Reliable Auto DB

2020 Hyundai Elantra reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 250 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 32 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Elantra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Engine, Front lower ball joint, and Lug nuts.

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

250

Per year

32

Recalls

3

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (105 of 250), then Powertrain (47) and Exterior lighting (28). Those filings include 21 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, 12 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Elantra has 250 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2021 has 130 complaints, 28 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

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 2020 Hyundai Elantra. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

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.
Recall Front lower ball joint 2019-10-09 · NHTSA campaign 19V721000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall wheels, lug nuts 2019-10-09 · NHTSA campaign 19V720000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (250 total)

Engine
105
Powertrain
47
Exterior lighting
28
Electrical system
27
Steering
20
Forward collision avoidance
14
Service brakes
13
Speed control
13
Fuel and propulsion system
9
Structure
7
Air bags
5
Lane departure
5
Wheels
5
Engine and engine cooling
3
Suspension
3
Back-over prevention
2
Tires
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Diesel fuel system
1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Seat belts
1
Seats
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

21

Fire-flagged

6

Injury reports

12

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

42019282020482021162022352023352024392025452026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The vehicle entered limp mode. The Hyundai dealer diagnosed a camshaft problem, said the repair would be covered, ordered the part, and began the work. After the engine was opened, the dealer noted sludge/varnish and…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-10
  • "2020 HYUNDAI [XXX], VIN: [XXX] Incident Description: On XXX I was pulling into a parking spot and had my foot firmly on the brake pedal. When I attempted to shift the vehicle into Park the engine suddenly revved up…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-09-09
  • "The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-02
  • "Transmission TCM/IVT had a service campaign recall #963 for TCM relearn / IVT replacement for premature transmission failure. Hyundai USA and dealership Big Star Hyundai of Friendswood, TX have made claims of the repair…"
    Powertrain, Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-29
  • "The high beam lights don’t work. Doesn’t make changes to high. Relay, bulbs and breakers appear to be ok."
    Electrical system, Exterior lighting · filed 2026-08-24

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 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 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 26 37 30 MPG $2150
Elantra 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 33 41 36 MPG $1800
Elantra 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 26 33 29 MPG $2250
Elantra 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 30 40 34 MPG $1900
Elantra GT 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 32 27 MPG $2400
Elantra GT 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S7) Front-wheel drive 25 32 28 MPG $2300
Elantra GT 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Elantra SE 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 31 41 35 MPG $1850

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 2019 Hyundai Elantra Next year 2021 Hyundai Elantra See every Hyundai Elantra model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 250 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 32 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Elantra years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Engine, Front lower ball joint, and Lug nuts.

What are common problems with a 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (105 of 250), then Powertrain (47) and Exterior lighting (28). Those filings include 21 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, 12 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Elantra has 250 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2021 has 130 complaints, 28 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Hyundai Elantra been recalled?

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 250 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Hyundai Elantra get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra is 30.6 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).