Hyundai Elantra Reliability Problems

Elantra owners have made 1,327 complaints over 31 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it second to last in overall reliaibility, with significant engine and electrical concerns.

7 Common Hyundai Elantra Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Elantra owners have to deal with.

  1. Elantra Nu Engine Tick

    The 1.8L Nu engine has been ticking owners off with its constant ticks, connecting rod knocks, predispostion to engine bearing failure and problems with oil sludge. These problems all happen within Hyundai's 10-year / 100,000 mile warranty,…

    Continue reading article "Elantra Nu Engine Tick" A Nu engine with the pistons, cam shaft, and timing chain covered in oil.

  2. ABS Fire

    There are a disturbing number of fires starting in the antilock braking system (ABS) of Hyundai vehicles. The fires start from short-circuits within the ABS due to liquid contamination and corrosion. At first the problem was li…

    Continue reading article "ABS Fire" An isolated dual-clutch transmission on display.

  3. Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring

    The wiring in cars used to be coated in a petroleum-based plastic, but recently automakers, including Hyundai, have switched to a soy-based material. The soy is biodegradable and helps keep plastic out of the landfill (yay!). Unfortunately …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring" A hamster holding a record in front of a green Kia Soul, from an advertising campaign.

  4. Hyunda's Inflated MPGs

    Hyundai Motor Group was caught cheating on their fuel economy ratings (MPG) by the EPA in 2012. MPG estimates were 1 or 2 miles higher than they should have been, which doesn't sound like much. Except when you consider who's picking up the …

    Continue reading article "Hyunda's Inflated MPGs" A yellow and white gas pump with the words Fuel Save on the front

  5. Blue Link Standard Feature?

    Messages that self-destruct and dastardly extortion – it all sounds like the plot to Mission Impossible, right? But it’s actually the story of Hyundai’s Blue Link systems. Pay up, or it’ll blow up ... or at least shut off.

    Continue reading article "Blue Link Standard Feature?" Superimposed red radiation sign over a Blue Link infotainment screen.

  6. Panoramic Sunroof Explodes

    Hyundai refuses to acknowledge that their sunroofs have been exploding under normal driving conditions, but they’re offering plenty of coverage to owners if (or when) it happens thanks to a 2019 lawsuit settlement.

    Continue reading article "Panoramic Sunroof Explodes" An illustrated interior view of the panoramic sunroof.

  7. Hyundai's Self-Peeling Paint

    Hyundai’s self-healing paint is advertised to heal minor scratches using a chemical compound called scratch recovery clear. However, owners content over time that same compound allows the paint to come off in large sheets.

    Continue reading article "Hyundai's Self-Peeling Paint" White paint is peeling to reveal the gray underbody just above the windshield.

What Elantra Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Elantra Generations

The Elantra has 7 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 5th generation (2011–2016).

Elantra Key Numbers

  1. 1,327 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 432 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 41 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Elantra Class-Action Lawsuits

The Elantra has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Settlement

    Elizabeth Brown, et al., v. Hyundai Motor America, et al.

    1. Settlement

      Hyundai will extend the powertrain warranty for a car registered in a cold weather state and owned by the original purchaser, original lessee or certified pre-owned Elantra purchaser. The extended powertrain warranty covers the engine block, crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons from damage accompanied by a piston slap noise in the upper end of the engine.

    2. Dismissed

      The judge ruled the plaintiff's claims of future repairs and diminished value of his Elantra are flawed, and the plaintiffs failed to assert facts showing Hyundai's replacement engines contain the same defects alleged to exist in the original engines. The complaints may be amended.

    3. Motion to dismiss

      Hyundai has filed a motion to dismiss the case because some of the complaints never mention anything about a clicking or ticking noise and several complaints specifically say Hyundai was not notified of the failure.

    4. Case Filed

      Hyundai Elantra engine ticking noise has caused a proposed class-action lawsuit that includes all consumers who are former or current owners and lessees of 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantras equipped with “Nu” 1.8-liter engines.

    Problem
    Elantra Nu Engine Tick
    Class Vehicles
    • 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra
    Class Members
    Most cold weather states
    Location
    New Jersey

  • Guy Coss v. Hyundai Motor America.

    1. Case Filed

      A Hyundai Blue Link lawsuit alleges the automaker failed to inform owners the telematics system will be disabled if inactive for more than one year, and to reactivate the system an owner will allegedly be forced to change hardware at a minimum cost of $500.

Recent Elantra News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  3. Hyundai is questioning the merits of a class-action lawsuit that says the 1.8L Nu engine is a ticking time bomb.

    The troublesome engine can be found in the 2011-2016 Elantra and is known for ticking noises, oil sludge, and premature failure. The automaker has a history of blaming these problems on poor maintenance and often denies warranty claims. So what else is Nu?

    keep reading article "Hyundai Questions Merits of Nu Piston Slap Lawsuit"

  5. A sunroof isn’t supposed to close when it detects an object in the way.

    However there’s an issue in the way the 2018 Elantra GT’s sunroof motor was programmed that could turn it into a slow, dull, but strong guillotine.

    The system won't detect if a finger, head or other objects are in the way of the closing glass and won't immediately retract.

    Resist the urge to stick your head out of the sunroof until the recall begins in February 2019. Actually, just go ahead and resist that urge in general.

    keep reading article "Elantra GT’s Sunroof Motor Recalled for Being World’s Slowest Guillotine"

  7. Hyundai, along with 19 other manufacturers, has agreed to a voluntary program to equip all new passenger vehicles with automated emergency braking (AEB) technology by September 1, 2020.

    AEB was found to reduce rear-end crashes by 39% during research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

    Automatic emergency braking uses a combination of radar, lidar (reflected laser light) and cameras for a forward collision warning system that gives a driver audio or visual warnings that a forward collision is near.…

    keep reading article "Is Hyundai Falling Behind in AEB Technology?"

  8. A previous brake switch recall has been expanded to include over 390,000 Elantras from the 2013 and 2014 model years.

    Hyundai noticed an increased warranty claim rate for Elantras that weren't included in the 2016 recall. Brake pedal stopper pads were collected from the vehicles that were built between 2012 and 2014.

    The brake pedal stopper pad sits between the brake light switch and the brake pedal arm. Hyundai issued a recall last year after discovering the stopper pad was deteriorating, allowing the brake lights to stay on even when the pedal wasn’t being pressed.

    Turns out that recall didn’t reach far enough.

    keep reading article "Last Year's Elantra Brake Pedal Stop Pad Recall Has Been Explanded"

See All Elantra News

What Owners Say About Their Elantra

This seems to be a common problem for [Elantras]. Door handles just shouldn't come off. So strange.

2009 Elantra Onwer in IL

Hyundai Should Get Out With the Nu, Their Ticking Time-Bomb of an Engine

Brought [car] to dealer after noted ticking noise from engine. Had already looked up ticking noise and is related to piston slap. Hyundai agreed to pay half of price of short block, my price was $4000 out of pocket. Since new short block placed has had nothing but other issues with rough idling when stopped or in park.

2013 Elantra Owner in MN

Other Hyundai Models