13 of the
333 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra are about the
throttle and cruise control — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
8,000 miles.
D
13
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
1076.9%
Cruise Control
323.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Hyundai Elantra year
Currently, there are 30,564 miles on my vehicle and I am the original owner of the vehicle since early 2021. This is a continuous intermittent problem that can occur at any time when trying to accelerate the vehicle. The vehicle could be moving down the road and you go to accelerate and the RPM's drop dramatically, giving you no power. The same thing has happened when trying to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle would start to accelerate and then all of a sudden the RPM's drop, giving you no power. I have had the vehicle to the dealership for this problem and I am being told that they can't do anything about it because they can't duplicate it. If this happened when it was necessary for me to get out of the way of a vehicle, an accident could occur, resulting in sirius injury or death. Also, there were no warning lights or check engine light that came on at any time when the problem presented itself.
NHTSA complaint #11742932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesBloomingdale, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
The Contact owns a 2020 HYUNDAI Elantra. The contact stated while operating the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, he noticed that his RPM were going back and forth while on cruise control, after removing cruise control the vehicle stayed the same. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted but the vehicle was hesitating to accelerate and noticed a issue with the gears not. The vehicle was towed to a independent mechanic but was not fully diagnosed due to the transmission driving forward when in neutral. The dealer was notified of the failure and a appointment was set for a later date. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #11735846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guttenberg, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Cruise control on 55mph, car has slowed down going straight no uphill or downhill and accelerator did not work nothing blocking the accelerator. Had to pull over to a shoulder to shut engine off and on to drive. Tapping cruise control up to speed up in regulated area such as from 55 to a 65mph zone.. cruise control speed lowered. Attempting to speed up with accelerator still only slowing down. 3 times this year I had to change spark plugs within a 6 month period Error code p0302. Replaced battery alongside. Continues p0302 code. Replaced all coils and spark plugs still p0302. Climbing uphill vehicle sometimes looses power that happened twice in 2025 and twice in 2022. 3 times in 2024. That i must turn on hazards and floor the accelerator to gain speed on up hills in neighborhoods going 25 mph. I have dropped to 10 mph. I get oil change regularly. Always when due. Every few months I make sure to get a full car inspection to make sure everything is in proper working order.
NHTSA complaint #11701387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hulmeville, PACrashFire1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact called on behalf of their son who owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while their son was decelerating, speed was unknown, and coming to a stop sign. The next thing their son was able to recall was that the vehicle had suddenly turned right crashing into an electrical pole nearby. The air bags deployed. The driver had lost consciousness during the crash making it difficult to recall all that occurred. The vehicle was towed but they had not yet received any confirmation if the vehicle had been totaled. The electrical pole had fallen and began to catch fire. The fire department had put out the fire. The contact was not completely sure of the damage done to the vehicle. The driver lost consciousness and received an injury on their right arm. Medical attention was needed. The contact could only assume a police report had been filed but had not heard from the police department to confirm. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11613933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 .
NHTSA complaint #11597478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrence Township, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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)
NHTSA complaint #11576749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
When cruise control is activated the rpm increases 700 to 1000 rpm regardless of the speed
NHTSA complaint #11484125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesHamlin, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE RPM AUTOMATICALLY INCREASES BY ABOUT 700 RPM. AT 75 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM IS 2300. WHEN CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, ENGINE RPM INCREASES TO 3000 RPM AND REMAINS THERE. THIS DECREASES GAS MILESGE AND INCREASES WEAR ON ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #11413015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,450 milesCircleville, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONDITIONS: WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT ROAD SURFACE/TERRAIN, MAINTAINING A CONSISTENT SPEED, AND CONSISTENT PEDAL APPLICATION. IF YOU SET CRUISE CONTROL, THE RPMS WILL JUMP BY 500 OR MORE. THE JUMP IN ENGINE SPEED IS MAINTAINED, NOT TEMPORARY. THE SUSTAINED INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WILL REDUCE FUEL ECONOMY AND INCREASE MECHANICAL WEAR ON THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. I DO HAVE A VIDEO BUT THE 5 MB FILE SIZE LIMIT PREVENTS ME FROM UPLOADING.
NHTSA complaint #11365872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,200 milesIndianola, IA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BAUGHT THIS CAR SEPT 1ST 2020, ON OCTOBER 3RD 2020 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR PN MY WAY TO WORK ON THE HYWAY THE TRANSMITION SLIPED AND STOPPED SHIFTING AND WOULDNT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR AMD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I WAS QUICK TO PUT THE HAZARD ON AVOIDING COLLISION FROM BEHIND I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD NEED A FULL TRANSMITION REPLACEMENT DUE TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THEY ARE CURRENTLY WITH GDPR THE TRANSMITION TO COME SO I'LL HAVE THIS LONER CAR FOR THE NEXT 2-6 WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #11363680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesBellevue, NE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. TO MY SURPRISE THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED BY 500-700 RPM. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEFECT IN THE WAY THE INTELLIGENT VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (IVT) SHOULD OPERATE OR ANY TRANSMISSION SHOULD OPERATE. THE RESULT IS THAT GAS MILEAGE WILL DECREASE AND ENGINE WEAR INCREASE AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RPM THAN NECESSARY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL BY HYUNDAI TO CHANGE THE OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM OWNERS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY, IN TURN, CONTACTED HYUNDAI. I HAVE ALSO CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INDICATION FROM HYUNDAI THAT THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. I'M HOPING YOU CAN REQUIRE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11312174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poland, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN CAUSE HIGHER RPMS TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED. THIS CAN CAUSE EXTRA WEAR ON THE MOTOR AND DECREASED GAS MILEAGE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE NEW VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11301990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nunda, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE SPED UP PAST THE SET SPEED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE LEFT ABOUT 1.5 INCHES. THE DEALER TURNED THE SENSITIVITY LEVEL ON THE LANE ASSIST. ALSO, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT A METAL SCREEN OVER THE AIR INTAKE FOR THE HEATER. THIS COULD ALLOW RODENTS TO ENTER INTO THE CAB.
NHTSA complaint #11300931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.