2020 Hyundai Elantra Problems: 8 Known Issues
2020 model year · 456+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 456+ owner reports, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 8 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Lower control arm ball joint fasteners may be loose — recall 19V721, Piston oil rings can damage the cylinder bores — recall 21V301, Right rear wheel lug nuts may be loose — recall 19V720 and Turn-key cars without an immobilizer are easy to steal — Hyundai campaign 993. The most commonly reported issue is IVT fault codes and transmission damage — bulletins 20-01-047H and 23-AT-010H with 456 owner reports. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 8 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls12 recalls
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
+ 7 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Hyundai Elantra problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 456+ owner reports, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Lower control arm ball joint fasteners may be loose — recall 19V721, Piston oil rings can damage the cylinder bores — recall 21V301, Right rear wheel lug nuts may be loose — recall 19V720. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Hyundai Elantra reliable?
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 8 known issues documented across 456+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Lower control arm ball joint fasteners may be loose — recall 19V721 and Piston oil rings can damage the cylinder bores — recall 21V301 and Right rear wheel lug nuts may be loose — recall 19V720 and Turn-key cars without an immobilizer are easy to steal — Hyundai campaign 993. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
What is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Lower control arm ball joint fasteners may be loose — recall 19V721?
Hyundai's recall report says the fasteners securing the lower control arm ball joints may not have been tightened enough at assembly, so the ball joint could detach from the lower control arm and increase the risk of a crash. Suspension noise or vibration can be a warning. Applie… Severity: high.
What is the 2019-2020 Hyundai Elantra Piston oil rings can damage the cylinder bores — recall 21V301?
Hyundai's recall report says the piston oil rings may have been nitride heat-treated inconsistently and be too hard, so the ring edge can chip and scuff the cylinder bore. That can cause fast oil consumption, engine knocking or the oil pressure light, and continued driving could… Severity: high.
What is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Right rear wheel lug nuts may be loose — recall 19V720?
Hyundai's recall report says the lug nuts on the right rear wheel may not have been tightened enough at assembly, which could let the wheel detach while driving and increase the risk of a crash. Wheel noise or vibration can be a warning. Applies to: Certain 2020 Elantra sedans bu… Severity: high.
What is the 2011-2022 Hyundai Elantra Turn-key cars without an immobilizer are easy to steal — Hyundai campaign 993?
Hyundai says certain 2011-2022 models with a turn-key ignition and no engine immobilizer were targeted in a rise in thefts spread on social media. Its campaign updates the body control software to strengthen the factory alarm and ignition-start logic and adds anti-theft window de… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2023 Hyundai Elantra IVT fault codes and transmission damage — bulletins 20-01-047H and 23-AT-010H?
On certain 2020 Elantras the IVT (Hyundai's CVT) can store transmission codes and light the check engine lamp; Hyundai's campaign updates the transmission software and replaces the IVT when the listed codes show it may be damaged. On 2020-2023 IVT Elantras covered by bulletin 23-… Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra Carbon build-up on the intake valves of the 1.6L turbo (owner reports)?
Owners on the Elantra Sport forum report heavy carbon deposits on the intake valves of the 1.6L turbocharged direct-injection engine and link the deposits to misfires; they describe intake-valve cleaning such as walnut blasting. Applies to: 2017-2020 Elantra Sport (AD) with the 1… Severity: medium.
What is the 2009-2020 Hyundai Elantra Stuck intake cam-timing oil control valve sets P0011 (owner reports)?
Owners report P0011 (intake cam timing over-advanced) with the intake CVVT oil control valve, also called the timing solenoid, and in one report the timing chain; they describe the engine stalling or shutting off, and one owner reports P0011 the day before the engine stopped with… Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2020 Hyundai Elantra Catalytic converter failing alongside oil burning on 2.0L engines (owner reports)?
Owners of 2019-2020 Elantras with the 2.0L engine report the catalytic converter failing while the engine was burning oil, in one case alongside a rod-bearing failure, and some say their VIN was not in the piston-ring recall 21V301. Applies to: 2019-2020 Elantra (AD) with the 2.0… Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.