YearToAvoid

2020 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#5 most-complained of 21 Elantra years

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

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 47% of complaints, and Hyundai issued 3 recalls covering engine, ball joint, and lug nut defects.

Complaints
250
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
21 / 6
Injuries / deaths
16 / 2
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
34
30 city / 40 hwy

Top 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems

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

  1. Engine117 (47%)
  2. Electrical System48 (19%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain47 (19%)
  4. Other25 (10%)
  5. Steering20 (8%)
  6. Brakes15 (6%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras15 (6%)
  8. Fuel System10 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (4%)
  10. Structure & Body8 (3%)

What owners report

  • Some engines reportedly emitted carbon monoxide into the cabin, in one case causing the driver to lose consciousness and crash.
  • Owners describe sudden, unexplained loss of steering control, including one case where the vehicle turned sharply and hit a pole after the driver blacked out.
  • Steering wheels reportedly shift abruptly from stiff to soft in the 40-70 mph range, causing sudden jolts toward one side.
  • The forward collision warning system reportedly failed to alert a driver to an obstacle in the road at 60 mph, resulting in a collision.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy properly in crashes, with one owner describing smoke coming from the steering column after a partial inflation.
  • Owners report brake systems and forward collision alerts that did not activate during rear-end style accidents.
2020 Hyundai Elantra complaints: complaints filed per quarter282019 Q32020 Q32021 Q32022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
328 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q2 (28).

2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V301000Apr 28, 2021Engine158,493 vehicles

    Engine

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

    Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

  2. NHTSA 19V721000Oct 9, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires744 vehicles

    Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.

    Risk: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.

  3. NHTSA 19V720000Oct 9, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires48 vehicles

    Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.

    Risk: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.

2020 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost

City
30 MPG
Highway
40 MPG
Combined
34 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,900
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.

2020 compared with other Elantra years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good40282030.5
2019Good45250130.5
2020Avoid80250334
2021Good25130633
2022Best20101529.5

All Hyundai Elantra years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Elantra ranks 5th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 80, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Elantra years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine issues account for 47% of complaints (117 of 250), with a median failure mileage of 20,500 miles, making it the top problem area.
Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Elantra: an engine piston ring issue, insufficiently tightened lower control arm ball joint fasteners, and loose rear wheel lug nuts.
How does the 2020 Elantra compare to other Elantra years?
With a complaint index of 80, the 2020 Elantra ranks worse than most other years; only 2013 (100), 2017 (95), 2012 (90), and 2010 (85) score higher, while 2022, 2024, and 2025 earn Best verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
The 2020 Elantra gets 34 mpg combined (30 city/40 highway) per EPA data, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,900.

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.