2011 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2011 Hyundai Elantra

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2011 Hyundai Elantra recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• BrakesPark outsideFire risk

  An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  Details 23V651000

  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.

  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.

• EquipmentFire risk

  An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

  Details 20V393000

  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.

  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.

• Suspension

  If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 15V629000

  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.

  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.

• Driver-assist systems

  If the one or more of the brakes are inappropriately applied, control of the vehicle may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 15V871000

  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.

  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.

• Airbags

  If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

  Details 13V115000

  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.

  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.

2011 Hyundai Elantra safety investigations and free repairs

Under investigation (not a recall):

• Hyundai and kia abs module fires since Nov 2023

Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Airbags: The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use.
• Engine: A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) that had alleged that certain 2011 – 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped…
• Steering: Hyundai has announced an extended warranty for the motor driven power steering (MDPS) coupling on the following vehicles: ?

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2011 Hyundai Elantra safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

460 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

What a 2011 Hyundai Elantra is worth

Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.

From new to now

What each Hyundai Elantra model year trades in for today at typical mileage.

Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line.

Other Hyundai Elantra years

2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024