10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,200 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2019 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2019 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #66

Jan 122023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine is locked

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #65

Apr 012024

Elantra

  • miles
Vehicle started making strange noises and not accelerating properly. On April 1, 2024 Took to dealership where purchase was made and it died upon arrival. Dealership couldn't identify issue but believed oil consumption was excessive and said to take it to a Hyundai dealer. On April 30, Hyundai tech said issue was a valve and would be fixed by May 3. It is now May 15 and my vehicle remains in the shop with no resolve. When I dropped my vehicle to the Hyundai dealership I informed them about the possible oil consumption issue and they have yet to examine that.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #64

May 112024

Elantra

  • miles
My vehicle will randomly stop driving and then might be fine. The check engine light has been in for over a year and the dealership says it leaks oil and builds up sludge when we were only taking it to them. When checking the code for the check engine light it says it-??s the cam shaft sensors. The dealership said it was fine and cannot figure out why there is a light or why it stops driving. Last night it was sputtering when breaking and then when turning.

- Lebanon , MO, USA

problem #63

Apr 192024

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat treated, which resulted in engine damage.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #62

Mar 292024

Elantra

  • miles
I am experiencing an issue where the O-rings in the engine are not preventing oil from entering the engine stated by a repair shop that took a look into issues where my engine would cut out while driving, lurching when downshifting. I believe this to be related to a current recall that is happening with 2019-22 model elantras. This poses a significant safety hazard to me and other drivers due to the engine cutting out while driving and prevents oil from being distributed in the engine without a warning light telling me that my oil pressure and oil level were low potentially causing a vehicle fire. I received a check engine light and not long after started to see my engine cut out, lurch and have a significant lack of power about 20 miles after the check engine light came on. My car currently is at 67k miles and mostly use it on the highway.

- Disputanta, VA, USA

problem #61

Jan 022024

Elantra

  • miles
Vehicle stalls when coming to a stop or light. Very reminiscent of recall [XXX], but when I called local dealership and Natl Hyundai Customer Service, I was told that the recall was not specific to my Vin Nbr. The vehicle stalls in traffic which is extremely dangerous and gives no engine light or OBD code. I have taken it to a few local mechanics and they cannot resolve the issue. They have changed parts that could possibly be the issue, but it solves nothing. The vehicle has 109,471 miles 2019 Elantra which is practically new still. I would like my Vin added to that recall so it can get fully checked out by Hyundai. Ive spent a few hundred dollars already and am tapped out, plus the stress of getting into an accident crosses my mind every day and worries me. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Yuma, AZ, USA

problem #60

Aug 162023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

bought this car for my son's graduation the car had 59000 miles as a used car. The engine seized after one year and 18000 miles. No one is taking responsibility and I still owe 15000 on this car. Many articles have been written about the engines being defective. Hyundai will not help me because they say there is a Korean engine in this car. What the heck does this have to do with it I bought a Hyundai. I have been to the dealership, the car company, the car salesman at the car lot I bought it at. No one will help me. I sit with a dead car and in dept 15000. Where do I go from here.

- Paulden, Az, AZ, USA

problem #59

Feb 062024

Elantra

  • miles
While driving on the highway, engine light comes on and THEN CAR SHUTS OFF MID DRIVE. Days later, tire pressure light comes on and stays on showing GOOD pressure. The car doesn't properly shift gears. Luckily I didn't have an accident. I have a case opened with Hyundai, but unable to get diagnosis until March. Car hasn't been consistently operable since purchase 3 years ago, as you can tell by my mileage

- Arlington , TX, USA

problem #58

Oct 172023

Elantra

  • miles
Car kept stalling. Then wouldn-??t start. Mechanic found a ton of sludge in the engine. Engine is bad now. I kept up on routine maintenance. Lots of engines are being recalled except for my specific one with the same engine problems.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #57

Jan 192024

Elantra

  • miles
The vehicle has demonstrated a recurring and dangerous problem of stalling while in operation, without any warning indicators or lights. This fault has not only persisted but has also led to a near-collision incident, underlining its severity. The first occurrence of this issue was when my car stalled unexpectedly during regular driving, with no dashboard warning lights or indicators of a malfunction. After taking the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership, I was informed that the car was burning oil, which had spread throughout the engine. This diagnosis led to costly repairs amounting to $2,500. However, merely two months post-repair, the same problem reoccurred. The car stalled abruptly as I was merging onto a highway, nearly causing a severe accident. This incident was particularly alarming as it happened without any prior warning or indication of engine trouble. I emphasize that I have diligently maintained the vehicle, adhering to the recommended 3,000-mile oil change intervals and ensuring all fluids are regularly checked and replaced as necessary. The recurrence of this issue despite proper maintenance raises significant concerns about the reliability and safety of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra model.

