2019 Hyundai Elantra Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 09/15/2026

I am reporting that there is not a recall but a factor warranty from the manufacture. Stating that the o ring in the 2019 hyundai elantra was not properly tempered. Which will cause the car to stall, rod bearing to break, and cause the car to set on fire. My report is that my 2019 hyundai elantra with 139,000 miles has did exactly that. O ring was bad and the rod bearing broke. When calling hyundai to report it they claim that my vehicle Vin number doesn't fall under that manufacture recall. Why doesn't it? This is exactly what happen to my car!!! Can anyone please help me. Thanks

ENGINE — Filed 08/04/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 35-40 MPH on a bridge, the engine made a loud banging and knocking sound, and the vehicle stalled. The driver shifted into neutral, coasted down the bridge with the engine off, and pulled over to the side of the road. The driver noticed an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the contact's husband performed an oil change and discovered a hole in the side of the engine block. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,286. The VIN was unavailable.

ENGINE — Filed 08/24/2026

2019 Hyundai Elantra with 2.0L Nu MPI engine suffered catastrophic engine failure at approximately 118,530 miles. Vehicle is currently at the [XXX] Hyundai dealership. Vehicle appears to fall within the exact parameters of Hyundai Recall 203/NHTSA 21V-301. Have spoken to the dealership as well as Hyundai corporate and they have refused to either honor their own recall campaign or do a goodwill service to replace the engine, citing my VIN does not fall under their recall campaign, however they have yet to provide any reason, and according to their own campaign 203 recall information my vehicle meets the exact criteria. I am concerned the recall population may exclude vehicles suffering the same engine defect, and their clearly is a clerical error or something on their behalf, and they appear to not be interested in remedying it, which could and has in my case resulted in potential danger. My car died in the middle of [XXX], and had I been in heavy traffic and could not have coasted it down a hill to a parking lot almost certainly would have resulted in a collision. I was fortunate enough to at the time be in light traffic. Upon restarting car motor made a horrendous knocking noise, which is symptomatic of exactly what recall campaign 203 warned of with the defective engines they installed in my series of vehicles. Hyundai denied goodwill solely based on time in service and mileage rather than identifying a different failure mechanism, and as of the time of writing this has not provided an explanation of why according to them my VIN doesn't fall in their campaign, when clearly it should as it is the correct year, correct factory stock engine, correct place if manufacture, and the very same symptoms they published in their campaign. They have told me I need new engine, as was obvious by the fact it's disabled and sounds as if a rod has thrown. I have brought this to their attention every day for going on 2-3 weeks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 08/28/2026

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,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/12/2026

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. Prior to this incident, the forward collision system had falsely gone off several times in dark or rainy conditions when there was no actual hazard or oncoming traffic on the road, which is very distracting and dangerous. Hyundai is not abiding by the terms of the federal class action lawsuit settlement, refuses to replace the defective engine, and is generally a danger to the public. What is the NHTSA going to do the next time a Hyundai catches fire and causes a catastrophic disaster in Southern California? I was fortunate the engine didn't catch fire...it was lightning-hot when I opened the hood a full 30 minutes after the breakdown. This has a Nu series MPI engine...there are 5 known classes of Hyundai/Kia engines that fail without warning and the company is still getting away with endangering drivers, refusing to replace or reimburse. I have a 10k lien on this vehicle and my livelihood is at risk because of Hyundai's negligence and disregard for the law. My stalled vehicle could have caused a deadly accident when it failed had another driver failed to see it blocking the road. This is happening to millions of Hyundai owners and we're not getting the recourse we were promised. My VIN was excluded from recalls and class action, yet it has the same exact dangerous engine defect. Please investigate the Nu 2.0 MPI engine series if this hasn't already been established as an additional unsafe configuration. It would be in the interest of public safety if Hyundai went out of business; the company's manufacturing is a danger to society and Hyundai doesn't care as long as they continue to profit from consumer hardship and suffering.

ENGINE — Filed 07/11/2026

About two months ago, I had to replace the camshaft on my vehicle. Then about 3 weeks ago while driving down the road I began to hear a grinding slap near the front right of the vehicle. Then the power died and the vehicle limped into a parking lot. After stopping for about 30 minutes, I was able to restart the vehicle and get it home. The same noise occurred the whole drive. I couldn't start it again, and had it towed to my mechanic. The mechanic's review showed that the engine had seized up despite only being down a quart of oil. The engine was getting plenty of oil to give him confidence that missing oil wasn't the cause of the problem. The vehicle has about 104000 miles on it. To date, Hyundai refuses to even acknowledge that it's their problem despite a similar recall (21V301000) already being announced for this Elantra model.

