Hyundai Elantra problems
239 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 33 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I think my transmission is messed up because my car stalls to go and my RPM jump up to 4/5 after I accelerate
I was going 40MPH when my car started to produce loud noises and stalled. It immediately lost power and I had to pull over on the side of the road. It started back up after 30 minutes and I was able to drive it home, but it continued to make loud noises and I had to drive very…
The headlights on this vehicle have been repetitively malfunctioning, the lamps are not burnt out but the high and low beam lights malfunctioning regularly. I have had the system and computer checked, the computer reset. Nothing is appearing to be wrong but my high beam lights…
My headlights high beams stopped working .I found a recall called a dealer said it was out of warranty . how do you differentiate a car built when there was a problem with high beams going out .The replacement would cost over one thousand dollars I already have to use a club…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 239 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Hyundai Elantra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 33 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 92 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,916 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 35,423 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Elantra has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 239 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.