2020 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (79) · Power Train (39) · Exterior Lighting (26)
🧭 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
76 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Engine 2021-04-28 · campaign 21V301000 · 158,493 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2019-10-09 · campaign 19V720000 · 48 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint 2019-10-09 · campaign 19V721000 · 744 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
Risk: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.
Service bulletins (99)
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.
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
Engine 2026-09-11 · 9D3 OL · Service Campaign
hyundai has become aware that your hyundai elantra equipped with a 2.0 atk engine may have been incorrectly updated with cylinder noise detection system (cnds) software intended only for korean-built elantra vehicles and may not meet specifications.
Engine 2026-08-06 · 26-01-039H DN · Service Campaign
certain elantra (ada) vehicles may have been incorrectly updated with cylinder noise detection system (cnds) software that can set dtc p132700; this software was intended only for korean-built elantra (ad) vehicles. in addition, the california air resources board has determined that these vehicles m
Engine 2026-08-06 · 26-01-039H TSB · Service Campaign
certain elantra (ada) vehicles may have been incorrectly updated with cylinder noise detection system (cnds) software that can set dtc p132700; this software was intended only for korean-built elantra (ad) vehicles. this bulletin provides instructions to perform a software update for the engine cont
Engine 2026-04-18 · 26-EE-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. this bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
Showing the 6 most recent of 99 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-15 · Engine“the car went into 'limp mode' after rpm fluxuation. it's in the shop. blake, a service manager at temecula hyundai, tells me it has "piston slap," which ai says is related to a piston ring recall for this car. blake went on to say it has 2 power train issues (and needs a catalytic converter). nhtsa shows no recall, but whether engine or transmissi…”
2026-10-07 · Unknown Or Other“2020 hyundai elantra, vin [xxx], ~79,239 mi. on or about [xxx], while entering a parking lot at low speed on an incline, i pressed the accelerator but the car had severe power loss and then stalled. it would not move in reverse. all dashboard lights came on only after the stall. i restarted it; the lights cleared. it was towed to westlake hyundai, …”
2026-09-29 · Engine“back in early july, i noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine so when i took it in to a hyundai dealership, they told me the only way i could pursue any help further was by completing a oil consumption test, which i complied and paid for out-of-pocket very soon after within 48 hours my check engine light came on and was flashing. after pullin…”
2026-09-24 · Engine · 102,474 mi“the contact owns a 2020 hyundai elantra. while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 21v301000 (engine) as a potential cause for the failure; however, the vin was not included in the recall. the contact stated that the vehicle shook violently with an abnormal el…”
2026-09-10 · Engine“the vehicle entered limp mode. the hyundai dealer diagnosed a camshaft problem, said the repair would be covered, ordered the part, and began the work. after the engine was opened, the dealer noted sludge/varnish and denied coverage, claiming lack of maintenance. this vin is included in safety recall 21v301 for improperly heat-treated piston oil ri…”
2026-09-09 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“2020 hyundai [xxx], vin: [xxx] incident description: on xxx i was pulling into a parking spot and had my foot firmly on the brake pedal. when i attempted to shift the vehicle into park the engine suddenly revved up excessively. the vehicle then accelerated forward on its own and crashed into a building. information redacted pursuant to the freedom …”
2026-09-02 · Engine · 46,961 mi“the contact owns a 2020 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that while driving 25 mph, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact pulled over to the side of the road. the vehicle was restarted but unexpectedly stalled. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and…”
2026-08-29 · Unknown Or Other“transmission tcm/ivt had a service campaign recall #963 for tcm relearn / ivt replacement for premature transmission failure. hyundai usa and dealership big star hyundai of friendswood, tx have made claims of the repair being done. service records indicate there was no replacement, relearn or anything transmission related done with the vehicle and …”
2026-08-24 · Exterior Lighting“the high beam lights don’t work. doesn’t make changes to high. relay, bulbs and breakers appear to be ok. …”
2026-08-20 · Power Train“ my 2020 hyundai elantra sel experienced a total transmission/ivt failure at 81,185 miles. i paid $4,804.14 out of pocket to have the vehicle repaired at a certified hyundai dealership, dick smith hyundai genesis of greenville, now known as hyundai of greenville. the transmission was replaced with a new replacement unit. the replacement transmissi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.