2020 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
331 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 19/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Engine leads the reports, typically around 31,138 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2020 sits among all Elantra years
What owners report
“Engine stalled out, oil light and engine repair light both on, call will not turn over”— owner report to NHTSA, 2020 Elantra
“Both headlights bulbs needed to be replaced several times. Passenger replacement bulb 3 times. Drivers side twice. I have sent Hyundai several emails and have not heard back from them. Case # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”— owner report to NHTSA, 2020 Elantra
“While driving on highway at full speed, the car shifted into 1st gear on its own. Traffic was heavy, but fast, creating a dangerous situation. I was able to get the car over. It was taken to service and the dealer found that the whole transmission needed to be replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2020 Elantra
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 89 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 9,450 miles. Half of those reports fall between 3,900 and 48,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
Technical service bulletins
96 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2020 Elantra TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra drew 331 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 19/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems?
The top reported problems for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra are engine (105 complaints), electrical (52), and transmission & drivetrain (45).
At what mileage do 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems show up?
Owners most often report 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems around 9,450 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 3,900 and 48,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2020 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.