2020 Hyundai Elantra Driver assistance Problems

I have a 2020 Hyundai Elantra Limited that was purchased new in December of 2020, has 17,764 miles, and no damage. At the end of May/early June of 2026, the car gave warning messages for the following: check forward collision avoidance assist system, check lane keep assist system, and check high beam assist system. The car was inspected by the dealership, from which it was purchased, on June 29, 2026. The technician report says error codes C1604 and C1606 were found and that the car required replacement of the front camera system at the cost of $1991.49. Front camera failure negates the ability to use the advanced safety features of this car. These features are so important to alert and, more importantly, assist the driver avoid accidents and improve all motorists safety. I have read numerous complaints depicting the same problem with this front camera system. Hyundai issued TSB 20-BE-006H due to multiple problems just like the one that happened to me. I have corresponded with Hyundai about this situation and my concerns on why a car with this few miles and no damage had a failure of this magnitude. They are unwilling to assist due to the warranty expiring 6 months ago. For components this important to the safety of all drivers, I would like to see a recall established to hold Hyundai accountable for faulty components. Safety should not be limited by a warranty and last longer than 5 1/2 years. Than you for your consideration.

NHTSA ID

11748184

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

Currently, there are 30,564 miles on my vehicle and I am the original owner of the vehicle since early 2021. This is a continuous intermittent problem that can occur at any time when trying to accelerate the vehicle. The vehicle could be moving down the road and you go to accelerate and the RPM's drop dramatically, giving you no power. The same thing has happened when trying to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle would start to accelerate and then all of a sudden the RPM's drop, giving you no power. I have had the vehicle to the dealership for this problem and I am being told that they can't do anything about it because they can't duplicate it. If this happened when it was necessary for me to get out of the way of a vehicle, an accident could occur, resulting in sirius injury or death. Also, there were no warning lights or check engine light that came on at any time when the problem presented itself.

NHTSA ID

11742932

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

Around 9 p.m., I was driving home on the XXX highway at about 60 mph. The road was clear, with no obstacles ahead, and it was lightly drizzling in the [XXX] area. Suddenly, the car's emergency braking system activated, then returned to normal. Although it startled me, thankfully there were no cars behind me to avoid a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11740572

Incident

Apr 19, 2026

The Contact owns a 2020 HYUNDAI Elantra. The contact stated while operating the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, he noticed that his RPM were going back and forth while on cruise control, after removing cruise control the vehicle stayed the same. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted but the vehicle was hesitating to accelerate and noticed a issue with the gears not. The vehicle was towed to a independent mechanic but was not fully diagnosed due to the transmission driving forward when in neutral. The dealer was notified of the failure and a appointment was set for a later date. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11735846

Incident

Apr 29, 2026

Mileage

106,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The stated that the backup camera was inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V879000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no recall. But no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 19,100.

NHTSA ID

11734908

Incident

Mar 19, 2026

Mileage

19,100 mi

I no longer have this vehicle, as I traded it in once I was able to lower some of my negative equity. During owning the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a deer it the side of my vehicle and knocked me into the center of the road while I was driving. No airbags had come out, nor was any sensor activated. About 6-8 months later, I was driving down the same road and a deer had run across the road. The forward collision sensor did not alert me (I was paying attention to the road, but would have absolutely heard it), and my airbags did not deploy. My car suffered over $9,000 in damage and I had a concussion.

NHTSA ID

11728934

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

The headlights failed their soldered incorrectly. It looks like a child did it. The back camera has yet to work since shows black screen, and then the lane Assistant shuts off in the middle of the road and there’s nothing blocking it. lights went out and kept going out no matter how many times I replaced the bulb when I was on the highway. I took it into Firestone and they stated that the company fucked up the wiring system.

NHTSA ID

11722670

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Cruise control on 55mph, car has slowed down going straight no uphill or downhill and accelerator did not work nothing blocking the accelerator. Had to pull over to a shoulder to shut engine off and on to drive. Tapping cruise control up to speed up in regulated area such as from 55 to a 65mph zone.. cruise control speed lowered. Attempting to speed up with accelerator still only slowing down. 3 times this year I had to change spark plugs within a 6 month period Error code p0302. Replaced battery alongside. Continues p0302 code. Replaced all coils and spark plugs still p0302. Climbing uphill vehicle sometimes looses power that happened twice in 2025 and twice in 2022. 3 times in 2024. That i must turn on hazards and floor the accelerator to gain speed on up hills in neighborhoods going 25 mph. I have dropped to 10 mph. I get oil change regularly. Always when due. Every few months I make sure to get a full car inspection to make sure everything is in proper working order.

NHTSA ID

11701387

Incident

Oct 26, 2025

I have taken my car in twice due to my car braking when there is not a vehicle and or object in front of me but there are vehicles right behind me that have to brake but Crain denies that there are any issues. My engine light came on a couple of weeks ago and I took it to Auto Zone to have a diagnostic test done. The report states that it has something wrong with the transmission/transmission line and or fluid. When I looked it up online it stated that there are recalls on engine pistons that could cause the diagnostic test to read that it's the transmission. My car is a 2020 Hyundai Elantra value edition but according to your website, there are no recalls!?

NHTSA ID

11678338

Incident

Jul 20, 2025

The contact called on behalf of their son who owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while their son was decelerating, speed was unknown, and coming to a stop sign. The next thing their son was able to recall was that the vehicle had suddenly turned right crashing into an electrical pole nearby. The air bags deployed. The driver had lost consciousness during the crash making it difficult to recall all that occurred. The vehicle was towed but they had not yet received any confirmation if the vehicle had been totaled. The electrical pole had fallen and began to catch fire. The fire department had put out the fire. The contact was not completely sure of the damage done to the vehicle. The driver lost consciousness and received an injury on their right arm. Medical attention was needed. The contact could only assume a police report had been filed but had not heard from the police department to confirm. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11613933

Incident

Sep 10, 2024

Car is almost stalling Randomly on the highway . The rpm’s go up and car won’t speed up slows down . Stalls very randomly I am terrified to drive it , I used to have so much confidence on a newer Hyundai .

NHTSA ID

11597478

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

The forward collision or emergency braking system gets activated by direct sunlight. Almost every day I drive with the sun directly in front of me in the morning and the car can activate this system with no need when going 30 to 75 mph on the 405, an extremely busy highway. There have been many almost rear ends if I wasn't able to accelerate through the braking. This is a weekly if almost daily occurrence. The independent auto shop said it can happen but they have replaced break pads twice and I'm only at 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11577287

Incident

Sep 5, 2022

Engine seized while going 55-60mph with warning lights only 15 seconds before my vehicle completely stopped on the highway [XXX] ) The engine was replaced by Hyundai along with the manifold and catalytic converter. Vehicle lost all control and power and started excessively knocking while I tried to get to the shoulder but only made it to the right lane. The safety of others and myself were out at risk due to no control of the vehicle. Repair order attached INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11576749

Incident

Dec 22, 2023

This vehicle has what is now known as "Phantom Braking" since day of delivery over two years ago and was reported to NHTSA previously by me and Hyundai which has not or will not try to correct this Safety Hazard. Last incident this occurred on 3/11/2023 for at least the 6th time. This has happened with vehicles behind me which have come close to hitting me.

NHTSA ID

11511636

Incident

Mar 11, 2023

When cruise control is activated the rpm increases 700 to 1000 rpm regardless of the speed

NHTSA ID

11484125

Incident

Oct 30, 2019

My car does not have forward collision warning or lane departure warning. But sometimes it will randomly pop up and the screen and cause my breaks to abruptly stop and almost crash.This has happened atleast 8 times and the car was bought brand new in 2020

NHTSA ID

11440768

Incident

Nov 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle erroneously switched from smart mode to sport mode causing the vehicle to independently accelerated. Additionally, the lane departure system would erroneously activate. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle pulled to the right. The contact also stated that the exhaust pipe was rusted. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 400. Consumer stated vehicle needs to brought in again, passenger seatbelt alarm goes off without anyone being in the vehicle. AC was leaking water and sensors keep changing automatically. In addition tire has been replaced after 3500 miles. Manufacture has been contacted several times and refused to buy the car back. Consumer has filed the complaint with the BBB.

