Hyundai Elantra years to avoid (and the best years)
5,662 NHTSA owner complaints and 29 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 5,662complaints
- 29recalls
- 399reported crashes
- 111reported fires
- 317reported injuries
- 8reported deaths
Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Hyundai Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017 and 2012. The typical Hyundai Elantra year has 272 complaints on file.
- 2013: 1,313 complaints, 4.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (21% of complaints) and the steering (21% of complaints).
- 2017: 767 complaints, 2.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (38% of complaints) and the body and structure (17% of complaints).
- 2012: 652 complaints, 2.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (22% of complaints) and the electrical system (19% of complaints).
What are the best Hyundai Elantra years?
The Hyundai Elantra years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (98), 2022 (100) and 2016 (292). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | 0.1× | 0 | 4 | 8 | Few red flags | Lane keeping system |
| 2024 | 53 | 0.2× | 1 | 5 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 98 | 0.4× | 2 | 8 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 100 | 0.4× | 5 | 6 | 9 | Few red flags | Seat belts |
| 2021 | 130 | 0.5× | 6 | 8 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2020 | 250 | 0.9× | 3 | 21 | 16 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2019 | 250 | 0.9× | 1 | 12 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2018 | 282 | 1.0× | 0 | 12 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 767 | 2.8× | 4 | 37 | 24 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 292 | 1.1× | 2 | 22 | 17 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 261 | 1.0× | 3 | 27 | 25 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 382 | 1.4× | 2 | 35 | 29 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2013 | 1,313 | 4.8× | 4 | 93 | 66 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
| 2012 | 652 | 2.4× | 4 | 47 | 44 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2011 | 431 | 1.6× | 5 | 17 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2010 | 379 | 1.4× | 3 | 45 | 48 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,492 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Steering, suspension & tires403 (27%)
- Engine & powertrain392 (26%)
- Electrical & infotainment227 (15%)
- Airbags & seat belts167 (11%)
- Brakes137 (9%)
Recalls (29)
Airbags · 26V307000 · May 2026 · model years 2015, 2016
An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Safety · 24V879000 · Nov 2024 · model years 2021, 2022
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Engine · 24V308000 · May 2024 · model year 2024
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V146000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2015, 2016
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Brakes · 23V651000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Transmission · 23V526000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Airbags · 22V632000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
A detached air bag cover emblem may strike a vehicle occupant, which can increase the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 22V354000 · May 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Seat belts · 22V218000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Seat belts · 22V123000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2022
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Body & glass · 21V00M000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2021
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 21V796000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2021
An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Safety · 21V301000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 21V302000 · Apr 2021 · model year 2021
An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 20V393000 · Jul 2020 · model years 2011, 2012
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Brakes · 20V061000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2010
An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Safety · 19V720000 · Oct 2019 · model year 2020
A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 19V721000 · Oct 2019 · model year 2020
A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 17V769000 · Nov 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Steering · 17V213000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2017
Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 17V063000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2017
A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V956000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 16V574000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2013
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V232000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2017
An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 15V871000 · Dec 2015 · model years 2011, 2012
If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 15V629000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2011
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 15V100000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2010
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V113000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2010
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V115000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.