Home · 2020 Hyundai Elantra Gt · Complaints

What 190 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 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 (190)Crash / fire / injury (21)Engine (78)Transmission & drivetrain (38)Lights (20)Electrical system (17)Steering (16)Speed control (11)Brakes (9)Fuel system (7)Body & structure (5)Driver assistance (5)

17 of 190 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters

Jul 30, 2025Electrical systemLights

Both headlights bulbs needed to be replaced several times. Passenger replacement bulb 3 times. Drivers side twice. I have sent Hyundai several emails and have not heard back from them. case # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11677141

Jul 29, 2025Electrical system

The backup camera no longer works. The screen remains blank or turns blue.

NHTSA ODI 11677110

Jul 24, 2025Electrical systemLights

NO INCIDENT - HIGH BEAMS INOP.

NHTSA ODI 11676006

Mar 18, 2025Electrical system

Vehicle had several non-starts. I took it to the dealer a couple of times and they could not duplicate the problem. This problem continued for a couple years before I took it to an independent mechanic. Said mechanic put it on a lift and found a loose power cable barely connected to the starter. Luckily this never caused a short, spark, or fire. From my searching online it appears this is a non-infrequent issue with Hyundai's.

NHTSA ODI 11649056

Mar 11, 2025Electrical systemLights

driver side brake light went out I did have it repaired right away since I knew it was a safety hazard for anyone behind me. And sometimes I do see the same model on the road with the same issue. I don't think the running light is a safety issue but also have a problem with that going out also.

NHTSA ODI 11647678

Nov 29, 2024Electrical system

The camera keeps flickering and does not stay on.

NHTSA ODI 11627887

Sep 12, 2024Electrical systemEngineFuel system

The warning lamp (engine light) illuminated blinking on and off. Engine code P1327 read on the diagnostic check, riding on the expressway was a little uncomfortable, engine was losing power which is unsafe at high speeds. I’ve contacted the nearest Hyundai dealer and scheduled an appointment for the car repair. I take care of the car and any repairs for maintenance and I never have any problems whatsoever until day. After doing research Hyundai had or has a recall for my vehicle with the VIN NUMBER starting with KMH, for engine replacement and I want to know if Hyundai can fix this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11614269

Aug 21, 2024Electrical systemLightsEngineFire

A fire started in the passenger headlight assembly. The car had only been running for about 7 minutes directly prior to the fire being noticed. At the time of the fire it was parked & turned off. No injuries. It burned thru/melted part of the bumper & damaged something with the windshield washer fluid. Several people were at risk due to there being a fire! The car was parked at a gas station when the fire broke out. I don't think they have done a thorough investigation yet. It is current at Hyundai of Metairie in Metairie LA. According to the service technician my car is not the only one they have there that had the same thing happen. No warning signs, sounds, or anything else.

NHTSA ODI 11610088

Jun 28, 2024Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

Car is almost stalling Randomly on the highway . The rpm’s go up and car won’t speed up slows down . Stalls very randomly I am terrified to drive it , I used to have so much confidence on a newer Hyundai .

NHTSA ODI 11597478

Jan 9, 2024Electrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without approximately 15-20 attempts. The vehicle had since failed to start completely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter had failed causing the engine to seize. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were two open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle received the recall repairs however, the starter was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the two unrelated recalls were confirmed with the VIN. Additionally, it was also confirmed that the replacement of the engine was no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11564362

May 4, 2023Electrical system

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PDF FILES

NHTSA ODI 11520477

Jul 14, 2022SteeringElectrical system

Tens of thousands of Hyundai's and Kia's are being stolen in under 2 minutes due to a design flaw Hyundai and Kia engineers failed to address. With a quick removal of steering column cover and a USB male end, thieves can steal your vehicle. This puts the public and law enforcement at risk as these thieves flee from police at high rates of speed and use these stolen Kia's and Hyundai's to commit other crimes.

NHTSA ODI 11474015

May 31, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

Approximetly 8 months after purchase car stalled while sitting at RR tracks and traffic light. Replaced battery after stranded due to dead battery. After putting twenty dollars of gas car engine sputtered very loud as if it was running out of fuel this continues to occur. At departure engine stalls restarts and stalls repeats hyndai unavailable for at least 30 days and would not provide loaner or alternative for car with under 60k miles disabled. Enterprise car sales would not assist in trade or repair. Engine light appears then disappears. Headlights feature stopped working it is manual operation only. Collision warning activated on an empty roadway. Tire light illuminated Replaced 1 of 4 older mismatched tires. Car is unsafe due to early occurances of electrical, mechanical, engine and computer fail without warning. Enterprise car sales will not take car as trade in, Hyndai service appointments booked 30 to 45 day waiting period with no alternative repair or loaner car I have been affected financially and loan is defaulted since I am unable to work. Excessive time spent trying to trade in car, find repair facility, roadside. Car towed due to stalled unable to drive unsure about using car with no warning disabling issues.

NHTSA ODI 11466818

Nov 29, 2021Electrical systemBody & structure

My vehicle was stolen, due to known design flaws of Hyundai/Kia.

NHTSA ODI 11442038

Apr 14, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL UPON PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI OF JEFFERSON CITY (3215 MISSOURI BLVD, JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65109) WHERE THE RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SOLD THE VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11408131

Nov 12, 2020Electrical system

I BELIEVE SOMEONE ELSE HAS LINKED INTO MY CAR USING AN APP, AND HAS ACCESS TO OPEN IT AND ALSO TAKE CONTROL OF THE BRAKES, ETC...

NHTSA ODI 11374238

Mar 27, 2020SteeringElectrical system

I STARTED TO HEAR A GRIDDING NOISE THAT WAS PROGRESSIVELY BECOMING LOUDER WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING, FAST OR SLOW, HIGHWAY OR STREET, DOES NOT MATTER. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT FOR A WEEK WHILE REPLACING THE STEERING ASSEMBLY COLUMN (NOT 100% SURE ON EXACT NAMES OF PARTS REPLACED). I GET THE CAR BACK AND THE STEERING PROBLEMS ARE WORSE. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVING AROUND WHILE DRIVING. THAT LEVER THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WORK. I CALL HYUNDAI AND AM TOLD THEY ARE BOOKED AND CAN NOT GET MY CAR IN FOR ALMOST A WEEK. IT GETS TO THE POINT THAT DRIVING IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SO I DECIDE TO TAKE THE CAR IN A FEW DAYS EARLY. AS I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70MPH THE STEERING WHEEL DROPS AND IS FLOPPING AROUND AND ALL POWER TO THE CAR GOES OFF MAKING STEERING EVEN WORSE THAN WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE WORST IT CAN GET. NOW THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR STEERING PROBLEMS AND NOW AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11319425

Working with the data? Download all 190 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 2020 Hyundai Elantra Gt verdict →