2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2020 ELANTRA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V301000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-855-371-9460.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
What could happen: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2020 ELANTRA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V720000 (manufacturer code 184).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-251-0871.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
What could happen: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2020 ELANTRA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V721000 (manufacturer code 185).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-855-371-9460.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 2020 Hyundai Elantra owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (112), Transmission / drivetrain (47), Lights (28), Electrical system (27), Unknown Or Other (26).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/15/2026 · Engine
The car went into 'limp mode' after rpm fluxuation. It's in the shop. Blake, a service manager at Temecula Hyundai, tells me it has "piston slap," which AI says is related to a piston ring recall for this car. Blake went on to say it has 2 power train issues (and needs a catalytic converter). NHTSA shows no recall, but whether engine or transmission, my da…
10/07/2026 · Unknown Or Other
2020 Hyundai Elantra, VIN [XXX], ~79,239 mi. On or about [XXX], while entering a parking lot at low speed on an incline, I pressed the accelerator but the car had severe power loss and then stalled. It would not move in reverse. All dashboard lights came on only after the stall. I restarted it; the lights cleared. It was towed to Westlake Hyundai, 3610 Thou…
09/29/2026 · Engine
Back in early July, I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine so when I took it in to a Hyundai dealership, they told me the only way I could pursue any help further was by completing a oil consumption test, which I complied and paid for out-of-pocket very soon after within 48 hours my check engine light came on and was flashing. after pulling the cod…
09/24/2026 · Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) as a potential cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently with an abnormal electrical…
09/10/2026 · Engine
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 th…
09/09/2026 · Electrical system · crash
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 INFORM…
09/02/2026 · Engine
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 diag…
08/29/2026 · Transmission / drivetrain
Transmission TCM/IVT had a service campaign recall #963 for TCM relearn / IVT replacement for premature transmission failure. Hyundai USA and dealership Big Star Hyundai of Friendswood, TX have made claims of the repair being done. Service records indicate there was no replacement, relearn or anything transmission related done with the vehicle and Hyundai U…