2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls

3 safety recalls, 254 owner complaints and a 4-star NHTSA crash rating. Official NHTSA data.

3Recalls
254Complaints
27Crashes & fires reported
4/5NHTSA overall rating

Not every 2020 Hyundai Elantra is affected by every recall. Check your VIN to see open recalls on your exact vehicle.

Check my VIN

2020 Hyundai Elantra recall list

Engine recall

21V-301
April 28, 2021 · Hyundai Motor America
Problem
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.
Safety 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.

Wheels recall

19V-720
October 9, 2019 · Hyundai Motor America
Problem
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.
Safety 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.

Suspension recall

19V-721
October 9, 2019 · Hyundai Motor America
Problem
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.
Safety 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.

2020 Hyundai Elantra owner complaints

254 complaints filed with NHTSA, including 21 crashes, 6 fires, 16 injuries and 2 deaths.

Problems by component

Engine109
Power Train47
Exterior Lighting28
Electrical System27
Unknown or Other26
Steering20
Forward Collision Avoidance14
Vehicle Speed Control13
Service Brakes13
Fuel/Propulsion System9

Recent complaints

October 15, 2026Engine

The car went into 'limp mode' after rpm fluxuation. It's in the shop. Blake, a service manager at Temecula Hyundai, tells me it has "piston slap," which AI says is related to a piston ring recall for this car. Blake went on to say it has 2 power train issues (and needs a catalytic converter). NHTSA shows no recall, but whether engine or transmission, my daughter was nearly rear-ended due to this mechanical failure occurring on a two-lane highway at 55 mph. RE: Transmission (copied from Facebook): "Summarized by Meta AI " "Several 2020 Elantra owners describe shuddering, hesitation, and complete transmission failure at low mileage. Some report the car won’t accelerate from a stop or surges in

October 7, 2026Unknown or OtherEngine

2020 Hyundai Elantra, VIN [XXX], ~79,239 mi. On or about [XXX], while entering a parking lot at low speed on an incline, I pressed the accelerator but the car had severe power loss and then stalled. It would not move in reverse. All dashboard lights came on only after the stall. I restarted it; the lights cleared. It was towed to Westlake Hyundai, 3610 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; checked in Sep 29, 2026 8:59 AM. Dealer found engine oil below the low mark, no external leaks, DTCs P0302/P0304 (misfires cyl 2 & 4), and all spark plugs worn/fouled. They replaced the plugs and started an oil consumption test per TSB 23-EM-008H. Critical safety issue: the oil pressure warning ligh

September 29, 2026Engine

Back in early July, I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine so when I took it in to a Hyundai dealership, they told me the only way I could pursue any help further was by completing a oil consumption test, which I complied and paid for out-of-pocket very soon after within 48 hours my check engine light came on and was flashing. after pulling the code at an AutoZone which I have documentation of it was a P 1327 which signals that the car had entered limp mode. I very quickly reached out to Hyundai themselves and after going back-and-forth on paperwork, they assured me that since I had no coverage on the vehicle due to its mileageand that it was not produced in the same factory as the

September 24, 2026Engine

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) as a potential cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently with an abnormal electrical wire burning odor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine starter failure. The engine starter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 102,474.

September 10, 2026Engine

The vehicle entered limp mode. The Hyundai dealer diagnosed a camshaft problem, said the repair would be covered, ordered the part, and began the work. After the engine was opened, the dealer noted sludge/varnish and denied coverage, claiming lack of maintenance. This VIN is included in safety recall 21V301 for improperly heat-treated piston oil rings on the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Hyundai told NHTSA that chipped rings can scuff the cylinder bore, cause accelerated oil consumption, knocking, oil-pressure warning, connecting-rod bearing seizure, stall, and in limited cases fire. The published remedy is inspection of the cylinder bore and piston skirt, engine replacement if damage is found, and PN

2020 Hyundai Elantra crash test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Driver aids on the tested 2020 Hyundai Elantra: electronic stability control standard, forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard. Rollover risk: 10.7%.

2020 Hyundai Elantra recall FAQ

Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The most recent, filed April 28, 2021, concerns the engine.

What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners have filed 254 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported area is engine (109 reports), followed by power train.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra safe?

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra earned up to a 4-star overall safety rating in NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program crash tests.

How do I get a recall fixed on my 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

Contact any authorized Hyundai dealer. Recall repairs are free, even if you are not the original owner or the warranty has expired.