2020 Hyundai Elantra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 11%of 254 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,790miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, 11% of the 254 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,790 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“The normal beam brightness for the front headlamps is about 50% of what it should be. It is not safe to drive the car at night on the low-beam setting. With the high beam setting, visibility is about as it should be for the normal setting.”
NHTSA complaint #11406211, filed 2021-04, 23,000 miles“driver side brake light went out I did have it repaired right away since I knew it was a safety hazard for anyone behind me. And sometimes I do see the same model on the road with the same issue. I don't think the running light is a safety issue but also have a problem with that going out also.”
NHTSA complaint #11647678, filed 2025-03“Unknown and about 4 months ago my headlights stopped working one would go out I’d replace the bulb then the other goes out then a different bulb in my headlight would go out I’d replace it and it would go out again then the connectors were unresponsive then my height beams won’t engage leaving me with little to no light in order to operate my vehicle at night and oddly enough they would disengage while driving leaving me visually impaired while driving”
NHTSA complaint #11734191, filed 2026-04“The highbeam is not working, also lowbeam is poor. Also I can not use the car in the night. The Hyundai Customer services is can not help. I said they have campaign to fix the highbeam. TSB number is 20-01-011H”
NHTSA complaint #11641249, filed 2025-02Related service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 10247601Dec 14, 2023This bulletin describes the procedure to repair a head lamp that has an inoperable high beam function.
- 10188245Feb 11, 2021This bulletin describes the procedure to repair a headlamp that has an inoperable high beam function.
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
- 10174793Apr 7, 2020Certain 2019-2020MY Santa Fe and 2018-2020MY Elantra equipped with front camera/multi-function camera may exhibit a series of Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Front Collision…
- 10173547Mar 23, 2020Some 2019 & 2020 Elantra (ADa) vehicles equipped with halogen headlights may experience intermittent operation of the high beam. This bulletin provides the service procedure to…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 28 | 11% |
| 2019 | 65 | 26% |
| 2018 | 16 | 6% |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 72 | 5% |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 38 | 25% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra
109 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 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 31, 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