Sedan · Gas
Hyundai Elantra 2017–2020 (AD)

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- Price
- $17,200–$23,750
- MPG
- 36
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
How it scores for you10 scores
A cheap-to-run, top-safety-rated commuter compact that's undermined by heavy engine complaints and an uninspiring, cargo-tight package.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 1 of its 7 recalls was serious. About 6% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -3 points for its wider reputation.
4-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 4, rollover 4).
About $1,850 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 78% of cars we track.
14.4 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 23% of other sedans we track.
Roomy cabin for a compact with adequate rear seating and 14.4 cu ft trunk. Class-competitive interior space.
147 hp base engine and FWD deliver adequate but uninspiring performance. Soft handling and light steering make it a comfortable commuter, not an engaging drive. Sport trims exist but base is modest.
Offered available features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and driver aids in later years, but base trims were sparse. Segment-typical for a compact sedan of this era.
Quiet, composed ride tuned for comfort over sport. Decent seats and reasonable noise isolation. Typical for the compact class.
Typical resale value for a sedan.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls8 recalls
8 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2017–2020
- Engine — 170 complaints (2017)
- Recall — Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (2020)
- Structure — 123 complaints (2017)
2020
- RecallWheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs19V720000
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.
- RecallSuspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint19V721000
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.
- RecallEngine21V301000
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.
- Complaint clusterEngine76 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
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 recal
- Complaint clusterPowertrain47 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Transmission TCM/IVT had a service campaign recall #963 for TCM relearn / IVT replacement for premature transmission failure. Hyundai USA and dealership Big Star Hyundai of Friendswood, TX have made claims of the repair being done. Service records indicate there was no replacement, relearn or anythi
- Complaint clusterElectrical23 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2020 HYUNDAI [XXX], VIN: [XXX] Incident Description: On XXX I was pulling into a parking spot and had my foot firmly on the brake pedal. When I attempted to shift the vehicle into Park the engine suddenly revved up excessively. The vehicle then accelerated forward on its own and crashed into a build
- Complaint clusterExterior lighting21 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Unknown and about 4 months ago my headlights stopped working one would go out I’d replace the bulb then the other goes out then a different bulb in my headlight would go out I’d replace it and it would go out again then the connectors were unresponsive then my height beams won’t engage leaving me wi
- Complaint clusterSteering20 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
Steering wheel has been making whining noises when turning. Previously replaced worm shaft on steering while under warranty due to malfunction when first purchased. Issue has resurfaced but no longer covered under warranty. Dealer quoted nearly $800.00 to replace worm shaft.
2019
- RecallEngine21V301000
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.
- Complaint clusterEngine100 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 35-40 MPH on a bridge, the engine made a loud banging and knocking sound, and the vehicle stalled. The driver shifted into neutral, coasted down the bridge with the engine off, and pulled over to the side
- Complaint clusterExterior lighting50 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Highbeam shutters stop working. When engaged the solenoid engages, the shutter attempts to activate (wobbles) but never does. The indicator inside also lights up despite the shuttee never opening.
- Complaint clusterElectrical33 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Where the Hyundai place tell that I don't need drive that because recall on the light shower! on my car and how electric part in the car. I still a note the balance 14,700. The paying balance need be 9,900. Because the wiring and light show balance I would owe. 6,000.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other23 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“I am reporting the paint failure on my 2019 Hyundai Elantra as a safety-related concern. The widespread peeling has exposed bare metal, creating a risk of corrosion that can weaken body panels and potentially affect structural safety. This also reduces the vehicle’s protective coating, which is des
- Complaint clusterPowertrain11 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 15-20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road.
2018
- Complaint clusterEngine88 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
After the car was started, I drove 3 houses over when there was a loud knocking sound and the car just shut off. When trying to restart it wouldn't and the check engine, battery, and oil lights came on. After pushing it out of the road we checked the oil and it was empty. The oil has just been chang
- Complaint clusterElectrical38 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This vehicle lacks an engine immobilizer, a defect that has made 2011-2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles unusually susceptible to theft via a method widely publicized on social media as the "Kia Challenge." My vehicle was stolen using this method, driven approximately 30-40 miles, and abandoned. It was f
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other38 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My daughter was in a parking lot and put her car in park, removed her keys and exited the vehicle. She walked around the vehicle and was removing her school bag and the car came out of park and rolled into another vehicle.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain23 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The car began stalling and started to become unresponsive while I was driving to work. While I was not 100% sure of what component was malfunctioning at the time, I suspected that it might be a timing
- Complaint clusterSteering15 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
My car's steering wheel is making a weird rubbing noise after driving for a short time on wet roads. It sounds like rubber is being turned against something (ie not metallic-sounding) This occurs whether I am in park, drive, reverse, and occurs when turning the wheel in any direction. No warning
2017
- RecallAirbags: frontal16V232000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, th
- RecallAirbags: frontal: driver side: inflator module16V956000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not ha
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic17V063000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- RecallSteering: electric power assist system17V213000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
- Complaint clusterEngine170 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. No warning light was
- Complaint clusterStructure123 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
All four rear/side door latch mechanisms have exhibited intermittent failure to release the door from the interior and/or exterior handle. Repeated operation or increased force can sometimes cause the door to release. This creates a potential safety hazard because an occupant may be unable to exit t
- Complaint clusterElectrical92 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I own a Hyundai Elantra with approximately 103,000 miles. The vehicle has developed an intermittent issue where the engine will suddenly stall while driving. This most often occurs when I am decelerating and turning, such as when entering or navigating roundabouts. At the time of the stall, multipl
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other86 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting an active odometer fraud case on a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, VIN: [XXX]. The seller listed this vehicle on Facebook Marketplace claiming it had 65,000 miles and was in like-new condition. Upon running a CARFAX report, the vehicle shows over 300,000 actual miles. The CARFAX also shows the
- Complaint clusterSteering71 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
While driving and turning, the car loses power steering. This has happened multiple times to my wife at lower driving speeds. These disconcerting safety incidents have randomly occurred without warning since the first week of May. The incident was first reported and taken to the Hyundai dealership o
Cost to own$15,600 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$17,200–$23,750
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,850/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
33
Highway MPG
41
Combined MPG
36
Horsepower
147 hp
Doors
4
Length
179.9 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
55.1 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
2,811 lb
Cargo volume
14.4 cu ft
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