1,969 of the
12,108 complaints filed about the Hyundai Elantra
are about the engine —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
I bought my 2017 Hyundai Elantra SE earlier this year with about 119,000 miles. It had good maintenance records when I bought it, and it now has about 128,000 miles. Since buying it, I've had two oil changes done along with new spark plugs, coils, front brake pads, and tires. About two days before the engine failed, I noticed the car had suddenly burned through a significant amount of oil. There was no visible oil leak. The car stopped running, so I had it towed instead of continuing to drive it. Oil was added, and afterward it started and seemed to be running fine.The next day, I was driving approximately 70 mph on the interstate when the car suddenly lost acceleration and warning lights came on. There was smoke while I was driving, including smoke/fumes coming into the car. Afterward, there was oil everywhere. The car had to be towed again and is no longer drivable.What concerns me most is how quickly this happened. The car went from suddenly consuming oil with no visible leak to losing acceleration and experiencing a major engine failure while I was traveling 70 mph on the interstate. Losing power at that speed was dangerous, and the amount of oil and smoke also made me concerned about the possibility of a fire. Hyundai has told me the vehicle is no longer under warranty. I have not paid for an extensive engine teardown yet. My grandfather looked and he said it appears the engine threw a connecting rod through the side of the engine block. With the valve cover off, the engine looked brand new. I'm filing this complaint because an engine suddenly losing power at interstate speeds, along with oil and smoke, is a serious safety concern, especially with the potential for a fire. I hope NHTSA will compare this incident with other complaints involving engine failure and excessive oil consumption in 2017 Hyundai Elantras. Currently, it's available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11763633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle entered limp mode. The Hyundai dealer diagnosed a camshaft problem, said the repair would be covered, ordered the part, and began the work. After the engine was opened, the dealer noted sludge/varnish and denied coverage, claiming lack of maintenance. This VIN is included in safety recall 21V301 for improperly heat-treated piston oil rings on the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Hyundai told NHTSA that chipped rings can scuff the cylinder bore, cause accelerated oil consumption, knocking, oil-pressure warning, connecting-rod bearing seizure, stall, and in limited cases fire. The published remedy is inspection of the cylinder bore and piston skirt, engine replacement if damage is found, and PNSS software, at no charge. Hyundai National Consumer Affairs Case #XXX. I sent a written demand that they complete Campaign 203 and not convert an open safety recall into a customer-pay job. On XXX, case manager Mohammad issued a letter denying only “limited warranty” coverage for lack of Owner’s Manual maintenance. That letter does not state whether the Campaign 203 bore/skirt inspection was done, does not state whether PNSS was installed, and does not decide the incomplete recall. Oil and filter were changed on a regular schedule by the owner’s family using the specified oil. A signed affidavit was provided. Hyundai’s warranty does not require dealer-only oil changes. The symptom of the recalled oil-consumption defect (varnish/sludge) is being used to refuse the recall remedy. The vehicle remains unrepaired. I have not authorized customer-pay work or disposal of parts. What I want NHTSA to do Record this as an incomplete recall remedy. Require Hyundai Motor America to complete Campaign 203 on VIN [XXX]: perform the official bore and piston-skirt inspection, replace the engine if abnormalities exist, install PNSS, and cover related camshaft/engine damage found when the engine was opened, at no charge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11763344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2020 HYUNDAI [XXX], VIN: [XXX] Incident Description: On XXX I was pulling into a parking spot and had my foot firmly on the brake pedal. When I attempted to shift the vehicle into Park the engine suddenly revved up excessively. The vehicle then accelerated forward on its own and crashed into a building. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11763045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11762242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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)
NHTSA complaint #11762038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted but unexpectedly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure caused by a misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,691.
NHTSA complaint #11761736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11761307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle stalls while driving which is very dangerous. All dashboard lights go on prior to stalling. No engine light is on. Knocking sound coming from engine. Dealer states engine needs to be replaced. Car has been serviced regularly despite that Hyundai denies engine replacement. The knocking sound that engine does is common between this model and year but mysteriously there has not been engine recalls.
NHTSA complaint #11760525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The motor started to make a ticking noise 5 months earlier. 5 months later at 180,000 miles a borascope finding, reveled all 4 cylinder walls were worn related to cylinder slap. Called Hyundai dealership and was told ithe car is too old and the milage too high for a warranty coverage.
NHTSA complaint #11760536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I woke up to my neighbor banging on my door that my car was on fire. My car was in flames. The fire department had already been called. The entire front of my car as well as the interior was completely destroyed.
NHTSA complaint #11760458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. After pushing it out of the road we checked the oil and it was empty. The oil has just been changed less than 2 months ago. Now the engine is seized.
NHTSA complaint #11759098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11758964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 electrical alarm will go off in my car and nothing clears it until I drive for about 5 minutes then they all clear. I went to AutoZone and they said my battery was normal health. When this slow start happens I also notice that my vehicle doesn’t accelerate as well and it feels like it’s trying too hard to the point it will jerk forward even when I’m only lightly pressing the accelerator. I noticed this, 2 winters ago (2024) as well and I thought it was due to the very cold weather we had. Brought it to my sister’s fiancée and he couldn’t find any DTC’s but agreed something felt off. The problem stopped and now it’s the middle of summer 2 years later and doing the same thing, to the point where I’m trying to merge onto I-95 and my car isn’t accelerating fast enough and I almost got rear ended!! It only happens at speeds under 50 and is extremely unsafe to have a vehicle where you don’t know if it will just turn off while you’re driving, stop accelerating or decide to not start that morning!!!
NHTSA complaint #11758620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft sensor. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty because the mileage was 3,000 miles over the mileage limitation. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
NHTSA complaint #11758279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The engine mounts on this vehicle failed. Dealership and many others online have stated that this seems to be a reoccurring issue with the 2021-2023 generation of Hyundai elantras. The vibrations of these failed motor mounts become so severe that they can dislodge the brakes making it very unsafe to drive. Hyundai should be doing a recall for this to avoid safety issues for their customers
NHTSA complaint #11757852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and referred the contact to the BBB to report the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 108,404.
NHTSA complaint #11757404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle stalled while driving on a highway without warning. The car was able to start back up, would go a few feet and stall again. Had it towed to a Hyundai dealership to repair. They replaced the exhaust camshaft and timing components. They released the car, saying it was fixed. Less than 12 hours later, the car stalled again while driving through Washington DC. Once again, it would start up again but stall every few feet. We took it to another Hyundai dealership. They replaced the oil pump (saying the oil pressure was too high). That did not fix the issue and the dealership stated that the intake camshaft needed to be repaired. The third party warranty company would not approve that repair, as they are saying the engine needs to be completely replaced. We bought the car in March. The first incident occurred in June and the second incident was 12 hours later. The car has been at the dealership for 'repairs' ever since.
NHTSA complaint #11756274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At 105,000 MI. My car stalled out and the engine stopped. It needs a new cam shaft, timing chain set, cam phaser and timing cover. We also had to replace the Variable valve timing solenoids as the metal melted.
NHTSA complaint #11755778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.