2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
285
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
21
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
The 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has received a total of 285 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS. 21 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (89 complaints), Power Train (37 complaints), and Exterior Lighting (25 complaints).
Recalls for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, potentially affecting up to 159,285 vehicles.
Recall 21V301000 — ENGINE
| 158,493 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
View full details →Recall 19V721000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 744 vehicles affected
Defect: Hyundai 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.
Consequence: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.
View full details →Recall 19V720000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 48 vehicles affected
Defect: Hyundai 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.
Consequence: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
285 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (ENGINE). While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact then towed the vehicle to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with piston oil rings failure, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had refused to honor the recall repair. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My car just lost all power and stopped on the side of the road after making a weird noise under the hood
The manufacturer's Executive Case Management has ceased communication after verifying a total headlight failure. Despite providing evidence that the vehicle is grounded 150+ miles from home during a snowstorm, Hyundai is refusing to authorize the remedy outlined in TSB 20-BE-004H. This non-responsiveness to a verified safety hazard (Invoice #XXX) is actively endangering the driver and the public. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The headlights still cannot be used on high beam as the lights strobe when used. This was complaint was previously submitted with the same Vin#. This is dangerous for driver and others, including oncoming traffic. The local Hyundai dealer said it is would be $200+ for them to diagnostic and if they fixed it, the diagnostic fee would be credited toward the repair. How can this not be coved under a recall when it is clearly a safety issue and many mentions on line with others having the same problem? The vin.# says there are no open recalls. How can I get this covered on my car that is the same model and year as others with the same problem. I see a couple service bulletin's and would like to know if any apply. Please respond with any help or suggestions on this matter as I need help from the NHTSA to get Hyundai to fix it. I am happy to send a video for proof. I look forward to your reply. Thank you very much!
The headlights still cannot be used on high beam as the lights strobe when used. This was complaint was previously submitted with the same Vin#. This is dangerous for driver and others, including oncoming traffic. The local Hyundai dealer said it is would be $200+ for them to diagnostic and if they fixed it, the diagnostic fee would be credited toward the repair. How can this not be coved under a recall when it is clearly a safety issue and many mentions on line with others having the same problem? The vin.# says there are no open recalls. How can I get this covered on my car that is the same model and year as others with the same problem. I see a couple service bulletin's and would like to know if any apply. Please respond with any help or suggestions on this matter as I need help from the NHTSA to get Hyundai to fix it. I am happy to send a video for proof. I look forward to your reply. Thank you very much!
Safety Rating for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
The 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
Hyundai Motor America has issued 21 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
22-01-043H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update. CNDS is to detect abnormal cylinder wall scuffing or noise of the engine block before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal noise is detected, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp...
22-01-030H — POWER TRAIN
Certain 20MY Elantra (AD/ADa) vehicles may experience an illuminated check engine warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. Perform the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) update, and, if necessary, replace the IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) to resolve this condition. This update also includes the software for optimizing CLR_DIST...
21-01-041H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This bulletin provides information related to the Engine Control Module (ECM) software update for 2020MY Elantra (AD/ADA) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engine to revise the logic for the DTCs listed below. ï· P0068 - Manifold Pressure (MAP) Sensor/Mass Air flow (MAF) Sensor - Throttle Position Correlation ï· P0101 - Mass...
21-01-039H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Certain 20MY Elantra (AD/ADa) vehicles may experience an illuminated check engine warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. Perform the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) update, and, if necessary, replace the IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) to resolve this condition. This update also includes the software for optimizing CLR_DIST...
21-01-004H — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This bulletin describes the procedure to repair a headlamp that has an inoperable high beam function.
20-01-047H — POWER TRAIN
Certain 20MY Elantra (AD/ADa) vehicles may experience an illuminated check engine warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. Perform the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) update, and, if necessary, replace the IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) to resolve this condition.
20-01-047H — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Certain 20MY Elantra (AD/ADa) vehicles may experience an illuminated check engine warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. Perform the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) update, and, if necessary, replace the IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) to resolve this condition.
20-BE-006H-1 — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Certain 2019-2020MY Santa Fe and 2018-2020MY Elantra equipped with the front multifunction camera may exhibit one or more of the following warnings on the instrument cluster; Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Front Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). This...
20-BE-006H-1 — LANE DEPARTURE
Certain 2019-2020MY Santa Fe and 2018-2020MY Elantra equipped with the front multifunction camera may exhibit one or more of the following warnings on the instrument cluster; Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Front Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). This...
20-ST-002H-2 — EQUIPMENT
Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft assembly.
Showing 10 of 21 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI ELANTRA
- 2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 341 complaints
- 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 378 complaints
- 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 1,045 complaints
- 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 381 complaints
- 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 301 complaints
- 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA (current)
- 2021 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 200 complaints
- 2022 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 126 complaints
- 2023 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 129 complaints
- 2024 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 83 complaints
- 2025 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 22 complaints
Other HYUNDAI Models
- HYUNDAI SONATA — 21,725 total complaints
- HYUNDAI SANTA FE — 9,835 total complaints
- HYUNDAI TUCSON — 7,920 total complaints
- HYUNDAI ACCENT — 2,733 total complaints
- HYUNDAI PALISADE — 2,456 total complaints
- HYUNDAI VELOSTER — 1,738 total complaints
- HYUNDAI GENESIS — 1,702 total complaints
- HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 — 1,636 total complaints