ENGINE — Filed 11/15/2024

The engine failed for my 2019 Hyundai Elantra. We bought it at Atlantic Hyundai dealership. They used a passing recall inspection to clear a defective engine, misdiagnosed the ensuing failure as an oil pan leak, and abandoned me with a vehicle that stalled dangerously in traffic. We brought car to Atlantic Hyundai told them that the car just stopped on the highway in the middle of driving. Our mechanic told me to tell Hyundai the car was rapidly consuming oil. Hyundai said oh no it’s just an oil pan snd we trusted them allowed them to fix it. Several weeks later the car completely stopped in middle of driving on exit ramp. Police came to make sure traffic was diverted so they could help me get car to side of road safely. It was towed back to my mechanic who said same exact thing car is dangerous bring it to Hyundai they need to fix this for you it’s the engine recall. We had it towed to dealership and after 2 weeks they said oh yeah you need new engine. We brought it to independent mechanic because Atlantic Hyundai knowingly sent me off in a dangerous vehicle the first time and no longer did I trust them with safety of myself and others on the road

ENGINE — Filed 12/05/2023

The car was driving on the highway and out of nowhere the car just stopped in the middle of the highway. I brought it to my mechanic who said the car was rapidly consuming oil and my cars engine was seizing. and he safely brought me and the car to Atlantic Hyundai where I had bought the car to have them diagnose and fix the issue. After several days they diagnosed the issue as a simple oil pan issue and replaced the oil pan and sent me on my way. The same issue with the engine seizing up in the middle of driving on the highway endangering my life and others. I am still terrified thinking of this. We brought car back to Hyundai by tow truck because I was scared to drive it and after 2 weeks of waiting they then told me the car needed new engine however they never mentioned what I later discovered was a serious recall for this specific engine . Upon further research my car was listed under the recall however before I bought the car it says it passed the test to see if it needed engine replacement under recall 203 . They knowingly said my vehicle was safe they sold it to me knowing it was unsafe and then they put a bandaid ( oil pan) and sent me on my way knowing I was in danger. I am lucky to be alive because the car stalled out on a major highway .

ENGINE — Filed 07/12/2026

At 86,000 miles After replacing the camshaft and timing chain with a mechanic friend, we turned the engine over and heard the beginning of an engine knock, he said this engine is notorious for knocking and failing before 100000. Kia recalled the exact same engine. However Hyundai did not. I feel this is very unsafe.

ENGINE — Filed 06/30/2026

While driving vehicle on a highway exit ramp, the engine suddenly failed. There were no warning lights, messages, noises, or other signs before it happened. The vehicle lost power and became undrivable, which was scary and dangerous because I was still on the road near highway traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership inspected it and said the engine had failed. I was given a repair estimate of about $9,100. I was also told the repair would not be covered under warranty and would not be covered under a recall. I believe this is a serious safety issue because the engine failed without warning while I was driving. If this had happened at a different time or location, it could have caused an accident or put other drivers at risk. The vehicle is currently undrivable, and the failed engine/component is available for inspection upon request

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/28/2025

A safety recall performed by Hyundai automotive company was completed on 10.4.2022 to remedy a known security flaw in Kia/Hyunai vehicles made between 2011 and 2022. This recall was performed successfully by a certified Hyundai dealer. Since this, the vehicle has been stolen not once, but twice. The security sytem that should be in place to prevent the ease of theft has not been effective. This has put us as owners at risk of financial harm by lack of access to a vehicle on multiple occasions. Additionally this has continued to be a public safety concern as this has put the lives and safety of others at risk when thieves are easily able to steal these vehciles and drive recklessly around a city. The problem has been reproduced by a dealership when they had to store the vehicle, locked, and were able to start the car with just a USB stick in March 2024. Additionally this issue has been reproduced by a thief again in September 2025 when a second theft occured. The vehicle has been assessed for damage at a certified Hyundai dealership and is awaiting further inspection.

