2020 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2020 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.

2020 Hyundai Elantra recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Engine & coolingFire risk

  A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 21V301000

  Hyundai 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.

  Fix: Dealers 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.

• Tires & wheels

  A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

  Details 19V720000

  Hyundai 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.

  Fix: Hyundai 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.

• Suspension

  A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 19V721000

  Hyundai 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.

  Fix: Hyundai 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.

2020 Hyundai Elantra safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Engine: Hyundai has become aware that your Hyundai Elantra equipped with a 2.0 ATK engine may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System (CNDS) software intended only for Korean-built Elantra vehicles and may not meet specifications.
• Warranty extension: Certain Elantra (ADA) vehicles may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System (CNDS) software that can set DTC P132700; this software was intended only for Korean-built Elantra (AD) vehicles.
• Warranty extension: Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2020 Hyundai Elantra safety and fuel

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

What owners complain about

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

What a 2020 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 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024