Hyundai Elantra Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Hyundai Elantra model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (131) and the 2013 the most (1,324).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
2 | 1 | Air bags | 5★ | 23–54 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
22 | 0 | Lane departure | 5★ | 23–54 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
54 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 23–54 |
| 2023 | 98 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–54 |
| 2022 | 101 | 5 | Seat belts | 5★ | 23–54 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
131 | 6 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 28–54 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
251 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 25–35 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
252 | 3 | Engine | 4★ | 29–36 |
| 2009 | 254 | 4 | Steering | — | 27–28 |
| 2015 | 262 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 27–31 |
| 2007 | 267 | 6 | Air bags | — | 27–28 |
| 2018 | 283 | 0 | Engine | 4★ | 25–35 |
| 2016 | 293 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 28–31 |
| 2008 | 314 | 7 | Steering | — | 27–28 |
| 2010 | 379 | 3 | Steering | — | 29 |
| 2014 | 386 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 27–31 |
| 2011 | 433 | 5 | Engine | — | 32 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
653 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 32 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
767 | 4 | Engine | 4★ | 25–35 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
1,324 | 4 | Service brakes | 5★ | 31–32 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Hyundai Elantra years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Hyundai Elantra: 1,324 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 288 (22%); Steering 272 (21%); Engine 235 (18%).
Reports mention 93 crashes, 31 fires, 66 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,368 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Hyundai Elantra: 767 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 290 (38%); Structure 134 (17%); Electrical system 111 (14%).
Reports mention 37 crashes, 6 fires, 24 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Hyundai Elantra: 653 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 139 (21%); Electrical system 126 (19%); Air bags 124 (19%).
Reports mention 47 crashes, 11 fires, 44 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,998 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Hyundai Elantra years with the fewest complaints
2021 Hyundai Elantra: 131 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 32 (24%); Electrical system 30 (23%); Seat belts 27 (21%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 24,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Hyundai Elantra: 251 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 133 (53%); Exterior lighting 65 (26%); Electrical system 37 (15%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,400 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Hyundai Elantra: 252 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 107 (42%); Power train 47 (19%); Exterior lighting 28 (11%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 6 fires, 16 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,211 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Hyundai Elantra owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 54 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 98 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 16,900 |
| 2022 | 101 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 131 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 24,000 |
| 2020 | 252 | 21 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 10,211 |
| 2019 | 251 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 50,400 |
| 2018 | 283 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 26,600 |
| 2017 | 767 | 37 | 6 | 24 | 0 | 44,000 |
| 2016 | 293 | 22 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 54,964 |
| 2015 | 262 | 27 | 8 | 25 | 0 | 53,500 |
| 2014 | 386 | 35 | 15 | 29 | 2 | 55,000 |
| 2013 | 1,324 | 93 | 31 | 66 | 0 | 45,368 |
| 2012 | 653 | 47 | 11 | 44 | 0 | 62,998 |
| 2011 | 433 | 17 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 73,000 |
| 2010 | 379 | 45 | 9 | 48 | 1 | 64,000 |
| 2009 | 254 | 28 | 11 | 24 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2008 | 314 | 38 | 23 | 41 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2007 | 267 | 21 | 13 | 17 | 0 | 73,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Hyundai Elantra recalls
- Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently (2007–2010 model years; 1,712,336 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2013; 13V113000)
- ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2011–2015 model years; 1,649,478 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V651000)
- STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY (2007 model year; 532,633 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2009; 09V122000)
- ABS Module May Short Circuit (2007–2010 model years; 476,111 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2020; 20V061000)
- Brake Pedal Stopper may Deteriorate (2013–2014 model years; 390,467 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2017; 17V769000)
All 57 Hyundai Elantra recall campaigns · Hyundai Elantra problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Hyundai Elantra years FAQ
Which Hyundai Elantra year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (131). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Hyundai Elantra years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2017 and 2012 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Hyundai Elantra problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (1,621 of 6,526 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 57 recall campaigns covering the Hyundai Elantra. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Hyundai Elantra recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.