ENGINE — Filed 08/21/2025

The component that failed was the pistons in my engine on my 2019 Hyundai Elantra Se which I see is on recall. I understand that my VIN may have been missed or looked over during the recalling systems decision making. I was on my way to work when my engine just shut off in the middle of traffic! Since that happened my anxiety levels has been extremely high! I took my car to the dealership and they confirmed that it was my pistons and to keep checking the recall website because they have seen something like this before. Before the engine cut off there was abosulutly no warning! Date of incident [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/25/2025

The driver and passenger headlight has been replaced and the bulbs but the headlights keep going out was told it is an electrical problem and contact manufacturer. Also emergency braking did not work in recent accident nor did forward collision warning.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 01/07/2022

Engine failure believed to be related to NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V-301. Vehicle had no warning lights on message. Vehicle turned off while driving and steering wheel became stuck and vehicle jerked off road, I turned vehicle back on and it sounded like a truck and would not move again.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/17/2024

Vehicle caught on fire. There were not any warnings, and no alarms went off prior to this.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/29/2022

My car was a total lost after car did not break, and instead the accelerator got stuck. My car went straight into a pole, causing the accident. Car was purchased 2 weeks prior, the dealer did not acknowledge it was a defect, and I lost my deposit of $7000.

ENGINE — Filed 08/16/2023

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 03/07/2023

I am contacting you regarding Service Campaign 993 (Atni-theft software upgrade). My car was stolen on March 7th, 2023 due to a lack of the required safety system on anti-theft software and immobilizing. Although, the recall updates and adds the mentioned safety issues, However, my war was stolen due lack of these safety systems. The car was recovered by police, however, it is damaged (Window, ignition cylinder, body of the car, bumpers, etc) I did contact the Hyundai customer care center, and I was told that Hyundai is not going to reimburse the cost of the repair of the damages to my car (although the safety issue in their Elantra cars caused this accident). I believe they should be responsible for any theft damages to the car because of the safety issue in Recall 993. Please let them know that it is not the owner's responsibility to pay for the damages that occur due to the lack of the required safety issues in their product. I am requesting the issuance of another Recall which reimburses all repair costs due to theft damages to the cars related to the safety issues in Recall 993.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/02/2021

February 2021 - I took my vehicle to Wilson Hyundai in Flowood, MS - was told there was a recall having to do with my headlights but no components were available to make the repair. I have called numerous times to ask about replacement parts and get the run around. My lights are not bright and switching to bright is not even worth the effort. I can barely see 30ft ahead at best after the sun goes down. When will parts be available or some type of resolution because this is dangerous. There were no warning lamps on until maybe 1 month ago (October 2021), it tells me that I need to have my daytime running lamps serviced. I can't wait til I can trade this vehicle off. November 2, 2021 - I hit a dog because I did not see it.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/06/2021

The brake system of my vehicle failed completely when I was attempting to reduce my speed and exit the freeway. I exited through a red light and hit the light pole at freeway speed. Seconds later the cars to my right hit my car causing it to flip over. People involved in the collision got off to help me flip the car back over and by doing so my wrist broke. I also suffered from extreme whiplash.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 03/01/2020

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEN STOLER HYUNDAI (11275 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL SAFETY FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF A HEADLIGHT RECALL FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED HOWEVER, PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.

STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/16/2021

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE SET DRIVING MY RPMS WENT TO 8 HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE ENDED UP CROSSING THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC HITTING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD GOING DOWN THE HILL INTO A DITCH.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 10/28/2020

ON OCTOBER 28, 2020 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO JOE HOLLAND CHEVROLET IN CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA BECAUSE MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FAULTY HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THAT I WAS AT LEAST THE THIRD PERSON THAT DAY WITH THIS ISSUE. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS ON BACK ORDER. SINCE THE TIME CHANGE IT IS NOW DARK BY 5:00 PM AND I DON'T GET OFF WORK UNTIL 5:30 PM. I HAVE HAD TWO DEER STRIKES SINCE NOVEMBER 1, 2020 TO NOVEMBER 17, 2020, BECAUSE I HAVE NO HIGH BEAMS MY VISUAL DISTANCE IS GREATLY REDUCED. THESE TWO DEER STRIKES HAVE COST AN ESTIMATED $8,000.00.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/10/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 53 MPH, A DEER COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE COASTING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE MEDIAN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

STEERING — Filed 11/27/2018

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER OF A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND A SMALL ABANDONED HOME. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND BURNED TO DEATH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE STATE TROOPER CONTACTED HYUNDAI OF DOTHAN (LOCATED AT 2329 ROSS CLARK CIR, DOTHAN, AL 36301, (334) 699-6416) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.