HYUNDAI ELANTRA · model year

2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

588 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011HYUNDAIELANTRA carries 588 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 29 crashes, 11 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 ELANTRA is engine with 92 filings, followed by air bags (77) and steering (73). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2011 ELANTRA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

588
Complaints
29
Crashes
11
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

588 filings

Crashes Reported

29 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE92
AIR BAGS77
STEERING73
SUSPENSION61
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM47
UNKNOWN OR OTHER34
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)34
SERVICE BRAKES28
POWER TRAIN19
WHEELS18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15
TIRES7
VISIBILITY/WIPER7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING7

Recalls (5)

15V87100023/12/2015

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be r

23V65100022/09/2023

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock B

15V62900007/10/2015

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana,

20V39300002/07/2020

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolong

13V11500001/04/2013

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Recent Complaints

20260210ENGINE

I have a Piston/Engine Defect according to the mechanic at the car shop. Any time any acceleration is applied you can hear the knocking. I believe it should be covered through the class action alleged that 2011-2016 Elantras engines (including the Limited trim) have a piston defect leading to engine failure. A settlement offered extended warranties, engine repairs, and reimbursement. I was unaware and have already spent tons of money towards repairs to the engine over the years. Now I am aware of this lawsuit and would like some kind replacement.

20260113SERVICE BRAKES

The brake lines in our 2011 Hyundai Elantra have rusted out and no longer hold brake fluid, which means the car is not safe to drive. Luckily we were able to get the car to our sidewalk and park it without injury. We found that Sauder Schelkopf is investigating a potential class action lawsuit against Hyundai for underbody corrosion and brake line failure in 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. It has been alleged that the underbody coating of these vehicles suffer from premature wear and failure, allowing the underbody to prematurely corrode. It has been further alleged that the failure of the underbody coating on these Hyundai vehicles can cause brake line failure and the failure of other essential components resulting in serious safety issues. Hyundai has a recall out to provide underbody coating free to customers but no mention of brake line replacement.

20260112CrashAIR BAGS

Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring Date of Crash: [XXX] Location of Crash: Duluth, MN Description of Incident: I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring straight through an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and T‑boned the passenger side of my vehicle. The impact was severe enough that the vehicle was totaled, with significant structural intrusion into the passenger compartment. No airbags (side torso or curtain) deployed, although the strike was a direct side impact at approximately 30+ mph. I expected at least the side curtain or side torso airbags to deploy. My insurance adjuster noted that the lack of deployment was unexpected given the severity and nature of the crash. Outcome: Vehicle declared totaled No airbags deployed No serious injuries, but a significant safety concern INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250823STEERING

When ever I am turning my steering wheel in either direction there is a clicking noise. It started low and now the noise became loud even when I am going over bumps on the road. I went to a reputable certified shop and I am told it is my steering column bushing and I was advised that there is a recall on it but when I further investigate my car I do not see no recall. This is a problem a lot of people are having with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra .

20250429SERVICE BRAKES

Unknown but my car shakes and makes a loud grinding noise

20250429STEERING

Unknown but my car shakes and makes a loud grinding noise

20250429SUSPENSION

Unknown but my car shakes and makes a loud grinding noise

20250416ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car stop working once I got home I notice while I was driving the car kept back firing and Jurking while driving .had a mechanic look at the car he tried to start it but it started and shut off..he even tried to jump start the car with the jumping cables but it will not start..he told me it was electrical..I have a brand new battery and a complete tune up on the car..I have not been able to drive the car in 3 weeks

20250416ENGINE

Car stop working once I got home I notice while I was driving the car kept back firing and Jurking while driving .had a mechanic look at the car he tried to start it but it started and shut off..he even tried to jump start the car with the jumping cables but it will not start..he told me it was electrical..I have a brand new battery and a complete tune up on the car..I have not been able to drive the car in 3 weeks

20250310UNKNOWN OR OTHER

No incident. Airbag light came on without incident. Hasn’t gone out. Don’t know why. Haven’t gotten it looked at.

