Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017 as Elantra years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 1,313 complaints.

Which Honda HR-V years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2019, 2023 and 2024 as HR-V years to avoid. The 2023 model year has a complaint index of 100 with 686 complaints, the worst in the lineup.

Does the Elantra or HR-V have more complaints?

The Elantra has 5,666 total complaints over 16 model years (354 per year) versus the HR-V's 1,823 over 10 model years (182 per year). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not normalized by vehicles sold.

Which gets better fuel economy, the Elantra or HR-V?

The Elantra averages 30.8 mpg combined across its model years, while the HR-V averages 28.8 mpg combined.

What are the top complaint areas for each model?

For the Elantra, Engine complaints lead at 31% (1,772 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 17%. For the HR-V, Visibility & Wipers leads at 23% (413 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 18%.

Hyundai Elantra vs Honda HR-V: Which Years to Avoid

Avoid Hyundai Elantra 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017; avoid Honda HR-V 2019, 2023 and 2024. Elantra logs 5,666 complaints across 16 model years (354/year) versus HR-V's 1,823 across 10 years (182/year), but totals aren't sales-adjusted. Elantra averages 30.8 mpg combined; HR-V averages 28.8 mpg.

Head to head

Hyundai Elantra

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,666
Per model year: 354
Recall campaigns: 29
Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017
Best years: 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 30.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Honda HR-V

Model years: 2016–2025 (10)
NHTSA complaints: 1,823
Per model year: 182
Recall campaigns: 13
Years to avoid: 2019, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2017, 2020, 2021
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Elantra				HR-V
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Avoid	379	3	29	—	—	—	—
2011	Caution	432	5	32	—	—	—	—
2012	Avoid	652	4	32	—	—	—	—
2013	Avoid	1,313	4	32	—	—	—	—
2014	Caution	382	2	29	—	—	—	—
2015	Caution	262	3	28	—	—	—	—
2016	Good	292	2	30	Caution	239	2	29
2017	Avoid	767	4	30.5	Best	122	0	29
2018	Good	282	0	30.5	Good	156	3	29
2019	Good	250	1	30.5	Avoid	235	7	29.5
2020	Caution	250	3	34	Best	83	5	29.5
2021	Best	130	6	33	Best	63	4	29.5
2022	Best	101	5	29.5	Caution	88	3	29.5
2023	Good	98	2	31	Avoid	686	3	27.5
2024	Best	54	1	31	Avoid	108	4	27.5
2025	Best	22	0	31	Good	43	1	27.5

Complaint Index by year

Hyundai Elantra

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda HR-V

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017 as Elantra years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 1,313 complaints.
Which Honda HR-V years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2019, 2023 and 2024 as HR-V years to avoid. The 2023 model year has a complaint index of 100 with 686 complaints, the worst in the lineup.
Does the Elantra or HR-V have more complaints?: The Elantra has 5,666 total complaints over 16 model years (354 per year) versus the HR-V's 1,823 over 10 model years (182 per year). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not normalized by vehicles sold.
Which gets better fuel economy, the Elantra or HR-V?: The Elantra averages 30.8 mpg combined across its model years, while the HR-V averages 28.8 mpg combined.
What are the top complaint areas for each model?: For the Elantra, Engine complaints lead at 31% (1,772 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 17%. For the HR-V, Visibility & Wipers leads at 23% (413 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 18%.