Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2011 Hyundai Elantra: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, most recently filed September 2023. Owners have filed 433 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 23V651000 Filed Sep 22, 2023

ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
31.7% repairedof 1,649,478 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V651000
Listed for 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V393000 Filed Jul 2, 2020

Accessory Power Outlet May Overheat

Equipment · electrical
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Consequence
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
49.7% repairedof 272,126 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V393000
Listed for 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V871000 Filed Dec 23, 2015

ESC Malfunction may cause Loss of Control

Electronic stability control (esc)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
Consequence
If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
56.3% repairedof 155,000 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V871000
Listed for 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V629000 Filed Oct 7, 2015

Front Coil Springs May Fracture

Suspension · front · springs · coil springs
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
Consequence
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.
70.2% repairedof 28,157 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V629000
Listed for 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V115000 Filed Apr 1, 2013

Headliner Support Bracket may cause Injury

Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
Repair progress not yet reported186,250 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V115000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (433)

433 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

17involved a crash
8involved a fire
10injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 433.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2011 compares with other Elantra years

Best and worst Elantra years →
2007200820092010201120122013201420152016
This year (2011)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined

32
mpg combined
28
city
38
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,100
CO₂ tailpipe
278 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,041per year
$170per month
469gallons a year

Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2011 Hyundai Elantra configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32$2,100278
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32$2,100278

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2011 Elantra for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Elantra years

Where to next

2011 Hyundai Elantra FAQ

How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 23V651000 (brake), 20V393000 (electrical), 15V871000 (electronic stability control (esc)), 15V629000 (suspension), 13V115000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 433 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (92), Air bags (77), Steering (75) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra get?

EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 28 city, 38 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2011 Elantra compare with other years?

Among the 2007–2016 Hyundai Elantra model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (254) and the 2013 the most (1,324). The 2011 drew 433. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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