YearToAvoid

2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 5 Elantra Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid ranks worst of 5 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 54 complaints, 5 crashes, and 1 recall. It carries an "Avoid" verdict relative to other Elantra Hybrid years, driven mainly by electrical system complaints.

Complaints
54
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
52
51 city / 54 hwy

Top 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System19 (35%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (24%)
  3. Engine12 (22%)
  4. Other12 (22%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain9 (17%)
  6. Brakes5 (9%)
  7. Steering5 (9%)
  8. Airbags3 (6%)
  9. Fuel System3 (6%)
  10. Lane Departure3 (6%)

What owners report

  • Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems have failed to detect obstacles or activate when needed, leading to a low-speed crash into a light post.
  • Lane Keeping Assist has reportedly jerked the steering wheel and pushed the car out of its lane, including toward oncoming traffic, without triggering a lane departure warning.
  • Owners describe unintended forward acceleration when shifting into reverse during low-speed parking maneuvers, with brakes unable to stop the car in time.
  • One owner reported the vehicle accelerated on its own from 30 MPH to 110 MPH with cruise control engaged and could not be deactivated, a failure the dealer was able to duplicate but not fix.
  • The steering wheel reportedly locked while sliding in bad weather, preventing the driver from turning to avoid a curb.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a rear-end collision despite being told by police and a body shop that they should have.
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month7Jan 2023Jul 2023Nov 2023Mar 2024Aug 2024Feb 2025Jun 2025Apr 2026
88 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2023 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2023 (7).

2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V589000Aug 18, 2023Engine37,997 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Elantra HEV vehicles. A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released.

    Risk: Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 248.

2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
51 MPG
Highway
54 MPG
Combined
52 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2023 compared with other Elantra Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Caution5029452
2022Avoid7540452
2023Avoid10054152
2024Best06152
2025Good255152

All Hyundai Elantra Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid reliable?
Among the 5 Elantra Hybrid model years with data, 2023 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 54 NHTSA complaints, making it an "Avoid" year relative to other Elantra Hybrid years.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid have a recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 23V589000 covers a motor control unit software error that may cause unintended acceleration after the brake pedal is released; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
Electrical System complaints are the most common, accounting for 35% of complaints (19 of 54), with a median failure mileage of 17,000 miles.
How does the 2023 Elantra Hybrid compare to other years?
2023 has the highest Complaint Index (100) of the 5 years tracked, worse than 2022 (75, Avoid), 2021 (50, Caution), 2025 (25, Good), and 2024 (0, Best).
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
EPA rates it at 52 mpg combined (51 city / 54 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,250.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.