Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine109
- Power train47
- Exterior lighting28
- Electrical system27
- Unknown or other26
- Steering20
- Forward collision avoidance14
- Service brakes13
- Vehicle speed control13
- Fuel/propulsion system9
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 16 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
19921993199419951996199719992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 143 2020 Elantra vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 91 people died inside them, and 8 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 2020 Hyundai Elantra failed the safety check 1.38% of the time — 17% more often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 28,227 miles.
54,468first inspections
1.38%failed on safety
28,227 mimedian odometer
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2020
1,067 new Hyundai Elantra cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2020; the largest markets were Poland (639), Romania (415), Bulgaria (11).
- Average mass
- 1,305 kg
- Average CO₂
- 156 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 94 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; 0 of 1 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.7 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 4 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 6.8–9.0 L/100 km (about 26–35 mpg US), CO₂ 161–214 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 7.8 | 5.6 | 6.8 |
| Elantra · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.1 | 6.3 | 7.9 |
| Elantra · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.9 | 7.0 | 8.1 |
| Elantra · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.1 | 7.6 | 9.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra.
| 2021252 28 Apr 2021 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine's piston oil rings may be defective. This can cause engine wear that can lead to increased oil consumption. Eventually,… |
| 2019498 7 Oct 2019 | Wheels Issue: On certain cars, the wheel lug nuts were not properly tightened during assembly. This could cause the nuts to loosen or fall off, and could result in a… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
21V301000 · Engine28 Apr 2021 · 158,493 vehicles
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.
19V720000 · Wheels9 Oct 2019 · 48 vehicles
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.
19V721000 · Suspension9 Oct 2019 · 744 vehicles
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.
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 2020 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. |
| 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 |
| 10247601 | This bulletin describes the procedure to repair a head lamp that has an inoperable high beam function. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 10241878 | Certain vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) may experience a check engine light or malfunction indicator light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. This bulletin provides information on replacing the oil pressure sensor to remedy these DTCs, rather than replacing the entire IVT assembly. |
| 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. |
| 10235341 | 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. |
| 10233549 | 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. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)