2011 Hyundai Elantra recalls and problems

5 recalls and 433 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

5
recalls
433
owner complaints
17
complaints mentioning a crash
8
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Hyundai Elantra recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 23V651000 · reported September 22, 2023 · Hyundai Motor America · 1,649,478 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

Equipment: electrical

NHTSA campaign 20V393000 · reported July 2, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America · 272,126 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
The risk
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
The fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

NHTSA campaign 15V871000 · reported December 23, 2015 · Hyundai Motor America · 155,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. These symptoms will be accompanied by illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
The risk
If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper operation of the ESC sensors, and update the ESC system's calibration, free of charge. The recall began June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 137.

Suspension: front, springs, coil springs

NHTSA campaign 15V629000 · reported October 7, 2015 · Hyundai Motor America · 28,157 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
The risk
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed on November 17, 2015. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 133. Note: Vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere are eligible to be inspected and repaired.

Structure · Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 13V115000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Hyundai Motor Company · 186,250 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
The risk
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
The fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 28, 2026 · Steering · 39,892 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While the contact's wife was reversing at 2 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the failure had occurred in the driveway at the residence. While inspecting the vehicle…

Aug 5, 2026 · Steering

My steering wheel began to make clanking sound and lost the tension that allows for smooth turning of the wheel for both left and right. I looked it up and have found that this is a known issue that Hyundai has not addressed. Hyundai had a batch of bad steering wheel couplers that were installed in numerous models…

Feb 10, 2026 · Engine

I have a Piston/Engine Defect according to the mechanic at the car shop. Any time any acceleration is applied you can hear the knocking. I believe it should be covered through the class action alleged that 2011-2016 Elantras engines (including the Limited trim) have a piston defect leading to engine failure. A…

Jan 13, 2026 · Service brakes

The brake lines in our 2011 Hyundai Elantra have rusted out and no longer hold brake fluid, which means the car is not safe to drive. Luckily we were able to get the car to our sidewalk and park it without injury. We found that Sauder Schelkopf is investigating a potential class action lawsuit against Hyundai for…

Jan 12, 2026 · Air bags · crash reported

Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring Date of Crash: […] Location of Crash: Duluth, MN Description of Incident: I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring straight through an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and T‑boned the passenger side of my vehicle. The impact was severe enough that the vehicle…

Elantra model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2008 73143823
2009 42542811
2010 3380459
2011 5433178
2012 46544712
2013 41,3149331
2014 23863516

Across all years, the 2013 Elantra has the most complaints (1,314). All Hyundai Elantra years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, the most recent reported on September 22, 2023 (Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners have filed 433 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (92 complaints), followed by air bags (77).
How many 2011 Hyundai Elantra complaints mention a crash or fire?
17 of 433 complaints report a crash and 8 a fire; 10 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 28, 2026.