2015 Hyundai Elantra Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 90 1 crash

“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 complaint #11074012, 2018 · crash

“I purchased the vehicle from a private party on 8/18/21 with 38,310 miles. Almost immediately after owning the vehicle I noticed the engine oil level was low.. The owner had said she had just got an oil change so I thought maybe the shop just left it low. Then I noticed it low again a month later, and that was the start of my nearly 5 year journey of having the carrying quarts of oil in the trunk of my car because the engine was burning the oil so quickly. Finally on 5/08/26 the car begins to run very poorly, long story short my personal mechanic and Hyundai of Ontario both confirm the engine…”
NHTSA complaint #11749911, 2026

“The engine failed on a 2015 Hyundai Elantra with approximately 71,000 miles. The vehicle has an open, unresolved safety recall (Recall 251, NHTSA #23V651000) for an ABS module brake fluid leak that Hyundai has acknowledged but has not provided a remedy for. The vehicle is currently at an independent repair facility and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle repeatedly shut off without warning while in motion and restarted mid-drive, causing sudden loss of power steering and power brakes while driving. This occurred on multiple occasions and was documented by an independent servi…”
NHTSA complaint #11739608, 2026

Service Brakes 55 7 crash 3 fire 7 injury

“THE CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY AND AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND IN FACT AS I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED,”
NHTSA complaint #10824058, 2015 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking spot, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal several times, but the vehicle failed to respond and crashed into a building. The driver's side air bag deployed; however, there was flame in the air bag upon deployment. The contact stated that the fire went out on his own. The contact sustained chest pain, and bruises on the chest, stomach, and legs. The contact did not seek medical assistance and was recovering…”
NHTSA complaint #11557229, 2023 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“I rear ended another vehicle going 60, I slowed down as much as possible however the seat belt did not lock, the airbags did not go off & the vehicle skid. The vehicle was taken to a lot by my insurance for evaluation.”
NHTSA complaint #11484221, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Unknown Or Other 48 2 crash 2 fire 2 injury

“I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 2-5MPH TURNING LEFT AND STRUCK DIRECTLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE THAT STRUCK ME WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH AND WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS, EVEN THE DRIVER DOOR AIR BAGS DESIGNED TO GO OFF IN THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT WERE DEPLOYED. I SMASHED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY HEAD INTO THE WINDOW OF MY CAR , A CUT ACROSS MY LEFT CLAVICLE, RECEIVED FACIAL BRUISING, A CONCUSSION, AND AM HAVING ONGOING MEDICAL ISSUES RELATED TO WHIPLASH AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF MY NECK SPINE AND SHOUL…”
NHTSA complaint #10870854, 2016 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS STATIONARY AND HOOKED UP TO JUMPER CABLES TO JUMP A DEAD CAR. THE ELANTRA WAS RUNNING TO ALLOW THE OTHER CAR TO CHARGE. THE FUSE BOX ON THE ELANTRA CAUGHT FIRE WHICH SPREAD TO THE JUMPER CABLES AND TO THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS MUCH MORE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE ELANTRA THAN THERE WAS TO THE OTHER CAR, WHICH ONLY HAD MINOR COSMETIC BURNING. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ELANTRA AND THE DAMAGE HAS NOT YET BEEN ASSESSED.”
NHTSA complaint #11267657, 2019 · fire

“THE ELANTRA THAT HAD 18000 MILES ON IT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER SETTING OVERNIGHT. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES IN MY DRIVEWAY AND COMPLETELY BURNED UP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT THE CAR OUT. THEY INVESTIGATED THE FIRE AND FOUND THERE WAS NO FOUL PLAY. IT IS UNKNOWN TO US WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE BUT WE FEEL IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL.”
NHTSA complaint #10874497, 2016 · fire

Steering 25 2 crash

“When you go to stop at a stop.sihn or in general it fails to do so. It locks up an I slide an almost hit people multiple times. Today I was backing out of a parking lot an when I went to turn my steering wheel straight it locked up an failed to let me counter steer it. Causing me to go over a curb an almost blow my tire out. Leaving my tire with a big bubble on the side of my tire. Eventually going to lead to a blow out.”
NHTSA complaint #11517721, 2023 · crash

“ON THE EVENING OF 4/7/2015 I RENTED A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM ENTERPRISE. THE NEXT EVENING, 4/8/2015 AT ABOUT 10:30PM, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE RV PARK WHERE WE WERE STAYING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH AND HAD JUST DRIVEN OVER A SMALL BRIDGE THAT HAD A VERY SLIGHT BUMP AT THE END BEFORE THE ROAD CURVED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. AS I WENT OVER THE BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I FOUND MYSELF HEADING STRAIGHT INTO THE WOODEN WALL ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN TO THE LEFT, AWAY FROM THE WALL, AND CRASHED THROUGH IT. LUCKILY, BECAUSE I WAS GOIN…”
NHTSA complaint #10704997, 2015 · crash

“When driving the car loses power steering and is harder to control. I am at risk because I cannot control the car how I am suppose to. I have called before but there are no Hyundai service dealers close to me. There was nothing prior but now that it is happening there are warning lamps on.”
NHTSA complaint #11606862, 2024

Air Bags 23 17 crash 2 fire 21 injury

“I T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO TURNED ACROSS MY LANE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 TO 35 MPH AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WITH THE FRONT END OF MINE. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I INJURED MY NECK DUE TO THAT CRASH. ALSO MY CHILD AND HUSBAND WERE INJURED AS WELL. I AM REPORTING A FAULTY 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AIRBAG. IT DID NOT DEPLOY IN MY CRASH. WE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.”
NHTSA complaint #11240586, 2019 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“I REAR ENDED SOMEONE GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR IN CITY. I HADN'T NOTICED TRAFFIC AHEAD WAS STOPPED AND HAD NO TIME TO REACT. .THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL AND MY HEAD HIT THE DASH. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.MY IN TIRE FRONT END CRUMBLED CAUSING THE RADIATOR DAMAGE AND THE FRAME OF CAR TO BE BENT ALONG WITH ME COMING IN CONTACT WITH STEERING WHEEL. THANK GO FOR SEAT BELT OR I MIGHT HAVE HIT WINDSHIELD.SINCE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I HAVE BROKEN RIB AND 2 FRACTURES IN MY FACE. .”
NHTSA complaint #10778917, 2015 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT TODAY. I WAS HIT BY A TRANSPORT TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY DOING AT LEAST 60 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS HIT 3 TIMES, TWICE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (DOOR AND BACK TIRE AREA) THEN CAR WAS SPUN AROUND AND HIT HEAD ON. THE CAR HAD TO BE DRAGGED IF THE HIGHWAY, EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS ON THE ROAD AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE HOOD WAS LIFTED RIGHT UP AT WINDSHIELD. I AM MORE THAN CONCERNED THE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHY DID OUR AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY??? AFTER SPINNING ACROSS HIGHWAY AND COMING TO A STOP FACING ON COMING TRAFFIC. WE WERE APPALLED AND VERY SCARED. WHY DIDN'T THAT SAFETY F…”
NHTSA complaint #11321847, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

Electrical System 23 2 fire

“Light smoke, from ABS module leak recognized as recall, yet manufacturer is not initiating any fix”
NHTSA complaint #11547732, 2023 · fire

“I BEGAN MY LEASE ON MY ELANTRA IN SEPT OF 2014. AT MY YEAR ANNIVERSARY I HAD IT SERVICED BY THE DEALER OF THE LEASE AND WAS GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF CAR HEALTH. HOWEVER, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR HAD, AS I CALLED IT, "A MIND OF ITS OWN" MEANING THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, USUALLY SOMEWHERE AROUND 40-55 MPH WITHOUT ME PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT WOULD STOP AS SOON AS I COMPLETELY LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT HAPPENED ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED STRANGE. I WAS PLANNING TO ASK THE DEALER ABOUT IT AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. NOT NECESSARY NOW! SUNDAY AFTERNOON 10/18/…”
NHTSA complaint #10785569, 2015 · fire

“The engine failed on a 2015 Hyundai Elantra with approximately 71,000 miles. The vehicle has an open, unresolved safety recall (Recall 251, NHTSA #23V651000) for an ABS module brake fluid leak that Hyundai has acknowledged but has not provided a remedy for. The vehicle is currently at an independent repair facility and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle repeatedly shut off without warning while in motion and restarted mid-drive, causing sudden loss of power steering and power brakes while driving. This occurred on multiple occasions and was documented by an independent servi…”
NHTSA complaint #11739608, 2026

Power Train 17 2 crash

“Drove my 2015 Hyundai Elantra on the coldest day of the year to an appointment. Car was fully warmed up. Pulled into a gas station to park and was going less than 3 mph, making a left hand turn into the space. Elantra suddenly accelerated hard and the car hit a cement pole, causing extensive front end damage. If car had full insurance coverage, it would have been a write off. Hood crumpled, radiator damaged, front grill broken, bent the engine bar in half. Significant damage but the air bag did not deploy. Had to have it towed home 35 miles. Damage was in the middle of the front of the…”
NHTSA complaint #11643595, 2025 · crash

“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 complaint #11074012, 2018 · crash

“I was at a red light waiting to go an when it was time to go my car would not go. It was on it would not go into gear. It will reverse. It just won't go forward in auto or manual. Im the 1st owner of this car. I bought it new. I need Hyundai to take care of this problem. Asap please. It happened the car only has 133,718 miles on it and been serviced regularly since I bought it.”
NHTSA complaint #11711176, 2025

Vehicle Speed Control 15 5 crash 2 fire 5 injury

“THE CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY AND AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND IN FACT AS I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED,”
NHTSA complaint #10824058, 2015 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking spot, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal several times, but the vehicle failed to respond and crashed into a building. The driver's side air bag deployed; however, there was flame in the air bag upon deployment. The contact stated that the fire went out on his own. The contact sustained chest pain, and bruises on the chest, stomach, and legs. The contact did not seek medical assistance and was recovering…”
NHTSA complaint #11557229, 2023 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“I BEGAN MY LEASE ON MY ELANTRA IN SEPT OF 2014. AT MY YEAR ANNIVERSARY I HAD IT SERVICED BY THE DEALER OF THE LEASE AND WAS GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF CAR HEALTH. HOWEVER, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR HAD, AS I CALLED IT, "A MIND OF ITS OWN" MEANING THAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, USUALLY SOMEWHERE AROUND 40-55 MPH WITHOUT ME PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT WOULD STOP AS SOON AS I COMPLETELY LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT HAPPENED ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED STRANGE. I WAS PLANNING TO ASK THE DEALER ABOUT IT AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. NOT NECESSARY NOW! SUNDAY AFTERNOON 10/18/…”
NHTSA complaint #10785569, 2015 · fire

Structure 14 1 crash

“ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018, I WAS PREPARING TI MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON MERRIMAC AVE IN NORFOLK VA, ON MY WAY TO CHURCH,, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSS OF STEERING. A CAR WITH NO OCCUPANT WAS SITTING TO CAR SPACES FROM THE CORNER AND MY CAR STRUCK THE CAR. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND SAW MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LAYING ON THE GROUND AND MY RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS SMASHED. I CALLED THE POLICE AND AAA. WHEN TRIPLE AAA ARRIVED THE DRIVER SAID THAT MY AXLE WAS BENT. MY AIR BACK DID NOT IMPLOD. THE POLICE CAME AND SO SUMMONS WAS GIVEN, JUST A REPOTR THAT IT WAS A NON-REPORTABLE ACCIDENT. MY…”
NHTSA complaint #11092627, 2018 · crash

“I am submitting a vehicle safety complaint regarding a vehicle purchased on March 5, 2026. Within days of purchase, the vehicle exhibited multiple safety-related issues despite reportedly passing a Virginia safety inspection on February 27, 2026. The safety concerns identified include: - Driver-side headlight partially inoperable, which resulted in a traffic stop on March 15, 2026 - Front hood not properly secured/latching, creating a risk of opening while driving - No engine oil present upon inspection shortly after purchase - Coolant reservoir completely empty - Check engine light illuminate…”
NHTSA complaint #11731101, 2026

“i received a Manufacturer's Service Campaign 984 Notice from Hyundai. I made an appointment for a treatment of an underbody cavity wax and undercoating spray to prevent corrosion at King Hyundai in Deerfield Beach, FL, the closest dealer. When I arrived at the dealership I was informed that the correction could not be made because Hyundai did not supply Florida dealers with the needed products. I explained that the vehicle had been used for three years in the Washington DC area and then relocated to Florida. I called Hyundai Customer Car Center at 1-855-371-9460 and was advised that Hyu…”
NHTSA complaint #11595452, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System 10 4 crash

“Drove my 2015 Hyundai Elantra on the coldest day of the year to an appointment. Car was fully warmed up. Pulled into a gas station to park and was going less than 3 mph, making a left hand turn into the space. Elantra suddenly accelerated hard and the car hit a cement pole, causing extensive front end damage. If car had full insurance coverage, it would have been a write off. Hood crumpled, radiator damaged, front grill broken, bent the engine bar in half. Significant damage but the air bag did not deploy. Had to have it towed home 35 miles. Damage was in the middle of the front of the…”
NHTSA complaint #11643595, 2025 · crash

