RoadVitals

2009 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Oct 12, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 250 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesEngine
Filed Oct 12, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked she was notified that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that flames were coming from under the hood and the fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The fire department report was filed. The contact stated that prior to the failure the ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that he could not determine why the brake light was illuminated but advised that the failure could be related to a wire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who was unable to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the independent mechanic advised her that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that she did not receive a recall notice. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the fire department. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ID
11436505
Incident
Oct 11, 2021
Mileage
17,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Feb 7, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SON HAD THE VEHICLE PARKED IN A GARAGE, HE SMELT SMOKE AS FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS SON WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH NO INJURIES BEFORE IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED RECENTLY RECEIVED EMAIL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11307698
Incident
Dec 29, 2019
Engine
Filed May 14, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS EXITED AND PARKED IN THE OWNERS GARAGE, A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. A NEIGHBOR ALERTED THE CONTACT, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND PROVIDED AN INSPECTION REPORT. A DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE SO THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE MAY BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL PARKED AT THE OWNERS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID
11207451
Incident
May 6, 2019
Mileage
74,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2019

WAS DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE AND ALL OF SUDDEN ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING, CAR DIED. PULLED OVER AND PARKED IT . DIDN'T OVERHEAT OR ANYTHING. I'M CONFUSED WHY NOW MY CAR WON'T START . OR ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER . HELP!!

NHTSA ID
11172352
Incident
Jan 25, 2019
Mileage
26,500 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 12, 2019

ENGINE START VIBRATING AT LOW SPEED

NHTSA ID
11166641
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 21, 2018
Fire reported

STARTED THE CAR AND MOTOR/ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS THE MORNING OF 12/18/18. IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY MOMS HOUSE (ON THE STREET).

NHTSA ID
11162908
Incident
Dec 18, 2018
Mileage
161,050 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 17, 2018
Fire reported

ON 09/17/2018 I WOKE UP AROUND 5 AM TO FIND THE ELANTRA FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN THE FRONT END. IT WASN'T RUNNING, NOTHING LEFT ON, IT HAD NOT BEEN RUN FOR 4 HOURS SO THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COLD. NO DRIVABILITY PROBLEMS BEFORE. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED, PUT THE FIRE OUT AND STATED THAT THEY SAW NOTHING SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THE FIRE AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK ON PROBLEMS WITH HYUNDAI. THIS CAR ONLY HAD 70000 MILES ON IT WITH A 10 YEAR 100000 MILE WARRANTEE .I WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THIS CAR WAS COLD, PARKED, NOTHING ON, NO KEYS IN IT, I DON'T SEE ANY REASON IT SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11140848
Incident
Sep 17, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11066032
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2016

RECEIVE SERVICE CAMPAIGN NOTIFICATION TO APPLY RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO UNDERBODY TO ARREST THE CORROSION PROCESS. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER FOR RUST-PROOFING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL PAN IS RUSTED AND NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OVER $600 - I HAVE WRITTEN ESTIMATE FROM HYUNDAI DEALER. INFORMED THAT OIL PAN NEEDS REPLACED BECAUSE IF IT FAILS THAT OIL WILL LEAK OUT AND DAMAGE\RUIN ENGINE. TOLD HYUNDAI WOULD NOT COVER OIL PAN REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY AS I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER EVEN THOUGH MILEAGE WAS UNDER 100,000 AT TIME OF SERVICE. IF I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE. I ALSO HAVE A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA THAT RECEIVED SAME SERVICE CAMPAIGN NOTICE FOR RUST PROOFING UNDERBODY AND OIL PAN IS LOOKING ITS LIKE HEADING INTO SAME DIRECTION IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT DUE TO RUST. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO THE OIL PAN EVEN AFTER 10 YEARS OF AGE.

NHTSA ID
10824195
Incident
Nov 27, 2015
Mileage
99,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2016
Crash reported

I HIT A DEER ON HIGHWAY 890 IN ROTTERDAM NY, SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL, CAR HAD DAMAGE ALL AROUND, THE MOST DAMAGE WAS IN THE FRONT RESULTING IN A TOTALED VEHICLE, MY WHOLE FRONT END IS GONE, AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, WE WERE TRAVELING DOING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR

NHTSA ID
10820497
Incident
Dec 23, 2015
Mileage
113,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 19, 2014

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN SLOW TRAFFIC. SEEMED LIKE IT WENT FULL RPM. I HELD THE BRAKES AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. RPMS CAME DOWN AND I DRIVE OFF. KINDA SCARY THOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659495
Incident
Nov 19, 2014
Mileage
115,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed May 20, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY VEHICLE THE ELANTRA ( APROX SP 40MPH) REAR ENDED A CHEVY TAHOE( APRX SP 30MPH) MY ELANTRA WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND MY LOWER BACK WAS INJURED AS WELL AS MY RIGHT HAND. I HAD TO BE TAKEN FROM THE VEHICLE FROM EMS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE OCCUPANT OF THE TAHOE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY INJURY. THIS IS THE SECOND ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . IN 2011 MY VEHICLE MOVING APROX 55MPH STRUCK 3 DEER AT ONCE ON THE PASSENGER FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, MY SON EXPERIENCE A SHOULDER INJURY WHO WAS MY PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10592926
Incident
May 12, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 4, 2013

CAR ALARM ACTIVATES AT RANDOM WHEN PARKED, INCESSANT NOISE AND WORK PROBLEM. CAR GEAR STUCK-STOP LAMP SWITCH REPAIRED-LATER RECALL, CD MALFUNCTION-ATE DISC, DOOR SENSOR INDICATOR LIGHTS STUCK ON, BATTERY DIES DESPITE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REVEALING NO PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10507155
Incident
Sep 5, 2011
Mileage
55,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .