Owners have reported 16 crashes and 9 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Elantra. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the electrical system of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra, notably involving horn failures and battery-related problems. Complaints frequently mention the horn becoming inoperable, often requiring multiple replacements, and a recurring issue where the battery drains overnight, sometimes necessitating replacement after just a few months. Additionally, several owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly losing power while driving, with some incidents involving complete shutdowns and multiple warning lights, often at mileage around 7,000 miles. Safety implications include instances where the vehicle's emergency brake engages without driver input, and there is one reported crash with associated injuries. These patterns suggest potential risks for buyers considering a used 2023 Hyundai Elantra, particularly regarding horn reliability and unexpected power loss.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints18
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the power train of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra, particularly concerning the transmission and hybrid system faults. Common symptoms include slipping or jerky transmission shifts, unexpected loss of power, and instances of the vehicle entering limp mode, often triggered by rain or car washes affecting the knock sensor. These problems are noted at various mileage ranges, with some occurring as early as 11,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two crashes reported, one resulting in an injury, due to sudden power loss or unintended acceleration. Prospective buyers should be aware of these issues, especially if considering a vehicle with around 15,000 to 20,600 miles, where several complaints originate.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints13
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report that the 2023 Hyundai Elantra experiences frequent issues with its forward collision avoidance system. Complaints frequently mention unexpected automatic emergency braking when no vehicles or obstacles are present, often occurring at highway speeds ranging from 60 to 80 MPH. Symptoms include sudden deceleration, activation of emergency braking alerts, and the car taking control without driver input. One incident involved a crash where the forward collision warning failed to activate, resulting in a collision with a stationary object. These issues typically occur within the first few months of ownership, with mileage as low as 750 miles. The unexpected braking poses a risk of rear-end collisions and loss of vehicle control, which are significant safety implications for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints12
ENGINE
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra frequently report issues with the engine losing power or stalling, often without warning. Common symptoms include the vehicle losing motive power while driving, sputtering, and stalling at slow speeds or during gear shifts, which can occur at various speeds including highway conditions. Several complaints involve the engine shutting off unexpectedly, with some owners noting a message to shift to neutral and restart. These issues typically arise within the first year of ownership, with some reports mentioning as few as 290 miles on the odometer. Safety implications are significant, as these failures can occur in traffic or on highways, increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, there are reports of oil leaks and coolant system failures, although these are less frequently mentioned.
Owner complaints7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Hyundai Elantra's vehicle speed control, particularly related to cruise control and braking systems. Multiple complaints describe the cruise control unexpectedly accelerating to 110 mph and being difficult to deactivate, with some owners noting this occurs after setting cruise control at lower speeds and persists until the vehicle is restarted. This issue is reported at low mileages, such as 50 miles. Additionally, owners frequently mention unintended deceleration or phantom braking, sometimes linked to Forward Collision Avoidance systems, which can cause abrupt speed changes and skidding. These issues present potential safety risks due to sudden speed changes and loss of control, with some problems remaining unresolved despite dealer visits.
Owner complaints7
STEERING
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly related to the lane assist feature and steering control under various conditions. Complaints describe the vehicle independently steering to the right when lane assist is active, sometimes resulting in crashes, and steering wheel lock-up during adverse weather, leading to loss of control. Additionally, some owners experience abrupt vehicle shutdowns, losing control over both steering and brakes. These issues are typically reported at mileage ranges from approximately 7,000 to 20,305 miles. Safety implications are significant, with multiple reports of crashes and near-misses due to these steering-related failures, making it crucial for potential buyers to be aware of these patterns.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report frequent false activations of the automatic emergency braking system in the 2023 Hyundai Elantra, with incidents occurring at various speeds, including highway speeds up to 70 mph. Complaints commonly describe the vehicle unexpectedly applying brakes when no other cars are in close proximity, sometimes leading to sudden stops that could potentially cause rear-end collisions. These issues have been reported as early as 3,500 miles and continue beyond 11,000 miles. One complaint involves a crash where the forward collision warning system failed to detect a vehicle, resulting in significant vehicle damage. Another distinct issue involves a subframe pressing against a hard brake line, which Hyundai reportedly denies as a factory defect. These patterns suggest potential safety risks, particularly with unexpected braking at high speeds.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
AIR BAGS
Owners report multiple issues with the air bags in the 2023 Hyundai Elantra, particularly non-deployment during collisions. Several complaints involve crashes where air bags, including front and side, failed to deploy, resulting in injuries such as concussions and whiplash, with vehicles often declared total losses. Another issue involves delayed air bag deployment, as one owner describes air bags deploying 10-15 seconds after a minor collision. These problems are noted at varying mileages, from 31,000 to 71,000 miles, and have significant safety implications, given the injuries and total vehicle losses reported. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially if considering a used model with similar mileage.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints6
LANE DEPARTURE
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Hyundai Elantra's lane departure and related safety systems. Complaints frequently mention the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) system taking control and steering vehicles out of their lanes without warning, including into oncoming traffic or towards barriers, which poses significant safety risks. Additionally, some owners describe the automatic emergency braking activating unexpectedly when other vehicles pass closely, even when not signaling a lane change. There are also reports of multiple safety features failing simultaneously, including lane departure warnings and blind spot monitoring, which can affect vehicle control. These issues are noted across varying mileage ranges, and one report involves a crash with an injury. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported incidents and the associated safety implications.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra report issues related to excessive heat and oil consumption. One owner describes the center console becoming extremely hot while driving, attributed to heat from the exhaust affecting the interior, with the issue occurring at approximately 8,000 miles. Another owner of the Elantra N variant notes a significant oil leak, with the engine consuming one quart of oil every 100 miles, leading to a recommendation for engine replacement at around 1,520 miles. While no safety incidents such as crashes or fires are mentioned, these issues could affect vehicle comfort and reliability. Potential buyers may want to inquire about these specific problems and any dealer interventions when considering this model.
