Hyundai Elantra Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 8,732 consumer complaints across the 34 model years of the Hyundai Elantra (1992–2025) that have at least 5 complaints. 2013 has the most, with 1,314. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (1,655 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Elantra years →
All Elantra model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | 4,000 | 0 | 26 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 56 | 15,500 | 1 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 101 | 15,950 | 2 | 53 | 37 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 102 | 23,825 | 5 | 78 | 51 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 132 | 19,750 | 6 | 83 | 70 · More | Stable |
| 2020 | 254 | 9,830 | 3 | 99 | 75 · More | Stable |
| 2019 | 252 | 50,400 | 1 | 117 | 20 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 284 | 26,600 | 0 | 123 | 19 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2017 | 770 | 44,000 | 4 | 159 | 84 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 293 | 54,964 | 2 | 134 | 35 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2015 | 262 | 53,500 | 3 | 148 | 31 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2014 | 386 | 55,500 | 2 | 150 | 42 · Typical | Stable |
| 2013 | 1,314 | 45,302 | 4 | 157 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2012 | 654 | 62,303 | 4 | 122 | 80 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 433 | 72,500 | 5 | 135 | 60 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 380 | 63,500 | 3 | 47 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 254 | 77,650 | 4 | 47 | 40 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 315 | 54,000 | 7 | 47 | 72 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 267 | 73,000 | 6 | 58 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 155 | 67,900 | 1 | 38 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 137 | 50,000 | 4 | 46 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 182 | 30,500 | 5 | 44 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 234 | 61,100 | 5 | 38 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 342 | 72,000 | 6 | 39 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 315 | 73,000 | 6 | 39 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 197 | 54,500 | 1 | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 128 | 91,000 | 2 | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 55 | 72,000 | 0 | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 115 | 73,000 | 3 | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 100 | 92,000 | 3 | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 112 | 103,000 | 1 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 76 | — | 2 | 7 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 24 | 120,700 | 0 | 7 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 29 | — | 0 | 7 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine1,655 20%
- Air bags1,333 16%
- Steering1,145 14%
- Electrical system1,066 13%
- Brakes1,060 13%
- Other or unknown845 10%
- Transmission and drivetrain672 8.0%
- Suspension599 7.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2016: “I just know that my vehicle has a high use of engine oil. I took it to the dealer about a year and half ago to have it checked but they said that was normal but the more I read up on this it sounds like it is not normal. Also the clear over spray paint on all 4 door handles has come off and the rear hatch top window spoiler has completely peeled off also.”
NHTSA complaint #11581137, filed 2024-04, 113,196 miles2017: “Air bag light will not turn off so I’m not sure if the air bags work. Oil is going missing from the car causing it to suddenly shut down. It also makes the rpm’s go really high (close to 5,000) when trying to go up hills or accelerate. I don’t see a leak, or puddles under the car, nor black smoke.”
NHTSA complaint #11637392, filed 2025-01, 109,355 miles2012: “I live in missouri where they still have vehicle inspections to renew tags for legally driving. Got in the vehicle and started it I then try to use the steering wheel controls to change radio station would not work then tried the other side of the steering wheel to make a phone call and it wouldn't work then I tried the horn and it would not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396101, filed 2021-02, 145,000 milesOther Hyundai models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology