What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

The engine group has the most complaints at 118, followed by the power train group at 48 and exterior lighting at 28.

Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact shows 3 recalls for 2020. They are listed by code in the Recalls section of this page.

How many complaints does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have?

NHTSA has 262 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports and one complaint can name several parts.

What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

The complaint record shows 262 reports in total, led by the engine group. See the by-year section to compare it with other years of the same model.

2020 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 262 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 118 complaints^[2].

262owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

26–36MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these are the groups that stand out.

Engine. 118 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car losing power while speeding up, revving without moving, stalling, or dropping into a reduced power mode. A few mention a burning smell.
Power Train. 48 complaints^[6]. Owners describe the car refusing to shift, slowing to a crawl on the road, or hesitating from a stop. The median mileage at failure is 5,000^[6].
Exterior Lighting. 28 complaints^[7]. Owners describe headlights that look dim, daytime running lights that keep going out, and costly replacement assemblies.
Unknown Or Other. 27 complaints^[8]. This group holds reports that do not fit a single part.
Electrical System. 27 complaints^[9]. Owners describe stalling, a car that will not start, odd noises and worries about the car being accessed by someone else. The median mileage at failure is 70,000^[9].
Steering. 20 complaints^[10].
Forward Collision Avoidance. 14 complaints^[11].
Speed Control. 14 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Elantra is necessarily included.

Engine (21V301), April 2021. About 158,493 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs (19V720), October 2019. About 48 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint (19V721), October 2019. About 744 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Elantra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	30 / 40 / 34	$1,950
Elantra SE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	31 / 41 / 35	$1,900
Elantra, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	33 / 41 / 36	$1,850
Elantra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	26 / 37 / 30	$2,250
Elantra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	26 / 33 / 29	$2,300
Elantra GT, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	25 / 32 / 27	$2,500
Elantra GT, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	25 / 32 / 28	$2,400
Elantra GT, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	23 / 30 / 26	$2,600

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	4	4	4	4	10.7%
5 HB FWD^[23]	4	4	4	4	10.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 Hyundai Elantra with 1.4L 4-cylinder^[24]	128 hp
2020 Hyundai Elantra with 1.6L 4-cylinder^[25]	201 hp
2020 Hyundai Elantra with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[26]	147 to 161 hp

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Elantra model year. The 2020 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	112	1
1996	100	3
1997	115	3
1998	55	0
1999	128	2
2000	197	1
2001	315	6
2002	342	6
2003	234	5
2004	182	5
2005	137	4
2006	155	1
2007	267	6
2008	315	7
2009	286	4
2010	455	4
2011	462	8
2012	676	5
2013	1,345	4
2014	396	2
2015	263	3
2016	300	2
2017	795	4
2018	335	1
2019	266	1
2020	262	3
2021	161	7
2022	159	8
2023	169	4
2024	62	2
2025	34	2
2026	4	2

NHTSA's counts for the Elantra show 262 complaints and 3 recalls for 2020^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 15 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (4) and the most are for 2013 (1,345)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2020 Elantra?

The 2020 Elantra has 262 complaints on file, and the engine group leads the list by a wide gap^[1]^[2]. Owners in the stories we read describe power loss and shifting trouble early in the life of the car^[6]. Lighting complaints are a smaller group but come up in a different way, with headlights and running lights that fail^[7]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales^[1]. If you are shopping, check the recall section on this page and ask for service records.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?: The engine group has the most complaints at 118^[2], followed by the power train group at 48^[6] and exterior lighting at 28^[7].
Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact shows 3 recalls for 2020^[3]. They are listed by code in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have?: NHTSA has 262 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports and one complaint can name several parts.
What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra reliable?: The complaint record shows 262 reports in total^[1], led by the engine group^[2]. See the by-year section to compare it with other years of the same model.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Hyundai Elantra

2013 1,345 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 263 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 300 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 795 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 335 complaints, 1 recall
2020 this page

Compare all model years of the Hyundai Elantra

Other Hyundai models from 2020

2020 Hyundai Palisade 541 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 217 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 Hyundai Tucson 179 complaints, 1 recall

All Hyundai models

Similar cars from 2020: large cars

2020 Porsche Taycan 92 complaints, 16 recalls
2020 Tesla Model S 80 complaints, 11 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 262 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra (21 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 16 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
118 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Elantra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Elantra, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 33 city / 41 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
48 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,000). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the unknown or other component group (6 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the steering component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,700). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,725). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V301, filed April 28, 2021: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V720, filed October 9, 2019: Wheels › Lugs / Nuts / Bolts / Studs. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V721, filed October 9, 2019: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Elantra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Elantra SE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Elantra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Elantra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Elantra GT, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Elantra GT, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Elantra GT, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Hyundai Elantra with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 128 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Hyundai Elantra with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 201 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Hyundai Elantra with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 147 to 161 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2020 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and fuel economy