Hyundai Elantra Problems by Year

We compared every Hyundai Elantra model year from 1995–2026 using 8,734 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 59 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2018 and 2011, which drew far more complaints than other Elantra years at the same age. The best years are 2025.

32model years
8,734complaints
59recalls
2013, 2017worst years
2025best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26112100115551281973153422341821371552673142543804336541.3k39626330079533526626213210210055223
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Elantra. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20263−78%3Wheel & TireAverage
202522−35%—Collision AvoidanceAverage
202455typical1ElectricalAverage
20231001.2×2Collision AvoidanceAverage
2022102typical5Collision AvoidanceAverage
2021132typical6Collision AvoidanceAverage
20202621.7×3EngineCaution
20192661.6×1EngineCaution
20183351.9×1EngineCaution
20177954.2×4EngineAvoid
20163001.4×2EngineCaution
20152631.2×3EngineAverage
20143961.5×2EngineCaution
20131,3295.1×4BrakeAvoid
20126542.7×4EngineAvoid
20114331.7×5EngineCaution
20103801.3×3SteeringAverage
2009254−33%4SteeringAverage
20083141.2×7SteeringAverage
2007267typical6Window & WiperAverage
2006155−43%1AirbagGood
2005137−51%4AirbagGood
2004182−25%5AirbagAverage
2003234−14%5SuspensionAverage
20023421.4×6SuspensionCaution
20013151.3×6AirbagAverage
2000197−15%1EngineAverage
1999128−47%2TransmissionGood
199855−73%—TransmissionGood
1997115−49%3TransmissionGood
1996100−52%3EngineGood
1995112−45%1AirbagGood

* Complaints compared with the median Elantra year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Hyundai Elantra problems

Latest Hyundai Elantra recalls

Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut

NHTSA recall 26V-692 · Oct 20, 2026 · 24 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Tucson Hybrid and Elantra vehicles. The front strut assembly fasteners may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front strut assembly fasteners and perform a wheel alignment, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2026.

Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

NHTSA recall 26V-693 · Oct 20, 2026 · 17 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Venue, Elantra N, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles. The wheel lug nuts may loosen and allow the wheel to detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the wheel assembly lug nuts, and replace the hub bearing assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2026.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 26V-307 · May 14, 2026 · 3,493 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026.

Air bags › Sensor › Side impact

NHTSA recall 26V-254 · Apr 20, 2026 · 2,931 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 24V-879 · Nov 21, 2024 · 226,118 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.

All 59 Hyundai Elantra recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Hyundai Elantra should you avoid?

2013, 2017, 2012, 2018, 2011 and 2020 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Elantra years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2013.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Elantra?

2025 has the fewest complaints compared with other Elantra years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Hyundai Elantra problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (2,008), air bags (1,305) and steering (1,146). Engine complaints peak in the 2017 model year.

How many recalls has the Hyundai Elantra had?

59 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2008. See all Hyundai Elantra recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.