“On [XXX] I was parking in my parking spot outside my house, went to pull up 3 more inches in my parking spot when the vehicle accelerated at an extremely rapid speed, went over the high curb, up my front lawn into the tree in my front yard. It was a battle between the brake and the gas acceleration event. Then I put it gently in reverse, my car fled rapidly down into the parking lot at such a high rate of speed, I turned the wheel, my car hit 3 cars across the parking lot, shot across the parking lot, popped over that curb, went down an extremely steep hill, hit the cross street, went still in…”
NHTSA complaint #11639306, 2024 · crash

“I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WENT TO MOVE UP A FEW FEET. I TOUCHED THE GAS PETAL AND THE CAR FLEW INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WITH THIS FRONT END COLLISION. I WAS ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC. NO RAIN. I AM UNSURE IF IT WAS THE GAS PETAL OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS LINE ITSELF”
NHTSA complaint #11257197, 2019 · crash

Suspension 9 1 crash

“ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018, I WAS PREPARING TI MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON MERRIMAC AVE IN NORFOLK VA, ON MY WAY TO CHURCH,, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSS OF STEERING. A CAR WITH NO OCCUPANT WAS SITTING TO CAR SPACES FROM THE CORNER AND MY CAR STRUCK THE CAR. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND SAW MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LAYING ON THE GROUND AND MY RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS SMASHED. I CALLED THE POLICE AND AAA. WHEN TRIPLE AAA ARRIVED THE DRIVER SAID THAT MY AXLE WAS BENT. MY AIR BACK DID NOT IMPLOD. THE POLICE CAME AND SO SUMMONS WAS GIVEN, JUST A REPOTR THAT IT WAS A NON-REPORTABLE ACCIDENT. MY…”
NHTSA complaint #11092627, 2018 · crash

“Vehicle stalled while driving in the middle of road with on coming traffic. Failed transmission 6 yr Hyundai Elantra with 69,857 miles 2015 purchased in May 2016. Inspected by dealership Wayne Mazda, Wayne NJ. Since early October 2021 jumping, stalling during gear shifting especially drive and neutral Please be advised my 6yr vehicle with 69,867 miles requires a replacement transmission Purchased from Wayne Hyundai Auto Mall 5/2016 Wayne NJ How can I report and or research my rights as a consumer? Dealership failing to repair or replace due to faulty warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11440001, 2021

“WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IT STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE AREA AROUND THE ENGINE. THIS NOISE EVENTUALLY GREW TO A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE KNOCKING NOISE CONTINUED AND I BEGAN TO FEEL IT VIBRATING IN MY STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN GRAND JUNCTION, CO TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN CAME OUT AND AS SOON AS I DESCRIBED IT HE SAID HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND INSPECTING IT HE ASSURED ME THAT THE CONNECTION RODS AND BEARIN…”
NHTSA complaint #11389015, 2020

Wheels 7 2 crash

“When you go to stop at a stop.sihn or in general it fails to do so. It locks up an I slide an almost hit people multiple times. Today I was backing out of a parking lot an when I went to turn my steering wheel straight it locked up an failed to let me counter steer it. Causing me to go over a curb an almost blow my tire out. Leaving my tire with a big bubble on the side of my tire. Eventually going to lead to a blow out.”
NHTSA complaint #11517721, 2023 · crash

“ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018, I WAS PREPARING TI MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON MERRIMAC AVE IN NORFOLK VA, ON MY WAY TO CHURCH,, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSS OF STEERING. A CAR WITH NO OCCUPANT WAS SITTING TO CAR SPACES FROM THE CORNER AND MY CAR STRUCK THE CAR. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND SAW MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LAYING ON THE GROUND AND MY RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS SMASHED. I CALLED THE POLICE AND AAA. WHEN TRIPLE AAA ARRIVED THE DRIVER SAID THAT MY AXLE WAS BENT. MY AIR BACK DID NOT IMPLOD. THE POLICE CAME AND SO SUMMONS WAS GIVEN, JUST A REPOTR THAT IT WAS A NON-REPORTABLE ACCIDENT. MY…”
NHTSA complaint #11092627, 2018 · crash

“ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15,2018, I WAS PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON MERRIMAC AVENUE IN NORFOLK VA , ON MY WAY TO CHURCH,WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSS OF STEERING. A CAR WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT WAS SITTING TWO CAR SPACES FROM THE CORNER,MY CAR HAD STRUCK THIS CAR. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND SAW MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE LAYING FLAT ON THE GROUND AND MY RIGHT FENDER WAS SMASHED. THE POLICE AND AAA WERE CALLED. WHEN THE AAA DRIVER CAME HE STATED THAT MY AXLE WAS BENT. MY AIR BAG DID NOT IMPLOD.THE POLICE CAME AND NO SUMMONS WAS ISSUED. I WAS GIVEN A COPY OT THE POLICE REPORT THAT STATED THAT…”
NHTSA complaint #11097529, 2018

