avoid, 6 to watch and 12 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.
Avoid3 years
Caution6 years
Best bets12 years
Complaint history
- Avoid
- Caution
- Recommended
- Not enough data
Every year, ranked
Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Compared with a typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ○ Not enough data | 2 | Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2025 | ○ Not enough data | 22 | Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2024 | ▲ Recommended | 54 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2023 | ▲ Recommended | 97 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | ▲ Recommended | 101 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2021 | ▲ Recommended | 131 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | ● Recommended | 252 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | ● Recommended | 250 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | ● Recommended | 283 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | ■ Avoid | 767 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | ● Recommended | 293 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | ● Recommended | 262 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | ◆ Caution | 384 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | ■ Avoid | 1,312 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | ■ Avoid | 652 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | ◆ Caution | 433 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | ◆ Caution | 379 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | ● Recommended | 253 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2008 | ◆ Caution | 314 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2007 | ● Recommended | 266 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2006 | ▲ Recommended | 155 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | ▲ Recommended | 137 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | ● Recommended | 182 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2003 | ● Recommended | 234 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2002 | ◆ Caution | 342 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2001 | ◆ Caution | 315 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2000 | ● Recommended | 197 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 1999 | ▲ Recommended | 128 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1998 | ▲ Recommended | 55 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1997 | ▲ Recommended | 115 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1996 | ▲ Recommended | 100 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1995 | ▲ Recommended | 112 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1994 | ▲ Recommended | 78 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1993 | ○ Not enough data | 24 | Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 1992 | ○ Not enough data | 29 | Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 1991 | ○ Not enough data | 0 | Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 1990 | ○ Not enough data | 0 | Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
How the rankings work
Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.
- ▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
- ● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
- ◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
- ■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
- ○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.
Recalls
57
recalls on file across every Hyundai Elantra model year.
Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.