Sixth generation (AD)
2020 Hyundai Elantra
The most reported problem on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra is stalling, with 37 complaints, usually around 44,000 miles.
- 252owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 21involved a crash
- 20,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Elantra doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has 252 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.3 times the median of 201 for 2020 sedans on this site. Of the 12 Elantra model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- At 36 complaints for each year on the road, the 2020 runs close to the 2019 (31) and above the 2021 (22).
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Stalling has 37 complaints and engine failure has 35, out of 252 in all. A quarter of the 21 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 8,000 miles, and half by about 44,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 24 of the 252 complaints (10%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 21 reports mention a crash, 6 mention a fire and 16 people were hurt. The reports record 2 deaths.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- stalling, engine failure and misfire all have recalls on the same system, and the same campaigns cover them: 21V-301. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 48 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 39. So far in 2026, 47 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 37 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
252 complaints is 1.2 times the median 2020 model on this site and 1.3 times the median 2020 sedan. Among the 9 Elantra model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai filed 97 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Hyundai Elantra. 19 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 37 complaints
If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each clutch in the transmission.
Check engine light or misfire 9 bulletins · 29 complaints
Hyundai has become aware that your Hyundai Elantra equipped with a 2.0 ATK engine may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System (CNDS) software intended only for Korean-built Elantra vehicles and may not meet specifications.
Certain Elantra (ADA) vehicles may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System (CNDS) software that can set DTC P132700; this software was intended only for Korean-built Elantra (AD) vehicles.
7 more on this problem
This bulletin provides information related to the Engine Control Module (ECM) software update for 2020MY Elantra (AD/ADA) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engine to revise the logic for the DTCs listed below.
Certain 20MY Elantra (AD/ADa) vehicles may experience an illuminated check engine warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below.
This bulletin provides information related to an ECM (Engine Control Module) software update for DTC P0128: Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temp below Thermostat Regulating Temperature) logic revision. There are no drivability symptoms associated with DTC P0128.
Certain vehicles may experience an illuminated warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). This service campaign provides information on the procedures to perform the ECU and TCU update, and, if necessary, replace the IVT (Intelligent Variable ...
Certain vehicles may experience an illuminated warning light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). Perform the ECU and TCU update, and, if necessary, replace the IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) to resolve this condition.
If you are servicing a vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
Headlights too dim or fail 2 bulletins · 24 complaints
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 ...
Some 2019 & 2020 Elantra (ADa) vehicles equipped with halogen headlights may experience intermittent operation of the high beam. This bulletin provides the service procedure to replace the left and right headlamp assemblies and perform aiming adjustments.
Engine knocking or ticking 2 bulletins · 14 complaints
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign 974 to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update.
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update.
Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 1 bulletin · 13 complaints
Certain 2019-2020MY Santa Fe and 2018-2020MY Elantra equipped with the front multifunction camera may exhibit one or more of the following warnings on the instrument cluster;
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 2 bulletins · 9 complaints
When using Wireless CarPlay, the system may intermittently auto disconnect. When Wireless CarPlay is disconnected, a pop up message âPhone Not Responding. Please reconnect it and try againâ will appear on the radio screen.
This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection conditions. 3.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 7 complaints
This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) ...
Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 1 bulletin · 6 complaints
Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing.
Complaints filed by year
48 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2020 Hyundai Elantra
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 3 recalls on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
Stalling, with 37 of the 252 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 44,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2020 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Of the 100 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 5,000 miles and half by about 20,000.
Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has about as many complaints as the 2019 and more complaints than the 2021: 36 a year against 31 and 22.
How many 2020 Hyundai Elantra complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
24 of them (10%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 21V-301. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.