2019 Hyundai ELANTRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
250 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
50,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 57 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 132 of 250 complaints (52.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 46 | 18.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 6.4% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 4.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 132 |
| Exterior Lighting | 55 |
| Electrical System | 36 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 6 |
Engine: 132; Exterior Lighting: 55; Electrical System: 36; Unknown Or Other: 25; Power Train: 10; Steering: 9; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 193 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 44 |
| 2026 | 35 |
2019: 8; 2020: 8; 2021: 39; 2022: 38; 2023: 44; 2024: 34; 2025: 44; 2026: 35
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 46 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11191187 · 2019-03-24 (March 24, 2019)
THE WIND NOISE IS VERY BAD AT ANY SPEED AND THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS VERY BAD ON BUMPS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11191187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11197230 · 2019-04-18 (April 18, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER OF A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND A SMALL ABANDONED HOME. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND BURNED TO DEATH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE STATE TROOPER CONTACTED HYUNDAI OF DOTHAN (LOCATED AT 2329 ROSS CLARK CIR, DOTHAN, AL 36301, [phone removed]) WHERE THE VEHICLE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11197230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11209990 · 2019-05-25 (May 25, 2019)
CAR REPEATEDLY HAS THE BLIND SPOT SENSOR SYSTEM ALARMING OUT AND SHUTTING OFF TILL CAR IS RESTARTED, COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU DONT REALIZE THAT IT IS NO LONGER WORKING. 10 TIMES BETWEEN 275 MILES AND 1300
Owner-reported narrative. 275 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11233403 · 2019-07-19 (July 19, 2019)
MY BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE WENT OUT ROUGHLY 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A MONTH AGO. MOSTLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND RANDOMLY GOES OUT. THE ENTIRE CASING WAS REPLACED AND THE ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11233403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11241636 · 2019-08-04 (August 4, 2019)
DASH WARNING LIGHT
Owner-reported narrative. 10,221 miles reported. Look up ODI 11241636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11280269 · 2019-11-15 (November 15, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 53 MPH, A DEER COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE COASTING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE MEDIAN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE VIN W…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11280269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11287956 · 2019-12-09 (December 9, 2019)
I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE ON SEP. 5, 2019 AND TOOK IT IN ON DEC. 4, 2019 FOR AN OIL CHANGE. HAD COMPLAINTS -- LIGHTS, BRAKES PEDAL FLAPPING, AND RUNNING SLUGGISH.THAT WERE CHECKED OUT. REPAIR RECEIPT REPORTS A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS COMPLETED DUE TO A RECALL.NOTHING WAS REPORTED TO ME BEFORE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. WHEN I CHECKED FOR RECALLS, INCLUDING YOUR SITE, BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THERE NO RECALLS AND YOU REPORT NONE. WHAT IS 97HYZZ1: RECALL. T3W - ELANTRA ECM SOFTWARE UPDATE (19-01-027H) CAUSED BY RECALL THI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11287956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11288308 · 2019-12-11 (December 11, 2019)
SEAT BELT SENSOR ACTIVATES WITH VERY LITTLE WEIGHT IN THE SEAT (LESS THAN 10 LBS) THE ALARMS CONTINUES TO GO OFF EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS EMPTY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11288308 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V301000 · Engine
Reported: 2021-04-28 (April 28, 2021)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