Hyundai Elantra 2017–2020
6th generation · AD
NHTSA data through 13 August 20262,135 complaints, 708 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 708
- Median of reported failures
- 38,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (30.7%)
- Recalls
- 7
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 29% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 5 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Elantra 2017–2020 · 708 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 172 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 29% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 2,000
- 25%
- 10,000
- Median
- 38,000
- 75%
- 70,000
- 90%
- 105,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 172 | 24.3% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 73 | 10.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 41 | 5.8% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 82 | 11.6% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 67 | 9.5% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 49 | 6.9% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 41 | 5.8% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 45 | 6.4% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 27 | 3.8% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 24 | 3.4% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 33 | 4.7% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 17 | 2.4% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 13 | 1.8% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 9 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,135 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017–2020 Hyundai Elantra, and 708 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
29% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 5 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the engine (30.7% of complaints, typically around 46,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (10.9% of complaints, typically around 34,000 miles), the electrical system (10.2% of complaints, typically around 39,000 miles).
7 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2017–2020 Hyundai Elantra last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2017–2020 Hyundai Elantra were filed by 38,000 miles and 90% by 105,000 miles — figures drawn from 708 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
2 reports (0.3%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Elantra reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2017–2020 Elantra: the 3-minute check
Generated from 708 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2017–2020 cars. Nu 2.0L connecting-rod bearing failure leading to knocking, engine seizure, stalling and in some cases engine-compartment fire; addressed through recalls and the Hyundai/Kia engine settlement with knock-sensor detection…
- Check transmission on 2017–2018 cars. 7-speed dual-clutch transmission shudder, hesitation from a stop and clutch actuator faults on the 1.4T and 1.6T trims.
- Check anti-theft on 2017–2020 key–start trims cars. Key-start trims lack an engine immobilizer, enabling the widely publicized USB-key theft method.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 29% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 34,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Hyundai Elantra 2017–2020
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline142 reports21,0003,000–74,000Transmission and driveline: 142 reports, median 21,000 miles, middle half 3,000 to 74,000 miles.
- Steering114 reports22,0005,000–60,000Steering: 114 reports, median 22,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise232 reports34,00016,000–70,000Problems owners could not categorise: 232 reports, median 34,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 70,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting131 reports35,00010,000–57,000Exterior lighting: 131 reports, median 35,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 57,000 miles.
- Electrical system217 reports39,00012,000–60,000Electrical system: 217 reports, median 39,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Engine656 reports46,00018,000–84,000Engine: 656 reports, median 46,000 miles, middle half 18,000 to 84,000 miles.
- Body structure157 reports54,00036,000–77,000Body structure: 157 reports, median 54,000 miles, middle half 36,000 to 77,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 656 | 30.7% | 46,000 | 18,000–84,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 232 | 10.9% | 34,000 | 16,000–70,000 |
| Electrical system | 217 | 10.2% | 39,000 | 12,000–60,000 |
| Body structure | 157 | 7.4% | 54,000 | 36,000–77,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 142 | 6.7% | 21,000 | 3,000–74,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 131 | 6.1% | 35,000 | 10,000–57,000 |
| Steering | 114 | 5.3% | 22,000 | 5,000–60,000 |
| Brakes | 77 | 3.6% | 20,000 | 10,000–44,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 58 | 2.7% | 28,000 | 4,000–58,000 |
| Latches and locks | 56 | 2.6% | 70,000 | 45,000–92,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Hyundai Elantra 2017–2020 · 708 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 68% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.3% of reports (2) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
68% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 39,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 35,000 mi
- Steering — median 22,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 18,000–84,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 16,000–70,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 36,000–77,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 3,000–74,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
84% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 46,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 34,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 39,000 mi
- Body structure — median 54,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 21,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 35,000 mi
- Steering — median 22,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
95% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 46,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 34,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 39,000 mi
- Body structure — median 54,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 21,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 35,000 mi
- Steering — median 22,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 38,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 30.7% of complaints (656 reports, 201 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 46,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 18,000 and 84,000 miles.
A single system taking 30.7% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 10.9% of complaints (232 reports, 56 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 34,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 70,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.2% of complaints (217 reports, 57 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 39,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 60,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 7.4% of complaints (157 reports, 42 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 54,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 36,000 and 77,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.7% of complaints (142 reports, 63 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 21,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 3,000 and 74,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 6.1% of complaints (131 reports, 34 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 35,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 57,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2017 model year drew the most — 1,073 complaints — while 2019 drew the fewest at 328. The median year sits at 367.
That makes 2017 an outlier: roughly 2.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (2), the engine (1), the suspension (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 2,135 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 123 (5.8%)
- Fires
- 37
- Injury reports
- 57
- Fatality reports
- 3
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine 2017–2020
Nu 2.0L connecting-rod bearing failure leading to knocking, engine seizure, stalling and in some cases engine-compartment fire; addressed through recalls and the Hyundai/Kia engine settlement with knock-sensor detection software and coverage extended to 15 years/150,000 miles.
Transmission 2017–2018
7-speed dual-clutch transmission shudder, hesitation from a stop and clutch actuator faults on the 1.4T and 1.6T trims.
Anti-Theft 2017–2020 key–start trims
Key-start trims lack an engine immobilizer, enabling the widely publicized USB-key theft method.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1,073 | 414 |
| 2018 | 405 | 124 |
| 2019 | 328 | 76 |
| 2020 | 329 | 94 |
Recalls (7) — is your car included?
Aug 2021 · 2019–2020 · EngineA damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Nov 2019 · 2020 · SuspensionA detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.
Nov 2019 · 2020 · WheelsA wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.
May 2017 · 2017 · SteeringLoss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS motor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-243-7766. Hyundai's number for this recall 161.
Feb 2017 · 2017 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
The defect. 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 have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 156.
Feb 2017 · 2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake system booster assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 157.
Jun 2016 · 2017 · Air BagsAn air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
The defect. 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, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
What can happen. An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
What owners reported
Once again the car began to shake violently and started lunging forward while driving within city limits. Check engine warning light came on. I pulled over and shut the car off. When i restarted the car, the check engine light was no longer illuminated and the car seemed to drive somewhat normally. This was not the…
2017 · 2 miles · Electrical system
My car was parked and all of a sudden i noticed the headlights and tail lights turned on. There was an incident where i live that the fire alarm went off in the apartment building and i just happened to be standing outside and my car's exterior lights turned on by themselves. I had my key and i tried to turn off the…
2017 · 4 miles · Exterior lighting
the contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that there was a strong chemical odor inside and near the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor caused headaches, burning eyes, excessive coughing, burning nostrils, a burning throat, and severe fatigue. The contact also stated that other…
2017 · 5 miles · Engine
Built from 708 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page