Steering. Review the 271 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 233 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 168 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

93 crash reports31 fire reports48 injury reports

Wheels complaints

75 reports

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3,000 miles · Feb 5, 2014

TiresWheels

WANTED TO CORRECT ONE PART OF MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WITH INFO ON AN ONLINE DISCUSSION ABOUT ELANTRAS DEVELOPING BUBBLES AND BLOWOUTS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE CORRECT FORUM WEBSITE IS HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T35968_DS499866?ACTIONMESSAGES=YOUR+ANSWER+HAS+BEEN+POSTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563018

3,000 miles · Feb 5, 2014

TiresWheels

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I HAVE A BRAND NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT WITH 17" WHEELS. IT HAS ABOUT 3200 MILES ON IT. I KNOW THAT I RECENTLY HIT A POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT NOTHING THAT I THOUGHT WAS VERY SERIOUS. I DISCOVERED A BUBBLE ON MY LEFT FRONT TIRE SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND ORDERED A BRAND NEW NEXEN 215/45R17, WHICH IS THE BRAND THE CAR CAME WITH. WHEN THE SHOP INSTALLED THE TIRE, THEY DISCOVERED THAT MY OTHER FRONT TIRE ALSO HAD A SMALLER BUBBLE ON IT. I AM NOW GETTING THAT REPLACED AS WELL. THERE ARE DISCUSSION FORUMS ONLINE DETAILING CASE AFTER CASE OF ELANTRAS WITH 17" WHEELS HAVING BUBBLES, BLOW-OUTS ON THE HIGHWAYS ETC. HERE'S ONE FOR EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.CARS.COM/HYUNDAI/ELANTRA-GT/2013/CONSUMER-REVIEWS GUESS A FEW PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE BUT HOPING THAT ISN'T TRUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563017

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2014

Wheels

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MY HYUNDAI CAME WITH KUMHO TIRES. JUST A LITTLE OVER A MONTH OLD AND ONE OF THE TIRES IS DEFECTIVE. DEALER AND HYUNDAI SAY IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM, CALL THE MANUFACTURER. TIRE HAS A PING PONG BALL SIZE BULDGE. MANUFACTURER IS RUDE AND SAYS SORRY BUT WE DON'T CARE. SEARS SAYS THAT ALL THE OTHER MANUFACTURERS THEY DEAL WITH (GOODYEAR, MICHELIN, ETC) WOULD COVER BUT THEY ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS COMPANY. THEY HAVE MANY UNHAPPY COSTUMERS BUT DON'T SEEM TO CARE. I SUGGEST HYUNDAI THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT A SUPPLIER WITH THIS ATTITUDE ALSO REFLECTS BADLY ON THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558232

1,080 miles · Sep 4, 2013

Electrical SystemSuspensionTires

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 ELANTRA GT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. A WEEK AFTER TAKING IT HOME THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING. WE PULLED OVER & IMMEDIATELY BLUE LINK SENT AN ALERT TELLING ME A MALFUNCTION IN MY TPMS WAS FOUND & TO TAKE THE CAR TO SERVICE ASAP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THAT IS WAS A SIMPLE LEARNING FAILURE. RESET CODE & WAS SENT ON MY WAY. THE NEXT WEEK THE CAR DID THE SAME THING WITH THE TPMS. BACK TO THE DEALER IT WENT. HAD IT SCANNED AGAIN. WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG & THEY CLEARED THE CODES THRU BLUE LINK. I WAS THEN TOLD TO JUST IGNORE IT & IT SHOULD BE OK. MOSTLY IT IS JUST ELECTRONICALLY INTERFERENCE. I PARKED THE CAR & USED MY HUSBANDS CAR FOR A WHILE. I START USING MY CAR & GOING DOWN 295 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. PULLED OVER & BLUE LINK SENT THE ALERT AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP & MADE AN APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD A CERTIFIED HYUNDAI PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN THAT WAS GOING TO LOOK MY CAR OVER. AFTER 4 HRS OF WAITING I WAS GIVEN A PAPER ASKING ME NOT TO USE ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR AS THIS WAS CAUSING MY TPMS ISSUE. THEY PAPER WAS DATED MARCH 2007. REALLY? AT THAT POINT I WAS FRUSTRATED SO I CALLED HYUNDAI CORP OFFICE. AFTER AN HR CONVERSATION I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. SO THAT FRIDAY OFF THE CAR WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT BAD & THAT MY TIRES WERE OVER INFLATED BY 8LBS EACH. SO 3 HRS & A LOT OF PATIENCE I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS ALL SET. 20 MINS AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE TPMS LIGHT GOES OFF AGAIN WITH THE BLUE LINK ALERT TO SERVICE THE CAR ASAP. THE FOLLOWING DAY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THIS TRIP I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A SENSOR CHANGED. 3 HRS LATER I LEAVE & HALF WAY HOME TPMS AGAIN. THAT'S 5 TIMES NO REPAIR. NOW THEY CAN'T PROVIDE ME A LOANER BUT WANT TO KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT. CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR 2 WEEKS WAITING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541945

1,171 miles · Aug 10, 2013

TiresWheels

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I WAS AT THE LOCAL MALL AND I LEFT TO GO TO A NEARBY KOHLS, NOT EVEN A MILE AWAY. I NOTICED THAT THE LOWTIRE INDICATOR HAD COME ON AND PARKED THE CAR IN KOHLS PARKING LOT. A COUPLE NOTICED ME STRUGGLING WITH THE EQUIPPED AIR PUMP AND CAME TO HELP. THE TIRE WOULDN'T HOLD AIR AND WE TRIED A CAN OF FIX-A-FLAT. IT DIDN'T HELP EITHER AND WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL HOLE IN THE TIRE WHICH HAD APPARENTLY BLOWN OUT. I STOPPED AT A NEARBY WALMART AND HAD TO PURCHASE A TIRE TO GET HOME. MY HUSBAND AND I STOPPED AT THE DEALERSHIP EARLY THE NEXT MORNING TO SPEAK TO OUR SALESMAN WHO IMMEDIATELY USHERED US TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO SAID " NO" NO PROBLEMS WITH TIRES THAT WE KNOW SORRY. THE WHOLE CONVERSATION AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE TOOK ABOUT 2 MINUTES. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRE BUT THEY WERE RELUCTANT TO EVEN DISCUSS IT. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 1200 MILES. I GUESS IT WAS EASIER TO BE FRIENDLY WHEN SELLING THAN SERVICING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534638

5,815 miles · May 30, 2013

SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

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I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH, IT WAS MY FIRST TIME BUYING A NEW CAR. WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR I NOTICED A FEW RATTLING AND CLANKING NOISES. I BELIEVED THIS TO BE THE CARS MOVING PARTS, AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME, ESPECIALLY SINCE I WAS USED TO DRIVING USED CARS THAT SOUNDED WORSE. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I NOTICED THAT THE NOISES WHERE NOTICEABLY LOUDER, ALONG WITH A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM (UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI IN ORLANDO) WAS BOOKED UP SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT ORLANDO HYUNDAI. SHORTLY AFTER BRINGING MY CAR IN, AND HAVING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOK AT THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME DEFECTIVE, THAT "THE LEFT AND RIGHT INNER TIRE RODS AND LOCK NUTS WERE LOOSE, THREADS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE LOCK NUTS WERE LEFT LOOSE FROM THE FACTORY". THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AND THAT "ONE TIRE WOULD'VE WENT ONE WAY AND THE OTHER TIRE WOULD'VE WENT THE OTHER WAY, CAUSING YOUR CAR TO COME TO A SUDDEN HALT". THIS MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AND KNOWING THAT I WAS DRIVING THAT CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, TAKING TRIPS WITH MY FAMILY AND CHILDREN, WHILE THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE WAS VERY SCARY AND UPSETTING. I WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT PURCHASING A NEW CAR, AND HOPED THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND WANT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH HYUNDAI. I HAVE THE STATEMENT FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATING THAT THE FACTORY MADE A MISTAKE AND I PLAN ON FILING A COMPLAINT THROUGH HYUNDAI AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514414

15,242 miles · May 10, 2013

Wheels

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I OWN A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED. THE STANDARD TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR UPON PURCHASE WERE CONTINENTAL TIRES CONTI PRO SIZE 215/45/17. THREE TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED BULGES ON THE SIDEWALL. I REPLACED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE ONCE THROUGH MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP 6 MONTHS AGO - MILEAGE WAS AROUND 5,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE FAILURE ON POTHOLES/IMPACT AND I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAS AGAIN DEVELOPED A BULGE IN ADDITION TO THE BACK RIGHT TIRE ALSO DEVELOPING A BULGE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ABNORMAL IMPACT WITH CURBS OR POTHOLES TO CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE AND BELIEVE THERE IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE CAR OR WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE TIRES. I SHARED MY CONCERNS WITH THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE NATIONAL CALL-IN AND A CASE REPORT WAS CREATED. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AS WELL. THE CAR HAS 15,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS THIS TYPE OF TIRE FAILURE. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY - THE TIRES COULD BLOW AT HIGH SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF. NEITHER THE CAR MANUFACTURER, THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OR THE TIRE COMPANY WERE WILLING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511423

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2013

TiresWheels

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INSTEAD OF BEING EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A REPAIR KIT. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FEATURE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HE COULD EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WITH THE TIRE AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO A SERVICE STATION OR REPAIR FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE SPARE TIRE KIT WAS EQUIPPED ON THE VEHICLE BASED ON THEIR SPECIFIC POLICY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 935. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509097

1,600 miles · Apr 3, 2013

Electrical SystemTiresWheels

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I BOUGHT MY 2013 ELANTRA ON 7/17/12 FROM ORLANDO HYUNDAI. ON 8/4/12 WHILE DRIVING ON I-95, THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE NEAREST TIRE SHOP AND HAD THE TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED ON ALL 4 TIRES AND THEY WERE ALL FINE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I HAVE MY DEALERSHIP TAKE A LOOK AND POSSIBLY HAVE THEM RESET THE SENSORS. UPON MY ARRIVAL HOME, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE SENSORS GOING OFF. THE ISSUE PERSISTED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS CAUSING ME TO SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO KEEP MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK, DRIVE IT SEVERAL MILES AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM INCLUDING ALL FOUR TIRE SENSORS. DESPITE THIS, THE TPMS LIGHT STILL FLASHES. THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONVINCE ME THAT USB AND AUX CORDS IN MY CAR (USED WITH MY PHONE) ARE CAUSING A SIGNAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE SENSORS. IN MY OPINION THAT IS A BOGUS EXCUSE. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THE FEATURES IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO COEXIST. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO ATTEMPTED TO REASSURE ME THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE EVEN WHILE THE TPMS LIGHT IS FLASHING. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS EITHER AS I CONSTANTLY HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE ALERTING ME TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE. I HAVE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS THAT I BELIEVE THIS CAR IS A LEMON ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT A CAR IS ONLY A LEMON AFTER HAVING THE SAME ISSUE FIXED 3 TIMES. THUS FAR I HAVE HAD MY TPMS FIXED TWICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING THIS CAR WITH DYSFUNCTIONAL FEATURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505556

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2013

Wheels

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A SPARE TIRE OR JACK. THE VEHICLE HAD AN AIR COMPRESSOR TO FILL THE TIRE IN THE EVENT THAT IT WOULD BECOME FLAT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE INFLATION DEVICE WOULD BE OF NO ASSISTANCE IN THE EVENT THAT THE TIRE WAS BENT. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #10499249

Official recalls

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

17V769000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Nov 30, 2017

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.

16V574000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Aug 2, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

Consequence & remedy

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.

13V115000 · Air Bags:side/window; Structure

Apr 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Air Bags:side/window

Consequence: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio. The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires. In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines. The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS. It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension. For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied. Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates. To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years. In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires. Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

EA12008 · Headliner Bracket Detachment

Opened Sep 13, 2012 · Closed Dec 9, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window; Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Unknown Or Other

In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S. (see NHTSA recall 13V-115 for more information).The recall covers vehicles built up to March 5, 2013.After that date, Hyundai began using headliners with reinforced bracket attachments in the Korea-built Elantra vehicles.ODI has opened a Recall Query (RQ13-004) to investigate model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles.During EA12-008, ODI found these vehicles are equipped with a support bracket design and layout similar to that in the above-mentioned Elantra vehicles.Also, the headliner manufacturing processes used were similar for both models.Like the Elantra vehicles built before the recall, the Elantra Touring model headliner does not contain reinforced bracket attachments.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report for additional information.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification number: 10457696

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:side/window

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Unknown Or Other

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems

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