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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

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 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202515%
202435%
202399%
202277%
202175%
20204719%
2019114%
2018248%
2017628%
20163111%
2015187%
2014226%
2013574%
2012406%
2011215%
2010328%
200983%
2008299%
2007104%
200685%
200575%
200474%
200394%
2002175%
2001165%
20002211%
19994132%
19981324%
19973127%
19962020%
19951917%
1994912%
1993521%
1992931%

Other parts of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra

Engine
109 complaints
Exterior lighting
28 complaints
Electrical system
27 complaints
Other or unknown
26 complaints
Steering
20 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
13 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Lane 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