Home · 2011 Hyundai Elantra Gt · Complaints

What 459 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Gt

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (459)Crash / fire / injury (31)Engine (96)Airbags (81)Steering (76)Suspension (67)Electrical system (52)Brakes (48)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (37)Transmission & drivetrain (25)Speed control (23)Wheels (20)

37 of 459 complaints match · Electronic Stability Control (esc) · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Oct 19, 2020Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC CAR SHUTS OFF AFTER PRESSING BREAK TOO MUCH. CAR SHUTS OFF IN REVERSE. CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE MAKING TURNS AND HITTING BREAK SIMULTANEOUSLY. GOING OVER 60 MPH CAUSES CAR TO SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY FEW MINUTES OR EVEN SECONDS. (WORST WAS 9 TIMES IN UNDER 2 MINUTES) CAR SHUTS OFF SLOWING DOWN TO RED LIGHT. HAD CAR CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES BY MECHANICS. NOONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. NO CODE COMES UP WHEN PLUGGED INTO COMPUTER AT AUTOSHOP. ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL

NHTSA ODI 11365065

Jun 2, 2020LightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

MY BRAKES LIGHT STAY ON AND IT THE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT IT JUST STARTED TWO DAYS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326931

Feb 11, 2020LightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY CAR HAS HAD ENGINE LIGHT ON OVER ONE YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED, DIFFERENT SHOP TRIED TO FIX IT BUT THEY CAN'T GET IT ,THEY SAID IT IS BECAUSE OF VEHICLE BAD SYSTEM ITSELF SO WHY IT SHAKES EVERY SINGLE TIME,ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM IS NOT GOOD,THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS DOWN,THE FIXED IT A COUPLE DAYS FROM NOW BUT STILL IT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY.THE PROBLEM CAME IN WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY I-295 MAINE STATE.

NHTSA ODI 11308406

Oct 25, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

CAR JERKS INTO REVERSE HARD. WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD CAR LOSES POWER. JUST ACTS LIKE ITS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. VERY LOW MILES ONVTHIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11270946

Sep 24, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE STEERING OR MAKING TURNS THERE IS A POPPING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND A HESITATION

NHTSA ODI 11257631

Jul 13, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I RECENTLY HAD TO SLAM MY BRAKES DUE TO A DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. AND RIGHT AT ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE ACCELERATION TO MY CAR WHILE IN DRIVE WILL NOT GO. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND ITS READING A COUPLE OF CODES T THE SENSORS. I SAW THAT IN A SEARCH WHILE TRYING TO FIX THE ISSUE THAT IT HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ESC. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL THAT IS RELATED TO MY VIN NUMBER. THIS HAPPENS AT A PARKING LOT NEAR CHUCK E CHEESE ON MY SONS BIRTHDAY AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK HOME. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE MY CAR IN A WEEK NOW BECAUSE WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WICH SENSOR IT IS AND IF I REPLACE IT WHAT WILL EVEN HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI 11231618

Jun 17, 2019AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED AS THE BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED HOWEVER, THE WHEELS SPUN UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED RESULTING INTO A CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT NOTIFICATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) AS OF DECEMBER 21ST, 2015 SO THE OWNER WAS NOT AWARE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE MID 20 TO 5 MPH WITH A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE LOCATION OF THE FAILURE AND PARKED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11220632

May 8, 2019SteeringAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)2 injuries

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF REGULARLY FOR SOME DAYS, THEN FINALLY IT STAYS ON PERMANENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS DOESN'T COME ON WHEN I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CAR BOUNCES AND SWAY TO THE SIDE EACH TIME I HIT A POTHOLE NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE POTHOLE IS.

NHTSA ODI 11206161

Dec 14, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. IF THE CONTACT PUSHED THE ESC BUTTON, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT CALLED DON FRANKLIN LEXINGTON HYUNDAI (3340 RICHMOND RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40509, (859) 263-5020) AND WAS QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $900 FOR THE SENSOR, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE LABOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,200.

NHTSA ODI 11161386

Oct 25, 2018Electrical systemLightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE CAR SENSORS KEEP GOING UP. THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR IS NOT SENDING A SIGNAL THAT THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN PULL OUT ON TO A STREET OR HIGHWAY AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL STALL OR DROP SPEED. I FEAR SOMEONE WILL END UP RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF ME. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR WILL STALL OR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. ALSO THE CAR HEADLIGHTS AND TAILS TIGHT BULBS BLOW WITHIN 4 OR 5 DAYS AFTER PUTTING NEW BULBS IN. THE CAM SENSOR FOR THE BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11142631

Oct 17, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

GOT MY 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN 2017 AT 94K MILES. AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, ESC LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR APPROX. 6-8 WEEKS. ALSO, NONE OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WORK. NONE OF THE CONTROLS HAVE WORKED SINCE I GOT THE CAR. NO CRUISE CONTROL, I CAN'T RESET MY TRIP ODOMETER, I CAN'T CONTROL THE VOLUME FOR MY RADIO, NOR CAN I CONTROL THE BLUETOOTH FOR MY HANDS FREE USAGE. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WOULD BE A FEE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT, BUT SAW A HYUNDAI MECHANIC BY CHANCE IN A GAS STATION AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CLOCK SPRING COULD BE FAULTY. THIS IS AN ISSUE, ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUTERS LIKE MYSELF. ALSO, MPG HAS DRASTICALLY DECREASED. WAS GETTING ALMOST 35 MPG, NOW IT'S ONLY ABOUT 25 MPG.

