Elantra (AD)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 147 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
G 1.6 DOHC T-GDI GAMMA
1.6L 4-cyl Turbo / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Hyundai Elantra Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
DOHC GDI NU
2.0LView details
Complaint Breakdown
T-GDI Kappa
1.4L 4-cyl Turbo / 128 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
1.8-I4-Gas
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Elantra, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra
On a used 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (742), the electrical system (232) and the body and structure (212). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 742 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra about the engine, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 232 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra about the electrical system.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 212 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra about the body and structure.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 155 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra about the exterior lighting.
Recalls (8)
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.
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.
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT vehicles. The panoramic sunroof motor may be incorrectly programmed, preventing the sunroof from detecting an obstacle while closing.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Show 3 older recalls
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra complaints?
Owners have filed 1,638 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the body and trim.
Is the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,638 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA has 1,638 owner complaints on file for the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering some 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Elantra?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the body and trim, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Elantra?
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 4 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,638 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.