Short answer
Among Hyundai Elantra model years through 2024, 2000, 2006, 2018 and 2019 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (1) and 2011 and 2022 have the most (8). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Hyundai Elantra: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 27 (2000–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 57
- Fewest recalls
- 2000, 2006, 2018 and 2019 (1)
- Most recalls
- 2011 and 2022 (8)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (22)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2013, 2014, 2015 and 7 more years
Hyundai Elantra Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 2 | 5 stars | Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2024 | 2 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 stars | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train |
| 2022 | 8 | 5 stars | Seat belts, Air bags, Back over prevention |
| 2021 | 7 | 5 stars | Seat belts, Back over prevention, Seats |
| 2020 | 3 | 4 stars | Engine, Suspension, Wheels |
| 2019 | 1 | 4 stars | Engine |
| 2018 | 1 | 4 stars | Visibility |
| 2017 | 4 | 4–5 stars | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Steering |
| 2016 | 2 | 5 stars | Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2015 | 3 | 5 stars | Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2014 | 2 | 5 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2013 | 4 | 5 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Structure |
| 2012 | 5 | 4–5 stars | Structure, Electronic stability control (esc), Equipment |
| 2011 | 8 | Not rated | Service brakes, hydraulic, Structure, Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2010 | 4 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Service brakes, hydraulic, Steering |
| 2009 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2008 | 7 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Exterior lighting |
| 2007 | 6 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2006 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2005 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Steering |
| 2004 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2003 | 5 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic, Suspension |
| 2002 | 6 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bags |
| 2001 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Suspension |
| 2000 | 1 | Not rated | Electrical system |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20262 recalls
- 20252 recalls
- 20242 recalls
- 20234 recalls
- 20228 recalls
- 20217 recalls
- 20203 recalls
- 20191 recall
- 20181 recall
- 20174 recalls
- 20162 recalls
- 20153 recalls
- 20142 recalls
- 20134 recalls
- 20125 recalls
- 20118 recalls
- 20104 recalls
- 20094 recalls
- 20087 recalls
- 20076 recalls
- 20061 recall
- 20054 recalls
- 20045 recalls
- 20035 recalls
- 20026 recalls
- 20016 recalls
- 20001 recall
Hyundai Elantra: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Hyundai Elantra recalls are air bags (22), service brakes, hydraulic (19), exterior lighting (10), fuel system, gasoline (10) and seat belts (6). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 15 of these 27 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 7 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Hyundai Elantra Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Hyundai Elantra?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2000, 2006, 2018 and 2019 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 1 each.
Which Hyundai Elantra model years have the most recalls?
2011 and 2022 have the most, with 8 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Elantra", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy