2020 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 109about this part
- Share
- 43%of 254 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 109 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, 43% of the 254 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“11/10/2020 as I was driving I noticed a burning smell coming from the outside of the car I had my windows down I pulled over in a grocery store parking lot because I thought the smell was coming from someone else car only to find out it was mine I only had the car for a little over 6 months the car had 2552 miles on it I reported to Hyundai customer service only to be disappointed and given the runa round. …”
NHTSA complaint #11378272, filed 2020-12, 2,552 miles“2/20/2020 - I was driving my new 2020 Elantra (less than 5,000 miles on it) and I noticed the car was not accelerating smoothly. The RPM needle was revving abnormally whenever I tried to accelerate. When I pressed the gas from a dead stop the car would shutter before accelerating. On my way home from work the same day I was having the same issues but as I merged (turning) onto a highway the car suddenly stopped accelerating all together and I was not able to go more than 10-20 MPH. Since it was at a merge there was almost a collision, but I was able to pull over before anything happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11310831, filed 2020-02, 4,700 miles“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“While driving 70 MPH on ohio turnpike the transmission slipped out of gear and would not allow the car to shift into any gears. After pulling over and restarting the car the fastest it would go was 10 MPH .”
NHTSA complaint #11277049, filed 2019-10, 3,900 miles“While driving on highway car lost power dropping down to 10-20 miles per hour. Appears car stuck in low gear and won't go forward over 10mph with RPM revinning”
NHTSA complaint #11398257, filed 2021-02, 4,200 milesRelated recalls
- 21V301000Apr 28, 2021Hyundai 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…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2019–2020, Kona 2019–2021, Veloster 2019–2021
Related service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 11037292Sep 11, 2026Hyundai 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…
- 11036204Aug 6, 2026Certain 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…
- 11036202Aug 6, 2026Certain 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…
- 11031400Apr 18, 2026Some 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…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 | 8 | 14% |
| 2023 | 20 | 20% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 13 | 10% |
| 2020 | 109 | 43% |
| 2019 | 134 | 53% |
| 2018 | 142 | 50% |
| 2017 | 291 | 38% |
| 2016 | 111 | 38% |
| 2015 | 92 | 35% |
| 2014 | 166 | 43% |
| 2013 | 233 | 18% |
| 2012 | 139 | 21% |
| 2011 | 92 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 13 | 5% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 12 | 4% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra
47 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsForward collision avoidance
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsLane departure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology