NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
261 reports101,000 miles · Dec 5, 2020
Engine
THE VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AROUND 80,000 MILES. AT 101000 MILES THE ENGINE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TERRIBLE LOUD KNOCKING AND CRUNCHING NOISES WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. THIS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 70MPH. THE KNOCKING ISSUE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP SEVERAL TIMES TO ALLEN TURNER HYUNDAI IN PENSACOLA…
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THE VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AROUND 80,000 MILES. AT 101000 MILES THE ENGINE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TERRIBLE LOUD KNOCKING AND CRUNCHING NOISES WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. THIS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 70MPH. THE KNOCKING ISSUE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP SEVERAL TIMES TO ALLEN TURNER HYUNDAI IN PENSACOLA, FL AND IGNORES. THE SERVICE STAFF TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT GETTING THE OIL CHANGED (I STOPPED GOING TO THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE). ONCE I PRODUCED RECEIPTS PROVING THEM WRONG THEY SAID THAT I WASN'T GETTING IT CHANGED OFTEN ENOUGH EVEN THOUGH I GOT IT CHANGED ACCORDING TO THE TIME FRAME THEY TOLD AND WHAT WAS STATED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. THEY EVENTUALLY AGREED TO FIX IT FOR $500 AFTER HAVING TO GET LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS WITH EVERYONE UP TO THE GENERAL MANAGER. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST STRESSFUL SITUATIONS I'VE EVER HAD. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD $10,000 OWED ON THE LOAN. EVEN AFTER THE ISSUE WAS CORRECTED THE CAR NEVER GOT BACK TO WORKING WELL AT ALL. TO GET RID OF IT I HAD TO LEASE A VEHICLE FOR NEARLY $600 A MONTH TO RID MYSELF OF THE NEGATIVE EQUITY. BUYER BEWARE
NHTSA ODI #11378012
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2020
Service Brakes
I HAVE REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCED STICKING CALIPERS (EVIDENCED BY PARKING BREAK NOT DISENGAGING AT 20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 38,000) AND EXTREME WEARING OF THE ROTORS. FRONT ROTORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 20,000 MILES, 39,000 MILES. REAR ROTORS REQUIRED RESURFACING AT 20,000 MILES, 39,000 MILES. REAR AND FRONT ROTORS REQUIRED R…
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I HAVE REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCED STICKING CALIPERS (EVIDENCED BY PARKING BREAK NOT DISENGAGING AT 20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 38,000) AND EXTREME WEARING OF THE ROTORS. FRONT ROTORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 20,000 MILES, 39,000 MILES. REAR ROTORS REQUIRED RESURFACING AT 20,000 MILES, 39,000 MILES. REAR AND FRONT ROTORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 65,000 MILES. EXPERIENCE SHUDDERING WHILE BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO ROTORD.
NHTSA ODI #11375024
64,000 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 68 MILES PER HOUR I NOTICED AN ODD SKIPPING IN THE STEERING. EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND A STEERING WARNING LIGHT AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE DROVE TO A GAS STATION, TURNED IT OFF AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE SK…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 68 MILES PER HOUR I NOTICED AN ODD SKIPPING IN THE STEERING. EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND A STEERING WARNING LIGHT AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE DROVE TO A GAS STATION, TURNED IT OFF AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE SKIPPING CONTINUED AND WE HAVE HAD 2 MORE INSTANCES OF THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT, BOTH TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS WHICH MADE IT INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT I NEED TO TAKE THE CAR TO GET LOOKED AT BY A CERTIFIED HYUNDAI SERVICE TECHNICIAN. WHEN I REACHED OUT TO THEM, THEY EXPLAINED THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC PAYMENT AS WELL AS ANY REPAIR COSTS SINCE MY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS MODEL.