- Hagerstown , MD, USA

problem #56

Dec 132023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was going 40MPH when my car started to produce loud noises and stalled. It immediately lost power and I had to pull over on the side of the road. It started back up after 30 minutes and I was able to drive it home, but it continued to make loud noises and I had to drive very slow. Battery is good with 70% charge and the alternator is good.

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #55

Jun 282023

Elantra

  • miles
I think my transmission is messed up because my car stalls to go and my RPM jump up to 4/5 after I accelerate

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #54

Dec 172023

Elantra

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The battery and low-oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- Hanford, CA, USA

problem #53

Aug 092023

Elantra

  • miles
I bought this car March 2022 with 56.000 miles on it. I have had the car for 1 1/2 years, car gave no warning, motor seized at night on the highway, it had a loud noise and did not even have enough time to get to the shoulder. Hyundai Motors is saying it is not their issue, considering I have found tons of documentation there are many engine issues with these cars. This is dangerous and could have been a fire. My son was driving the vehicle could have been hurt very badly. He was driving 65 MPH and when the engine seized it stop abruptly stalling on the hwy. I have read hundreds of claims of engine fires. Hyundai is not taking responsibility.

- Paulden, AZ, USA

problem #52

Jun 282023

Elantra

  • miles
High beams quit working I. Weather conditions and now high beams don-??t work period and have to replace head light do to problem with assembly driver side and passenger side high beams don-??t work. Vehicle engine light came on and vehicle started driving rough at times stalling while driving it. Took it to a mechanic after replacing all coils plus spark plugs vehicle still showed engine light on. It also diagnosed sensors and cam shafts, solenoids. After all work performed vehicle engine light was still on and was driving rough at times still stalling on the road. The car would stall constantly with out warning. Sometimes will start up again and sometimes it wont. Then increased oil consumption, progressing to a knocking sound, and the engine seizing and stalling. Also warning light in the instrument panel, knocking noise from the engine, reduced power or hesitation when accelerating, or the smell of burning oil. Engine shut off while driving. Now car won't start at all. Took the car to be looked at they ran all kinds of diagnostic testing, one of which came back showing my engine lost almost all compression. Bought it from dealer car was used as a rental. I am the first real owner. There was a hyndai Elantra recall for engines but I believe my car is not included and I think my car has a 2l engine. I found the information below from a search engine. "Hyundai motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 158,493 2019-2021 Elantra cars, equipped with the 2. 0l nu mpi engine".

- Cleveland , OH, USA

problem #51

Apr 182023

Elantra

  • miles
I was driving on the interstate and suffered a sudden loss of power with a check engine light. I stalled on the interstate which is dangerous. Waited 2 minutes and started the car again, check engine came on almost immediately. Drove off the interstate and had car towed to dealer. Dealer Tony Hyundai found no oil in the car and the engine failed a bearing clearance test. The dealer serviced the engine under Hyundai CPO warranty but I am concerned that there is no root cause of the engine failure. I am reporting to NHTSA in the hopes that other owners who experience this will also report it and if there is a common problem it will be discovered. Additional documentation is available by request.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #50

Aug 102023

Elantra

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, prompting her to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. After turning off the vehicle, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was no compression in cylinder #3, and that there was scoring on the cylinder wall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Blackstone, MA, USA

problem #49

Jul 242023

Elantra

  • miles
Rod bearings being declined coverage by Hyundai despite NHTSA having a recall for it. They have said it already has the new engine yet it keeps knocking the spark plug electrodes right off every 4 weeks.

- Flat Rock , NC, USA

problem #48

Apr 262023

Elantra

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the repair would not be covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #47

Jun 082023

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request": Faulty piston oil rings resulting in scoring on cylinder walls How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Continual operation of the vehicle in this condition could result in a seized connecting rod bearing, which could cause damage to the engine block and eventually stall the vehicle. In limited instances, a connecting rod could puncture the engine block and cause engine oil to leak, which, in the presence of hot surfaces, could increase the risk of a fire. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes it has been diagnosed by an official Hyundai dealership Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not to my knowledge Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" I've had this vehicle taken in for repairs 3 different times all associated with engine issues or oil leakage despite keeping up with routine maintenance on the car The contact stated that their vehicle may be associated with an existing recall, but the VIN does not come up when searched. That might be because the recall investigation only looks at one manufacturing plant.

- Eagan, MN, USA

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