Hyundai Elantra Reliability: Best and Worst Years

The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car sold in the U.S. since the early 1990s and one of Hyundai's highest-volume models. It is primarily a front-wheel-drive sedan, though hatchback, wagon and coupe versions have also been offered. Recent years added a hybrid and sport-oriented N Line and N models. Below, each Hyundai Elantra model year from 2010 to 2024 sits on the same scale, which makes the noisy years and the quiet years easy to spot.

Why these years stand out

2013: most complaints. The 2013 Hyundai Elantra scored 536 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2.4 times the model average. Of its 1,329 complaints, 296 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are steering (271), engine (236) and air bags (168). NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year and 4 defect investigations.

2015, 2021 and 2023: fewest complaints. The 2015 drew 263 complaints, or 109 per 100,000 sold; The 2021 drew 162 complaints, or 130 per 100,000 sold; The 2023 drew 170 complaints, or 127 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.

What Hyundai Elantra owners report most

Engine complaints lead for the Hyundai Elantra, at 29% of all complaints for 2010-2024. Engine and transmission reports together make up 36%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.

When problems are reported: mileage

2,864 Hyundai Elantra complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 47% were reported before 50,000 miles and 19% after 100,000. The reports are spread across the mileage range rather than bunched at one point.

Hyundai Elantra compared with other small cars

In 9 of 15 model years the Hyundai Elantra drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average small car we track for the same year. For 2024, the Hyundai Elantra scored 46 against a class average of 48. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.

Hyundai Elantra generations

• 2005-2006
  Third generation (XD)

  2.0L four · 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic

  These were the last years of the third-generation car, sold as a sedan and five-door hatchback.

• 2007-2010
  Fourth generation (HD)

  2.0L four · 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic

  This redesign was sold as a sedan, with an Elantra Touring wagon added from 2009.

• 2011-2016
  Fifth generation (MD)

  1.8L four; 2.0L four (coupe, and Sport from 2014) · 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic

  This sedan adopted a curvier design, and a coupe was offered for 2013 and 2014.

• 2017-2020
  Sixth generation (AD)

  2.0L four; 1.4L turbo four (Eco); 1.6L turbo four (Sport) · 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic; CVT (2.0L, 2020); 7-speed dual-clutch (Eco, Sport)

  A facelifted version went on sale for the 2019 model year, and the 2.0L engine switched to a CVT for 2020.

• 2021-2024
  Seventh generation (CN7)

  2.0L four; 1.6L four hybrid; 1.6L turbo four (N Line); 2.0L turbo four (N) · CVT (2.0L); 6-speed dual-clutch (hybrid); 6-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic (N Line, N)

  A hybrid version arrived with this redesign, and the high-performance Elantra N followed for 2022.

The Elantra GT hatchback and the Elantra Touring wagon (2009-2012) were sold as separate model lines. The seventh generation received a refresh for the 2024 model year.

Hyundai Elantra fuel economy

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is rated at 23 to 54 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.

Crash test stars

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave the Hyundai Elantra these overall ratings (out of 5) for the model years it tested: 2012: 4-5, 2013: 5, 2014: 5, 2015: 5, 2016: 5, 2017: 4, 2018: 4, 2019: 4, 2020: 4, 2021: 5, 2022: 5, 2023: 5, 2024: 5. Ratings can differ between body styles and drive types of the same year.

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