VehicleVerdict

2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring sits mid-pack among Elantra Touring years: 41 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 34, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (7), engine (5), and electrical system (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

41

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Elantra Touring years?

Elantra Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted95 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 48 complaints2010: 95 complaints2011: 41 complaints2012: 28 complaints2013: 19 complaints
Elantra Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra Touring years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control717%
Engine512%
Transmission410%
Airbags410%
Brakes410%
Electrical System410%
Tires & Wheels37%
Steering37%
Other25%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Fuel System12%
Seat Belts12%
Seats12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V061000BrakesFebruary 4, 2020 · 476,111 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

14V310000Body & StructureJune 10, 2014 · 35,000 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Consequence

If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT OF A DRUG STORE FOR MAYBE 10 MINUTES. STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO GO FORWARD THE CAR ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED AND RAN INTO TWO PARKED CARS. WITH HELP I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE SPACE BUT WHEN I WENT FORWARD THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 13, 2015 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM CARMAX WITH 88,000 MILES AND 2 WEEKS LATER HAD A KNOCKING AND CLICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. SHE TOOK IT BACK TO CARMAX AND THEY REPAIRED IT NOTING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CAM SHAFT. 2 YEARS LATER AND 110,000 MILES, THE SAME NOISE OCCURRED WITH REGULAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 5, 2018

“INITIAL ISSUE WAS AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL (CRUISE CNTRL), WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED. CRUISE NO LONGER WORKS IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN TO TURN IT ON. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AROUND JAN 2017. NEXT ISSUE IS ESC OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND WILL NOT RESET WITHOUT RESTART. LATEST ISSUE IS THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2017

“INITIAL ISSUE WAS AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL (CRUISE CNTRL), WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED. CRUISE NO LONGER WORKS IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN TO TURN IT ON. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AROUND JAN 2017. NEXT ISSUE IS ESC OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND WILL NOT RESET WITHOUT RESTART. LATEST ISSUE IS THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 1, 2017

“2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. *SMD PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 5, 2012 · crash

2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring — common questions

Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra Touring: 41 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2011 Elantra Touring problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (7 complaints), engine (5 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Elantra Touring years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra Touring years to avoid are 2010. The cleanest record among Elantra Touring years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.