Hyundai Elantra Headlight Problems

Headlight complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Headlights
  44
• Brake lights › Switch
  16
• Brake lights
  13
• Turn signal
  7
• Tail lights
  3
• Headlights › Switch
  2
• Headlights › Bulbs
  2
• Turn signal › Flasher unit
  1

Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  4420%
• 25k–50k
  3817%
• 50k–75k
  5223%
• 75k–100k
  3917%
• 100k–150k
  4420%
• 150k+
  63%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the tachometer, the odometer, and the power steering became inoperable, nearly causing the contact to drive off the road. Additionally, the turn signal lights were not functioning. All the warning lights were illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure after a 100-mile test drive and returned the vehicle unrepaired. The failure persisted, requiring an AAA tow back to the dealer, who again failed to duplicate the failure during a 3-mile test drive. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the diagnostic trouble codes needed to be reset with a vehicle scanner. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

The mounted brake light went out 3 days after my purchase. It worked again after i turned the off the car and turned it back on. However, this kept happening that past two years. I noticed it has to do something with the wiring. It is a dangerous issue and will be sending it to the dealership. This keeps happening while i am driving the car.

I bought my car at McGrath Hyundai in chicago in May 2021. It's been in their shop 30 plus times for various and repeated issues. As of late, over the last 6 months, I have reported to them and to Hyundai, my drivers side seat belt won't retract properly and the high mounted brake light warning continuously goes off, a dinging, stating that there is an issue. Hyundai and McGrath repeatedly misdiagnosed and refused to fix these issues when they were first brought to their attention when under 60,000 miles. NOW that the car is over 60,000 miles, conveniently they're stating that it's out of warranty and will cost $2k. The technicians and service advisor Christine Tonelli at McGrath, knowingly and willfully misdiagnosed my car, attempting to cover up the issues stating that there was no issue. …

Daytime and night time running lights turn off and on randomly with brights engaging random as well. Turn signals not operating but intermittently and wipers not turning on intermittently. This Started in Nov 2025. First time dealership could get it in was Jan 2026, stated Multifunction switch was bad and covered under warranty, now not covered after getting it in 3.5 months later. Due to the this being a known safety concern for Hyundai Genesis with extended warranty put in place, would love a review on Elantra as well because there are several spots in threads stating the same issue. Thank you for your time and consideration.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH at night, the high beam headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that the high beam on the sign was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the high beam headlights had failed due to a shutter in the headlight housing that opened and closed while needed. The contact was informed that the headlamp housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 20-BE-004H Headlamp Replacement (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

A fire started in the passenger headlight assembly. The car had only been running for about 7 minutes directly prior to the fire being noticed. At the time of the fire it was parked & turned off. No injuries. It burned thru/melted part of the bumper & damaged something with the windshield washer fluid. Several people were at risk due to there being a fire! The car was parked at a gas station when the fire broke out. I don't think they have done a thorough investigation yet. It is current at Hyundai of Metairie in Metairie LA. According to the service technician my car is not the only one they have there that had the same thing happen. No warning signs, sounds, or anything else.

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall for the headlamps; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the headlights occasionally would not illuminate after the vehicle was started or while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that when the headlights failed to illuminate, the warning messages for daytime running lights and headlight and taillight out warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the driver's headlight needed replacement because it did not illuminate. The contact then stated that the passenger's side headlight needed replacement; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the repair for the headlights would be out of pocket. …

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights became inoperable. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights failed to function properly. The contact stated that the bulbs for the high-beam headlights were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.

Related recalls (4)