2020 Hyundai Elantra Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around the engine and the transmission, and they arrive at two very different points in ownership: transmission complaints come in mostly with only a few thousand miles on the odometer, while engine complaints spread from a few thousand miles up past 100,000. Many engine reports involve stalling or lost power with a check engine light, and owners often describe low oil level or oil consumption alongside the noise. A smaller but steady group of reports concerns headlamp brightness and function.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine noise, stalling and loss of power

   • 63 complaints (25%)
   • median 45,569 mi at 3.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, sometimes at start-up and sometimes while driving, followed by stalling or a sudden loss of power; some say the engine restarted after pulling over, others had the vehicle towed. Complaints frequently mention the check engine or oil pressure warning light. Several owners report the dealer found low oil or metal in the oil pan and told them the engine needed repair or replacement; a number of these owners also reference recall 21V301000 and say the part was not yet available or their vehicle was not included. Reported from under 5,000 miles up to about 130,000 miles, with many reports in the 40,000-110,000 mile range.

   Recall 21V3010005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition and ask for oil change records; listen for ticking or knocking at cold start. Ask whether the vehicle has had recall 21V301000 performed, and whether any oil consumption test was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving vehicle at 20 miles per hour one block from residence on a city street and made a noticeable knocking sound in the engine. Vehicle went into limp mode. Drive home and had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer stated metal in the oil pan and said internal engine failure. Waiting on further from Hyundai.”

   NHTSA complaint #11407789, filed 2021-04, 8,898 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to turn at approximately 5 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11669221, filed 2025-06, 89,709 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, no/late shifting and failure

   • 43 complaints (17%)
   • median 4,600 mi at 1.4 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the transmission slipping, holding a gear, refusing to shift out of a low gear, or jerking and bucking, often with the engine revving without the car accelerating; some describe the vehicle stalling or feeling like it lost power at highway speed. Several complaints say the dealer replaced the whole transmission, and a few describe transmission fluid with metal shavings or a sensor or clutch assembly replacement. Reported circumstances range from accelerating from a stop to steady highway cruising. Mostly reported under 10,000 miles, with many under 5,000 miles; a smaller group around 40,000-106,000 miles.

   What to check: Test drive at low speed and on the highway, watching for hesitation, slipping or revving without acceleration; ask for transmission service records and whether fluid was checked for metal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on the highway my RPM started jumping while I was keeping a constant speed. A few moments later my RPM jumped and I was almost red lining. I slowed down to 35 MPH and got off the highway and the car wouldnt go pass 30 without reving incredibly high. I took it in to the dealership and they told me they had to replace my transmission. My mileage was at 4500.”

   NHTSA complaint #11404566, filed 2021-03, 4,500 miles

   “The car had many small problems to begin with. The steering wheel never sat straight and there were many lights for low tire pressure even though the pressure was fine. The transmission also broke 3 months after purchasing. I noticed the car started to shake and handle became very hard to control. Suddenly the RPM went all the way 8 on the highway. The car started to shake violently and I had to pull over to the side of the interstate. This was a near miss accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11321866, filed 2020-04, 1,400 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Weak or inoperable headlights and high beams

   • 22 complaints (9%)
   • median 16,581 mi at 1.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe low-beam output that seems dim, with a dark band or short reach at night, and high beams that appear dull or stop working even though the high-beam indicator stays on. Some complaints say a dealer found the headlamp assembly or its control unit needed replacement, and a few note parts were unavailable. Others report moisture or condensation inside the lamp housings. Reported from a few hundred miles to around 57,000 miles, often noticed on the first night drives or in wet weather.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car after dark and check low beam reach and that both high beams work; inspect the lamp lenses for moisture or condensation and ask if the headlamp units were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The headlights on low beam have a black line across and only about 25 yard visibility, on high beam they are a very dull yellow and the visibility out is about 50 to 75 yards. The level of light is so low that you cannot see anything in the roadway. These lights are very dangerous. I have called the dealership parts and service and they told me that I could try changing the factory bulb.”

   NHTSA complaint #11359809, filed 2020-09, 2,000 miles

   “At approximately 16,000 ' 17,000 miles the car started having technical and electrical issues. There seemed to be an issue with the regular headlights and high beam setting. On the passenger side of the car, the glove box light, the overhead reading light, and the charging port for car adapters all stopped working. Shortly after those things went out in the vehicle, we were in an accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11383011, filed 2020-12, 16,500 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Stiff or wandering steering

   • 15 complaints (6%)
   • median 8,200 mi at 0.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the steering wheel being unusually stiff, changing effort abruptly at speed, or failing to stay in the adjusted position after the steering column was serviced. Some say the dealer could not diagnose or reproduce the concern, and others report grinding noises when turning. Mostly reported under about 11,000 miles, often within the first year of ownership.

   What to check: Test the steering at parking-lot and highway speeds for uneven effort or wander, and confirm the tilt/telescope lever locks the wheel firmly; ask whether any steering column work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At around 4,000 the miles the vehicle became increasingly difficult to steer with the steering wheel remaining very stiff at all speeds. I do not feel confident in the handling or safe maneuvering of this vehicle. Sought help at dealership through warranty but they were unable to diagnose the issue. I am continuing to purse help on this matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #11343545, filed 2020-08, 4,000 miles

   “First the car was in the shop for a week having the steering fixed. A week later and steering is broken again. Steering wheel does not stay in place. Makes it for a fun drive on the freeway. I hope I get into an accident because of this because then Hyundai might listen to my concerns.”

   NHTSA complaint #11319176, filed 2020-03, 11,000 miles

Buying note. Given how many low-mileage complaints involve the transmission and how many engine reports involve oil loss and stalling, a used example is worth a thorough test drive and a pre-purchase inspection, plus a check of open recalls and service history. Confirm whether recall 21V301000 and any engine software or oil-consumption work has been completed on the specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.