2020 Hyundai Elantra Gt
Common Problems
Ranked from 62 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
23 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
14complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, especially in stop-start traffic, due to a malfunctioning stop-start system.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Transmission Failure During Driving
12complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails during driving, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially leading to accidents.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Malfunction Leading to Stalling and Safety Risks
9complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine malfunctions, causing the vehicle to stall and potentially leading to loss of control and safety risks.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Steering Column Noise and Potential Loss of Control
6complaintsMedium severitySteeringNoise comes from the steering column, indicating potential issues with the electric steering system, risking loss of control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Suspension Failure Leading to Loss of Control
6complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe suspension fails, causing the vehicle to lose control, especially at higher speeds, posing a significant safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Transmission failure under low mileage
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission failed completely under low mileage, causing loss of power and gears, leading to dangerous driving conditions.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Electrical System Issues Causing Uncommanded Acceleration
3complaintsHigh severityElectricalUncommanded acceleration occurs, potentially leading to accidents and loss of control, despite no visible warning lights.
- 8
High Beam Headlight Failure
3complaintsLow severityOtherHigh beam headlights are frequently failing, reducing nighttime visibility and safety.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Lane Departure and Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe lane departure and forward collision avoidance systems malfunction, causing abrupt stops and near crashes.
- 10
Backup Camera Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe backup camera frequently malfunctions, displaying a blank or blue screen, posing a safety hazard.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Check Engine Light On Without Warning Lights
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates without any warning lights indicating a specific issue.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine knocking sound and loss of power
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produced a knocking sound and experienced loss of power during acceleration, affecting vehicle performance.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine Light Illumination Due to Knock Sensor Issues
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine light illuminates due to a faulty knock sensor, causing intermittent engine performance issues.
- 14
Engine RPM jumping while maintaining speed
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine RPM jumped significantly while maintaining a constant speed on the highway, reducing fuel efficiency and increasing wear.
- 15
Engine Sputtering and Stalling During Deceleration
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine sputters and stalls when the accelerator pedal is released, causing loss of control and safety concerns.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Engine Timing Chain Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine timing chains are failing, leading to potential engine damage and requiring costly repairs.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Excessive Oil Consumption
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to low oil levels and potential engine damage.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Forward collision avoidance system malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe forward collision avoidance system activated independently and failed to warn of obstacles, increasing crash risk.
- 19
Headlight issues and low visibility
2complaintsLow severityElectricalHeadlights had black lines and low visibility, especially in low beam mode, reducing road visibility and safety.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Headlight Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalHigh and low beams fail to work properly, often requiring multiple replacements.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Steering wheel stiffness and sudden changes in steering effort
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel became stiff at all speeds and experienced abrupt changes in effort, making vehicle handling unpredictable.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Transmission shifting into first gear on its own
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shifted into first gear on its own, creating dangerous situations in heavy traffic.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Vehicle speed control issues
2complaintsMedium severityOtherEngaging cruise control caused higher RPMs, increasing engine wear and decreasing fuel efficiency.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.