506 of the 1,404 complaints about the Hyundai Elantra (36.0%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.6× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
506Complaints · Engine
36.0%Share of complaints
1.62×vs. all vehicles
123Last 12 months
4.2%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (172, 52% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (5). 123 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 90 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “engine”, “oil”, “knocking”, “check” and “stalled”. 23 of these reports (4.2%) describe a crash or fire, with 7 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V308000 (2024-05-01, model years 2024).
The vehicle experienced a catastrophic engine compartment fire while safely parked inside an employment parking garage in [XXX] on XXX, at approximately 3:04 PM.
Engine · 2026-07-15 · ODI 11750544 · Fire
My daughter was in a parking lot and put her car in park, removed her keys and exited the vehicle. She walked around the vehicle and was removing her school bag and the car came out of park and rolled into another vehicle.
Engine · 2026-06-11 · ODI 11743413 · Crash
Car sudden stopped then would not turn on Currently being looked at but for suspected timing chain, VVT, and related parts Others have reported these same issues and other model with same engines have been recalled
Engine · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761307
After the car was started, I drove 3 houses over when there was a loud knocking sound and the car just shut off. When trying to restart it wouldn't and the check engine, battery, and oil lights came on.
Engine · 2026-08-24 · ODI 11759098
On 6/12/26, the engine had a sudden, catastrophic failure that caused a life-threatening hazard on a 2-lane highway in a remote mountain grade with no shoulder.
Engine · 2026-08-23 · ODI 11758964
2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL. Car has been slow to start this week. When I depress the brake pedal and push to start, it will start then shut off in the middle of starting then I have to try again or it will sputter then fully start but every safety alert and…
Engine · 2026-08-21 · ODI 11758620
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) Campaign 24V308000 · 2024-05-01 · Model years: 2024
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
ENGINE Campaign 21V301000 · 2021-04-28 · Model years: 2019, 2020
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Hyundai Elantra?
506 of the 1,404 complaints about the Hyundai Elantra (36.0%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.6× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Hyundai Elantra model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (172, 52% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (5).
Is there a recall for Hyundai Elantra Engine problems?
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 24V308000 (2024-05-01, model years 2024).