Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 7 | 7% | 0 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 5% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% | 39,000 miles |
| 2013 | 42 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2012 | 18 | 3% | 53,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 2% | 140,000 miles |
| 2008 | 11 | 4% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 61 | 23% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% | 38,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% | 11,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 66,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% | 74,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 4% | 94,000 miles |
| 2000 | 27 | 14% | 32,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% | 11,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 13 | 11% | 143,000 miles |
| 1996 | 12 | 12% | 99,000 miles |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the reflection from the dashboard caused a glare on the front windshield, obstructing her vision while driving. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 3.
I was driving on the turnpike and the truck in front of me was carrying material that caused my windshield to be soiled. I tried to clean but water did not come out of windshield wiper. I had to exit and clean manually. I was surprised no water because the car has only 2,700 miles and is 5 months old. I tried to fill with water but water dripped out. Next day I took to Hyundai dealer who told me rodents ate the hose. They charged me $252.43 to replace hose. I read online many claims against Hyundai for using soy based products in the engine components that attract rodents. I learned that two of my friends who own Hyundai's had similar problems with rodents eating wires and hoses. If it was at night when my windshield was compromised I could have had an accident. Hyundai has turned a defect into a moneymaker. Shame on them! Please help.
Windshield wipers intermittently malfunction in the intermittent setting. The wipers stop at random locations in the middle of the windshield, pause, move a short distance, stop again, and behave erratically. This can obstruct the driver's forward visibility. The problem occurs without snow, ice, or an obstruction on the windshield. A previous NHTSA complaint concerning a 2021 Hyundai Elantra describes essentially the same failure: wipers stopping midway and obstructing the driver's view (NHTSA complaint 11685493/complaint record). A separate 2026 complaint involving a 2021 Elantra reported intermittent wiper operation along with other multifunction-switch functions, and the dealer diagnosed a failed multifunction switch (NHTSA 11726986). …
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 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated that after receiving the vehicle and following service updates with the dealer, he became aware that the tire pressure monitoring system was not functioning properly and was indicating incorrect tire pressure readings. The contact also stated that the rear windshield wiper had become inoperable, potentially affecting rearview visibility. The low tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who determined that the failures were not related to the service performed. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Service Campaign 993. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 67,000.
My late mother's 2019 Hyundai Elantra (VIN: [redacted] ) was brought to Johnson Hyundai of Apex on 4/14/2025 for a known paint defect recall affecting the roof and roof rails. I was handling this vehicle as part of her estate. While the car was in the custody of their body shop, Piperformance, the windshield was cracked and replaced without my knowledge or consent. I was not informed of the damage beforehand, was never asked to authorize the repair, and was not provided an estimate or invoice in any official format. When I requested documentation, the service advisor (Josh) only sent a photo of an invoice on a laptop screen. I later received an undated, unsigned letter from the body shop admitting that they had broken the windshield and kept the old one. Important inspection and registration stickers were removed during the process and not returned for weeks. …
My car, with less than 4K, has a "spontaneous" windshield crack that is large, long and travels across my line of vision which is a safety issue. Nothing hit the windshield, it is parked is locked garage and I did not drive over rough terrain, hit a pothole, drive under any bridges or park under a tree. I didn't drive on a highway either. I just got in my car and there it was! This crack is growing in length and I have noticed some black, foam trim curling up along the edge of where the windshield meets the hood. There is no visible point of contact that I can see, no chips, no star burst chip - just smooth on the outside and inside of car. There is also some strange splatter marks on the inside of the window as if a small carbonated beverage was shaken up. Opened & sprayed on it but the spots are hard & can't be easily scraped off. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the glass sun roof suddenly exploded. There were no injuries. The sun roof was in the closed position at the time of the failure. The contact indicated that the sun roof had never been opened prior to the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. Also, while operating the vehicle a warning message sometimes displayed erroneously, indicating that the sun roof was open. The failure mileage was 57,928. The VIN was invalid.
Related recalls (3)
Visibility › Windshield
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT vehicles. The panoramic sunroof motor may be incorrectly programmed, preventing the sunroof from detecting an obstacle while closing.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
In its letter dated February 14, 1997, Hyundai stated that approximately 75,000 Hyundai vehicles (certain model year 1996-97 elantra, accent, sonata and tiburon models built through October 18, 1996 -- see NHTSA recall no. 97v-026 for details) will be recalled for a defect in the windshield wiper motor.Hyundai stated that the windshield wiper motor May not operate in cold weather conditions due to contamination of…
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Elantra years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (61), 2013 (42), 2000 (27), 2012 (18) and 1997 (13) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Elantra window & wiper problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 21V00M000 (windshield, Dec 28, 2021); 18V-891 (sun/moon roof assembly, Dec 14, 2018); 97V-026 (motor, Feb 26, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Elantra window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power window devices and controls (36 mentions), followed by the sun/moon roof assembly (31).
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.