Hyundai Elantra problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Elantra from 1992 to 2026: 8,718 owner complaints and 102 recalls across 35 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2013 (1314), 2017 (767), 2012 (653). Best fuel economy: 37 mpg combined (2023).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 0 | 29 | 22 | |
| 1993 | 0 | 24 | 22 | |
| 1994 | 2 | 76 | 22 | |
| 1995 | 1 | 112 | 22 | |
| 1996 | 3 | 100 | 24 | |
| 1997 | 3 | 115 | 24 | |
| 1998 | 0 | 55 | 24 | |
| 1999 | 2 | 128 | 24 | |
| 2000 | 1 | 197 | 24 | |
| 2001 | 6 | 315 | 25 | |
| 2002 | 6 | 342 | 25 | |
| 2003 | 5 | 234 | 25 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 182 | 26 | |
| 2005 | 4 | 137 | 26 | |
| 2006 | 1 | 155 | 26 | |
| 2007 | 6 | 267 | 28 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 314 | 28 | |
| 2009 | 4 | 254 | 28 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 379 | 29 | |
| 2011 | 5 | 433 | 32 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 653 | 32 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 1314 | 32 | |
| 2014 | 2 | 385 | 31 | |
| 2015 | 3 | 262 | 31 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 293 | 31 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 767 | 35 | |
| 2018 | 0 | 283 | 35 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 251 | 35 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 253 | 36 | |
| 2021 | 6 | 131 | 37 | |
| 2022 | 5 | 102 | 37 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 98 | 37 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 54 | 36 | |
| 2025 | 0 | 22 | 36 | |
| 2026 | 1 | 2 | 31 |
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Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Hyundai Elantra.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Hyundai Elantra?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2013 (1314), 2017 (767), 2012 (653).
How many recalls has the Hyundai Elantra had?
Across 1992–2026, NHTSA lists 102 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).