NHTSA ODI #11354960
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2020
Electrical System
WHEN MY TURNING LIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT COMES ON IT I'M THINKING IT TIME TO CHANGE THE LIGHT I DID THAT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON. NOW I REALIZE THIS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD LAST YEAR WITH MY CAR AND THEY SAID IT'S A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. NOW BOTH OF MY TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. BU…
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WHEN MY TURNING LIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT COMES ON IT I'M THINKING IT TIME TO CHANGE THE LIGHT I DID THAT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON. NOW I REALIZE THIS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD LAST YEAR WITH MY CAR AND THEY SAID IT'S A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. NOW BOTH OF MY TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. BUT ONCE THE LIGHTS GO OFF THE TURNING SIGNAL WORKS AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11331634
45,800 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Electrical SystemSuspension
ELECTRIC PROBLEM : WHEN CAR COOLS OFF ,SITS IN HARD RAIN FOR NUMEROUS HOURS OR OVERNIGHT ,THERE IS A PROBLEM AFTER RESTARTING. NEITHER THE HEADLIGHTS NOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR AIR BLOWER WORKS UNTIL THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP AND DRIVEN FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR ALL ARE ONGOING. SUSPENSION PROBLEM : A WHILE BACK THERE WA…
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ELECTRIC PROBLEM : WHEN CAR COOLS OFF ,SITS IN HARD RAIN FOR NUMEROUS HOURS OR OVERNIGHT ,THERE IS A PROBLEM AFTER RESTARTING. NEITHER THE HEADLIGHTS NOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR AIR BLOWER WORKS UNTIL THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP AND DRIVEN FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR ALL ARE ONGOING. SUSPENSION PROBLEM : A WHILE BACK THERE WAS A RECALL ABOUT A FRONT SPRING , NO DETAILS,INCLUDING 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA'S WHEN THE CAR SITS OVERNIGHT, IS STARTED, IT WILL EMIT A CREAKING / RATTLING SOUND FROM THE FRONT , TRAVELING OVER A SERIES OF BUMPS , THEN DISAPPEARS . *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329253
130,000 miles · Jun 3, 2020
Engine
ENGINE HAD A CLICKING NOISE, CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL DID NOT OPERATE. CAR ROLLED UNTIL IT GOT SLOW ENOUGH TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11327195
51,100 miles · Apr 29, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY IF THE ENGINE IS STILL COLD, I WILL SUDDENLY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING. THEN WHEN I SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE LIKE IT'S ALMOST GOING TO DIE ALTOGETHER. THEN IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THERE IS NO POWER…
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WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY IF THE ENGINE IS STILL COLD, I WILL SUDDENLY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING. THEN WHEN I SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE LIKE IT'S ALMOST GOING TO DIE ALTOGETHER. THEN IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THERE IS NO POWER TO DRIVE,OR THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH AND THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON. THE ONLY WAY THEN TO BE ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING IS IF I COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN THE IGNITION COMPLETELY OFF AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN IT WILL USUALLY TAKE 3-5 TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO START AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY 1-3 TIMES A WEEK, AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT'S NOT RELATED TO THE ENGINE RECALL THAT THEY ISSUED, EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES THAT IS AFFECTING THE OTHER VEHICLES. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 20 OCCASIONS WHERE I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY AND THEN MY VEHICLE DIES OR LOSES POWER AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE.
NHTSA ODI #11322738
74,400 miles · Apr 21, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT TODAY. I WAS HIT BY A TRANSPORT TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY DOING AT LEAST 60 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS HIT 3 TIMES, TWICE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (DOOR AND BACK TIRE AREA) THEN CAR WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT HEAD ON. THE CAR HAD TO BE DRAGGED IF THE HIGHWAY, EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS ON THE ROAD AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED. T…
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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT TODAY. I WAS HIT BY A TRANSPORT TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY DOING AT LEAST 60 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS HIT 3 TIMES, TWICE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (DOOR AND BACK TIRE AREA) THEN CAR WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT HEAD ON. THE CAR HAD TO BE DRAGGED IF THE HIGHWAY, EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS ON THE ROAD AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE HOOD WAS LIFTED RIGHT UP AT WINDSHIELD. I AM MORE THAN CONCERNED THE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHY DID OUR AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY??? AFTER SPINNING ACROSS HIGHWAY AND COMING TO A STOP FACING ON COMING TRAFFIC. WE WERE APPALLED AND VERY SCARED. WHY DIDN'T THAT SAFETY FEATURE HELP KEEP US SAFE?
NHTSA ODI #11321847
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I JUST NEED CHECK CAR ABS OIL
NHTSA ODI #11316683
52,000 miles · Mar 1, 2020
Engine
2015 ELANTRA-ENGINE KNOCK/TICKING ON STARTUP. CURRENTLY WITH EVERY START. VEHICLE HAS 53000 MILES. QUIETS DOWN SLIGHTLY WHEN NORMAL OPERATING TEMP IS REACHED. MORE PRONOUNCED UPON ACCELERATION AND LESS WHEN COASTING.
NHTSA ODI #11315429
Official recalls
3May 14, 2026
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.
Feb 23, 2024
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 256.
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.
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
2AQ23002 · 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.
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.
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