The Lemon Index2020 Hyundai Elantra.
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is worse than average by owner complaints: 136 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 119, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 26 to 36 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Elantra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2017–2020 Hyundai Elantra, 26.0M views. The 2020 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring789K views
2019-2020 Hyundai Elantra headlight bulb replacementDIY WITH MCPHILL · 278K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS350K views
How to Replace Brake Light Bulb - Hyundai Elantra (2019-2020)Virar Automotive · 150K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service321K views
P0017 FIXED FAST & EASY! 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA - VVT SOLENOIDS / OIL CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT EASY!Hidalgo Motors Co TV · 204K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical243K views
![How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Elantra (2017 / 2018)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KFDGb3F1brQ/mqdefault.jpg)
How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Elantra (2017 / 2018)Virar Automotive · 108K views · 3 videos
Show 2 more
- Transmission & shifter151K views
2018 Hyundai Elantra Transmission Fluid Change - 3X Drain & Fill with Amsoil ATF (6Th Gen Elantras)Andy-Auto-Info · 151K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors66K views
How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra 2.0LTRQ · 66K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra Sedan 6th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 208K views
2017 Hyundai Elantra - Review and Road TestKelley Blue Book · 807K views
2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport 6MT – Redline: ReviewRedline Reviews · 509K viewsViews 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 261 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Elantra year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 47K miles on the car (79 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 4K–71K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 2K–38K miles
Recalls 3
- engine 2021
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
- wheels 2019
The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
- suspension 2019
The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 99 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
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Elantra GT 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1800–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving on highway car lost power dropping down to 10-20 miles per hour. Appears car stuck in low gear and won't go forward over 10mph with rpm revinning
2020 Hyundai Elantra owner · NHTSA complaint 11398257
More owner reports
At least 5 or 6 times, I have experienced sudden uncommanded acceleration with my 2020 Hyundai Elantra. One time my car hit a tree. These have been terrifying incidents. It usually happens when I am slowing down or braking.
NHTSA complaint 11440913
While driving 70 mph on ohio turnpike the transmission slipped out of gear and would not allow the car to shift into any gears. After pulling over and restarting the car the fastest it would go was 10 mph .
NHTSA complaint 11277049
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 119; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Elantra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (37%), transmission & drivetrain (21%) and steering (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have?
3 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra get?
26 to 36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 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 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,000 and 47,000 miles. The middle report was at 10,000 miles, from 79 complaints.
Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra cost in fuel a year?
About $1800 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have?
1.4L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Elantra year is better than the 2020?
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