2020 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 113 of 257 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 263 in 2019 to 257 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,800–2,500 | 1,800–2,500 | 1,750–2,400 | 1,150–2,250 | 1,150–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–35 | 25–35 | 26–36 | 28–54 | 23–54 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–32 / 29–40 | 22–32 / 30–40 | 23–33 / 30–41 | 25–53 / 34–56 | 20–53 / 30–56 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 256–363 | 256–356 | 250–352 | 165–318 | 165–388 | |
| Complaints filed | 330 | 263 | 257 | 158 | 155 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 8 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 12 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 4 | 16 | 3 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
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 2020 Hyundai Elantra have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine: 113 of 257 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 26–36 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $1,750–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 30 mpg | 40 mpg | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 264 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 31 mpg | 41 mpg (high) | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 259 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 33 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | $1,750 (low) | 250 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 301 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 327 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 322 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 352 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 113 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 27 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 15 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 20 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 28 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 26 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
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 (3)
ENGINE · Campaign 21V301000 · Apr 29, 2021
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.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · Campaign 19V720000 · Oct 10, 2019
Defect: 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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · Campaign 19V721000 · Oct 10, 2019
Defect: 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.