2020 Hyundai Elantra

2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls (3)

• 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.

• WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

  Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.

• SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

  Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.

2020 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2020 Hyundai Elantra owner complaints (15)

• ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted but unexpectedly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure caused by a misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,691.

• POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Transmission TCM/IVT had a service campaign recall #963 for TCM relearn / IVT replacement for premature transmission failure. Hyundai USA and dealership Big Star Hyundai of Friendswood, TX have made claims of the repair being done. Service records indicate there was no replacement, relearn or anything transmission related done with the vehicle and Hyundai USA has claimed on their end that their records show it was completed, but refuse to show or display records of completion, and have not maintained outreach to the dealership regarding maintenance records for this specific issue. Transmission has popped a P0867 code at 65,000 miles, just outside of it's warranty, and reflects the same codes listed for an issue regarding the TCM/IVT service campaign 963. The safety risk is the transmission giving way on a highway or some other location where it could potentially lead to an accident or stranding, that could lead to serious injury or death. This puts other vehicles on the road and passengers at high risk for an accident or incident. The problem has been reproduced by my husband, and confirmed with ECM readers. Independent service in Atascocita TX confirmed the check engine light indeed coincided with the P0867 code and that it has to do with the very same recall they have claimed to have supported and completed, which is once again not listed under any service completed on the vehicle. We are attempting to have this component looked at by the dealership, but they refuse to acknowledge the service campaign 963 and allow an inspection of no-charge. My husband has already observed with a endoscope, and observed the transmission fluid, and replaced it, and there was no obvious signs of an issue. There were no previous issues to the vehicle, and no previous lights. After the light for the code came onto the dashboard, the transmission has now struggled to maintain steady fluid transitioning between gears, and has maintained a sluggish and resistance feeling.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  The high beam lights don’t work. Doesn’t make changes to high. Relay, bulbs and breakers appear to be ok.

• POWER TRAIN

  My 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL experienced a total transmission/IVT failure at 81,185 miles. I paid $4,804.14 out of pocket to have the vehicle repaired at a certified Hyundai dealership, Dick Smith Hyundai Genesis of Greenville, now known as Hyundai of Greenville. The transmission was replaced with a new replacement unit. The replacement transmission has now suffered a second total failure at 117,922 miles, meaning the vehicle has experienced two total transmission failures before reaching 120,000 miles. The repeated failure of the IVT system is extremely concerning, particularly because the first replacement was performed by an authorized Hyundai dealership and the replacement unit failed after approximately 36,700 miles. I am requesting that this repeated transmission failure be documented and investigated. I also believe Hyundai should review the vehicle’s transmission history and consider the possibility of a systemic defect or premature failure involving the IVT system. I have already contacted Hyundai Customer Care regarding a Prior Repair Goodwill Reimbursement request for the $4,804.14 I previously paid out of pocket. Hyundai Customer Care case #43147944 was denied based on the vehicle being outside the factory warranty, although Hyundai directed me to the dealership for possible goodwill consideration. I am requesting full retroactive reimbursement of the $4,804.14 I paid for the first transmission replacement. I can provide the original repair invoice, service records, diagnosis, and documentation of the subsequent transmission failure upon request.

• STEERING

  Steering wheel has been making whining noises when turning. Previously replaced worm shaft on steering while under warranty due to malfunction when first purchased. Issue has resurfaced but no longer covered under warranty. Dealer quoted nearly $800.00 to replace worm shaft.

• LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  Logic board failure part number 99211-F2000 leading to inoperable lane keeping assist and forward collision avoidance.

• ENGINE

  At 105,000 MI. My car stalled out and the engine stopped. It needs a new cam shaft, timing chain set, cam phaser and timing cover. We also had to replace the Variable valve timing solenoids as the metal melted.

• ENGINE

  "I was not notified of Campaign 974 and later experienced engine problems/failure. I am requesting review of whether the campaign was completed and whether the failure is related to the condition the campaign was intended to detect. My engine failed while pulling up to a house, stopping, then preparing to move again the car stalled, car stalled, car would not start for several times tried, then started was able to drive for about 10 miles then stalled again and would not start, car has been intermittently working, car has recent and regular oil changes on time with correct oil and still failed now there is metal in the oil per the mechanics there is knocking sort of like ticking sounds - the car left me stranded due to the engine intermittently working and not working to start the car - the car will attempt to start then turn right off immediately after starting the car and sometimes not turn over the car also had been jumping when in stopped positions as soon as attempt to give gas ever so slightly

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  I have a 2020 Hyundai Elantra Limited that was purchased new in December of 2020, has 17,764 miles, and no damage. At the end of May/early June of 2026, the car gave warning messages for the following: check forward collision avoidance assist system, check lane keep assist system, and check high beam assist system. The car was inspected by the dealership, from which it was purchased, on June 29, 2026. The technician report says error codes C1604 and C1606 were found and that the car required replacement of the front camera system at the cost of $1991.49. Front camera failure negates the ability to use the advanced safety features of this car. These features are so important to alert and, more importantly, assist the driver avoid accidents and improve all motorists safety. I have read numerous complaints depicting the same problem with this front camera system. Hyundai issued TSB 20-BE-006H due to multiple problems just like the one that happened to me. I have corresponded with Hyundai about this situation and my concerns on why a car with this few miles and no damage had a failure of this magnitude. They are unwilling to assist due to the warranty expiring 6 months ago. For components this important to the safety of all drivers, I would like to see a recall established to hold Hyundai accountable for faulty components. Safety should not be limited by a warranty and last longer than 5 1/2 years. Than you for your consideration.

