This has happened twice. I brought it to Hyundai in Syracuse and they said they could not find a problem. The problem: While driving the car loses power, when pressing the gas pedal the car stops propelling forward. Safety: The car randomly loses power while driving. This could happen when pulling out onto a highway or railroad tracks etc. Problem been reproduced: It has not been reproduced by…
2023 Hyundai Elantra engine problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2023 Elantra with engine stalls and power loss remains a safety concern: multiple owners report sudden engine shutdowns at highway speeds or in traffic that dealers cannot diagnose or reproduce, with some unable to use their vehicles for work. Recurring low-oil warnings and heat shield issues add to the reliability doubts, and dealer responsiveness varies significantly.
Owners report multiple engine stall and power-loss incidents across this cluster. The most common complaint is sudden engine shutdown while driving, typically accompanied by a dashboard warning telling the driver to shift to neutral and restart. These stalls happen in traffic, during lane merges, while reversing, and at highway speeds—sometimes with no warning message beforehand. Several owners describe losing throttle response or the engine simply cutting off mid-drive, forcing them to restart the vehicle to continue. One owner reports the car has stalled repeatedly at low speeds and during stop-and-go traffic, occurring multiple times per trip and making the vehicle unsafe to drive.
Owners also report a low-engine-oil warning light that persists even after dealer service and oil changes, repeating the warning after each service visit. One owner mentions the dealer dismissed the warning with instructions to ignore it.
A separate complaint involves the middle console becoming extremely hot from exhaust heat at highway speeds, with the dealer recommending a heat shield sleeve installation that was not completed.
One owner reports faulty motor mount bushings diagnosed by a Hyundai dealer as the cause of a power loss and stall at highway speed. Regarding the radiator cap failure complaint: while triggered by an oil change visit, the owner suspects a manufacturer defect.
Dealers have been unable to reproduce or diagnose most stall events, leaving owners unresolved and, in some cases, unable to use their vehicles safely for work.
Same Hyundai Elantra engine reports on nearby years: 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stall with power loss while driving
Engine cuts off suddenly during normal driving, with loss of propulsion and throttle response. Vehicle requires restart to continue. Occurs in various driving conditions including traffic, highway speeds, lane merges, and reversals.
When: Occurs randomly and repeatedly; one owner reports 2 incidents in 2 years; another reports multiple times per trip; one at 290 miles; another at highway speeds (70 mph); one during 60 mph freeway driving; one during stop-and-go traffic in intersections
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off without warning or with dashboard 'engine off' alert; Loss of power and throttle response; Dashboard warning: 'engine off, shift to neutral and restart'; Check engine light illuminates during some stall events; Battery and other dashboard warning symbols light up; Loud warning alarm sound on dashboard
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific code not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced a valve on two service visits for owner in narrative #5, but stalling continued. One owner mentions ISG (idle stop-go) system recall as potential cause but notes no resolution provided. One dealer diagnosed faulty motor mount bushings at 290 miles and did not repair. Most dealers reported inability to find a problem or reproduce the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner mentions ISG system recall possibility noted by dealership with no resolution yet. One owner's vehicle diagnosed with faulty motor mount bushings by Hyundai dealer but not repaired. Multiple owners report dealers unable to diagnose or reproduce the issue despite repeated service visits. No recall information confirmed in narratives.
Persistent low-engine-oil warning light
Check engine light illuminates with low-engine-oil message repeatedly, even after oil changes and dealer service. Warning recurs shortly after each service visit despite no actual oil level issue found.
When: First occurred in April 2023 after purchase in February 2023; repeated after subsequent service visits in January 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on with 'low engine oil' message; Warning persists or returns after oil change and dealer service; Occurs on every or nearly every trip
Codes mentioned: Low engine oil warning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle serviced on 01/06/24 and rechecked on 01/09/24; warning recurred by 01/12/24. Owner reports dealer told them to ignore the warning at Tampa Hyundai dealership.
Excessive heat from exhaust in interior
Middle console becomes extremely hot from exhaust heat permeating into the vehicle interior during highway driving, making console untouchable.
When: At 8,000 miles, while driving 60 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Middle console becomes extremely hot; Heat from exhaust permeates into vehicle interior; Console too hot to touch
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer determined that a heat shield sleeve needed to be added to the exhaust. Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer recommended heat shield sleeve installation. Manufacturer was not notified.
Radiator cap failure with coolant leak
Radiator cap failed after oil change service at third-party facility, causing complete coolant loss and burning metal smell from engine bay. Owner suspects manufacturer defect but cap failure timing was suspicious.
When: Discovered shortly after oil change on July 28, 2024; burning smell noticed August 13, 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaking from behind passenger side tire; Coolant reservoir completely empty; Burning metal smell from engine bay when car turned on; Radiator cap no longer holding pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Firestone replaced radiator cap. Owner retained original cap to assess whether defect or improper handling during third-party oil change.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2023 Hyundai Elantra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 8,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2023/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.