Hyundai ElantraYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 8,694 NHTSA owner complaints across 33 model years, the Hyundai Elantra years to avoid are 2013, and the strongest years are 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998. The Elantra has 59 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoid'13Use caution: 2001, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017 Best years'94 '96 '97 '98Fewest complaints for their age Owner complaints8,694Top: Engine Safety recalls591994–2026 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Best & worst years

Hyundai Elantra years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Elantra median. Tap a year for its full report.

76 11210011555 1281973153422341821371552673152553804336541,31738626229477128425325513210210457 22 3

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

2026Too new–/1003 complaints · 3 recalls 2025Too new–/10022 complaints · 0 recalls 2024Solid59/10057 complaints · 1 recall 2023Solid53/100104 complaints · 2 recalls 2022Solid59/100102 complaints · 5 recalls 2021Solid58/100132 complaints · 6 recalls 2020Solid43/100255 complaints · 3 recalls 2019Solid50/100253 complaints · 1 recall 2018Solid50/100284 complaints · 0 recalls 2017Caution29/100771 complaints · 4 recalls 2016Solid49/100294 complaints · 2 recalls 2015Solid50/100262 complaints · 3 recalls 2014Caution41/100386 complaints · 2 recalls 2013Avoid18/1001,317 complaints · 4 recalls 2012Caution30/100654 complaints · 4 recalls 2011Solid42/100433 complaints · 5 recalls 2010Caution39/100380 complaints · 3 recalls 2009Solid49/100255 complaints · 4 recalls 2008Solid42/100315 complaints · 7 recalls 2007Solid50/100267 complaints · 6 recalls 2006Solid59/100155 complaints · 1 recall 2005Solid60/100137 complaints · 4 recalls 2004Solid57/100182 complaints · 5 recalls 2003Solid50/100234 complaints · 5 recalls 2002Caution41/100342 complaints · 6 recalls 2001Caution39/100315 complaints · 6 recalls 2000Solid53/100197 complaints · 1 recall 1999Solid64/100128 complaints · 2 recalls 1998Best82/10055 complaints · 0 recalls 1997Best67/100115 complaints · 3 recalls 1996Best73/100100 complaints · 3 recalls 1995Solid64/100112 complaints · 1 recall 1994Best71/10076 complaints · 2 recalls

Complaints by system

Most common Hyundai Elantra problems

All model years combined: 8,694 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

1,658Engine121 crash/fire/injury

1,335Air bags550 crash/fire/injury

1,147Steering90 crash/fire/injury

1,068Electrical system107 crash/fire/injury

673Power train27 crash/fire/injury

600Suspension

589Service brakes

496Structure

454Service brakes, hydraulic

3,06331 other systems350 crash/fire/injury

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Engine	1658	121
Air bags	1335	550
Steering	1147	90
Electrical system	1068	107
Power train	673	27
Suspension	600	29
Service brakes	589	119
Structure	496	72
Service brakes, hydraulic	454	68
31 other systems	3063	350

59 recalls

Hyundai Elantra recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

Front: macpherson strut26V-692 · 2026 · Oct 20, 2026 · 24 vehicles Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs26V-693 · 2026 · Oct 20, 2026 · 17 vehicles Driver side: inflator module26V-307 · 2015–2016 · May 14, 2026 · 3,493 vehicles Sensor: side impact26V-254 · 2026 · Apr 20, 2026 · 2,931 vehicles Sensing system: camera24V-879 · 2021–2022 · Nov 21, 2024 · 226,118 vehicles Emission control: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)24V-308 · 2024 · May 1, 2024 · 13,511 vehicles Trunk lid: latch24V-146 · 2015–2016 · Feb 23, 2024 · 186,588 vehicles Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module23V-651 · 2011–2015 · Sep 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 vehiclesPark outside Fluid/lubricant: pump23V-526 · 2023 · Jul 27, 2023 · 52,109 vehiclesPark outside Air bags: frontal22V-632 · 2022–2023 · Aug 18, 2022 · 247 vehicles Seat belts: front22V-354 · 2021–2022 · May 19, 2022 · 230,233 vehicles Seat belts: front22V-218 · 2021–2022 · Apr 1, 2022 · 6,240 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 59 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

17 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Elantra

Nov 17, 2023
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresAQ23002 · 2011–2015 · still open
Open
Sep 12, 2022
Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · 2017–2021 · closed Dec 12, 2023
No recall
Aug 8, 2022
Seat Belt Pretensioners May RuptureRQ22003 · 2021–2022 · closed May 26, 2023
Led to recall 23V-094
Dec 22, 2021
Engine FiresEA21003 · 2013 · closed Feb 5, 2024
Led to recall 23V-877
Nov 12, 2021
Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesDP21003 · 2007–2016 · closed Jun 20, 2023
No recall
Sep 13, 2012
Headliner Bracket DetachmentEA12008 · 2011–2013 · closed Dec 9, 2013
Led to recall 13V-115
May 10, 2012
Side Curtain Air Bag Improper DeploymentPE12012 · 2012 · closed Sep 17, 2012
No recall
Feb 18, 2009
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTINGPE09011 · 2001–2003 · closed Apr 21, 2009
Led to recall 09V-125
Jan 14, 2009
STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILUREPE09003 · 2007 · closed Apr 24, 2009
Led to recall 09V-122
Jul 17, 2008
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILUREPE08044 · 2007–2008 · closed Sep 3, 2008
Led to recall 08V-429