Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
2725–50K
2650–75K
1975–100K
19100–150K
5150K+
127 reports with mileage · 134 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
27 crash reports8 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
261 reports
29,000 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Steering
HELLO PURCHASED 2015 ELANTRA USED WITH 29,000 MILES HAD STEERING ISSUES ALONG WITH BAD TIRES,WE EXPERIENCE A SITUATION IN THE STEERING LIKE THE CAR CANNOT DRIVE STRAIGHT WITHOUT MAKING CONSTANT LEFT OR RIGHT ADJUSTMENTS IN THE WHEEL TO KEEP IN THE LANE, ALMOST LIKE A BICYCLE CHAIN SLIPPING ON THE SPROCKET AS AN EXAMPLE, WE DID …
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HELLO PURCHASED 2015 ELANTRA USED WITH 29,000 MILES HAD STEERING ISSUES ALONG WITH BAD TIRES,WE EXPERIENCE A SITUATION IN THE STEERING LIKE THE CAR CANNOT DRIVE STRAIGHT WITHOUT MAKING CONSTANT LEFT OR RIGHT ADJUSTMENTS IN THE WHEEL TO KEEP IN THE LANE, ALMOST LIKE A BICYCLE CHAIN SLIPPING ON THE SPROCKET AS AN EXAMPLE, WE DID TAKE IN FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION 3 TIMES,THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG FIRST TIME AND JUST TIGHTENED STEERING COLUMN, STILL WAS FAULTY, SO SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT, THIS TIME A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES WOULD SOLVE THIS ISSUE,DID PUT 4 NEW TIRES AND SKIPPED THE ALIGNMENT AND HAD CALLED HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA CORPORATE, THEY CALLED SERVICE MANAGER OF CAR DEALERSHIP DIRECTLY TO DO COMPLETE VEHICLE INSPECTION, NOTHING WAS WRONG ACCORDING TO THE MASTER TECHNICIAN, SO EVIDENTLY IT WAS GOING TO BE FAULTY AND IT IS STILL HAVING STEERING ISSUE, AS IT IS THE DESIGN OF THE CAR FOR THIS YEAR AS MENTIONED BY SERVICE MANAGER. THE CORPORATE PERSON I CONTACTED IS VERY SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DEALERSHIP IS DE SENSITIZED I THINK TO THE SITUATION, THIS IS MY LAST ATTEMPT FOR POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION,ALONG WITH FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC WITH THE ISSUE AND SALES NEVER PROVIDED THE MONRONEY WINDOW STICKER, I HAVE NO COMPARISON OF THE WINDOW STICKER QUOTED SALES PRICE VERSUS CONTRACT SALES PRICE AND OPTIONAL AND STANDARD EQUIPMENT. AS THIS ISSUE IS SERIOUS IN MY CONCERN IS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS SITUATION, WE DO NOTICE AS WELL DRIVING IN TOWN, AT THE PRESENT TIME WE HAVE TO MUCH INVESTED IN THE CAR OTHERWISE WOULD TRADE FOR A NEWER MODEL OF THE CAR AS WE DID RENT THE 2017 ELANTRA SE MODEL AND THIS ISSUE IS NOT APPARENT IN THE NEW VEHICLE, A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE CAN BE FELT IN THE NEWER CAR. PERHAPS SOMETHING IN THE STEERING IN THE 2015 IS FAULTY OR JUST WEARS OUT PREMATURELY, THANKS FOR ACCEPTING THIS COMPLAINT
NHTSA ODI #11079142
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2018
Air Bags
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2015. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. MY AIRBAG HAS NOT HAD ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS.THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME I GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AFTER A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE COMPLAINE…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2015. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. MY AIRBAG HAS NOT HAD ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS.THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME I GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AFTER A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE SERVICES CENTER EACH TIME AND IT SEEMS AS IF THE ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOT BEING RESOLVED. ALSO, I RECEIVED SOMETHING IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE WHICH HEIGHTENS MY CONCERN ABOUT THE AIRBAGS SINCE I WAS HAVING THIS ISSUE BEFORE RECEIVING THIS NOTICE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK AGO.
