2011 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (63) · Steering (62) · Air Bags (57)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
286 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-22 · campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Equipment:electrical 2020-07-02 · campaign 20V393000 · 272,126 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2015-12-23 · campaign 15V871000 · 155,000 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
Risk: If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs 2015-10-07 · campaign 15V629000 · 28,157 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Colum
Risk: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.
Structure 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V115000 · 186,250 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
Risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Service bulletins (135)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-08-26 · 26-BE-022H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original & subsequent owners.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Showing the 6 most recent of 135 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-28 · Steering · 39,892 mi“the contact owns a 2011 hyundai elantra. while the contact's wife was reversing at 2 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. the contact stated that the failure had occurred in the driveway at the residence. while inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that …”
2026-08-05 · Steering“my steering wheel began to make clanking sound and lost the tension that allows for smooth turning of the wheel for both left and right. i looked it up and have found that this is a known issue that hyundai has not addressed. hyundai had a batch of bad steering wheel couplers that were installed in numerous models. this steering issue could cause…”
2026-02-10 · Engine“i have a piston/engine defect according to the mechanic at the car shop. any time any acceleration is applied you can hear the knocking. i believe it should be covered through the class action alleged that 2011-2016 elantras engines (including the limited trim) have a piston defect leading to engine failure. a settlement offered extended warrantie…”
2026-01-13 · Service Brakes“the brake lines in our 2011 hyundai elantra have rusted out and no longer hold brake fluid, which means the car is not safe to drive. luckily we were able to get the car to our sidewalk and park it without injury. we found that sauder schelkopf is investigating a potential class action lawsuit against hyundai for underbody corrosion and brake line…”
2026-01-12 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“vehicle: 2011 hyundai elantra touring date of crash: [xxx] location of crash: duluth, mn description of incident: i was driving my 2011 hyundai elantra touring straight through an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and t‑boned the passenger side of my vehicle. the impact was severe enough that the vehicle was totaled, with significant…”
2025-08-23 · Steering“when ever i am turning my steering wheel in either direction there is a clicking noise. it started low and now the noise became loud even when i am going over bumps on the road. i went to a reputable certified shop and i am told it is my steering column bushing and i was advised that there is a recall on it but when i further investigate my car i d…”
2025-04-29 · Suspension“unknown but my car shakes and makes a loud grinding noise …”
2025-04-16 · Engine“car stop working once i got home i notice while i was driving the car kept back firing and jurking while driving .had a mechanic look at the car he tried to start it but it started and shut off..he even tried to jump start the car with the jumping cables but it will not start..he told me it was electrical..i have a brand new battery and a complete …”
2025-03-10 · Unknown Or Other“no incident. airbag light came on without incident. hasn’t gone out. don’t know why. haven’t gotten it looked at. …”
2025-01-27 · Suspension“my car was recalled by hyundai for a critical safety issue and has been at the dealership since july of 2024 awaiting repairs due to missing parts. despite repeated follow-ups, hyundai has been unable to provide a timeline for the repair. recently, they offered to buy back the car, but the offer was far below its fair market value. when i declined,…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.