10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,650 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.

2020 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #58

Jun 262024

Elantra

  • miles

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

Car is almost stalling Randomly on the highway. The rpm-??s go up and car won-??t speed up slows down. Stalls very randomly I am terrified to drive it, I used to have so much confidence on a newer Hyundai.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #57

May 262024

Elantra

  • miles
The car starting knocking while driving and later found out it-??s due to a knock sensor issue, at first the check engine light didn-??t come on, days later it-??s been blinking on and off since then.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #56

Dec 262023

Elantra

  • miles
On [XXX} 2023, [XXX]. I was driving to work which is only 5 miles away. All my my dash lights came on. Next thing I know smoke, and fire started billowing out from under the hood. I started having a panic attack because the electrical system died and I could get out of the car. I then realized all I had to do was open the door handle. I called 911 and the police and fire department came and put the fire out. The entire under the hood was burned and some windows cracked from the heat. It was a scary ordeal. Im not sure what cause the engine to catch fire. I filed a report with the police and the car was towed. My insurance came and towed it to do an evaluation. They deemed it a total loss and blamed the engine. There was a recall on my engine for fires and state farm documented it in my loss report. I'm not sure who to go after for this because I had the car for 10 months, put $4000 down. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cockeysville , MD, USA

problem #55

May 142024

Elantra

  • miles

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

Unknown

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #54

Mar 032024

Elantra

  • miles
The component which failed was the engine. This engine has been burning oil from the day in which we bought it. This engine puts everyone at risk because it failed in the middle of traffic, and We could have been hit by oncoming traffic. The problem could not be reproduced because the engine tied up in the middle of the road. We had the vehicle towed to the dealer who said it was not covered under the warranty due to abuse. The oil had been changed at the proper intervals, and we are sure the engine failed because it was a poorly made engine. This engine had exactly 69,993 miles when it tied up. We attempted to have it repaired at 54 thousand miles but the dealer said we need more money to check it out, but when they sold it they said the engine was covered. When we brought it in we asked for a loaner, but initially they refused. Three weeks later, we demanded a loaner as we happen to see the owner Steve Taylor at the customer service desk and he complied. After a month and a half without our car getting repaired they said we did not change the oil at the proper intervals, and said we need receipts for every oil change. We have a fully equipped auto shop in our steel-frame barn in which we replace engines for our Cars-for-Christ fundraiser program, and completed all the oil changes through our own mechanic. Before we could retrieve our purchase our oil purchase receipts they said, Hyundai will not replace this motor and it is not covered, we can put another engine in your car for 10,000 dollars. We still owe 14thousand on this car, and 4 thousand of that was for the 2017 Sonata which we bought that failed and we had to trade that to buy this 2020 Elantra. I have read all the complaints on these engines and they are OIL BURNERS. We put full synthetic oil in this engine and before it was time to change the oil, it was out of oil. We had to constantly put oil in this car about 1.5 to 2.5 per month. Now, we must replace this engine and pay 14k? HELP!!!!!

- Palmyra, MI, USA

problem #53

Apr 122024

Elantra

  • miles
This vehicle recently had a new engine and new transmission installed into it in February of this year. Less than 10K miles on it. The engine light came on on 4/12/2024 and I took it back to the dealer immediately. They called me on 4/15/2024 stating that their engineers and techs had had problems on the transmission recently installed on it due to manufacturing and/or faulty parts, and to replace that transmission with a new one. Still waiting to get the vehicle back at this point in time.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #52

Oct 112023

Elantra

  • miles

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

The vehicles engine has gone through a gradual decrease of power and then the car went into "Limp mode" and began burning oil. I have taken it to dealer multiple times and they would run diagnostic and never find anything significant. When it went into limp mode I took it back to dealer and they ran diagnostic and said the engine was bad. They said that the car is out of warranty and they would not cover the repairs. When I look into the problems that the vehicle was exhibiting there was a recall 203 that describes my problem exactly. When I look it shows this was completed at around 6000 miles. I believe this was done to early in the vehicles life and it didn't exhibit any of these issues. Now at 80,000 miles the engine now has all the issues described in the recall and the manufacturer will not replace or repair the engine

- Goodspring, TN, USA

problem #51

Dec 222023

Elantra

  • miles
Engine seized while going 55-60mph with warning lights only 15 seconds before my vehicle completely stopped on the highway [XXX] ) The engine was replaced by Hyundai along with the manifold and catalytic converter. Vehicle lost all control and power and started excessively knocking while I tried to get to the shoulder but only made it to the right lane. The safety of others and myself were out at risk due to no control of the vehicle. Repair order attached INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lawrence Township, NJ, USA

problem #50

Jan 302024

Elantra

  • miles
Took our vehicle to the local Hyundai dealer on 1/30/2024 to have them look at the engine as my regular mechanic stated the "engine was knocking" at the most recent oil change, and get it to the dealer as it should be under warranty. Turns out it did need an engine which they replaced yesterday finally, however when they took it for a test drive they still heard noises. They examined it further and today they notified me it also needed a new transmission. This vehicle we have had since we bought it new in January of 2021, had less than 10K miles on it when we took it into the dealer on 1/30/2024. This is absolutely unacceptable. Thank goodness I had all my receipts to prove regular proof of maintenance esp since I have a regular guy and did not have it done at the dealers.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #49