• STRUCTURE

  A few weeks ago, I was driving home on a 3-Lane local state route here in NJ from a family outing on a rainy dark evening when a large portion of the body paint from the hood flaked / peeled off and somehow got stuck under the drivers side windshield wiper as they were on during the rain at highway speed. It was a large enough piece (at least 3" wide) , to not only get stuck under the wiper, but create a serious issue for me to see out the windshield where the wiper wouldn't clear my vision out of the windshield. I managed somehow to safely pull to the side of the road and get out to inspect what it was.. I was able to remove the large piece of peeling paint from under the wiper but it did ruin the edge of the wiper blade which made for a treacherous drive home and I had to replace the wiper at a later date. The paint is peeling from all over my car (Hood, Pillars, Roof) and I've done my best to get all the loose pieces off but I'm afraid to drive it anywhere with the thought more paint will peel off with the wind & get carried to someone else driving behind me. My Hyundai Elantra is a 2020 and has only 48,526 miles currently. I contacted my local Hyundai dealer who advised me I am "Out of warranty for paint coverage" and suggested I further open a case with Hyundai Corporate, which I did, and was assigned a case manager who requested I take it back to my local Hyundai dealer in Avenel, NJ (Sansone) and have a service advisor/technician take pictures and submit them to Warranty Services for a "goodwill repair". Hyundai came back with a "DECLINED" status from it being "Out of warranty caused by the time in service and mileage of the vehicle" and "no goodwill assistance is being offered at this time". The estimate from Hyundai claimed it would cost approx $6,500 to have the car repainted according to the service printout. The dealership and Hyundai are both aware of many, many vehicles that entire pieces of paint are just peeling / falling off several colored cars.

• POWER TRAIN

  Reporting on 2020 Hyundai Elantra. I have owned since 2023, my car is currently at a Hyundai certified dealership for it's 3rd transmission in the three years I have owned it. All 3 transmission were inspected and then replaced by Hyundai certified technicians. The Safety aspect is the inability to get you vehicle off the highway.

• POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  Currently, there are 30,564 miles on my vehicle and I am the original owner of the vehicle since early 2021. This is a continuous intermittent problem that can occur at any time when trying to accelerate the vehicle. The vehicle could be moving down the road and you go to accelerate and the RPM's drop dramatically, giving you no power. The same thing has happened when trying to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle would start to accelerate and then all of a sudden the RPM's drop, giving you no power. I have had the vehicle to the dealership for this problem and I am being told that they can't do anything about it because they can't duplicate it. If this happened when it was necessary for me to get out of the way of a vehicle, an accident could occur, resulting in sirius injury or death. Also, there were no warning lights or check engine light that came on at any time when the problem presented itself.

• FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  Around 9 p.m., I was driving home on the XXX highway at about 60 mph. The road was clear, with no obstacles ahead, and it was lightly drizzling in the [XXX] area. Suddenly, the car's emergency braking system activated, then returned to normal. Although it startled me, thankfully there were no cars behind me to avoid a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic Camshaft sensor failure. The camshaft sensors were replaced; however, the issue persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact associated the issue with NHTSA Campaign Number 21V301000 (Engine). The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  This complaint documents a recurring automatic transmission failure resulting in three complete vehicle shutdowns during active operation — two at highway speed and one in an active turning lane. The most recent failure occurred within 15 minutes of the vehicle being released from an authorized Hyundai dealership in College Park, Maryland, whose general manager admitted in a recorded call that the vehicle was released knowing the transmission was unrepaired and unsafe. The first failure occurred in 2025 on a highway with no prior warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, where the transmission was confirmed defective and repaired under warranty. The second failure occurred in January 2026, again on a highway with no warning. The dealership held the vehicle from January through May 2026 — four months — with no updates despite multiple owner inquiries. In April 2026 the dealership confirmed the transmission had failed again and was seeking Hyundai corporate authorization for the warranty repair. On May 21, 2026 I was told the vehicle was ready and the transmission had been fully repaired under warranty. This was false. On [XXX], within 15 minutes of leaving the dealership, the transmission failed a third time, completely shutting the vehicle down in an active turning lane with no warning. The general manager at Hyundai College Park later admitted in a recorded call that the transmission was never repaired and the vehicle was released only to recover the dealership's rental car, with full knowledge it was unsafe. All three failures were confirmed by the authorized dealer. Component is available for inspection. NHTSA investigation and recall consideration requested. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)