VehicleVerdict

2011 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra carries two red flags at once: 588 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.8× the Elantra norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Elantra years to avoid. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (97), electrical system (86), and airbags (77), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

588

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

29

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Elantra years?

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine9716%
Electrical System8615%
Airbags7713%
Steering7312%
Suspension6711%
Brakes458%
Other397%
Tires & Wheels305%
Transmission214%
Speed Control163%
Lighting102%
Fuel System81%
Visibility & Wipers71%
Body & Structure61%
Driver Assistance41%
Seat Belts20%

Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

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

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V393000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2020 · 272,126 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

15V871000Electrical SystemDecember 23, 2015 · 155,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

15V629000SuspensionOctober 7, 2015 · 28,157 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Consequence

If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.

13V115000Body & StructureApril 1, 2013 · 186,250 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner 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 safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

FRONT OF ELANTRA TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT ANOTHER CAR ENTERING 4 LANE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.(T-BONED") THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE HEAD , FRONT OR SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 20, 2013 · crash

MY MOTHER CAME TO A STOP AND NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BURNT TO A CRISP. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 5, 2014 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 1, 2013 · crash

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES GET ACTIVE WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES . ABS START KICKING AND THE CAR LOOSE POWER . IF I HATE THE BRAKE THE BRAKE PARKS GET REALLY SENSITIVE AND THE CAR START SHAKING . HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 13, 2018 · fire

FRONT OF ELANTRA TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT ANOTHER CAR ENTERING 4 LANE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.(T-BONED") THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE HEAD , FRONT OR SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 20, 2013 · crash

2011 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 588 complaints put the 2011 model at #4 of 37 Elantra years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (97 complaints), electrical system (86 complaints), airbags (77 complaints).

Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

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.