Are there open safety recalls?
3 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 245 owner complaints, and gets about 36 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2020 Hyundai Elantra
- Engine 4-cyl 1.4L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
2 deaths reported
Out of 245 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 20180recalls
- 20191recall
- 2020 · this car3recalls
- 20216recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 25, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane-departure warning
- Standard
Tested as: 2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
3 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Engine
28/04/2021
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Wheels
09/10/2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
How they fix it: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.
-
Suspension
09/10/2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
How they fix it: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 25, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 2018280reports
- 2019246reports
- 2020 · this car245reports
- 2021129reports
245 owner reports on file
20 crash mentions 6 fire mentions 15 injury mentions 2 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 245 total reports.
- ENGINE 74 of 245
At 105,000 MI. My car stalled out and the engine stopped. It needs a new cam shaft, timing chain set, cam phaser and timing cover. We also had to replace the Variable valve timing solenoids as the metal melted.
- POWER TRAIN 46 of 245
My 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL experienced a total transmission/IVT failure at 81,185 miles. I paid $4,804.14 out of pocket to have the vehicle repaired at a certified Hyundai dealership, Dick Smith Hyundai Genesis of Greenville, now known as
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21 of 245
I have a 2020 Hyundai Elantra Limited that was purchased new in December of 2020, has 17,764 miles, and no damage. At the end of May/early June of 2026, the car gave warning messages for the following: check forward collision avoidance assi
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 21 of 245
Unknown and about 4 months ago my headlights stopped working one would go out I’d replace the bulb then the other goes out then a different bulb in my headlight would go out I’d replace it and it would go out again then the connectors were
- STEERING 20 of 245
Steering wheel has been making whining noises when turning. Previously replaced worm shaft on steering while under warranty due to malfunction when first purchased. Issue has resurfaced but no longer covered under warranty. Dealer quoted ne
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15 of 245
This complaint documents a recurring automatic transmission failure resulting in three complete vehicle shutdowns during active operation — two at highway speed and one in an active turning lane. The most recent failure occurred within 15 m
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 25, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 3 versions
They range from 28 to 36 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 201829mpg
- 201935mpg
- 2020 · this car36mpg
- 202131mpg
$1,700
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 33 mpg
Highway driving 41 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 36 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $2,500 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 96 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 14 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 25, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 1.4L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AM7)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.4L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.4 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (AM7)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 25, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the engine). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2020 Hyundai Elantra listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra? +
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, including the engine. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra get? +
The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Elantra at 36 mpg combined (33 city / 41 highway), about $1,700 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra? +
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, including 20 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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