2026 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 1 of 3 complaints (33%) mentions it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 33 in 2025 to 3 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2026 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,150–3,350 | 1,150–3,350 | 1,150–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–54 | 23–54 | 23–54 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–51 / 27–58 | 20–51 / 27–58 | 20–51 / 27–58 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 165–392 | 165–392 | 165–392 | |
| Complaints filed | 59 | 33 | 3 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 3 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 6 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 7 |
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 2026 Hyundai Elantra have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 23–54 MPG combined across 7 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $1,150–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S1) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 30 mpg | 40 mpg | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 263 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S1) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 31 mpg | 40 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 254 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg | 35 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 288 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 49 mpg | 52 mpg | 50 mpg | $1,250 | 177 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 51 mpg (high) | 58 mpg (high) | 54 mpg (high) | $1,150 (low) | 165 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 392 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 366 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU) · Campaign 26V308000 · May 15, 2026
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Elantra Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid power control unit (HPCU) assembly may overheat.
Consequence: Overheating in the HPCU increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 301. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 16, 2026.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:SIDE IMPACT · Campaign 26V254000 · Apr 21, 2026
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 299. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 22, 2026.