Hyundai Elantra 2011–2016
5th generation · MD (global) / UD (North America)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20264,667 complaints, 2,778 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 22,124 and 90,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 14 complaints (0.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,600
- 25%
- 22,124
- Median
- 55,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 121,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 310 | 11.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 118 | 4.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 110 | 4.0% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 89 | 3.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 104 | 3.7% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 104 | 3.7% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 116 | 4.2% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 121 | 4.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 94 | 3.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 98 | 3.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 107 | 3.9% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 119 | 4.3% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 120 | 4.3% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 116 | 4.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 92 | 3.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 88 | 3.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 90 | 3.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 82 | 3.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 77 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 83 | 3.0% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 98 | 3.5% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 48 | 1.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 42 | 1.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 40 | 1.4% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 54 | 1.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 46 | 1.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 61 | 2.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 25 | 0.9% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 18 | 0.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 17 | 0.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 13 | 0.5% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 14 | 0.5% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 14 | 0.5% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 10 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 6 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 9 | 0.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 14 | 0.5% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,667 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2016 Hyundai Elantra, and 2,778 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 22,124 and 90,000 miles. The median is 55,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (17.7% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles), the steering (10.8% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles), the airbag system (9.6% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine72,000median 72,000 miles, middle half 47,000 to 102,000
- Steering45,000median 45,400 miles, middle half 14,000 to 82,000
- Airbag system77,000median 76,550 miles, middle half 40,000 to 104,000
- Electrical system55,000median 55,000 miles, middle half 28,000 to 82,000
- Problems owners could not categorise52,000median 52,500 miles, middle half 32,000 to 87,000
- Brakes42,000median 42,200 miles, middle half 15,000 to 80,000
- Suspension35,000median 35,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 71,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 824 | 17.7% | 72,000 | 47,000–102,000 |
| Steering | 505 | 10.8% | 45,000 | 14,000–82,000 |
| Airbag system | 449 | 9.6% | 77,000 | 40,000–104,000 |
| Electrical system | 423 | 9.1% | 55,000 | 28,000–82,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 369 | 7.9% | 52,000 | 32,000–87,000 |
| Brakes | 336 | 7.2% | 42,000 | 15,000–80,000 |
| Suspension | 244 | 5.2% | 35,000 | 12,000–71,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 242 | 5.2% | 111,000 | 64,000–140,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 187 | 4.0% | 57,000 | 27,000–80,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 153 | 3.3% | 47,000 | 20,000–81,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 55,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 17.7% of complaints (824 reports, 494 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 47,440 and 102,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 10.8% of complaints (505 reports, 326 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,400 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,500 and 82,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 9.6% of complaints (449 reports, 287 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 76,550 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 104,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 9.1% of complaints (423 reports, 261 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 28,000 and 81,800 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.9% of complaints (369 reports, 159 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 87,000 miles.
The brakes account for 7.2% of complaints (336 reports, 167 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 42,200 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 80,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 1,861 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 353. The median year sits at 569.
That makes 2013 an outlier: roughly 3.3 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the airbag system (1), latches and locks (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 4,667 complaints filed against this generation, 395 reported a crash; 123 reported a fire; 283 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 8.5% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 22,124 and 90,000 miles, with a median of 55,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the steering are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The steering in particular shows a median failure mileage of 45,400, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 2011–2016
Nu-family engines are part of the Hyundai/Kia GDI/MPI connecting-rod bearing class settlement: machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages abrades the rod bearings, producing knocking, then seizure or stalling. Remedy included a knock-sensor detection software update and extended coverage.
Steering 2011–2012
Steering column intermediate shaft/universal joint coupling can loosen, causing increased steering effort or loss of steering control; recalled.
Anti-Theft 2011–2016 key–start trims
Turn-key ignition trims were built without an engine immobilizer, allowing the ignition cylinder to be defeated and the car started with a USB connector; drove a nationwide theft surge from 2022 and a Hyundai anti-theft software update campaign.
Fuel Economy Labeling 2011–2013
EPA-mandated 2012 restatement of fuel economy ratings for this generation (not a safety defect, but it generates complaint volume).
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 589 | 392 |
| 2012 | 919 | 600 |
| 2013 | 1,861 | 1,157 |
| 2014 | 550 | 304 |
| 2015 | 353 | 168 |
| 2016 | 395 | 157 |
Recalls (9)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V307000 | 2026-07-29 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 23V651000 | 2024-04-10 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module |
| 24V146000 | 2024-04-05 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:trunk Lid:latch |
| 20V393000 | 2020-09-28 | Equipment:electrical |
| 17V769000 | 2018-01-15 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals and Linkages |
| 16V574000 | 2016-09-26 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| 15V871000 | 2016-05-09 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) |
| 15V629000 | 2016-01-06 | Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs |
| 13V115000 | 2013-04-23 | Structure |
What owners reported
The knob on to turn on fan for a/c starting to not work unless i tuned it on and off. Then a few days ago, while i was idling in a parking lot, the knob got stuck with the a/c on. I started to smell burning & when i tried to turn it off the knob came off and i saw smoke coming from where the knob was. I turned off my…
2011 · Electrical system
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra 1.8Liter engine makes a grinding then whining noise in the first few seconds of the first cold engine start of the day. On the day of sales delivery the vehicle made this noise for at least two minutes which prompted me to alert the salesman and lift the hood for closer inspection. The…
2011 · 5 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle did not come equipped with a spare tire and expressed concerns over being stranded with a flat tire. An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed that she would have to purchase a spare tire separately. The manufacturer…
2011 · 5 miles · Tyres
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact abruptly applied pressure to the brakes and the vehicle shifted abnormally to the right lane. The failure was recurring. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed and the manufacturer agreed…
2011 · 10 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 2,778 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page