10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,457 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #40

Nov 082019

Elantra

  • 25,000 miles
When going over bumps in the road, especially at higher speeds, 50-70 mph, the car feels like it loses contact with road surface. Making it feel like you have lost control of the car.

- Plover, WI, USA

problem #39

Oct 042019

Elantra

  • 160,000 miles
I have been back and fourth with Hyundai about the steering. They have claimed to fix the recall but my car is not safe to drive. The steering wheel clicks as I try to drive and I was told in June of 2019 during my state inspection it was taken care off.I recently got my brakes changed and the people serviced my car agreed it had not been fixed and in fact is dangerous.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #38

Sep 272019

Elantra

  • 81,000 miles
Fall 2018 - loud brushing noise when I turn the steering wheel right or left. Mechanic told me to take it to Hyundai to fix the clock spring. Did but the sound returned within 3 weeks. Lived with it because it wasn't as loud as before. Almost two months ago the loud sound returned. Took it back to Hyundai who said that the entire steering column needs to be replaced. Did not trust Hyundai. Took it to my mechanic who says that there is a damaged bearing in the column. Because I do not want to take a chance on guessing if the correct bearing has been found and the steering wheel motor may or may not also be compromised, I am allowing my mechanic to replace the steering column. The estimated cost is $1600. Fyi the sound is loudest when I am backing out of a parking space and turning the steering column. Also when I am turning in to a parking space. It can also be heard when the car is making turns when on the road. There is a slight give to the steering wheel when driving but it is manageable. The steering wheel also will not lock.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #37

Jul 012019

Elantra

  • 58,000 miles
While steering or making turns there is a popping sound in the steering column and a hesitation

- Wake Forest,, NC, USA

problem #36

Sep 012019

Elantra

  • 133,000 miles
Was informed that there is a known steering coupler issue that is covered under an extended warranty up to 100,000 miles. Unfortunately my vehicle exceeds that range and will have to pay out of pocket for said repairs. My concern is the safety aspect of this affecting my model in general, not just the mileage.

- Saraland, AL, USA

problem #35

Jun 012019

Elantra

  • 165,000 miles
Car stalls while in motion and coming to stops. Engine sounds like a diesel truck and also has a ticking noise. Constantly having to replace the headlight bulbs front and back. Also have issues with steering wheel making a winding noise when turning the wheel. My tire pressure light never goes off even when air is put in or all new tires are put on. Also constantly having issues driver side up front tire issues. Had new brakes done and shortly after there making noises again. I always have Hyundai do my work on my car except I do however go to walmart to get my tires. I have had this car for about 3 years and constantly have had issues with it. I will never ever buy another Hyundai again.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #34

Nov 132018

Elantra

  • 134,000 miles
The airbag light comes on and off regularly for some days, then finally it stays on permanently. The steering wheel lights doesn't come on when I turn on the headlights. The car bounces and sway to the side each time I hit a pothole no matter how small the pothole is.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #33

Dec 012018

Elantra

  • 137,883 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal clicking noise emerging from the steering wheel and the power steering indicator illuminated. The contact called wiesner Hyundai (1645 interstate 45 N #400, conroe, tx 77304, (936) 523-6300) and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a warranty and to schedule a service appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 137,883.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #32

Feb 112019

Elantra

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. When the vehicle was started, an abnormal noise was detected. Also, while driving more than 60 mph over a bump, there was an abnormal clicking noise detected from the steering wheel and the vehicle vibrated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the cylinder coupling and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- El Monte, CA, USA

problem #31

Aug 012018

Elantra

  • 110,000 miles
'takata recall' (1) suspension problem.. it drifts or bounces to one side when I hit a bump or when I go into a pothole... I have had to take it to different auto mechanics to fix this but haven't gotten any solution.. changed sway bar links, tie-rods, struts and ball joints, still no improvement. (2) steering issues - steering feels stiff when turning and sometimes makes funny sounds (3) clunking noise in front right side of car