Jan 192024

Elantra

  • miles
I took the vehicle in for it's regular oil change on 1/19/2024. My regular mechanic stated to me that "the engine is knocking, you need to get it to the dealer so they can fix the issue as it should be under warranty." He finished the oil change and we came home and immediately made an appointment with our local Hyundai Dealer - that appointment is on 1/30/2024 at 9 am. This is an extremely concerning issue as it affects the whole vehicle and the ability of it to be driven and last a long time. No warning lamps, or messages occurred for this issue, only the statement by my regular mechanic. I want to make sure this is documented in case Hyundai tries to get out of fixing the issue. This could be a very expensive problem. The appointment was made for the 30,000 mile service, but I will make sure they are aware of the engine issue when I take it in as well.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #48

Jan 022024

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 87,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without approximately 15-20 attempts. The vehicle had since failed to start completely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter had failed causing the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were two open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle received the recall repairs however, the starter was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the two unrelated recalls were confirmed with the VIN. Additionally, it was also confirmed that the replacement of the engine was no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #47

Dec 222023

Elantra

  • miles
The engine at 41,000 miles had a catastrophic engine failure on December 22, 2023. It blew up with all maintenance done on time. I bought this car on February 28, 2023 and I heard the same knocking noise a week after the dealer kept my car for 36 days and was unable to re-create the problem. The car has now been in the shop for 15 days and I believe it is a complete lemon. I do not trust the safety of this vehicle and I see others are filing complaints ago Hyundai and Kia for the same thing I want to be reimbursed and my loan canceled.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

problem #46

Nov 122023

Elantra

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine cranked but the engine failed to turn over. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #45

Nov 012022

Elantra

  • 32,500 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was sluggish and hesitant while accelerating. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 32,500.

- Goodspring, TN, USA

problem #44

May 172023

Elantra

  • miles
My check engine light turns on and I-??ve taken it to Hyundai to have it fixed and all they do is turn the light off and say it-??s a sensor issue but it-??s the fourth time the light has turned on I-??m worried their is an issue with the pistons or the big e overheating. It-??s also brutning a lot of oil that every 3-4K miles the oil drops to 75% full.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #43

Jun 212023

Elantra

  • 45,569 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle made a beeping sound. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. Additionally, the contact was informed that the drain plug had separated from the oil pan. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage 45,569.

- Apollo, PA, USA

problem #42

Apr 182023

Elantra

  • miles
When I start off I give my car gas but it does not want to speed up. The rpm drops to 2 and does not move as I push the gas to go to get out of the way of traffic behind me. It goes about 600 ft before it kicks in. Then it runs normal. It's still under manufacture warrenty (3 more years and 20000 more miles unde warrenty). I've taken it to the dealership and they didn't see anything. Said they would have to keep it a couple of days to check it out. It's my only means of transportation but the never have a loner car for me to use till I get mine back. I've seen others with same complaint so why is there no recall. Afraid I'm gonna get hit in the rear due to lack of power. Doesn't do it everyday but has happened twice in two weeks when I've pulled out onto a major highway with heavy traffic. I bought the car used in Jan.2023 with warrenty still on the car. Thought hey great deal! But now I think I bought a lemon.

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #41

Feb 222023

Elantra

  • miles
This vehicle has been having engine problems since January 2 023 the engine light is on the car stops running completely while driving. A great danger to me. I have taken it 5 times to the service center at Dealer in Rick Case in Plantation they have kept it for several weeks the last was returned to me on March 23. 2023 I was told it was fixed on April 22 2023 the engine light went back on the same problem the car keeps stopping I took it in, they did not even look at it. I was told that until June 14 they will not see or diagnose it. I have contacted consumer affairs with no resolution. I wish to file a lemon law on this dealer since obviously it is defective beyond repair. please advise as how to take this action. I need a new reliable car. Thank You.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #40

Apr 022023

Elantra

  • miles
The engine is ticking as well as vibrating. Looked on the website to see if there were any recalls for this which every year other than the 2020 was having this issue - spoke with a diagnostic shop and they said have had newer models with the same situation and was able to turn over to Hyundai - which they replaced with no charge to the owner. It happens when it idles as well as when I am on the interstate.

- Sailsbury, NC, USA

problem #39

Dec 012022

Elantra

  • 16,000 miles
The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to his destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure, but an appointment was unavailable. The contact stated that the Lease on the vehicle ended on January 31, 2023, and the vehicle was returned to the local dealer. The dealer called and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

- Flushing, NY, USA

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