NHTSA FEDERAL EVIDENCE AUDITAudited: 2026-08-24

2019 Hyundai Elantra Common Problems & Defect Telemetry

Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 246 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 1 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.

Data Grade: HIGH30 Odometer Verified EntriesMethodology
Executive AI Defect Summary

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra receives a 6.9/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 246 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 1 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 60,000 miles (IQR: 52,500106,736 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .

Hyundai Elantra PlatformHyundai Elantra Series
DLC Port: Behind fuse cover panel on driver left knee dashboard

*Representative vehicle platform imagery. Body styling varies across generations.

MazicBay Reliability Index
6.9 / 10

18.9 complaints / 10k sold

NHTSA Owner Complaints
246

Verified US federal records

Safety Severity Grade
Critical Risk

Crash, fire & stall audit

Federal Safety Recalls
1

1 Active / Free Remedies

Switch Elantra Model Year (2014–2025)
Defect Clustering

Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)

Ranked by NHTSA Complaint Frequency
#1 ENGINE & COOLINGCritical Severity90% Match Confidence

Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports

143
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):60,000 milesIQR: 52,500106,736 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$950 – $3,200 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
  • Abnormal oil burning / consumption
  • Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
  • Engine overheating / coolant loss
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11753489 • Filed: 07/29/2026Odometer: 104,000 mi

About two months ago, I had to replace the camshaft on my vehicle. Then about 3 weeks ago while driving down the road I began to hear a grinding slap near the front right of the vehicle. Then the power died and the vehicle limped into a parking lot. After stopping for about 30...

ODI #11752383 • Filed: 07/23/2026

The engine failed for my 2019 Hyundai Elantra. We bought it at Atlantic Hyundai dealership. They used a passing recall inspection to clear a defective engine, misdiagnosed the ensuing failure as an oil pan leak, and abandoned me with a vehicle that stalled dangerously in traff...

ODI #11751244 • Filed: 07/18/2026

The car was driving on the highway and out of nowhere the car just stopped in the middle of the highway. I brought it to my mechanic who said the car was rapidly consuming oil and my cars engine was seizing. and he safely brought me and the car to Atlantic Hyundai where I had ...

#2 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM & BATTERYCritical Severity86% Match Confidence

Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports

45
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):66,000 milesIQR: 51,50068,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$280 – $850 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
  • Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
  • Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11734543 • Filed: 04/29/2026

Where the Hyundai place tell that I don't need drive that because recall on the light shower! on my car and how electric part in the car. I still a note the balance 14,700. The paying balance need be 9,900. Because the wiring and light show balance I would owe. 6,000.

ODI #11729082 • Filed: 04/03/2026

my car was going uphill and would only go about 15 up hill and would not accelerate, no lights came one to indicate any issues, then it started driving properly. Then after about 4 min it just died, in the middle of a busy intersection during rush hour. the check oil, engine a...

ODI #11728232 • Filed: 03/31/2026

my car was going uphill and would only go about 15 up hill and would not accelerate, then after aboit 4 min it just died, the check oil, engine and battery lights came on. Then after turning off car it came back on but happened exact same way after 3 more min. Both times the l...

#3 STEERING & SUSPENSIONCritical Severity72% Match Confidence

Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports

21
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):60,000 milesIQR: 31,07870,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$450 – $1,400 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
  • Steering wheel pull or highway wander
  • Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11664050 • Filed: 05/30/2025

My late mother’s 2019 Hyundai Elantra (VIN: ... ) was brought to Johnson Hyundai of Apex on 4/14/2025 for a known paint defect recall affecting the roof and roof rails. I was handling this vehicle as part of her estate. While the car was in the custody of their body shop, Pipe...

ODI #11655695 • Filed: 04/20/2025

On 03/22/2025, I took my car into Riverside Hyundai because of engine shuttering. Riverside Hyundai discovered foreign fragments in my cylinder from the piston and stated they had never seen this issue before. Their diagnosis was engine replacement at an estimated cost of appr...

ODI #11649931 • Filed: 03/22/2025Odometer: 60,000 mi

The suspension on this vehicle is out of control. The vehicle jumps, and It moves from one side to another over any road bump. The car only has 60,000 miles and it shouldn't be doing that, it's unsafe and it can cause an accident.

