Hyundai Elantra Years to Avoid & Best Years [2025]

Used Elantra sedans offer spaciousness at an economical price point, but some model years may present serious problems that could create roadblocks down the line.

As part of our effort to help drivers avoid these issues, we’ve compiled a list of Hyundai Elantra Years to Avoid. Take a look below! 

Hyundai Elantra Years to Avoid

Here’s the breakdown of specific Hyundai Elantra years to avoid that should be avoided for safe and positive vehicle usage.

2009 Hyundai Elantra

An Elantra equipped with driver assistance features can provide years of reliable transportation, but prospective owners should be mindful of models known for major issues and costly repairs.

Hyundai Elantra’s durability and longevity depend on many factors, including regular maintenance, driving habits, and environmental conditions. Adherence to recommended maintenance schedules and prompt attention to any issues can significantly extend its life and increase resale value.

The fifth-generation Elantra earned a solid reputation for reliability among owners who praised its refined 2.0L engine and fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, however, several problems surfaced this model year including airbag light activation and electrical malfunction.

Major issues with 2009 Elantra include

• Engine Stalling and Hesitation
• Suspension Problems
• Electrical System Malfunctions
• Transmission Issues
• Steering Difficulties

2010 Model: Hyundai Elantra Years to Avoid

Hyundai extensively refined the Elantra for an affordable compact sedan market segment, making sure it was competitive against similar products in its class. The 2.0L engine provided efficiency and longevity; drivers particularly enjoyed its feature-packed GLS and sporty GT trim levels.

Many Elantra owners reported experiencing significant issues with their vehicles. This included electrical issues like warning lights appearing on the dashboard or losing power, wear and tear damage on suspension components that caused rough rides, as well as wear on suspension components leading to rougher rides than desired.

Some owners reported engine failure, requiring costly repairs. Others experienced decreased fuel economy.

Major issues with 2010 Elantra include

• Transmission Slipping and Failure
• Steering Column Clicking Noises
• Peeling Paint
• Electrical System Malfunctions
• Brake Issues

2012 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai is well known for producing reliable vehicles, often ranking highly in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Surveys. That being said, older Elantra models without push-button starters or engine immobilizers may pose issues.

In particular, fifth-generation Elantras were plagued with steering, suspension, and airbag issues; 2013 was particularly troublesome with over one thousand complaints and three recalls! Luckily the latest Elantra has been free from these issues and offers drivers impressive safety technology and engaging driving experiences; read on to gain more knowledge about this popular compact sedan!

Major issues with 2012 Elantra include

• Engine Ticking Noise Leading to Potential Failure
• Transmission Slipping and Hard Shifting
• Electrical System Malfunctions
• Brake System Issues
• Suspension and Steering Problems

2013 Model: Hyundai Elantra Years to Avoid

Hyundai’s fifth-generation Elantra was named on the worst list due to several faults that drivers have reported experiencing, from faulty switches and corroded coil springs causing punctured tires, to issues related to electrical systems that need attention. These models should also be watched out for.

Although this year was plagued with technical difficulties, it still performed admirably in other categories. Airbags and antilock brakes became standard features; advanced in-car entertainment systems became available; fuel economy reached up to 36 mpg highway; but its engine proved problematic with owners complaining to both NHTSA and CarComplaints of leakage issues and sluggishness issues.

Major issues with 2013 Elantra include

• Engine Ticking Noise Leading to Potential Failure
• Transmission Problems
• Electrical System Malfunctions
• Brake System Issues
• Suspension and Steering Problems

2016 Hyundai Elantra

The 2016 Elantra stands out among its generation with relatively few complaints and issues on CarComplaints and boasts an excellent reliability score from Consumer Reports drivers surveyed.

However, this year has seen multiple NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for this model year. One major problem includes its EPS light randomly turning on, which could cause a loss of steering control in highway driving conditions. Luckily, this issue is fairly widespread and easily rectifiable through software updates.

Major issues with 2016 Elantra include

• Engine Problems
• Airbags Not Deploying
• Electrical Issues
• Power Steering Failure
• Transmission Issues

2017 Model: Hyundai Elantra Years to Avoid

The last year in the list of Hyundai Elantra years to avoid is 2017 which has given a bad experience to its riders. The sixth-generation Elantra remains one of the bestselling affordable sedans on the market today. Known for its beautiful design and variety of models to meet buyers’ needs, this vehicle earned Consumer Reports Recommended status after being polled by drivers surveyed by Consumer Reports. However, certain model years may experience issues that lead to unexpected costs.

CarComplaints experts predict that owners of fifth-generation Elantra should expect frequent engine and transmission issues, which may eat away at its value over time. Therefore, it’s vitally important that drivers keep meticulous records of maintenance and repairs to safeguard the car’s value and reduce future hassle.

Major issues with 2017 Elantra include

• Transmission Problems
• Engine Failure
• Electrical System Issues
• Brake System Defects
• Airbag Deployment Failures

Watch the below video for getting an information about the major known problems found in Hyundai Elantra 5th-generation 2011-2016.

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Hyundai Elantra Best Years

Hyundai Elantra has enjoyed an outstanding reputation since it first entered production. Unfortunately, however, things began to unravel with the launch of the sixth generation in 2017. Drivers filed more NHTSA complaints and complaints issues in 2017 than in any prior year of this model’s production.

