Hyundai Elantra years to avoid
The Hyundai Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1991 is the cleanest year on record.
12,077
Total complaints
57
Recall campaigns
1990–2026
Years covered
21
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Elantra years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,862 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 1,074 | |
| 2012 | High complaints + open investigation | 920 | |
| 2011 | High complaints + open investigation | 589 | |
| 2014 | High complaints + open investigation | 550 | |
| 2010 | High complaint rate | 504 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 445 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 431 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 424 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 406 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 395 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 365 | |
| 2015 | High complaints + open investigation | 356 | |
| 2020 | High complaint rate | 335 | |
| 2019 | High complaint rate | 330 | |
| 1997 | Open safety investigation | 196 | |
| 1995 | Open safety investigation | 179 | |
| 1996 | Open safety investigation | 138 | |
| 1994 | Open safety investigation | 110 | |
| 1992 | Open safety investigation | 46 | |
| 1993 | Open safety investigation | 39 |
Every Elantra year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 31 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 93 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 157 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 142 | 5 | |
| 2021 | 214 | 6 | |
| 2020avoid | 335 | 3 | |
| 2019avoid | 330 | 1 | |
| 2018avoid | 406 | 0 | |
| 2017avoid | 1,074 | 4 | |
| 2016avoid | 395 | 2 | |
| 2015avoid | 356 | 3 | |
| 2014avoid | 550 | 2 | |
| 2013avoid | 1,862 | 4 | |
| 2012avoid | 920 | 4 | |
| 2011avoid | 589 | 5 | |
| 2010avoid | 504 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 319 | 4 | |
| 2008avoid | 424 | 7 | |
| 2007avoid | 365 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 209 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 180 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 209 | 5 | |
| 2003 | 310 | 5 | |
| 2002avoid | 431 | 6 | |
| 2001avoid | 445 | 6 | |
| 2000 | 259 | 1 | |
| 1999 | 183 | 2 | |
| 1998 | 75 | 0 | |
| 1997avoid | 196 | 3 | |
| 1996avoid | 138 | 3 | |
| 1995avoid | 179 | 1 | |
| 1994avoid | 110 | 2 | |
| 1993avoid | 39 | 0 | |
| 1992avoid | 46 | 0 | |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Hyundai Elantra years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest year on record is 1991.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Elantra?
By complaint volume, 1991 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Elantra years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Elantra have?
Across all model years, the Elantra has 57 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 12,077 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.