NHTSA ODI 11141064

May 21, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

INITIAL ISSUE WAS AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL (CRUISE CNTRL), WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED. CRUISE NO LONGER WORKS IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN TO TURN IT ON. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AROUND JAN 2017. NEXT ISSUE IS ESC OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND WILL NOT RESET WITHOUT RESTART. LATEST ISSUE IS THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT IS THE ONLY BRAKE LIGHT WORKING. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND ESC ISSUE BEGAN AROUND MARCH 2018.

NHTSA ODI 11097135

Sep 6, 2016SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS UNDER HYUNDAI RECALL 137. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR SERVICE SINCE 8/31/16. I MENTIONED THE ESC WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR INDICATED IT WOULD REQUIRE DIAGNOSTICS AT AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ESTIMATED BY PHONE THE REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT $1,700 BECAUSE THE YAW SENSOR OF THE ESC SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND DAMAGED THE STEERING COLUMN NOW NEEDING REPLACEMENT. I ASKED THEY REQUEST A GOODWILL REPAIR SINCE THE CAR WAS JUST OUT OF THE 5 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMBER WARRANTY AND AWAITED NOTICE. MEANWHILE I REVIEWED THE INTERNET FOR THE HYUNDAI REPAIR ISSUES AND FOUND MY CAR WAS ON HYUNDAI RECALL 137 FOR THE ESC SYSTEM. I NOTED THE DEALERS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRNING THIS ISSUE AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS UNDER THE RECALL. MY DEALER HAD NOT ADVISED ME MY CAR WAS UNDER RECALL NOR MADE MENTION UNTIL I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER. I AM STILL WITHOUT MY CAR OR A LOANER AS THE DEALER TRIES TO GET FROM HYUNDAI USA AN AUTHORIZATION TO REPAIR MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10903888

Aug 23, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON 3/21/2016 TO HAVE CAMPAIGN 137 DONE PER THE RECALL NOTICE. EVER SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED THE ESC LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS REMAINED ON. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX IT. I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI 10898100

Jul 1, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10882086

Jun 29, 2016SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAR BRIEFY MOVES COMES OUT OF ALIGNMENT EACH TIME I DRIVE OVER ANY SIZE POTHOLE OR AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT IT ARROUND JULY OF 2013.

NHTSA ODI 10881578

Jun 17, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10874843

Jun 8, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10873227

May 12, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STATE INSPECTION FAILURE DUE TO RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE STATE INSPECTION INSPECTOR, THE BATTERY MUST HAVE BEEN UNHOOKED RECENTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER, FOR A RECENT RECALL AND THE DEALER NEVER INFORMED HER TO DRIVE 40-80 MILES TO RESET THE CYCLE OF THE CAR TO ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC. (OBD). *JB

NHTSA ODI 10864901

Apr 29, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE REV LIGHT COMES ON AND MY CAR LOSES POWER. I HAVE TEKEN IT TWICE TO AN AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALER, AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED

NHTSA ODI 10862127

Apr 29, 2016AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND REQUIRED A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10862166

Apr 19, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10860376

Apr 8, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000(ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE DEALER STATED THEY RECALIBRATED THE SYSTEM. UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10854362

Feb 25, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID. THE REAR END SWAYED AND THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN 2013, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10838114

Feb 23, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I REC A RECALL BUT THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THE FIRST ONE WAS FRO A FRONT-END COIL, THAT COULD HAVE SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE, CAUSING A CRASH. THE RECALL I HAVE NOW, IS FOR THE ESC SYSTEM. THEY TELL ME TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER LETTER OF REMEDY OR I CAN CALL AND MAKE AN APPT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. IF THERE IS MORE THAN ONE RECALL, IS THIS VEHICLE SAFE OR SHOULD I ASSUME IT WILL BE, WHEN REMEDY IS DONE? CONCERNED ABOUT SO MANY RECALLS. NEITHER RECALL HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT,YET, AND I HOPE THE CURRENT RECALL DOESN'T CAUSE ONE EITHER, BEFORE I GET THE REMEDY LETTER. I CAN'T BE TAKING TIME OFF FROM WORK EITHER, EVERY TIME I GET CONCERNED OVER THESE DARNED RECALLS. I JUST WANT TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT WITH YOU. I HOPE THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE FOR ME TO FILE, SINCE I HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT AND HOPE I DON'T

NHTSA ODI 10837648

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Working with the data? Download all 459 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Hyundai Elantra Gt verdict →