NHTSA ODI #11076450
50,000 miles · Mar 1, 2018
Engine
MY 2015 ELANTRA STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING NOISE WHILE PARKED AND WHILE ACCELERATING AT 50,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN DRIVING PERFORMANCE AND NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON. WITHIN A WEEK I BROUGHT IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO DIAGNOSE THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE OIL HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN IT AND …
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MY 2015 ELANTRA STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING NOISE WHILE PARKED AND WHILE ACCELERATING AT 50,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN DRIVING PERFORMANCE AND NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON. WITHIN A WEEK I BROUGHT IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO DIAGNOSE THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE OIL HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN IT AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES PRIOR TO THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11075622
6,500 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Steering
ON A RECENT TRIP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I NOTICED A BINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL.WHEN TRYING TO MAKE CORRECTIONS TO THE VEHICLE TRACKING THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MAKE THESES CORRECTIONS.THIS EXCESSIVE FORCE OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXCLUSIVELY.THE STEERING IN NORMAL IN TAKE OFF AND CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11075106
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2018
Unknown Or Other
DON'T BUY HYUNDAI CAR. I WAS SO PROUD OF BEING HYUNDAI CAR OWNER WHO HAVE TWO HYUNDAI VEHICLES. HOWEVER, I STARTED TO DISLIKE HYUNDAI. THE REASON IS THE NAVIGATING SYSTEM THAT I GOT INTO. IT POINTED WRONG LOCATION WHILE I AM DRIVING TO GO TO GOLF COURSE WHERE I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO GET THERE. I GOT PANIC IN THE FREEWAY. WHAT IF I…
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DON'T BUY HYUNDAI CAR. I WAS SO PROUD OF BEING HYUNDAI CAR OWNER WHO HAVE TWO HYUNDAI VEHICLES. HOWEVER, I STARTED TO DISLIKE HYUNDAI. THE REASON IS THE NAVIGATING SYSTEM THAT I GOT INTO. IT POINTED WRONG LOCATION WHILE I AM DRIVING TO GO TO GOLF COURSE WHERE I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO GET THERE. I GOT PANIC IN THE FREEWAY. WHAT IF IT WAS NIGHT TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY? WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING FOR THE VERY IMPORTANT MEETING? I COULD STOP ON THE RAIL ROAD OR THE DANGEROUS PLACE. EVEN MORE I HAD TO DRIVE ONE HAND BECAUSE I HAD TO USE ONE HAND HOLDING THE HANDPHONE WITH MAP APP DIRECTING ME TO THE PLACE. I HAD TO STOP IN THE SIDE ROAD OF FREEWAY. IT WAS SO DANGEROUS. 2015 YEAR ELANTRA WHICH IS KIND BRAND NEW. DEALER SAID NO WARRANTY, HYUNDAI AMERICA SAID NO WARRANTY OR RECALL. I FOUND MANY OWNERS OF HYUNDAI VEHECLE DRIVERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM LIKE ME. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO RESPONSIBLITY FROM HYUNDAI. JUST PAY AND FIX IN THE DEALER. THEY SHOULD COVER THIS BY RECALLING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT MAY BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN BROKEN BREAK. DON'T BUY HYUNDAI THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURER. THEY SHOULD GO OUT OF U.S.A IF THEY DO NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/'/377562-NAV-SCREEN-DISPLAYIN' HTTP://WWW.GENCOUPE.COM/'/101212-COMPLETELY-INCORRECT-POSIT' NAV SCREEN DISPLAYING WRONG LOCATION - HYUNDAI FORUMS : HYUNDAI FORUM JUST BOUGHT A USED 2013 ELANTRA LIMITED, NAVIGATION, 35K ON THE ODOMETER. LOVE THE CAR. DIDN'T BOTHER TO TRY THE NAV UNIT ON THE TEST DRIVE. THE HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM
NHTSA ODI #11075051
69,005 miles · Feb 21, 2018
EnginePower TrainCrash
ONE MORNING I STARTED MY CAR LIKE ANY NORMAL DAY AND THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND. IT WAS COLD OUT THAT MORNING SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BUT I TOOK IT TO GET ITS OIL CHANGED THE NEXT DAY AND THATS THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS SOMETHING INTERNAL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS …
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ONE MORNING I STARTED MY CAR LIKE ANY NORMAL DAY AND THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND. IT WAS COLD OUT THAT MORNING SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BUT I TOOK IT TO GET ITS OIL CHANGED THE NEXT DAY AND THATS THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS SOMETHING INTERNAL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE KNOCK AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO BASICALLY GET A NEW ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11074012
58,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Service BrakesCrash
I WAS ON THE BELTWAY AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS BRAKING AND I PRESSED MY BRAKES TO THE FLOOR AND UPON IMPACT IT WAS STILL ROLLING. WE PULLED OVER AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I HAD TO PULL UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO FINALLY STOP THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11073779
75,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Engine
STARTING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHILE IN PARK AND WHILE IN DRIVE (ESPECIALLY WITH ACCELERATING). NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE METALLIC SHAVINGS IN THE OIL TO SUPPORT THAT THERE IS LOWER ENGINE FAILURE (CRANKSHAFT WITH TOO MUCH CLEARANC…
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STARTING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A RATTLING NOISE WHILE IN PARK AND WHILE IN DRIVE (ESPECIALLY WITH ACCELERATING). NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE METALLIC SHAVINGS IN THE OIL TO SUPPORT THAT THERE IS LOWER ENGINE FAILURE (CRANKSHAFT WITH TOO MUCH CLEARANCE) AND THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WENT TO OTHER AUTO SHOPS AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES AND HAS RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 5,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11071732
37,000 miles · Feb 1, 2018
Engine
ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. RAN FINE AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL, CAUSED FROM EITHER A BAD MAIN OR ROD BEARING. CAR HAD 37,000 MILES AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11066538
74,000 miles · Jan 15, 2018
Engine
CAR CUT OFF. WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. MY CAR IS A 2015 AND ONLY HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT.
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.
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.
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
2
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.
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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