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2020 Hyundai Elantra

Recalls & complaints

3 recalls255 complaints

Official NHTSA data · retrieved 2026-11-11

At a glance

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 3 safety recalls and 255 owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Most common recall: Engine (1). Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer.

3 safety recalls

NHTSA 21V301000Reported Apr 28, 2021

Engine

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.

What can happen: 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.

The 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 August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

NHTSA 19V720000Reported Oct 9, 2019

Wheels: Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs

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.

What can happen: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

The 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 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.

NHTSA 19V721000Reported Oct 9, 2019

Suspension: Front: Control Arm: Lower Ball Joint

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.

What can happen: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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 service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.

Owner complaints (255)

What owners filed with NHTSA about this car. Most recent first.

POWER TRAIN · filed 10/30/2026

I am reporting a serious transmission problem with my 2020 Hyundai Elantra, which has approximately 66,000 miles I purchased this vehicle from a private seller approximately two months ago. At the time of purchase, the vehicle drove great, and I noticed no mechanical issues or unusual noises. After only two months of ownership, I began hearing a grinding noise coming from underneath the vehicle

ENGINE · filed 10/15/2026

The car went into 'limp mode' after rpm fluxuation. It's in the shop. Blake, a service manager at Temecula Hyundai, tells me it has "piston slap," which AI says is related to a piston ring recall for this car. Blake went on to say it has 2 power train issues (and needs a catalytic converter). NHTSA shows no recall, but whether engine or transmission, my daughter was nearly rear-ended due to this

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE · filed 10/07/2026

2020 Hyundai Elantra, VIN [XXX], ~79,239 mi. On or about [XXX], while entering a parking lot at low speed on an incline, I pressed the accelerator but the car had severe power loss and then stalled. It would not move in reverse. All dashboard lights came on only after the stall. I restarted it; the lights cleared. It was towed to Westlake Hyundai, 3610 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362;

ENGINE · filed 09/29/2026

Back in early July, I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine so when I took it in to a Hyundai dealership, they told me the only way I could pursue any help further was by completing a oil consumption test, which I complied and paid for out-of-pocket very soon after within 48 hours my check engine light came on and was flashing. after pulling the code at an AutoZone which I have documentati

ENGINE · filed 09/24/2026

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) as a potential cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently with an abnormal electrical wire burning odor. The manufacturer was n

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Questions, answered

Are recalls free to fix?

Yes. In the US, safety recalls are repaired free of charge by the manufacturer at an authorized dealer, no matter how old the car is. Call your dealer's service department, give them your VIN, and book the repair.

How do I know if my car is affected by a recall?

Recalls cover specific production ranges, so two cars of the same model and year can differ. The surest check is your VIN: call the dealer or use the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The campaign numbers on this page are what the dealer uses to look it up.

What should I do if my car has an open recall?

Don't wait — book the free repair with an authorized dealer. If a recall says to park outside or not drive the car, follow that instruction: it usually means a fire or stall risk. Recall repairs are free and the dealer has the parts or will order them.

Not repair advice. Recall summaries are the official NHTSA text; complaint excerpts are what owners filed with NHTSA. If your car has an open recall, book the free repair with an authorized dealer.

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