This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Hyundai Elantra lighting problems
moderate 50 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
50
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 50 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 16 model years of Hyundai Elantra in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin describes the procedure to repair a head lamp that has an inoperable high beam function.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin describes the procedure to repair a headlamp that has an inoperable high beam function.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes, or during normal driving operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2019-2020MY Santa Fe and 2018-2020MY Elantra equipped with front camera/multi-function camera may exhibit a series of Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Front Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) warnings and function conditions on the instrument cluster. This bulletin describes the procedure to replace the front camera/ multi-function camera.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra uses a single-bulb headlight design with a motorized mechanical flap—called a shutter or actuator—that raises to expose the full filament for high beam and lowers to block it for low beam. Owners report this flap mechanism, made of cheap plastic, sticks, fails to operate, or breaks completely, leaving them with either low beams only or inoperable headlights. The failure typically happens between 40,000 and 95,000 miles, though some report it earlier.
When the flap fails, the high beam indicator lights up on the dashboard, but little to no additional brightness reaches the road. Owners describe the actuator "wobbling" or making clicking sounds without moving. Some report the problem is intermittent—working occasionally, then failing again without warning—making it difficult for techs to diagnose during shop visits.
Hyundai issued Service Campaign T5G (and TSB designations including 21-01-004h) to address the high beam actuator lever failure. The recall involves drilling into the headlamp assembly to inspect and repair the actuator. However, multiple owners report dealers either failed to complete the recall properly, denied the repair under the campaign despite eligibility, or claimed owners' vehicles fell outside the campaign scope. Replacement headlight assemblies cost $1,000 to $3,000 per pair. Owners note the replacement assemblies use identical plastic components, so failures recur. Owners cite this as a serious safety issue for nighttime and low-light driving, particularly on rural roads.
Same Hyundai Elantra lighting reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
High beam actuator mechanism failure (plastic shutter/flap)
The motorized plastic flap mechanism that raises to expose the high beam filament fails to move, sticks, or breaks, leaving the high beam inoperable despite the bulb and electrical systems functioning. The indicator light may illuminate on the dashboard while no light output increases on the road.
When: 40,000–95,000 miles reported; some earlier
Symptoms owners cite: High beam indicator illuminates on dashboard but no additional light output on road; Mechanical clicking or actuator clicking sound from headlight without flap movement; Flap wobbles but does not fully raise; High beam stops working intermittently then fails completely; One or both headlights affected; Low beams may also become dim or non-functional if flap is fully stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Hyundai replacement headlight assemblies cost $1,000–$3,000 per pair. Service Campaign T5G involves drilling into the headlamp to access and repair the actuator lever. Repair typically takes 1–2 shop hours per side. Replacement assemblies use the same plastic components and failures recur.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Campaign T5G issued to address high beam actuator lever failure. TSB designations include 21-01-004h. Multiple owners report dealers failed to complete the recall properly, incorrectly claimed vehicles were outside campaign scope, or denied coverage without explanation. One owner documented a dealer claiming to complete the recall fraudulently without performing the work.
Daytime running light electrical component separation
The electrical plate or component for the right daytime running light separates and falls out of the engine compartment, triggering a dashboard warning light.
Symptoms owners cite: Yellow triangle with exclamation mark warning light appears on dashboard while driving; Daytime running light inoperative
Headlight aiming/mounting hardware failure
The aiming rod used to orient the headlight beam falls off its track, causing the light to project only a few feet downward onto the ground instead of properly illuminating the roadway.
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight aims only 5 feet from the car onto the ground; Inadequate roadway illumination on both high and low beam
Light switch failure
The headlight control switch fails to operate, preventing the lights from functioning as intended.
When: At approximately 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: High beam does not activate or respond to control lever
Repairs/costs cited: Light switch replacement required
Synthesized from 50 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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 are completely non functional for the third time in 3 months
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 because immobilizer installed in car I hade the update. But both of there are safety issues.
Problemas con el motor, específicamente la lubricación. El vehículo fue reparado y aún continuó con los problemas de lubricación, incluyendo los llamados " sprocket" que se dañaron. He leído que Hyundai a retirado muchos vehículos por este mismo problema.
The electrical plate for the right daytime running light must have fallen out of the engine compartment, according to the dealer service center, because it was no longer there. A warning light appeared on the dashboard system as a yellow triangle enclosing a yellow exclamation mark. It presented a safety issue by causing the warning light to appear on the dashboard panel while the vehicle was…
Dim headlights and faulty high beam lights that do not work at all; while the sensor remains lit up on the dash board.
the high beam actuator has failed which has resulted in loss of high beam usage.
Had lighting trouble with your 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 50 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 38,000 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,000; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Hyundai/Elantra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.