Used Hyundai Elantra: Inspection checklist
Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 1,219 complaints across these 8 years; the 2018 drew the most.
Choose a model year
2025
Most reported: lane keeping
21 complaints0 recallsOpen checklist
2024
Fewest complaintsMost reported: electrical
50 complaints1 recallOpen checklist
2023
Most reported: electrical
146 complaints4 recallsOpen checklist
2022
Most reported: seat belts
139 complaints8 recallsOpen checklist
2021
Most reported: electrical
147 complaints7 recallsOpen checklist
2020
Most reported: engine
212 complaints3 recallsOpen checklist
2019
Most reported: engine
195 complaints1 recallOpen checklist
2018
Most complaintsMost reported: engine
309 complaints1 recallOpen checklist
Problems that follow the Elantra from year to year
Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.
| Area | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 39 | 31 | 16 | 32 | 25 | 27 | 13 | 183 | |
| Transmission | 28 | 10 | 40 | 7 | 14 | 18 | 117 | ||
| Engine | 98 | 78 | 68 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 268 | ||
| Exterior lights | 11 | 47 | 20 | 2 | 80 | ||||
| Seat belts | 3 | 21 | 28 | 52 | |||||
| Automatic emergency braking | 4 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 46 | ||||
| Lane keeping | 3 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 20 |
Elantra generations and updates
First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.
Seventh generation
2021–2023
2024 update: New exterior design enhancements; Updated safety features
Sixth generation
2017–2020
2019 update: New LED headlights and taillights; Increased safety features
Mileages where Elantra problems start
From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.
| Typical mileage | Problem | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 300–2,000 miles | Battery drains while parked | 2024 |
| 750–11,000 miles | Phantom automatic emergency braking | 2023 |
| 1,000–4,000 miles | Horn stops working early | 2024 |
| 2,200–8,000 miles | Early transmission failure | 2020 |
| 5,600–7,000 miles | Sudden engine stall or seizure | 2021 |
| 7,000–11,000 miles | Horn stops working | 2023 |
| 10,000–10,500 miles | Horn stops working | 2022 |
| 15,000–24,000 miles | Hybrid system power loss | 2023 |
| 16,000–25,000 miles | Horn failure at mid mileage | 2024 |
| 20,000–27,000 miles | Engine oil consumption | 2020 |
| 25,000–28,000 miles | Transmission shudder and clutch faults | 2022 |
| 34,000–85,320 miles | Engine seizure or failure | 2019 |
| 40,000–52,000 miles | High beams stop working | 2019 |
| 41,000–73,000 miles | Catastrophic engine failure | 2020 |
Every Elantra recall to confirm
17 recalls cover the Elantrayears on this site. Open a campaign number for NHTSA's full notice. 7 campaigns span more than one model year. One told owners not to drive or to park outside until repaired.
