Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Engine failure believed to be related to NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V-301. Vehicle had no warning lights on message. Vehicle turned off while driving and steering wheel became stuck and vehicle jerked off road, I turned vehicle back on and it sounded like a truck and would not move again.
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal rubbing sound and hesitated to respond, causing the braking distance to be extended. The brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the internal trunk release lever was inoperable. The contact stated that the trunk required to be slammed manually to close securely. Additionally, the contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle was significantly sluggish. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the dealer completed an unknown recall repair on the vehicle however, when she picked up the vehicle from the dealer and was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. Several warning lights including the check engine warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that she turned off the vehicle and was able to restart it after several attempts. The contact drove back to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine oil needed to be drained and refilled. The contact stated the engine oil was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated that on two sperate occasions while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving she heard a ticking and knocking sound under the hood of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated; however, after five minutes, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and the check engine warning light turned off. The contact then stated that on a separate occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated and remained on. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic with the vehicle idling, the vehicle vibrated, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that for the rest of the drive, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. While the contact was entering a driveway, the vehicle stalled. The contact waited for several minutes before being able to restart the vehicle. The contact then drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the engine was making an abnormal rattling sound and the piston oil ring had failed. The vehicle was not repaired; however, an oil change was performed. …
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently while driving and slowing down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist as he was the second vehicle owner. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The consumer stated the vehicle is leaking oil.
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 35-40 MPH on a bridge, the engine made a loud banging and knocking sound, and the vehicle stalled. The driver shifted into neutral, coasted down the bridge with the engine off, and pulled over to the side of the road. The driver noticed an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the contact's husband performed an oil change and discovered a hole in the side of the engine block. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,286. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated the vehicle stalled without warning while driving at various speeds. The owner brought the vehicle to the independent mechanic where the contact, diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC code: P0366 (Cam Position Sensor and or the Engine). The sensor was replaced; however, while testing the repair, the failure reoccurred, and the diagnostic code was retrieved. The contact believed that the engine needed to be replaced. The mechanic found recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); and then contacted the dealer where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall or covered by warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,428.
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that an internal oil leak had resulted in the engine seizing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 196,000. The contact stated Hyundai has refused to replace engine under the recall and had to voluntarily have the car repossessed.
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that the vehicle would not be repaired until November. The contact was informed about obtaining a loaner vehicle at a discount. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,400. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Engine
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021.
Engine complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 147 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, 55% of the model year's 266 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Hyundai Elantra engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-301 (engine, Apr 28, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2019 Hyundai Elantra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.