Reliable Auto DB

2019 Hyundai Elantra reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra holds 250 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 18 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Elantra years here — under the median of the other years, which is 25. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

2012 Hyundai Elantra
Photo by SsmIntrigue, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

250

Per year

18

Recalls

1

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (132 of 250), then Exterior lighting (65) and Electrical system (37). Those filings include 12 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, 3 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Elantra has 282 complaints, 22 per year, and the 2020 has 250 complaints, 32 per year. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2019 Hyundai Elantra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Engine 2021-04-28 · NHTSA campaign 21V301000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (250 total)

Engine
132
Exterior lighting
65
Electrical system
37
Powertrain
11
Steering
9
Forward collision avoidance
7
Seat belts
6
Service brakes
5
Engine and engine cooling
4
Lane departure
4
Speed control
4
Wheels
4
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Structure
3
Air bags
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Tires
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Back-over prevention
1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Suspension
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

12

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

3

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

8201982020392021382022442023342024442025352026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-04
  • "2019 Hyundai Elantra with 2.0L Nu MPI engine suffered catastrophic engine failure at approximately 118,530 miles. Vehicle is currently at the [XXX] Hyundai dealership. Vehicle appears to fall within the exact parameters…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-03
  • "Car sudden stopped then would not turn on Currently being looked at but for suspected timing chain, VVT, and related parts Others have reported these same issues and other model with same engines have been recalled"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-01
  • "On 6/12/26, the engine had a sudden, catastrophic failure that caused a life-threatening hazard on a 2-lane highway in a remote mountain grade with no shoulder. Prior to this incident, the forward collision system had…"
    Engine, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-08-23
  • "About two months ago, I had to replace the camshaft on my vehicle. Then about 3 weeks ago while driving down the road I began to hear a grinding slap near the front right of the vehicle. Then the power died and the…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2019 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Elantra 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 32 40 35 MPG $1850
Elantra 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 26 33 29 MPG $2250
Elantra 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 28 37 32 MPG $2050
Elantra 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 26 36 29 MPG $2250
Elantra 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 22 30 25 MPG $2600
Elantra GT 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Elantra GT 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 32 28 MPG $2300
Elantra GT 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 32 27 MPG $2400
Elantra SE 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 29 38 33 MPG $1950

Specs and fitment

6th generation (AD), 2017–2020
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L Nu; 1.4L turbo where equipped) , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 205/55R16 to 225/40R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 21V301000. 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. 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. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Hyundai Elantra Next year 2020 Hyundai Elantra See every Hyundai Elantra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra holds 250 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 18 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Elantra years here — under the median of the other years, which is 25. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

What are common problems with a 2019 Hyundai Elantra?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (132 of 250), then Exterior lighting (65) and Electrical system (37). Those filings include 12 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, 3 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 Elantra has 282 complaints, 22 per year, and the 2020 has 250 complaints, 32 per year. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Hyundai Elantra been recalled?

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 250 complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Hyundai Elantra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra is 29.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Elantra take?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.8L and 2.0L per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-769 cover on the Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA campaign 17V769000.

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?

5th generation (MD) (2012-2016).