The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 147 of 266 complaints (55%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 335 in 2018 to 266 in 2019.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 266
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,800–$2,500
- Combined MPG
- 25–35
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,800–2,500 | 1,800–2,500 | 1,800–2,500 | 1,750–2,400 | 1,150–2,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–35 | 25–35 | 25–35 | 26–36 | 28–54 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–32 / 30–40 | 22–32 / 29–40 | 22–32 / 30–40 | 23–33 / 30–41 | 25–53 / 34–56 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 256–356 | 256–363 | 256–356 | 250–352 | 165–318 | |
| Complaints filed | 796 | 335 | 266 | 263 | 162 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 37 | 12 | 12 | 21 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 24 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine: 147 of 266 NHTSA complaints (55%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 25–35 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $1,800–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 29 mpg | 38 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 272 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg | 37 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 281 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 301 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 32 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | $1,800 (low) | 256 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 327 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 322 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 23 mpg | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 352 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 305 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 356 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 147 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 37 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 16 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 69 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 26 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ENGINE
- Defect
- 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.