20250127SUSPENSION

My car was recalled by Hyundai for a critical safety issue and has been at the dealership since July of 2024 awaiting repairs due to missing parts. Despite repeated follow-ups, Hyundai has been unable to provide a timeline for the repair. Recently, they offered to buy back the car, but the offer was far below its fair market value. When I declined, they stated they would return the car to me unfixed and unsafe. This situation has caused significant inconvenience and feels coercive, as I am forced to choose between accepting an unfair buyback or taking back an unsafe vehicle. I am seeking NHTSA's assistance to ensure Hyundai repairs the vehicle promptly, investigates their handling of recalls, and protects consumers from being placed in such unfair situations.

20250127SERVICE BRAKES

My car was recalled by Hyundai for a critical safety issue and has been at the dealership since July of 2024 awaiting repairs due to missing parts. Despite repeated follow-ups, Hyundai has been unable to provide a timeline for the repair. Recently, they offered to buy back the car, but the offer was far below its fair market value. When I declined, they stated they would return the car to me unfixed and unsafe. This situation has caused significant inconvenience and feels coercive, as I am forced to choose between accepting an unfair buyback or taking back an unsafe vehicle. I am seeking NHTSA's assistance to ensure Hyundai repairs the vehicle promptly, investigates their handling of recalls, and protects consumers from being placed in such unfair situations.

20241209STEERING

Steering wheel makes clacking noise when turning left or right, especially if making sharp right angle turn or when parking. I think I noticed it first in early November 2024 while parking. Since then it has been occurring with greater frequency as well as both directions. I called a repair shop 2 weeks ago & was told it was a common problem with Hyundai's. I went to a different repair shop last Thursday, Dec 5th, 2024, for a tire repair & asked for estimate on steering issue. They told me it was a really big project to replace some sort of ball like piece & required taking the whole steering assembly apart. He said when it goes I'll loose steering & likely have an accident as a result. He said that as my car has less than 29,000 original miles on it (28,630), I should go to the Hyundai dealer as they should pay to repair it as it's a huge safety issue & shouldn't happen to such a low mileage car. I tried to go there but they'd moved & I didn't have a phone to query new locatio

20241021ENGINE

My engine completely stop working.

20240903SERVICE BRAKES

See attached document for complaint.

20240903SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

See attached document for complaint.

20240729SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, a fellow motorist alerted the contact that the vehicle was smoking. The contact pulled over and waited for an extensive period before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the destination while driving at a slow speed. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel since owning the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the recall was not serviced due to poor customer service. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

20240729POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, a fellow motorist alerted the contact that the vehicle was smoking. The contact pulled over and waited for an extensive period before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the destination while driving at a slow speed. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel since owning the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the recall was not serviced due to poor customer service. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

20240721SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving my 2011 Elantra, and when I needed to brake, it didn't feel the same as usual. The brake pedal felt kind of soft. After a while, when I needed to brake at an intersection, the brakes completely failed. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor, and there was no braking. My speed was about 30 mph, and I couldn't stop. I was really lucky that there were no other cars at the intersection, and I just passed the stop sign without stopping. I was so scared. I didn't understand what happened and immediately changed my plans to drive home. Luckily, I was only a few minutes away. I used the hand brake for the rest of the drive. After I parked the car, I saw brake fluid leaking at the bottom, and when I moved the plastic cover, I saw that the brake line was completely rusty.

20240706SEAT BELTS

Our car failed inspection due to a safety issue. Two seats belt are frayed. The photo shows the center belt is frayed where it enters the back seat. The Hyundai dealer wanted more than $1,000 to replace. I went to a local auto wrecker for a used replacements. He had two 2011 Hyundai Elanrtas. Both had the same seat belt damage on the center seat belt. The center belt has been used very little over the life of the car. Since all three vehicles had the same damage it appears that this is not due to normal wear and tear. I feel that Hyundai should replace the seat belt at no cost

Compare 2011HYUNDAIELANTRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA have?
The 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 588 NHTSA complaints, 29 crashes, 11 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
Yes, the 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The most-complained component for the 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is ENGINE with 92 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and STEERING.
Is the 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.