repaired · 2023 Q2
Engine
Risk. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
2020 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 255 owner complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-301 the manufacturer reports only 80% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 30, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 Hyundai Elantra has problems
255 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
109Engine6 crash/fire/injury
48Power train
28Exterior lighting1 crash/fire/injury
27Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
20Steering5 crash/fire/injury
14Forward collision avoidance
13Vehicle speed control
13Service brakes
9Fuel/propulsion system
3914 other systems12 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 109 | 6 |
| Power train | 48 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 28 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 27 | 2 |
| Steering | 20 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 14 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 39 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk. A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Control arm: lower ball joint
Risk. A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
33kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 31 engine complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 30% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
15under 30k miles26under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other Elantra year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Elantra median. How we score
'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
NHTSA crash tests
2020 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings
2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
In owners' words
What Elantra owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The car went into 'limp mode' after rpm fluxuation. It's in the shop. Blake, a service manager at Temecula Hyundai, tells me it has "piston slap," which AI says is related to a piston ring recall for this car. Blake went on to say it has 2 power train issues (and needs a catalytic converter). NHTSA…
2020 Hyundai Elantra, VIN [XXX], ~79,239 mi. On or about [XXX], while entering a parking lot at low speed on an incline, I pressed the accelerator but the car had severe power loss and then stalled. It would not move in reverse. All dashboard lights came on only after the stall. I restarted it; the…
Back in early July, I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine so when I took it in to a Hyundai dealership, they told me the only way I could pursue any help further was by completing a oil consumption test, which I complied and paid for out-of-pocket very soon after within 48 hours my check…
Own a 2020 Elantra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.