2019 Hyundai Elantra
Common Problems
Ranked from 118 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
26 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
Headlight Malfunction
15complaintsLow severityOtherHigh and low beam headlights fail to work properly, leading to poor visibility.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Headlights Malfunction
14complaintsMedium severityElectricalHigh and low beam headlights frequently malfunction, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Failure Due to Piston Issues
10complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails due to piston-related issues such as rod bearings or oil rings, causing sudden loss of power and potential engine damage.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 4
Engine Knocking and Abnormal Noise
10complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces abnormal knocking sounds and vibrations, indicating potential internal damage.
Related recall: 21V301000
- 5
Engine Stall During Operation
10complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls during operation without warning, leading to potential loss of control and accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 6
Excessive Oil Consumption
9complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring frequent refills and potentially leading to engine damage.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 7
Engine Failure During High-Speed Travel
8complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails suddenly during high-speed travel, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially stall.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 8
Headlight Failure
7complaintsLow severityOtherHigh beams and headlights fail to work properly, leading to poor visibility at night.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Engine Stall During Idle
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly during idle, often without warning.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 10
Engine Failure Due to Internal Damage
5complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails due to internal damage, such as broken pistons or seized engine components, leading to sudden loss of power and potential engine damage.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 11
Engine Failure Due to Timing Chain Issues
5complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails due to timing chain or gear issues, leading to engine knock and potential engine damage.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 12
Engine Stall Due to Oil Consumption
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, leading to frequent stalls and loss of power.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 13
Engine Stalling During Driving
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine suddenly stalls during driving, often without warning, leading to loss of control.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 14
High-Beam Headlight Malfunction
5complaintsLow severityElectricalHigh-beam headlights fail to work properly, reducing nighttime visibility.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Engine Burning Oil
3complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe engine burns excessive oil, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine damage.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Engine Light On Without Warning
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates without any prior warning, indicating underlying engine issues.
Related recall: 21V301000
- 17
Engine Oil Burning and Seizure
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine burns excessive oil, leading to potential seizure and loss of power during operation.
Related recall: 21V301000
- 18
Engine Stalling at Red Light
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly at red lights, often without warning, affecting the driver's ability to proceed.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 19
Stalling and Loss of Power
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe vehicle suddenly loses power and stalls while driving, often without warning, posing a significant safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 20
Transmission Issues
3complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences frequent hard and delayed shifts, causing jerking and hard gear changes.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Anti-Theft System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe anti-theft system is ineffective, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to theft and increasing the risk of theft-related incidents.
- 22
Engine Knocking and Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking sound and fails, rendering the vehicle inoperable and potentially leading to accidents.
Related recall: 21V301000
- 23
Engine Stalling and Random Shutdown
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine randomly stalls and shuts down during driving, often without warning, leading to potential safety hazards.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V301000
- 24
Lane Departure Warning System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe lane departure warning system malfunctions, failing to detect nearby vehicles.
- 25
Seating Sensor Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe seat belt sensor activates with minimal weight, causing false alarms.
- 26
Steering Wheel Lock-up During Cruising
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up during cruising, causing loss of control of the vehicle.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes
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.