Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine92
- Air bags77
- Steering75
- Suspension66
- Electrical system51
- Electronic stability control (esc)34
- Unknown or other34
- Service brakes28
- Power train21
- Wheels18
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 57 2011 Elantra vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 38 people died inside them, and 7 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2011 Hyundai Elantra failed the safety check 3.89% of the time — 57% more often than the average 2011 passenger car (2.49%). Median odometer at inspection: 118,951 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2011
1,086 new Hyundai Elantra cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2011; the largest markets were Spain (247), Poland (244), Romania (211).
- Average mass
- 1,251 kg
- Average power
- 97 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 7.4–7.5 L/100 km (about 31–32 mpg US), CO₂ 170–173 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.3 | 6.3 | 7.4 |
| Elantra · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.4 | 6.3 | 7.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
| 2024080 8 Feb 2024 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles, brake fluid could leak into the control module for the antilock brake system (ABS) and cause it to short circuit. Note: This rec… |
| 2023527 22 Sept 2023 | Brakes This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2024-080. Issue: On certain vehicles, brake fluid could leak into the control module for the antil… |
| 2023125 8 Mar 2023 | Brakes Issue: Hyundai is conducting a special service campaign that provides anti-corrosion treatment to certain underbody components. Over time, components under th… |
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2016310 16 Jun 2016 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the front suspension coil springs may be susceptible to corrosion. Over time, corrosion could cause the springs to fail, potentially damagi… |
| 2015623 31 Dec 2015 | Brakes On certain sedan models, a defect in the electronic stability control (ESC) yaw sensor could cause cause the ESC light in the instrument panel to illuminate as … |
| 2015469 15 Oct 2015 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the front suspension coil springs may be susceptible to corrosion. Over time, corrosion could cause the springs to fail, potentially damagi… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
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 registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
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 displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Hyundai told its dealers about the 2011 Hyundai Elantra: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11000788 | A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (HMA) that had alleged that certain 2011 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the Class Vehicles) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class Vehicles with an anti-theft device called an engine immobilizer, that make them susceptible to theft and damage. Class Vehicles manufactured without an engine immobilizer have traditional turn-key-to-start ignition systems. |
| 11000314 | A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (HMA) that had alleged that certain 2011 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the Class Vehicles) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class Vehicles with an anti-theft device called an engine immobilizer, that make them susceptible to theft and damage. Class Vehicles manufactured without an engine immobilizer have traditional turn-key-to-start ignition systems. |
| 10253275 | This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2. |
| 10251285 | This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all new wiper blades. |
| 10251282 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. Campaign 9A8 has also been released to provide a revised software update to certain 2018 model year Elantra vehicles. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software under Campaign 993, Hyundai is offerin |
| 10251276 | This bulletin provides the service procedure to: 1) Upgrade the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module) to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic and 2) Install two anti-theft decals for the front windows. Additional decals may also be installed in the rear windows at customers discretion. |
| 10251275 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers an anti-theft ignition cylinder protector to be installed on their vehicle. This Dealer Best Practices Guide pr |
| 10249707 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to ass |
| 10247611 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to ass |
| 10247189 | This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services. |
| 10245579 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10245578 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the imm |
| 10245009 | In certain areas, a vehicles underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. This bulletin describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2011 2016MY Elantra (MD/UD) and certain 2013 2014MY Elantra Coupe (JK) vehicles. |
| 10245008 | In certain areas, a vehicles underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. The service campaign describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2011 2016MY Elantras (MD/UD) and certain 2013 2014MY Elantra Coupe (JK) vehicles. |
| 10244992 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the imm |
| 10241874 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the imm |
| 10241849 | Some models from service campaign 993 (IBU/BCM Software Update and Decals Application) equipped with the Hyundai OEM remote start system may exhibit the horn honking when remote starting the vehicle after receiving the software update. This bulletin provides the procedure to update the remote start module to eliminate the horn honking during remote start operation. |
| 10240081 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). |
| 10240080 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10238353 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10237189 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10235566 | Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint. |
| 10235556 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10235555 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993) in response to an increase in thefts of certain Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. In November 2021, engine immobilizers became standard on all Hyundai vehicles produced. |
| 10230904 | This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Headliner Bracket Detachment
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation