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2020 Hyundai Elantra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 254 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the engine (44% of complaints, typically around 31,000 miles). It is 15th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems
Engine
112 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21v301000 (engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate violently. The contact noticed a burning…
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was sluggish and hesitant while accelerating. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to…
Transmission
47 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
2020 Hyundai elentra <5,000 miles city/urban driving when attempting to accelerate from stop; transmission quit working would not shift out of first gear. The car would not go above 10-20 MPH almost causing an accident by the next driver accelerating into the back of the car. Dealership wants to replace transmission…
While driving on highway at full speed, the car shifted into 1st gear on its own. Traffic was heavy, but fast, creating a dangerous situation. I was able to get the car over. It was taken to service and the dealer found that the whole transmission needed to be replaced.
Lights
28 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: headlights.
The headlights on low beam have a black line across and only about 25 yard visibility, on high beam they are a very dull yellow and the visibility out is about 50 to 75 yards. The level of light is so low that you cannot see anything in the roadway. These lights are very dangerous. I have called the dealership parts…
The normal beam brightness for the front headlamps is about 50% of what it should be. It is not safe to drive the car at night on the low-beam setting. With the high beam setting, visibility is about as it should be for the normal setting.
Electrical
27 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly turned off while driving 25 MPH on a local road. The engine symbol was displayed. Additionally, the battery was drained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the battery was replaced three times. Additionally…
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without approximately 15-20 attempts. The vehicle had since failed to start completely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter had…
Other or unspecified
26 complaints · 10%The car had many small problems to begin with. The steering wheel never sat straight and there were many lights for low tire pressure even though the pressure was fine. The transmission also broke 3 months after purchasing. I noticed the car started to shake and handle became very hard to control. Suddenly the RPM…
At approximately 16,000 ' 17,000 miles the car started having technical and electrical issues. There seemed to be an issue with the regular headlights and high beam setting. On the passenger side of the car, the glove box light, the overhead reading light, and the charging port for car adapters all stopped working.…
Steering
20 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 4,500 miles.
When I pulled out of my drive way at about 5 MPH and began increasing speed (10-15 MPH), I felt like my front tires may have needed air. I checked my dash and confirmed that all the sensors for tire pressure were on and working and the air pressure seemed to be fine. I began to increase speed and by this time was…
At around 4,000 the miles the vehicle became increasingly difficult to steer with the steering wheel remaining very stiff at all speeds. I do not feel confident in the handling or safe maneuvering of this vehicle. Sought help at dealership through warranty but they were unable to diagnose the issue. I am continuing to…
Driver assistance
16 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: warnings, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, assist.
The contact's boyfriend owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the forward collision avoidance system activated independently. The contact also stated that the forward collision avoidance warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had initially taken…
When cruise control is activated, the engine RPM automatically increases by about 700 RPM. At 75 MPH, the engine RPM is 2300. When control is activated, engine RPM increases to 3000 RPM and remains there. This decreases gas milesge and increases wear on engine.
Brakes
14 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and there was a grinding sound coming from the brakes. The failure had been experienced on several occasions. There were no warning lights illuminated. The…
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal. The contact also stated that on various occasions, the gear shifter seized between gears. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Engine
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (112 complaints, typically around 31,000 miles); transmission (47 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles); lights (28 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 28, 2021 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Hyundai Elantra?
- It is 15th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints, with 254 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.