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2020 Hyundai Elantra

Gas
Midsize Cars
8 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
69 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA255
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA36 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Elantra, is EPA-rated at 36 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 255 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
ElantraGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo334136$1,750
Elantra SEGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl314135$1,800
ElantraGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl304034$1,850
ElantraGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl263730$2,100
ElantraGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo263329$2,150
Elantra GTGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo253228$2,250
Elantra GTGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl253227$2,300
Elantra GTGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo233026$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41406, 41299, 41298, 41436, 41454, 41560, 41559, 41561.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Engine

203
158,493 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V301000reported Apr 28, 2021Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Suspension

185
744 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V721000reported Oct 9, 2019Hyundai Motor America
▲high

Wheels

184
48 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V720000reported Oct 9, 2019Hyundai Motor America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
255complaints filed

20 involved a crash · 6 a fire · 15 injuries · 2 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 4 · 2020: 30 · 2021: 48 · 2022: 18 · 2023: 36 · 2024: 36 · 2025: 40 · 2026: 43

Most-cited components

Engine108
Power Train48
Exterior Lighting28
Electrical System26
Unspecified25
Steering20

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in stop-and-go traffic, the engine light illuminated. While driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the fa…”Nov 25, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Tire size: 225/4R18 88W Code 2119 indicates manufacture on 21st week of 2019. Factory original equipment on a 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT (N-Line). At the dealer for an unrelated service at approximately 37,000 miles. Tech noticed cracking on sidewall of all original tires. Suspects it is dry rot. There is a previous recal…”Jun 9, 2023 · Tires · NHTSA owner report
“My 2020 Hyundai Elantra stalled on me in the middle of driving it. Only check engine light was on. Had an oil change three months prior to it stalling and not wanting to accelerate. Made an appointment with dealership, they stated it would be fine to drive for another month and a half when they were able to get my vehi…”Oct 17, 2022 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆11%
5 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Compare the 2020 Elantra with

2020 Toyota Camry →

Other Elantra model years

C

2026 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 3 complaints

C

2025 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 33 complaints

C

2024 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 59 complaints

D

2023 Hyundai Elantra

4 recalls · 165 complaints

F

2022 Hyundai Elantra

8 recalls · 155 complaints

F

2021 Hyundai Elantra

7 recalls · 158 complaints

B

2019 Hyundai Elantra

1 recalls · 263 complaints

A

2018 Hyundai Elantra

1 recalls · 330 complaints

D

2017 Hyundai Elantra

4 recalls · 790 complaints

B

2016 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 299 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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