Now is an excellent opportunity to secure an affordable, dependable used Elantra at an excellent value. Here’s the breakdown of Hyundai Elantra’s best years that have positive reviews by the current users. So, prefer to choose one of the below best years for Hyundai Elantra for reliable and smooth vehicle usage.

2008 Hyundai Elantra

The sixth-generation Elantra offers an expansive list of standard features and is more refined than previous models, providing quick acceleration off the line and smooth highway cruising performance with ample power for overtaking maneuvers.

The 2008 model year of this vehicle is also an excellent option due to its superior build quality and reliability ratings, earning an 84 out of 100 rating from J.D. Power survey respondents surveyed by drivers for quality and reliability – more than most Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla options available on the market today.

Unfortunately, the 2010 Elantra is less reliable than its predecessors. According to NHTSA records, it received 537 complaints and three recalls between 2010 and 2012. Common issues included random engine ticking or failure as well as premature tires wearing out quickly – costly repairs that will necessitate an unexpected trip back to your dealership.

2018 Hyundai Elantra

In these years, the fourth-generation Elantra achieved its pinnacle of quality and reliability, winning Car and Driver magazine’s “Best Buy” award while enjoying one of the highest owner satisfaction ratings among its class competitors. Drivers raved about its efficient engines, cozy interiors, and advanced entertainment technologies – earning them one of CR’s highest satisfaction ratings for owner satisfaction in class.

The fifth-generation Elantra was available as a sedan, hatchback, five-door wagon, and two-door coupe. The base model featured a four-cylinder engine producing 148 horsepower mated to either manual or automatic transmissions; for added power, there was also an upscale GT version which featured a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder with more aggressive suspension setups.

Negative reviews included electrical issues, clock spring malfunction, and cruise control malfunction, but these complaints were minor compared to others at this price point. Furthermore, the Elantra received top scores for safety with top scores from IIHS crash tests as well as frontal airbag protection that provided sufficient protection in moderate overlap crashes according to IIHS ratings.

2020 Hyundai Elantra

This year’s Elantra is one of the best choices if you’re looking to minimize costs. It predates the clock spring issues that caused multiple recalls and complaints in 2013 while earning high predicted reliability ratings from drivers surveyed by Consumer Reports.

A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, stylish design, ample standard features, and a stylish design make the 2020 Elantra an excellent alternative to the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. With its CVT and enhanced safety features like forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, and dual-zone automatic climate control, the SUV improves on its predecessor. There are a few downsides, such as flat seats and occasional paint peeling, though the interior is still comfortable.

2021 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai’s popular Elantra has grown from an affordable compact car into a refined model that can rival both the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in comfort and convenience. While newer generations offer plenty of amenities, older ones still carry some stigma that requires frequent repairs.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is an economical used compact car, boasting an attractive warranty and solid reliability ratings. However, its sporty driving dynamics or striking styling may not appeal to buyers looking for sportier rides such as its N Line model.

The fifth-generation Elantra stands as one of the most reliable Hyundai sedans ever, earning Consumer Reports CR Recommended with an 84 out of 100 score. Drivers surveyed by JD Power gave it an outstanding overall quality rating of 85 out of 100; all categories except electrical accessories and noises/leaks earned perfect 5-out-of-5 scores. Furthermore, this model comes equipped with long warranties and offers a spacious cabin.

How to Avoid a Problematic Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai’s Elantra compact car offers buyers excellent value. Unfortunately, used versions can sometimes develop issues that cost drivers significant money to repair or compromise safety – steps can be taken to prevent this situation including checking the Vehicle History Report, receiving pre-purchase inspection services, reviewing owner reviews and complaints as well as looking at Vehicle History Reports.

Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

There are a few specific issues that may occur with some Elantra models. One such issue is engine stalling during driving – something which often occurs at lower speeds, coasting, or coming to a stop; additional power loss in steering wheels may accompany this occurrence.

Other Elantra engine issues include power loss when driving on highways and an abnormally high rate of oil consumption, reports indicate. Furthermore, ticking noises were reported coming from within the engine itself, and its fuel economy estimates did not meet their estimate thresholds.

Apart from these issues, the 2022 Elantra is generally reliable with few significant problems. There are however a few issues related to seat belts; several owners of this model have reported issues whereby their belts do not hold them in place properly and do not appear to have access to replacement parts to remedy this situation.

Elantra owners have expressed concerns over its transmission in this model year, with six complaints recorded on Car Complaints and 17 reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers have reported experiencing lurching or jerking while driving which can be dangerous.

Frequently Asked Questions: Hyundai Elantra Years to Avoid

What are the most common issues with used Hyundai Elantras?
Common issues include engine stalling, transmission problems, electrical malfunctions, brake defects, and steering difficulties.

Which Hyundai Elantra years to avoid?
Avoid the 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 models due to frequent reliability issues.

What are the best years for Hyundai Elantra?
The 2008, 2018, 2020, and 2021 models are known for their reliability and fewer issues.

How can I avoid buying a problematic Hyundai Elantra?
Check the Vehicle History Report, get a pre-purchase inspection, and review owner complaints.

What maintenance is essential to avoid problems with my Elantra?
Regular oil changes, brake checks, and early attention to engine or electrical issues can help prevent common problems.