HYUNDAI ELANTRA · model year

2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

285 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020HYUNDAIELANTRA carries 285 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 28 crashes, 11 fires, 22 injuries, and 2 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 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 2020 ELANTRA is engine with 89 filings, followed by power train (37) and exterior lighting (25). 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 3 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 2020 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.

285
Complaints
28
Crashes
11
Fires
22
Injuries
2
Deaths
2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

285 filings

Crashes Reported

28 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE89
POWER TRAIN37
EXTERIOR LIGHTING25
UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
STEERING18
SERVICE BRAKES11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
WHEELS5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS5
AIR BAGS4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL3
SUSPENSION3

Recalls (3)

21V30100028/04/2021

ENGINE

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.

19V72000009/10/2019

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

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.

19V72100009/10/2019

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

Recent Complaints

20260219ENGINE

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.

20260214ENGINE

My car just lost all power and stopped on the side of the road after making a weird noise under the hood

20260202EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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)

20260125EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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!

20260125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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!

20260124EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The vehicle suffered a total, simultaneous failure of both low-beam and high-beam headlights due to a known manufacturer defect involving internal wiring and melted pigtail sockets. This matches the failure pattern described in Hyundai TSB 20-BE-004H and Service Campaign T5G (TSB 21-01-004H). ​On January 22, 2026, Robert Woodall Hyundai (Danville, VA) inspected the vehicle and confirmed on Invoice #[XXX] that "BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE INOP". Despite this verification and the presence of technical bulletins for the ADa model line, the dealer refused the repair and refused to submit a Goodwill Authorization request as mandated on Page 2, Note 2 of the TSB. ​The Service Manager (Alan Pyles) claimed in an email that the TSB had "expired," despite the defect being active and documented in more recent campaigns. Releasing a vehicle with documented inoperative headlights creates an immediate safety risk for nighttime operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (

20260121EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Vehicle has ongoing issues with headlights prior to purchasing, they claim to have repaired & satisfied recall, however, they replaced headlights with the same faulty part the replacement lights are the same, with same issues, no high beams they have a steel rod operating a plastic gear that operates a shutter to dim & operates high beam. The problem is with the heat of halogens the rod gets hot and melts the gear connection rendering the shutter inoperable so as it is , we get a year and a half out of them then they are junk. Dealer cost is 900 dollars each just for 1 light. If dealership installs 2000 dollars. The issue is, they didn't reengineer the unit! Just keep selling faulty parts! There is no way we should have to go through this every year and a half. So we're going around with no high beams ( I'm including all owners) many complaints. Foremost, it's an obvious safety concern! I've been to Bergstrom Hyundai 3 times called corporate HQ no results. In addition, the bulbs

20260120ENGINE

This vehicle’s engine failed on 10/25/21. This was 2 months after it was purchased. When we tried to have a Hyundai dealership diagnose the car, they said it would be an extended amount of time before the could look at it. When they finally did, they said it was not eligible for the warranty or recall relief. I reached out to the Hyundai corporate office and received no assistance. They tried to say it was due to no drain plug. It was recommended that we take it to another dealership who said the same thing. We ended up paying out of pocket to replace the engine. The mechanic who replaced the engine said there was no oil splatter under the car that would indicate an oil leak. Now on 1/15/26, the 2nd engine has now failed for apparently the same recall. For either engine there was never any warning of low oil or any evidence under the car of a leak.

20260111STRUCTURE:BODY

Paint is peeling off vehicle.

20260106ENGINE

Engine is stalling and consuming oil at a higher then normal rate. Knock sensor is having issues at 24k miles both part of recall campaign 974 and recall 203. Took the auto to dealer for service and was told Hyundai would not honor the recall due to a branded title which now puts me in a scenario of possibly engine stall in the middle of highway traffic.

20251230ENGINE

Reporting motor has a cold start ticking sound coming from the motor.

20251230POWER TRAIN

Was driving car after a recent oil change. The oil change was performed early because the car was ticking and found oil to be low. Was going to take into dealer to be looked into but the car made a loud sound and stopped immediately and turned off. Luckily I was not driving too fast but had I been this could have posed a risk to myself, my passengers and other drivers. This complaint is consistent with prior engine failure complains of other Hyundai models. The Elantra has yet to be investigated. The maintenance lights that came on have only been for a high mount break light and low tire pressure. I did not get a low oil or oil change needed alert.

20251212ENGINE

Subject: Abnormal Engine Failure – Hyundai Case #[XXX] I am filing this complaint regarding my Hyundai vehicle, which suffered catastrophic engine failure at approximately 150,000 miles. While the vehicle is outside the standard warranty, this type of failure is not consistent with normal use or expected durability. Hyundai Motor America has acknowledged receipt of my certified demand letter (Case #[XXX]) but has refused to provide coverage, instead directing me to pay for towing and diagnostic costs. This position is unacceptable given Hyundai’s history of abnormal engine defects and related settlements. Key points: • The failure is abnormal and consistent with systemic defects Hyundai has faced in prior litigation, including the Theta II and Lambda II engine defect class actions, which resulted in recalls and settlements covering millions of vehicles. • Hyundai has previously extended goodwill repairs and recall coverage for similar failures, even outside warranty periods. â€

20251212EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The head lights will not go into high beam mode. When the high beams are turned on, they initiate and then flicker back and forth from on and off and will not remain on. This happens simultaneously with both lights. It appears to be a electrically issue with the high beam setting and the current not remaining constant. I have taken it to two different shops and they said it is a common with this car and to check for a recall because they have had others that had the same issued recalled. My VIN does not show a recall. This issue can also ONLY be corrected by Hyundai. The places that I have taken it to said there is a special tool they have to use to even get to this component. I noticed this starting a few months ago and still has not corrected. I have not been able to use my high beams since Aug/Sept.

20251212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The head lights will not go into high beam mode. When the high beams are turned on, they initiate and then flicker back and forth from on and off and will not remain on. This happens simultaneously with both lights. It appears to be a electrically issue with the high beam setting and the current not remaining constant. I have taken it to two different shops and they said it is a common with this car and to check for a recall because they have had others that had the same issued recalled. My VIN does not show a recall. This issue can also ONLY be corrected by Hyundai. The places that I have taken it to said there is a special tool they have to use to even get to this component. I noticed this starting a few months ago and still has not corrected. I have not been able to use my high beams since Aug/Sept.

20251212STEERING

There is a grinding in my steering column, worse at lower speeds. I have spoke to Hyundai about this and several other shops and they said this is a common recall for Elantras and there is a barring that is in the recall. However, my VIN is not in this common recall. If this is a common recall on Elantras in my year range, wouldn't ALL Elantras have the option to have to corrected not just a select few? Per Hyundai dealership, They know exactly what it is and it should be on a recall list my VIN just showing it so they can not correct the problem. This started before I purchased the car from a friend and she was told the same thing when she checked into it before.

20251210ENGINE

my engine started to make a horrible noise and the car won’t start anymore. Hyundai engines are known to burn oil and don’t light the low oil dash light until it is too late. Other Elantra trims have a recall for Hyundai to fix this yet mine does not.

20251206EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I got this car right at the beginning of 2020, I didn’t even KNOW HOW to use my high beams until 2-3 years in. I used them all of 4-6 times and they magically stopped working. I don’t need them often so I didn’t notice right away. I’ve known for a while now but didn’t know I could submit a form like this. And no way in hell am I paying that much money for something that broke after a few uses. I’ve heard this is very common for my car make and model; I can hear the doors of the light trying to switch open but they’re stuck or something… I’m definitely not the only one having this issue…

20251125ENGINE

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.

20251125VEHICLE 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.

Compare 2020HYUNDAIELANTRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA have?
The 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 285 NHTSA complaints, 28 crashes, 11 fires, 22 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
Yes, the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA?
The most-complained component for the 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA is ENGINE with 89 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2020 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 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. 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.