Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 14% | 4,000 miles |
| 2024 | 8 | 15% | 43,000 miles |
| 2023 | 21 | 21% | 8,000 miles |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% | 34,000 miles |
| 2021 | 16 | 12% | 40,000 miles |
| 2020 | 118 | 45% | 29,000 miles |
| 2019 | 147 | 55% | 93,000 miles |
| 2018 | 176 | 53% | 38,000 miles |
| 2017 | 313 | 39% | 55,000 miles |
| 2016 | 118 | 39% | 77,000 miles |
| 2015 | 96 | 37% | 75,000 miles |
| 2014 | 175 | 44% | 86,000 miles |
| 2013 | 239 | 18% | 65,000 miles |
| 2012 | 141 | 22% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 97 | 22% | 79,000 miles |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% | 51,000 miles |
| 2009 | 13 | 5% | 99,000 miles |
| 2008 | 41 | 13% | 40,000 miles |
| 2007 | 19 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% | 75,000 miles |
| 2005 | 10 | 7% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 16 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2003 | 22 | 9% | 41,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2001 | 23 | 7% | 69,000 miles |
| 2000 | 49 | 25% | 38,000 miles |
| 1999 | 24 | 19% | 120,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 22% | — |
| 1997 | 21 | 18% | 105,000 miles |
| 1996 | 20 | 20% | — |
| 1995 | 20 | 18% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a customer's driveway at 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and rolled back and crashed into a parked Ford F-150. The brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle failed to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The collision feature failed to engage. There was no fire or airbag deployment. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to her neck and shoulder, and medical attention was provided at the hospital. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Car was operating fine, then when we got on the highway, we noticed the check engine light had come on but were unable to get off the highway. The vehicle then began slowing down despite pressing down on the gas pedal. Vehicle continued to slow to about 15mph and we were hit by another car.
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving, check engine light illuminated, with a loss of power when accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with power train failure and received diagnostic code P040100. The vehicle was repaired; however, the issue persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer multiple times but still continued The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
I had my oil changed in September at McGovern Hyundai in Leominster, MA. I have the invoice on file and my app that I have with them. I went out of town on [redacted]. At approximately [redacted], I heard a loud pop, saw smoke and immediately pulled over, a large amount of oil came out of the bottom of my car. The car was undrivable and I had to have it towed to the closest Hyundai dealership in North Plainfield, NJ. They provided me with a write up that stated I need a new engine due to the damage. We called McGovern and they are claiming that is isn't their issue and to contact my insurance company or cooperate. The cost right now is over $11,000, $300 for a tow, $200 for an uber driver to my destination where I was going, $223.86 for a diagnostic test, $350 car rental for my parents to come and get me, approximately $100 in gas fees to get me and my dad lost a day of pay. …
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the middle console became extremely hot, and the contact was unable to touch the console or the contents for fear of being burned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that heat from the exhaust was permeating into the interior of the vehicle. The contact was informed that a heatshield sleeve needed to be added to the exhaust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a full stop, the brake pedal was released, and the vehicle surged forward before the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owned a 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that a relative had entered the residence and informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was parked five minutes prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 63 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the message that the vehicle was in neutral was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited for a tow truck to arrive on the scene. The contact stated that a Police Officer showed up on the scene because the vehicle was blocking the right side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Elantra years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (313), 2013 (239), 2018 (176), 2014 (175) and 2019 (147) model years. Engine complaints make up 39% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Elantra engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-308 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve), May 1, 2024); 21V-301 (engine, Apr 28, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Elantra engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (75 mentions), followed by the engine (64).
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.