The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Elantra

2019 Hyundai Elantra.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra is better than average by owner complaints: 97 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 52, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 26 to 35 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Elantra year is 2015.

52Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.9× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2015 · Worst year 2013

Hyundai Elantra
Photo shows a 2022 Hyundai Elantra. Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints97first 3 years
Fuel economy26–35 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★☆NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2017–2020 Hyundai Elantra, 26.0M views. The 2019 is the same generation.

  1. Gauges, lights & wiring789K views
    2019-2020 Hyundai Elantra headlight bulb replacement2019-2020 Hyundai Elantra headlight bulb replacementDIY WITH MCPHILL · 278K views · 5 videos
  2. Brakes & ABS350K views
    How to Replace Brake Light Bulb - Hyundai Elantra (2019-2020)How to Replace Brake Light Bulb - Hyundai Elantra (2019-2020)Virar Automotive · 150K views · 3 videos
  3. Oil changes & service321K views
    P0017 FIXED FAST & EASY! 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA - VVT SOLENOIDS / OIL CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT EASY!P0017 FIXED FAST & EASY! 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA - VVT SOLENOIDS / OIL CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT EASY!Hidalgo Motors Co TV · 204K views · 2 videos
  4. Infotainment, battery & electrical243K views
    How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Elantra (2017 / 2018)How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Elantra (2017 / 2018)Virar Automotive · 108K views · 3 videos
Show 2 more
  1. Transmission & shifter151K views
    2018 Hyundai Elantra Transmission Fluid Change - 3X Drain & Fill with Amsoil ATF (6Th Gen Elantras)2018 Hyundai Elantra Transmission Fluid Change - 3X Drain & Fill with Amsoil ATF (6Th Gen Elantras)Andy-Auto-Info · 151K views
  2. Intake, EGR & engine sensors66K views
    How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra 2.0LHow to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra 2.0LTRQ · 66K views

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 266 owner complaints, owners reported:

12crashes
3injuries
3fires
21tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

engine35%
lights32%
electrical12%
steering7%
seat belts5%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Hyundai Elantra year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 50K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 94K miles on the car (61 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

  • engine complaints mostly came at 47K–127K miles
  • lights complaints mostly came at 28K–52K miles

Recalls 1

  • engine 2021

    The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Hyundai told dealers about

Hyundai sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine?

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆
Hyundai Elantra Gt 5 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $1850–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

Lights are being replaced every month due to being burned out there is no bright lights at all..

2019 Hyundai Elantra owner · NHTSA complaint 11397046
More owner reports

Headlight stay in Dim mode will not switch to Bright Lights

NHTSA complaint 11453541

The High beams will not engage lights stay on dim mode

NHTSA complaint 11474870

Quick answers

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 52; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Elantra year by this measure is 2015.

What are the most common 2019 Hyundai Elantra problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (35%), lights (32%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have?

1 safety recall (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra get?

26 to 35 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra safe?

NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2019 Hyundai Elantra problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,000 and 94,400 miles. The middle report was at 50,400 miles, from 61 complaints.

Does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra cost in fuel a year?

About $1850 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have?

1.4L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.

What Hyundai Elantra year is better than the 2019?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2014 and 2016.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data