The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 430 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag major engine failure (requiring replacement): reports of engines failing or needing replacement at low mileage (e.g., 50,000 miles/80,000 km). linked to oil consumption and rod bearing failures in certain engines (e.g., theta ii), though not all elantra engines are covered by related recalls. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Hyundai Elantra vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 17 Elantra model years we track, complaint volume runs from 60 (1998) to 2,616 (2013). With 430 complaints, the 2020 Elantra sits abovethe model's median of 315.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
engine
Campaign 21V301000Hyundai 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 re…
wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Campaign 19V720000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 19V721000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. Long-term owner reports for older generations (pre-2011) with specific engines like the Beta II describe exceptional, Corolla-like reliability with examples…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Elantra. See the full Elantra owner picture and every model year.
Used Elantra listings typically run $20,931–$22,651 across 2017 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Elantra year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.