NHTSA ID

11422894

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

400 mi

The forward accident avoidance system repeatedly cuts off the gas and prevents the car from moving even when there is nothing that could be considered a hazard in front of the car. It leaves me stranded half way through a turn in an intersection or the entrance to a parking lot. The gas pedal is disabled until the computer decides that it is safe. The service manager at the dealer says there is nothing they can do as the system is extremely sensitive and they get a lot of complaints about it. To be left in the middle of an intersection as the light changes and cross traffic starts or to to be stopped halfway through a turn onto a road with approaching traffic is not safe.

NHTSA ID

11420844

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE RPM AUTOMATICALLY INCREASES BY ABOUT 700 RPM. AT 75 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM IS 2300. WHEN CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, ENGINE RPM INCREASES TO 3000 RPM AND REMAINS THERE. THIS DECREASES GAS MILESGE AND INCREASES WEAR ON ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

11413015

Incident

Apr 20, 2021

Mileage

8,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT'S BOYFRIEND OWNS A 2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD INITIALLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MITCHELL HYUNDAI (1600 E. PARK AVE, ENTERPRISE, AL 36330) WHERE THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT THE DEALER TAG MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DISPUTED THE CLAIM. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700.*DT

NHTSA ID

11383433

Incident

Oct 14, 2020

Mileage

1,700 mi

CONDITIONS: WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT ROAD SURFACE/TERRAIN, MAINTAINING A CONSISTENT SPEED, AND CONSISTENT PEDAL APPLICATION. IF YOU SET CRUISE CONTROL, THE RPMS WILL JUMP BY 500 OR MORE. THE JUMP IN ENGINE SPEED IS MAINTAINED, NOT TEMPORARY. THE SUSTAINED INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WILL REDUCE FUEL ECONOMY AND INCREASE MECHANICAL WEAR ON THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. I DO HAVE A VIDEO BUT THE 5 MB FILE SIZE LIMIT PREVENTS ME FROM UPLOADING.

NHTSA ID

11365872

Incident

Oct 23, 2020

Mileage

9,450 mi

I BAUGHT THIS CAR SEPT 1ST 2020, ON OCTOBER 3RD 2020 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR PN MY WAY TO WORK ON THE HYWAY THE TRANSMITION SLIPED AND STOPPED SHIFTING AND WOULDNT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR AMD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I WAS QUICK TO PUT THE HAZARD ON AVOIDING COLLISION FROM BEHIND I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD NEED A FULL TRANSMITION REPLACEMENT DUE TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THEY ARE CURRENTLY WITH GDPR THE TRANSMITION TO COME SO I'LL HAVE THIS LONER CAR FOR THE NEXT 2-6 WEEKS.

NHTSA ID

11363680

Incident

Oct 3, 2020

Mileage

3,200 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. TO MY SURPRISE THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED BY 500-700 RPM. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEFECT IN THE WAY THE INTELLIGENT VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (IVT) SHOULD OPERATE OR ANY TRANSMISSION SHOULD OPERATE. THE RESULT IS THAT GAS MILEAGE WILL DECREASE AND ENGINE WEAR INCREASE AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RPM THAN NECESSARY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL BY HYUNDAI TO CHANGE THE OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM OWNERS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY, IN TURN, CONTACTED HYUNDAI. I HAVE ALSO CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INDICATION FROM HYUNDAI THAT THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. I'M HOPING YOU CAN REQUIRE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11312174

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

300 mi

2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN CAUSE HIGHER RPMS TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED. THIS CAN CAUSE EXTRA WEAR ON THE MOTOR AND DECREASED GAS MILEAGE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE NEW VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION.*JS

NHTSA ID

11301990

Incident

Feb 5, 2020

2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE SPED UP PAST THE SET SPEED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE LEFT ABOUT 1.5 INCHES. THE DEALER TURNED THE SENSITIVITY LEVEL ON THE LANE ASSIST. ALSO, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT A METAL SCREEN OVER THE AIR INTAKE FOR THE HEATER. THIS COULD ALLOW RODENTS TO ENTER INTO THE CAB. *JS

NHTSA ID

11300931

Incident

Feb 3, 2020