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2020 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

75 reports with mileage · 175 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 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Engine complaints

105 reports
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32,500 miles · Nov 16, 2023
Engine

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 be diagnosed…

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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 be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 32,500.

NHTSA ODI #11555531

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2023
Engine

My check engine light turns on and I’ve taken it to Hyundai to have it fixed and all they do is turn the light off and say it’s a sensor issue but it’s the fourth time the light has turned on I’m worried their is an issue with the pistons or the big e overheating. It’s also brutning a lot of oil that every 3-4K miles the oil dro…

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My check engine light turns on and I’ve taken it to Hyundai to have it fixed and all they do is turn the light off and say it’s a sensor issue but it’s the fourth time the light has turned on I’m worried their is an issue with the pistons or the big e overheating. It’s also brutning a lot of oil that every 3-4K miles the oil drops to 75% full.

NHTSA ODI #11553213

45,569 miles · Aug 24, 2023
Engine

The contact's wife owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle made a beeping sound. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it …

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The contact's wife owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle made a beeping sound. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. Additionally, the contact was informed that the drain plug had separated from the oil pan. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage 45,569.

NHTSA ODI #11540570

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2023
EnginePower Train

When I start off I give my car gas but it does not want to speed up. The rpm drops to 2 and does not move as I push the gas to go to get out of the way of traffic behind me. It goes about 600 ft before it kicks in. Then it runs normal. It's still under manufacture warrenty (3 more years and 20000 more miles unde warrenty). I've …

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When I start off I give my car gas but it does not want to speed up. The rpm drops to 2 and does not move as I push the gas to go to get out of the way of traffic behind me. It goes about 600 ft before it kicks in. Then it runs normal. It's still under manufacture warrenty (3 more years and 20000 more miles unde warrenty). I've taken it to the dealership and they didn't see anything. Said they would have to keep it a couple of days to check it out. It's my only means of transportation but the never have a loner car for me to use till I get mine back. I've seen others with same complaint so why is there no recall. Afraid I'm gonna get hit in the rear due to lack of power. Doesn't do it everyday but has happened twice in two weeks when I've pulled out onto a major highway with heavy traffic. I bought the car used in Jan.2023 with warrenty still on the car. Thought hey great deal! But now I think I bought a lemon.

NHTSA ODI #11526419

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

This vehicle has been having engine problems since January 2 023 the engine light is on the car stops running completely while driving. A great danger to me. I have taken it 5 times to the service center at Dealer in Rick Case in Plantation they have kept it for several weeks the last was returned to me on March 23. 2023 I was …

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This vehicle has been having engine problems since January 2 023 the engine light is on the car stops running completely while driving. A great danger to me. I have taken it 5 times to the service center at Dealer in Rick Case in Plantation they have kept it for several weeks the last was returned to me on March 23. 2023 I was told it was fixed on April 22 2023 the engine light went back on the same problem the car keeps stopping I took it in, they did not even look at it. I was told that until June 14 they will not see or diagnose it. I have contacted consumer affairs with no resolution. I wish to file a lemon law on this dealer since obviously it is defective beyond repair. please advise as how to take this action. I need a new reliable car. Thank You.

NHTSA ODI #11519527

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2023
Engine

The engine is ticking as well as vibrating. Looked on the website to see if there were any recalls for this which every year other than the 2020 was having this issue - spoke with a diagnostic shop and they said have had newer models with the same situation and was able to turn over to Hyundai - which they replaced with no charg…

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The engine is ticking as well as vibrating. Looked on the website to see if there were any recalls for this which every year other than the 2020 was having this issue - spoke with a diagnostic shop and they said have had newer models with the same situation and was able to turn over to Hyundai - which they replaced with no charge to the owner. It happens when it idles as well as when I am on the interstate.

NHTSA ODI #11515192

16,000 miles · Mar 23, 2023
Engine

The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to his destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failu…

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The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to his destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure, but an appointment was unavailable. The contact stated that the Lease on the vehicle ended on January 31, 2023, and the vehicle was returned to the local dealer. The dealer called and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

NHTSA ODI #11513388

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2023
Engine

The vehicle was purchased Nov 2023 with 60,000 mile on it. in december or early january the check engine light comes on. take the vehicle to auto zone to get the codes read where it stated TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE so we took it to the hyundai dealership and they said they were booked up for the next month or so,called around…

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The vehicle was purchased Nov 2023 with 60,000 mile on it. in december or early january the check engine light comes on. take the vehicle to auto zone to get the codes read where it stated TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE so we took it to the hyundai dealership and they said they were booked up for the next month or so,called around to there shops were booked as well so vehicle wasnt serviced. on feb 3,2023 the car stalled and shut off than wouldnt start back up. i contacted enterprise dealer and informed him the situation, he had me call the warrenty company. they towed the car to the shop and they informed me it was the starter and transmission.had to pay out of pocket for a rental than when i asked could we trade it in because the car add to many issues to be a brand new car,enterprise said they advise we keep the car for a year so basically stuck with a car they already had issuses and a car payment and the car still in the shop.

NHTSA ODI #11507232

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System

The car has issues with starting, and accelerating. Dealerships have zero availability for weeks out to provide any sort of diagnostics, and are unable to assist with this issue. The following email was sent to Hyundai Customer Service: I am currently leasing a 2020 Hyundai Elantra.  In July of this year, the car suddenly had …

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The car has issues with starting, and accelerating. Dealerships have zero availability for weeks out to provide any sort of diagnostics, and are unable to assist with this issue. The following email was sent to Hyundai Customer Service: I am currently leasing a 2020 Hyundai Elantra.  In July of this year, the car suddenly had trouble accelerating.  Being due for an oil change, and wanting to get the engine codes read, I contacted my local Hyundai dealership, and they had no availability for weeks.  I used a local service station to have the codes read/get the oil change, and the car continued to have difficulty (I am attaching the BlueLink reports on said codes).  I was finally able to bring it in to the local dealer who cleared the codes, and said they were the result of "not having enough oil."  The car drove well until 11/27, when the car started to sputter, not allowing it to accelerate properly, and with multiple error messages, including a flashing engine light.  After contact my local dealer who I first used in July, they said "it is probably low oil like last time, these cars are known to burn oil quickly."  I again brought it to my local service station for the oil change, and for a NYS inspection.  As my car is under 15k miles, and up-to-date with oil changes, I would imagine it would pass said inspection.  It did not. 

NHTSA ODI #11495647

29,775 miles · Oct 14, 2022
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 smell from …

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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 smell from the vents. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 29,775. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11489326

Official recalls

3

21V301000 · Engine

Apr 28, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

19V720000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Oct 9, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

19V721000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Oct 9, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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