Vehicle report

2019 Hyundai Elantra

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra has 1 NHTSA recall on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 4 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

1

Open recalls

15

Complaints

4

Overall safety

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2019 Hyundai Elantra recalls (1)

  • ENGINE

    Hyundai 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 rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

2019 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

4

Overall

4

Front

4

Side

4

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2019 Hyundai Elantra owner complaints (15)

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    See attached document for complaint.

  • ENGINE

    2019 Hyundai Elantra (VIN: [XXX]) suffered engine failure at 152,061 miles — abnormal knocking, loss of power, towed to Clay Cooley Hyundai of Sherman, TX. Diagnosed with crank/rod knock requiring long block replacement. This is the exact failure progression documented in NHTSA Recall 21V301 (Hyundai Recall 203): defective piston oil rings causing cylinder bore scuffing, accelerated oil consumption, connecting rod bearing failure, and engine block damage. Coverage was denied solely due to mileage — 2,061 miles beyond the 150,000-mile threshold. I am also reporting a critical discrepancy: a VIN search on NHTSA's website shows zero open or unrepaired recalls on this vehicle, despite the following facts: 1. This is a 2019 Elantra with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine — the exact population covered by 21V301. 2. The vehicle experienced the exact failure mode 21V301 was issued to address. 3. The dealership repair order references TSB 25-01-054H (tied directly to Recall 203) and performed an ECM software update under that bulletin during this visit. It is unclear whether this VIN was improperly excluded from the recall population, or whether the recall was marked remediated based solely on the software update — despite the engine already having suffered catastrophic internal damage. Either outcome warrants investigation. I am requesting NHTSA examine whether this VIN should have been included in 21V301, and whether Hyundai's practice of applying a software update to an already-failed engine and closing the recall is consistent with the intent of this safety recall. Repair estimate: $9,245.58. Vehicle is undrivable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  • ENGINE

    Timing gears/camshaft issues. dealer mechanic stated that the pin on camshaft broke and timing jumping. dealership stated this is a known issue with Elantra's but Hyundai has done nothing to address this issue. This repair costs over 4000 dollars for a known issue

  • ENGINE

    Engine failure. Car quit while driving down main highway. Taken to garage and they reported that many of the same engine for Hyundai have been recalled. When investigating, my car did the exact same thing being reported, but is not included in the recall. I have maintenance records for all oil changes as required as well. No lights came on to indicate failure.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Where the Hyundai place tell that I don't need drive that because recall on the light shower! on my car and how electric part in the car. I still a note the balance 14,700. The paying balance need be 9,900. Because the wiring and light show balance I would owe. 6,000.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Highbeam shutters stop working. When engaged the solenoid engages, the shutter attempts to activate (wobbles) but never does. The indicator inside also lights up despite the shuttee never opening.

  • ENGINE

    The engine defected at 82000 i had it for a year can u guys please make it right as a valuable customer

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    During my state inspection it was noted that my high beams were not properly functioning. The garage tested my bulb and said it appeared to be a malfunction of the flap assembly in the headlamps. We checked online for information on how to proceed and noted a recall campaign T5G that was aimed at the exact problem we noted. I called our local Hyundai dealer (Woodall Hyundai; Danville,VA) to schedule for the recall. The scheduler stated that according to their records, they completed this recall in 2/2024. I do remember getting notified by them regarding a recall to which they had my car for a day to complete the necessary work. Myself and my original garage mechanic reviewed the recall directions that stated that this specific recall requires drilling into the headlamp to evaluate the high beam actuator lever. I informed the dealer that I did not see evidence of the completed work. They stated that they would have to have the car back for a diagnostic visit. I took my vehicle in; paid a $150 fee to be told that yes, my high beams are not working properly and would cost about $2000 to repair the headlamp assemblies. I escalated my concerns to corporate Hyundai who followed up with the dealer who insisted that I was responsible for the repair. I took my car to a different independent Hyundai dealer (Capital Hyundai in Greensboro, NC) who confirmed upon inspection that the recall Woodall Hyundai states they completed was never performed. They contacted corporate Hyundai to reopen my recall campaign and are repairing the assemblies. Woodall Hyundai fraudulently charged Hyundai for a repair kit they claim to have used for the T5G recall. They did not complete the job yet stated they did. They lied repeatedly to myself and corporate when investigating. This has delayed my state inspection. This has caused loss of use of my vehicle for the days it has been in these garages. This is also a safety hazard.

  • ENGINE

    my car was going uphill and would only go about 15 up hill and would not accelerate, no lights came one to indicate any issues, then it started driving properly. Then after about 4 min it just died, in the middle of a busy intersection during rush hour. the check oil, engine and battery lights came on. Then after turning off car it came back on and all the lights disappeared but happened exact same way after 3 more min. Both times the lights went off. Now it trys to turn on but stalls right away and the check engine light is one. After taking to the dealer they stated that there was no oil in the engine. There are also no visible leaks to explain no oil. And 3 timing codes came up as a result of this. They conducted my routine oil change and still the codes came up and the car failed to start. In addition to all of this there is a knocking noise. I have an engine like those that have been recalled in the past but my particular VIN was not part of that recall. I have always done my oil changes at Hyundai dealer and on a regular schedule. This sounds to me like the same issue the other same types of engines had.

  • ENGINE

    my car was going uphill and would only go about 15 up hill and would not accelerate, then after aboit 4 min it just died, the check oil, engine and battery lights came on. Then after turning off car it came back on but happened exact same way after 3 more min. Both times the lights went off. Now it trys to turn on but stalls right away.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Both Front headlamp assemblies broken hi beam mechanism. My cars headlights burn out every couple months and the bright lights will not work. I took to a Hyundai dealership on 03/28/2026 who told me it would be $5,333.30 to fix. I have done nothing to cause this electrical problem on both headlamps and when searching the internet; this issue seems to be a big problem on this vehicle year. This is obviously an issue in manufacturing of the vehicle and should have the issue be a recall to fix. It is so dangerous not knowing when my lights will stop working again after replacement and not having the use of bright lights at night.

  • ENGINE

    I was getting off the highway in late January 2025- in my fairly used 2019 Hyundai Elantra Value edition, that had less than 70,000 miles on it- when a piston rod suddenly shot from my engine, causing a slight implosion. This set off the oil pan gasket & caused it to blow into hundreds of pieces, leaking my engine oil all over the highway. The vehicle has never been in an accident and has always been taken care of, so I was very disheartened when this incident occurred. Research showed me that I’m not the only one who’s experienced this destructive incident in this year & model of my vehicle. There was never a day that my engine light or oil light had come before prior to this incident, but as soon as the happened- nearly every light in the car came on. Since there was no crash or other vehicles involved, police didn’t file a report.

  • ENGINE

    Car shut off multiple times while driving including coming to complete stop on the freeway in traffic

  • ENGINE

    The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil, and oil needed to be added frequently between scheduled oil changes. No visible external leaks were found. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.

  • ENGINE

    Engine failure. Less than 150,000 miles and engine has gone bad. Burning oil, and loud noise when car starts. Had multiple mechanics look at the car whom said the motor went bad. I’ve been consistent with oil changes, tune ups, etc. maintained the car well so I don’t know why or how this happened.

Checking a used Hyundai Elantra before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2019 Elantra in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Elantra's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2019 Hyundai Elantra in Alberta:

See other model years of the Hyundai Elantra, or browse more Hyundai models.

2019 Hyundai Elantra — questions and answers

Does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?+

Our check found 1 NHTSA recall associated with the 2019 Hyundai Elantra. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra safe?+

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 4. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2019 Hyundai Elantra VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Hyundai free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Hyundai dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

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