The Lemon IndexHyundai Elantra.
The best Hyundai Elantra years are 2015, 2014, 2016. Years to avoid: 2013, 2008, 2004. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 74, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2002 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2015.
Compare the Hyundai Elantra.
vs Toyota Camry · vs Honda Civic · vs Toyota Corolla · vs Honda Accord · vs Nissan Altima · vs Ford Fusion · vs Chevrolet Malibu · vs Hyundai Sonata
Quick answers.
Is the Hyundai Elantra a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 74; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2015 and the worst is 2013.
What are the best Hyundai Elantra years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2015, 2014, 2016.
What Hyundai Elantra years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2013, 2008, 2004.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Elantra have?
86 safety recalls across the 24 model years we track. Most: 2008 (7), 2002 (6), 2007 (6). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Hyundai Elantra problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, electrical and airbags most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 93 | about average | 114 | airbags (30%) | 6 | — | 25 |
| 2003 | 83 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 82 | airbags (29%) | 5 | — | 25 |
| 2004 | 120 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 119 | airbags (70%) | 5 | — | 24–26 |
| 2005 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 50 | airbags (64%) | 4 | — | 24–26 |
| 2006 | 48 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 34 | airbags (47%) | 1 | — | 24–26 |
| 2007 | 65 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 51 | airbags (33%) | 6 | — | 27–28 |
| 2008 | 124 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 116 | fuel system, gasoline (34%) | 7 | — | 27–28 |
| 2009 | 46 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 38 | steering (39%) | 4 | — | 26–28 |
| 2010 | 58 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 84 | steering (24%) | 4 | — | 26–29 |
| 2011 | 40 | 2.5× fewer complaints than average | 86 | steering (14%) | 5 | — | 26–32 |
| 2012 | 81 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 179 | electrical (35%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 26–32 |
| 2013 | 141 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 424 | steering (18%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 30–32 |
| 2014 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 92 | steering (20%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 27–31 |
| 2015 | 29 | 3.4× fewer complaints than average | 67 | engine (21%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 27–31 |
| 2016 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 84 | engine (20%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 27–31 |
| 2017 | 114 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 241 | engine (34%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 27–35 |
| 2018 | 55 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 111 | engine (36%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 25–35 |
| 2019 | 52 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 97 | engine (35%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 26–35 |
| 2020 | 119 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 136 | engine (37%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 26–36 |
| 2021 | 105 | about average | 126 | automatic emergency braking (41%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 28–54 |
| 2022 | 95 | about average | 137 | electrical (25%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 23–54 |
| 2023 | 106 | about average | 169 | automatic emergency braking (27%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 23–54 |
| 2024 | 53 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 62 | electrical (31%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 23–54 |
| 2025 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 34 | lane assist (29%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 23–54 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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