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #30

Aug 012018

Elantra

  • 100,000 miles
When I drove (in motion) my car over potholes or road edges, my car is drifting by side to side. I had this issue from the last 6 months. I showed my car to a different Hyundai dealership, but they could not find the exact reason and I spent around $2000 to replace all the parts as per Hyundai's dealership suggestion. After spending this much of money I still have a drifting issue in potholes. Recently, I contacted other Hyundai dealership.and they suggested me to replace steering column and universal shaft. I am very frustrated now and requesting Hyundai America to take care of this issue by their side because it is really a safety concern.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #29

Nov 302018

Elantra

  • miles
A few weeks ago I noticed a popping noise coming from my steering area when I made turns. I took my car to my mechanic and he could find the actual part but knew it was coming from the power steering assist. After some research he found that a few people were having issues with the coupler inside the steering column. I have attached pictures of the the part looked like when he removed it. This is very concerning since I use this vehicle daily and Transport my 2 kids to daycare. I put less than 10,000 miles on it each year since driving from home to my kids daycare and work put less than 10 miles on it a day.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #28

Sep 102018

Elantra

  • 122,800 miles
To whom it may concern: It grieves me to escalate this concern to the national highway safety administration. I have attempted to seek resolution with Hyundai, but the corporate office is unresponsive and ignorant to the safety concern. The problem lies in the defect of the power steering coupler on Hyundai Elantra models that affects tires, steering, balancing, alignment. The manufacturer is aware of the defect and has either repaired or reimbursed owners of Hyundai Elantra for the defect up to 100,000 miles or 120,000 miles with extended warranty. I purchased the Elantra at 89,000 miles and inquired about a noise in the car. The dealer ignored it, and the carfax did not have any mention of the defect. After two sets of tires, 3 alignments, and additional repair, I began to wonder after, several tires blew during my drive after loading on the groceries! how can the tires with 50% life left--all of them--blow on the road" there is nothing mentioned in the manual" sadly, during my several visits to Hyundai dealerships (both in tampa and orlando), nobody at the dealer mentioned once about this issue"! finally, the local mechanic where I replaced the tires indicated about the coupler issue. I reached out to Hyundai's corporate office and was informed to repair and will be reimbursed. Well, I repaired the issue upon discovery at 122,800 miles, but Hyundai is refusing to reimburse for the defect of their issue. I wrestle to understand how this is not a safety issue when the tires blow up on the road, several sets of tires must be replaced with alignment and additional repair? I wrestle to grasp that Hyundai does not inform buyers in any way of the issue, and the dealers are silent on the issue. How is it possible" after hours of spending time on this issue, all that I would like is the reimbursement of $340 I paid to fix the defect of the car.this is not my fault!

- Kisssimmee, FL, USA

problem #27

May 132018

Elantra

  • 75,000 miles
While driving the car one or more of the brakes get active without using the brakes. ABS start kicking and the car loose power. If I hate the brake the brake parks get really sensitive and the car start shaking. Happened too many times and I took the car to the dealer for diagnostic and they said they couldn't fined any problems. From my experience this is a use sensor problem and I spoke with Honda of America and they said my car and my VIN # has no recall.

- Newport Beach, CA, USA

problem #26

Jan 112018

Elantra

  • 160,000 miles
My vehicle has had several issues with the flex steering cuppling. It makes a very loud noise at highway speeds and becomes very hard to control.

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #25

Feb 012017

Elantra

  • miles
My steering wheel makes a clocking noise that to me feels like something is loose and I will eventually become loose and the steering wheel will no longer work which would cause an accident. Its not covered for repair nor is it a recall which it should be. Idk what to

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 072017

Elantra

  • 97,000 miles
Air bag light illuminated whenever steering wheel is turned.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #23

Jun 052017

Elantra

  • 120,000 miles
When car is idling or while driving straight there is a clunking noise in the steering wheel and wheel moves slightly. This is not noticeable when turning.

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

problem #22

May 032017

Elantra

  • miles
In may my steering column started making a metallic like sound every time I turned it. There is some loose play in the steering now nothing major but the noise is very frequent when turning.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #21

Feb 072017

Elantra

  • 39,000 miles
Clicking noise when moving steering wheel in either direction. Both stopped and while driving. Napleton dealer says I need to have it fixed for safety reasons. They want 325 to fix. Says it's not on recall list. I feel because of hundreds of complaints and dealers acknowlegement of safety issue they should cover the cost.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »