2020 Hyundai Elantra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 19%of 254 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, 19% of the 254 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on the highway, my vehicle experienced a CVT transmission failure. The vehicles tachometer started oscillating slightly, jumping up and down. The next symptoms was the car at times felt like it had a bucking/jerking sensation. The tachometer suddenly jumped up to around 5000 RPM. The car immediately lost power while traveling on the highway, dangerously almost causing an accident with the car behind me almost hitting/rear ending me from behind with this sudden unexpected loss of power and speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11406056, filed 2021-04, 3,700 miles“I baught this car sept 1st 2020, on october 3rd 2020 while driving the car pn my way to work on the hyway the transmition sliped and stopped shifting and wouldnt shift out of 2nd gear amd check engine light came on I was quick to put the hazard on avoiding collision from behind I took it into the dealership. Where they told me it would need a full transmition replacement due to manufacture defect. They are currently with gdpr the transmition to come so I'll have this loner car for the next 2-6 weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #11363680, filed 2020-10, 3,200 miles“On june 4,2020, my 2020 Hyundai Elantra's transmission failed. This car had only 8,000 miles on it. I was on highways, city streets, and the car would stall at lights and not accelerate. The drivers behind me did not know that when the light changed, my car may or may not move. The transmission completely failed that day, and Hyundai is not taking responsibility for the danger they put me in. I was not safe in that vehicle. The transmission was replaced, but I still could have died or been severely injured that day. Hyundai sussman in willow grove has all the details. …”
NHTSA complaint #11361116, filed 2020-09, 8,000 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“This is brand new car that I purchased 35 days ago that now has 1295 miles on it. I entered the street from a parking lot, there was heavy traffic at the time so I did need to excellerate rapidly when I pulled out. Unfortunately once I was in the road the car had no power and would not pick up speed. The engine RPM was increasing but the car was not picking up speed. Cars were on my bumper blasting their horns and I can't blame them, I'm lucky I didn't cause an accident. I tried to manually shift the car to see if it helps but it would not change gears and I was slowing picking up speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11292460, filed 2020-01, 1,295 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10241878Aug 23, 2023Certain vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) may experience a check engine light or malfunction indicator light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes…
- 10241874Aug 17, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response…
- 10210209Mar 21, 2022Certain 20MY Elantra (AD/ADa) vehicles may experience an illuminated check engine warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. Perform the Transmission…
- 10185430Dec 15, 2020Certain 20MY Elantra (AD/ADa) vehicles may experience an illuminated check engine warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. Perform the Transmission…
- 10177137Jun 24, 2020Certain vehicles may experience an illuminated warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). This service campaign provides information on the procedures to perform the…
- 10177135Jun 24, 2020Certain vehicles may experience an illuminated warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). Perform the ECU and TCU update, and, if necessary, replace the IVT…
- 10176198May 29, 2020This bulletin describes the Idle Stop and Go (ISG) system operation, diagnostic and battery sensor recalibration procedure. Refer to applicable Shop Manual and Ownerâs Manual…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
- 10161750May 8, 2019This bulletin provides a procedure to transfer pressure data to the ECU/TCU using GDS Mobile. This procedure is necessary to reduce the TCU learning time and improve the shift…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 47 | 19% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 8% |
| 2017 | 62 | 8% |
| 2016 | 31 | 11% |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% |
| 2014 | 22 | 6% |
| 2013 | 57 | 4% |
| 2012 | 40 | 6% |
| 2011 | 21 | 5% |
| 2010 | 32 | 8% |
| 2009 | 8 | 3% |
| 2008 | 29 | 9% |
| 2007 | 10 | 4% |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 16 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 11% |
| 1999 | 41 | 32% |
| 1998 | 13 | 24% |
| 1997 | 31 | 27% |
| 1996 | 20 | 20% |
| 1995 | 19 | 17% |
| 1994 | 9 | 12% |
| 1993 | 5 | 21% |
| 1992 | 9 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra
109 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 Nov 1, 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