Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, a fellow motorist alerted the contact that the vehicle was smoking. The contact pulled over and waited for an extensive period before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the destination while driving at a slow speed. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel since owning the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the recall was not serviced due to poor customer service. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Intermittent issue with starting the vehicle (2011 Hyundai Elantra) , mostly after overnight parking, generally from a parked, non start position. When you turn the key, a single click. You May try a second or sixth time, and the vehicle will start and run normally. It May be fine for a day or two, then have problems again even several times throughout the day. Shifting into reverse or neutral, then back into park seems to help, but only that time. After initial problem ten months ago, car was taken to dealer for testing. It was found the prior owner had replaced the starter (so was relatively new and May be proof prior own experienced same issue), battery has been replaced. Everything tested normally and issue could not be recreated at dealership. Two weeks ago, the issue began again, happening quite frequently. …
My Hyundai makes a clunking noise from the front end. It happens whenever I shift from park to drive/reverse, drive to reverse, and vice versa, and also if I speed up, or slow down quickly. I tried getting the vehicle checked out at a dealer, and I was told "I don't know why, but many of the Elantra's come from factory making that noise, and we don't know why. Obviously, if it was a safety issue, then Hyundai would have issued a recall by now." I was upset by this statement, because it does cause my vehicle to jerk when I am accelerating and breaking, as well as other strange things, so I am concerned that there is a safety issue here. I did buy this vehicle pre-owned, and it has been happening since the day I bought it. I brought the vehicle back to try to get it repaired under warranty, but I was told that there wasn't anything that could be done to fix the issue. …
On March 07, 2014, my Hyundai Elantra was hit on the passenger side by a large Jeep. We took our 17 year old grandson to the hospital to be checked out because of a headache but other than that there were no injuries. My vehicle was taken to a repair shop and now to a Hyundai dealership. My concern is; there have been two (2) front axles put in my car and neither worked. The dealership said they were defective. They ordered a third (3) one and it was defective. They did not install it. Now they have ordered the fourth (4) axle to install, if it isn't defective. In the meantime I have been without a vehicle for almost 3 months. I do not trust luck for another defective front axle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral. The contact had to force and hold the gear into drive in order to continue to drive properly. On another occasions, while the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the engine stalled without warning. The failures recurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a crimp in the gear cable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,700. Updated 09/18/15 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 09/22/15
Car will lose power while driving, on occasion it can be jumped / restarted, but it will suddenly lose power again. Have towed it 6 times in 5 months. Now I'm looking for an entirely new engine. Side note: you can't put the car in neutral to tow it if there is no power, so you have to hope jumper cables will get it enough power to put the car in neutral. No manual steering either, so we had to use a tow truck several times since you couldn't turn corners manually at all the steering wheel just locks, even with the key in the ignition.
Coming home from work.o n the highway..the transmission shifted a little funny..didn't really pay it any attention..but soon after the check engine illuminated plugged I'm my diagnostic tool ..po711..trans fluid sensor...my issue this just not my car the dealership knows this sensor goes out and is bad and are making big bucks off the consumer because of this problem..the sensor is known to go out on the Elantra model and sonata...if this sensor is not addressed could lead to trans.slipping and vehicle not moving at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost speed. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. When the vehicle reached 45 MPH, it began to jerk hard. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to make an abnormal noise. Shortly after, the transmission dropped and fractured the axle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's house. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 144,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The car will not start despite the battery being charged and no apparent issues with the vehicle which left me stranded. The vehicle only has 40,000 miles on it. This appears to be a range switch issue. I do have a drivetrain warranty; this should be covered; however, this should not be happening with as many complaints that have been reported. This should be a recall!
Transmission complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, 5% of the model year's 433 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.