CarRecallWatchThe 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 254 complaints with NHTSA, including 21 crashes, 6 fires, 16 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (109 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 4 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Engine May Stall or Cause a Fire
Certain engines may have piston oil rings that were not properly heat-treated.
Rear wheel may detach from loose lug nuts
Some 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles may have the right-side rear wheel lug nuts insufficiently tightened.
Loose Ball Joint Bolts Could Let Front Wheel Detach
The lower control arm ball joint fasteners on certain vehicles may not have been tightened enough during assembly.
Most common 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems
Problem areas named in the 254 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 109 |
| Power Train | 47 |
| Exterior Lighting | 28 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Steering | 20 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
What owners report
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 mechanical failure occurring on a two-lane highway at 55 mph. RE: Transmission (copied from Facebook): "Summarized by Meta AI " "Several 2020 Elantra owners describe shuddering, hesitation, and complete transmission failure at low mileage. Some report the car wonât accelerate from a stop or surge
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; checked in Sep 29, 2026 8:59 AM. Dealer found engine oil below the low mark, no external leaks, DTCs P0302/P0304 (misfires cyl 2 & 4), and all spark plugs worn/fouled. They replaced the plugs and started an oil consumption test per TSB 23-EM-008H. Critical safety issue: the oil pressure warning ligh
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 documentation of it was a P 1327 which signals that the car had entered limp mode. I very quickly reached out to Hyundai themselves and after going back-and-forth on paperwork, they assured me that since I had no coverage on the vehicle due to its mileageand that it was not produced in the same factory as the
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 notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine starter failure. The engine starter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 102,474.
The vehicle entered limp mode. The Hyundai dealer diagnosed a camshaft problem, said the repair would be covered, ordered the part, and began the work. After the engine was opened, the dealer noted sludge/varnish and denied coverage, claiming lack of maintenance. This VIN is included in safety recall 21V301 for improperly heat-treated piston oil rings on the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Hyundai told NHTSA that chipped rings can scuff the cylinder bore, cause accelerated oil consumption, knocking, oil-pressure warning, connecting-rod bearing seizure, stall, and in limited cases fire. The published remedy is inspection of the cylinder bore and piston skirt, engine replacement if damage is found, and PN
2020 Hyundai Elantra safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 4 | 4 (10.7% rollover risk) |
2020 Hyundai Elantra questions
Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra: Engine May Stall or Cause a Fire; Rear wheel may detach from loose lug nuts; Loose Ball Joint Bolts Could Let Front Wheel Detach. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
Based on 254 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (109), Power Train (47), Exterior Lighting (28).
How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2020 Hyundai Elantra up to 4 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2020 Hyundai Elantra has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.