2020 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system
  1
• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pressure/temperature sensor
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1646%
• 25k–50k
  823%
• 50k–75k
  39%
• 75k–100k
  39%
• 100k–150k
  514%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle erroneously switched from smart mode to sport mode causing the vehicle to independently accelerated. Additionally, the lane departure system would erroneously activate. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle pulled to the right. The contact also stated that the exhaust pipe was rusted. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 400. Consumer stated vehicle needs to brought in again, passenger seatbelt alarm goes off without anyone being in the vehicle. AC was leaking water and sensors keep changing automatically. In addition tire has been replaced after 3500 miles. …

The contact's mother owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact was informed that the vehicle occasionally stalled without warning and would be immediately restarted to continue driving. Additionally, the vehicle would hesitate before slowly accelerating. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle at start-up, with a constant ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There were signs of an oil leak, and the oil needed to be changed more frequently. While changing the oil, the owner noticed smoke coming from inside the oil pan. The traction control warning light and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ABS module and piston rings in the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts however, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds when he depressed the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the dealer did not inform the contact of the result. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. …

On [[redacted]} 2023, [redacted]. I was driving to work which is only 5 miles away. All my my dash lights came on. Next thing I know smoke, and fire started billowing out from under the hood. I started having a panic attack because the electrical system died and I could get out of the car. I then realized all I had to do was open the door handle. I called 911 and the police and fire department came and put the fire out. The entire under the hood was burned and some windows cracked from the heat. It was a scary ordeal. Im not sure what cause the engine to catch fire. I filed a report with the police and the car was towed. My insurance came and towed it to do an evaluation. They deemed it a total loss and blamed the engine. There was a recall on my engine for fires and state farm documented it in my loss report. …

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle at start-up. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the oil level was low. The mechanic replaced the lifters and rocker arms. The vehicle was returned and soon after the failure persisted. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact received a call from the dealer about the repair and the contact was informed that the original defective parts were placed in the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and releasing the accelerator pedal to come to a stop, the vehicle sputtered, made a clicking sound, and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without approximately 15-20 attempts. The vehicle had since failed to start completely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter had failed causing the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were two open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle received the recall repairs however, the starter was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the two unrelated recalls were confirmed with the VIN. Additionally, it was also confirmed that the replacement of the engine was no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to turn at approximately 5 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with excessive oil consumption, catalytic converter failure, and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The local dealer was contacted however, the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,709.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in stop-and-go traffic, the engine light illuminated. While driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at 35-45 MPH three days later, the engine light illuminated again, and the vehicle started to decelerate. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, who performed a combustion test. The dealer requested permission for a mechanic to take the vehicle to the residence for a road test. The contact declined the request. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The contact requested a buyback. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that he attempted to start the vehicle and felt the vehicle shaking. The contact then stated that he attempted to start the vehicle again when the engine revved and misfired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder #2, engine, and powertrain control module (PCM) needed to be replaced. Additionally, the ECU and TCU needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle because the recalls were originated from Puerto Rico. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall could not be honored and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Elantra years