#4 TRANSMISSION & DRIVETRAINMedium Severity76% Match Confidence

Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports

18
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):50,000 milesIQR: 43,50052,500 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$1,400 – $3,800 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Out-of-Pocket / TSB RemedyNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
  • Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
  • Transmission slipping between gears
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11739748 • Filed: 05/23/2026

Timing gears/camshaft issues. dealer mechanic stated that the pin on camshaft broke and timing jumping. dealership stated this is a known issue with Elantra's but Hyundai has done nothing to address this issue. This repair costs over 4000 dollars for a known issue

ODI #11723605 • Filed: 03/11/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 15-20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over t...

ODI #11706302 • Filed: 12/20/2025

I own a 2019 Hyundai Elantra Value Edition . 2.0L 1999CC L4. A few weeks ago we started with really cold/snowy weather and as I’m driving I’ve noticed weird knocking sound that sounds like a Ford F250 starting up. Today while stopped in traffic with the vehicle idling, the 201...

#5 BRAKING SYSTEM & ABSCritical Severity72% Match Confidence

Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports

13
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):2,156 milesIQR: 2,1562,156 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$350 – $1,100 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
  • ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
  • Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11655695 • Filed: 04/20/2025

On 03/22/2025, I took my car into Riverside Hyundai because of engine shuttering. Riverside Hyundai discovered foreign fragments in my cylinder from the piston and stated they had never seen this issue before. Their diagnosis was engine replacement at an estimated cost of appr...

ODI #11650117 • Filed: 03/24/2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights became inoperable. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights failed to function properly. The contact stated that the bulb...

ODI #11643504 • Filed: 02/18/2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal rubbing sound and hesitated to respond, causing the braking distance to be extended. The brake warning light illuminated. Th...

#6 AIRBAGS & SAFETY RESTRAINTSMedium Severity65% Match Confidence

Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports

8
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):55,000 milesIQR: 35,00075,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$400 – $1,200 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Out-of-Pocket / TSB RemedyNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
  • Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
  • Seat belt retractor lockup
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11554463 • Filed: 11/10/2023

The driver side seatbelt is pulled out and will not retract. Our safety is at risk every time we drive this vehicle as the seatbelt won't protect the driver from being flung into other passengers or prevent from being flung out of the vehicle. This issue has been confirmed by ...

ODI #11493204 • Filed: 11/11/2022

I hit a small center divider in a parking structure going about 1 MPH which hit under the car. The three front airbags deployed. There is no body damage to the front of the car so I don’t think that the airbags should have deployed. My local dealership can’t fix it and I have ...

ODI #11469212 • Filed: 06/14/2022

The headlamp actuator inside the headlight assembly that flips to reveal high beams or low beams is made of a cheap, flimsy plastic that wears down quickly. When it is worn down, the rod can no longer control whether high beams or low beams are shown. Because of this, this car...

#7 FUEL SYSTEM & INJECTIONLow Severity65% Match Confidence

Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports

3
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):66,000 milesIQR: 66,00066,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$650 – $1,250 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Out-of-Pocket / TSB RemedyNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
  • Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
  • Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11698702 • Filed: 11/11/2025Odometer: 66,000 mi

The engine in my 2019 Hyundai Elantra failed at approximately 66,000 miles. The vehicle began to idle roughly, lose power, and eventually stalled and would not restart. It was first inspected by an independent mechanic, who suggested a possible electrical issue. I then took it...

ODI #11441507 • Filed: 11/23/2021

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The contact stated that the vehicle would not start while low on fuel. The contact had to keep refueling to a full tank to start the vehicle. The failure on...

ODI #11430173 • Filed: 08/23/2021

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the dealer completed an unknown recall repair on the vehicle however, when she picked up the vehicle from the dealer and was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. Several warning lights including the...

Safety Enforcement

Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (1)

100% Free Dealer Repair
NHTSA Campaign #21V301000Reported: 28/04/2021

ENGINE

Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

Safety Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2019 Hyundai Elantra

Before purchasing a used 2019 Hyundai Elantra, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:

1. Cold Start & Idle Diagnostics

Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).

2. Transmission Shift Quality Audit

Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.

3. Federal Recall Completion Check

Verify that all 1 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.

4. Electrical & Infotainment Drain Check

Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.

Frequently Answered Questions

Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2019 Hyundai Elantra

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra a reliable used car?

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra earns a 6.9/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 246 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.

What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?

The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 60,000 miles (IQR: 52,500106,736 mi).

Are there free recall repairs available for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?

Yes, the NHTSA records 1 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.