2019 Hyundai Elantra problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, filed between 2019-03-24 and 2026-09-04. The most common problem areas are the engine (135, 53%), exterior lighting (65, 26%) and electrical system (37, 15%). Owners reported 12 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries and 1 death in these complaints. NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2019 Hyundai Elantra complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 135 | 53% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 65 | 26% | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 37 | 15% | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Unknown or other | 25 | 10% | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Power train | 11 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 4% | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 3% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 6 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 135 complaints
- 135 complaints of 253 (53%) name the engine.
- 11 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 2 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra; the recall, campaign 21V301000, says: “The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.”
Exterior lighting: 65 complaints
- 65 complaints of 253 (26%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- 12 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra covers this system.
Electrical system: 37 complaints
- 37 complaints of 253 (15%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 12 of them also name the exterior lighting; owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra covers this system.
Power train: 11 complaints
- 11 complaints of 253 (4%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 7 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra covers this system.
Steering: 9 complaints
- 9 complaints of 253 (4%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 2 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 death in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra covers this system.
Forward collision avoidance: 7 complaints
- 7 complaints of 253 (3%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 2 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 36 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names ELANTRA, ELANTRA GT, model year 2019. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2019 Hyundai Elantra recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2019 Hyundai Elantra's most common problem areas are the engine (135 of 253 complaints), exterior lighting (65 of 253 complaints) and electrical system (37 of 253 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, including 12 reported crashes and 3 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra's problems?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra; 1 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.