Exterior Lighting 5

“I am submitting a vehicle safety complaint regarding a vehicle purchased on March 5, 2026. Within days of purchase, the vehicle exhibited multiple safety-related issues despite reportedly passing a Virginia safety inspection on February 27, 2026. The safety concerns identified include: - Driver-side headlight partially inoperable, which resulted in a traffic stop on March 15, 2026 - Front hood not properly secured/latching, creating a risk of opening while driving - No engine oil present upon inspection shortly after purchase - Coolant reservoir completely empty - Check engine light illuminate…”
NHTSA complaint #11731101, 2026

“The headlights randomly turn off or switch between high and low beams. This is dangerous especially at night because high beams can impair another driver's vision or having the lights turn off completely makes me unseen on the road. My car is available for inspection upon request. When I have gone online, I have seen other Hyundai customers have experienced the same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #11496397, 2022

“I WAS RETURNING HOME THIS AFTERNOON AND MY WIFE'S HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS LIT. I FIGURED MY WIFE HAD LEFT HER LIGHTS ON AND LOOKED IN THE CAR TO SEE THEY WERE OFF. I STARTED THE CAR AND PRESSED THE BRAKE A FEW TIMES BUT THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON SO I THOUGHT THE SWITCH HAD GONE BAD. MY WIFE WATCHED AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH MANUALLY AND THE SWITCH WORKED BUT THE PEDAL DID NOT COME FAR ENOUGH BACK TO DEPRESS THE SWITCH AND I SAW ONLINE THAT A PAD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PRESENT BUT WAS MISSING. I FOUND RECALLS FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS MENTIONING AN ISSU…”
NHTSA complaint #11182014, 2019

Engine And Engine Cooling 3 1 fire

“The contact owned a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked outside his residence, it caught on fire. The contact stated the fire was emanating from the engine compartment. No one was injured during the fire. A volunteer fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire department and police report were not filed. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the insurance; however, the contact stated the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not repaired and remains at the contact residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failur…”
NHTSA complaint #11589731, 2024 · fire

“The contact's daughter owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and stalling. The air bag, check engine, and various other unknown warning lights were illuminated, and messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failures could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and that while her daughter was exiting the highway, the vehicle stalled, and she had to turn off and restart the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was…”
NHTSA complaint #11507666, 2023

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, she heard a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the noise was intermittent at first but had become almost constant and would occur at various speeds. The contact stated that she recently saw white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the engine was revving high when started in the morning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine n…”
NHTSA complaint #11509481, 2022

Seat Belts 3 1 crash 1 injury

“I rear ended another vehicle going 60, I slowed down as much as possible however the seat belt did not lock, the airbags did not go off & the vehicle skid. The vehicle was taken to a lot by my insurance for evaluation.”
NHTSA complaint #11484221, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to latch as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11545578, 2023

Tires 3

“The tire exploded while in the trunk of the car on 7/27/22 around 6:45PM. The tire says it was made in France. The US pat appears to be 3838726. Also has a RH 476 or maybe it is RH 475. Tire size: T 125/80 R 16. Also says 97M. It is a tubeless tire.”
NHTSA complaint #11476964, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES, SIZE: P195/65R/15 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MIDDLE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BELT SEPARATED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE…”
NHTSA complaint #11014586, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TIRE (NEXEN CP671, MODEL NUMBER P21545R17) EXPERIENCED A DOUBLE BLOW OUT (FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. ADDITIONAL TIRE DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10716462, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING. THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKES. WHEN I WAS READY TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND SAID THE BRAKE RELAY (WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED) CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO SHORT AND NOW I HAVE TO GET THEM REPLACED AS WELL.”
NHTSA complaint #11000825, 2017

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“I am submitting this complaint because in the fall of last year 2023, I received a recall notice in the mail from Hyundai advising me of a safety recall with the ABS Module and risk of fire. As of today, the manufacturer has not made any efforts to remedy this issue and I am advised to park my vehicle away from structures to avoid fire. In order to keep myself and family safe I park my vehicle on the street in front of my home, but will not be able to continue doing this for much longer. Because of HOA regulations I will be fined if I continue to park my car on the street and will be forced to…”
NHTSA complaint #11582775, 2024

Seats 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD REST FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE REAR WINDOW IN ORDER TO REVERSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8.”
NHTSA complaint #10667098, 2014