2011 Hyundai Elantra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has 432 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and a complaint index of 60, ranking 9th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems are the top concern, reported by 25% of complainants.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Elantra years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 432
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 28 city / 38 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2011 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine109 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires88 (20%)
- Airbags77 (18%)
- Brakes75 (17%)
- Steering74 (17%)
- Electrical System59 (14%)
- Other38 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (5%)
- Fuel System8 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes, sometimes causing severe driver injuries.
- Some owners reported sudden unintended acceleration leading to collisions.
- Brakes reportedly failed to respond at low speeds, resulting in rear-end collisions.
- Owners described a fire starting under the hood, with the engine compartment burned severely.
- Structural and body damage was reported after side-impact crashes, with airbags failing to deploy in those incidents as well.
2011 Hyundai Elantra recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V651000Sep 22, 2023Brakes1,649,478 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
- NHTSA 20V393000Jul 2, 2020Other272,126 vehicles
Equipment:electrical
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
- NHTSA 15V871000Dec 23, 2015Brakes155,000 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
Risk: If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.
2011 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28 MPG
- Highway
- 38 MPG
- Combined
- 32 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,050
- 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.
2011 compared with other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 432 complaints and a complaint index of 60 for the 2011 Elantra, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Elantra model years. Engine issues make up 25% of reported problems.
- What problems does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have?
- The top reported problem areas are Engine (25% of complaints), Suspension, Wheels & Tires (20%), and Airbags (18%). The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 73,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Elantra, covering brakes, an accessory outlet, electronic stability control sensors, front coil springs, and a headliner support bracket.
- How does the 2011 Elantra compare to other years?
- The 2011 Elantra ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years with data, with a complaint index of 60. Years like 2013 (index 100) and 2012 (index 90) rank worse, while 2005 and 2006 (index 5 and 10) rank much better.
- Is the 2011 Elantra better or worse than the 2010 model?
- The 2010 Elantra has a higher complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2011 Elantra has a lower index of 60 and a Caution verdict.