Which Elantra years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020 as Avoid years for the Elantra, with 2013 having the highest complaint index (100) and top problem area Brakes.

Which HR-V years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2019, 2023, and 2024 as Avoid years for the HR-V. 2023 has the highest complaint index (100) with 686 complaints, mostly tied to Visibility & Wipers.

Which model has more complaints overall?

The Elantra has 6,792 total complaints over 21 model years versus the HR-V's 1,823 over 10 model years. Per model year, the Elantra averages 323 complaints and the HR-V averages 182, but these figures aren't adjusted for sales volume.

How do the two compare on fuel economy?

The Elantra averages 29.7 mpg combined across its lifespan, while the HR-V averages 28.8 mpg combined. Individual year figures range from 24 to 34 mpg combined for the Elantra and 27.5 to 29.5 mpg combined for the HR-V.

Does either model have a Do Not Drive recall?

Neither the Elantra nor the HR-V shows any do_not_drive_recalls in the data, though the 2023 Elantra's verdict was capped to Caution due to a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall.

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

The Hyundai Elantra logs 6,792 complaints across 21 model years (323 per year) with avoid years 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020. The Honda HR-V logs 1,823 complaints across 10 model years (182 per year) with avoid years 2019, 2023, and 2024. Totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Hyundai Elantra

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 6,792
Per model year: 323
Recall campaigns: 38
Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020
Best years: 2022, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 29.7
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
2005	Good	137	4	25	—	—	—	—
2006	Good	155	1	24	—	—	—	—
2007	Good	267	6	27.5	—	—	—	—
2008	Caution	314	7	27.5	—	—	—	—
2009	Caution	253	4	27.5	—	—	—	—
2010	Avoid	379	3	29	—	—	—	—
2011	Caution	432	5	32	—	—	—	—
2012	Avoid	652	4	32	—	—	—	—
2013	Avoid	1,313	4	32	—	—	—	—
2014	Avoid	382	2	29	—	—	—	—
2015	Caution	262	3	28	—	—	—	—
2016	Caution	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	Avoid	250	3	34	Best	83	5	29.5
2021	Good	130	6	33	Best	63	4	29.5
2022	Best	101	5	29.5	Caution	88	3	29.5
2023	Caution	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 Elantra years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020 as Avoid years for the Elantra, with 2013 having the highest complaint index (100) and top problem area Brakes.
Which HR-V years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2019, 2023, and 2024 as Avoid years for the HR-V. 2023 has the highest complaint index (100) with 686 complaints, mostly tied to Visibility & Wipers.
Which model has more complaints overall?: The Elantra has 6,792 total complaints over 21 model years versus the HR-V's 1,823 over 10 model years. Per model year, the Elantra averages 323 complaints and the HR-V averages 182, but these figures aren't adjusted for sales volume.
How do the two compare on fuel economy?: The Elantra averages 29.7 mpg combined across its lifespan, while the HR-V averages 28.8 mpg combined. Individual year figures range from 24 to 34 mpg combined for the Elantra and 27.5 to 29.5 mpg combined for the HR-V.
Does either model have a Do Not Drive recall?: Neither the Elantra nor the HR-V shows any do_not_drive_recalls in the data, though the 2023 Elantra's verdict was capped to Caution due to a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall.