2023 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

I purchased a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 2023 on December 15, 2023, and since early ownership I have experienced persistent jerking/clunking while slowing to a stop, harsh downshifts, hesitation during braking, and rough transitions between electric and engine power. The issue was first documented around 5,744 miles and continued through approximately six to eight repair/work orders, where dealerships repeatedly described the condition as normal hybrid/DCT behavior while performing software resets, adaptive relearns, and diagnostic checks. After continued complaints, Hyundai Techline became involved and the dealership concluded the vehicle “jerks pretty bad,” leading to a full transmission replacement under warranty. Despite the transmission replacement, the issue persisted and the dealership later confirmed slight clunking during downshifts and discovered a torn engine mount, which was also replaced. The dealership additionally noted that the issue did not occur while driving another Elantra Hybrid or the loaner vehicle, suggesting the condition was specific to my vehicle. I also opened a case with Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs regarding the recurring defect and repeated failed repair attempts, but the issue continues despite major drivetrain repairs. Hyundai Motors America Consumer Affairs has not been able to help me with this either. They also didn't provide me with the Federal Agency number when I requested them in order to reach out and seek help from the agencies. Hyundai didn't help me in any way. There were no warnings. They have been able to reproduce the issue but do not want to resolve the issue. I strongly believe no vehicle is designed in a way that it jerks and downshifts in a harsh manner causing distress to the driver/owner.

NHTSA ID

11738642

Incident

Dec 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a full stop, the brake pedal was released, and the vehicle surged forward before the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ID

11731508

Incident

Feb 16, 2026

Mileage

15,000 mi

*The engine began sputtering really bad and the check engine light came on. I brought the vehicle to the dealership that I purchased it from and they recommended a fuel system flush and change the spark plugs. I had them change the spark plugs and the check engine was cleared but still sputtered a bit. So I brought it to my mechanic who does most of my work and his diagnosis was that oil was blowing by and to not drive it and have towed to Hyundai cause they've been seeing all kinds of engine problems on Hyundai's and that they since the warranty was 100k miles and I had just reached 104k miles that they may fix it. It is currently at Hyundai dealership being diagnosed. *I was driving on the interstate when engine began shaking in the middle of rush hour traffic making it difficult to pull over to see if I could see anything. *Independent mechanic replicated and said to not drive the vehicle. *Hyundai is currently inspecting the vehicle now. *Check engine light came on after the violent sputtering of the engine.

NHTSA ID

11722380

Incident

Feb 23, 2026

This has happened twice. I brought it to Hyundai in Syracuse and they said they could not find a problem. The problem: While driving the car loses power, when pressing the gas pedal the car stops propelling forward. Safety: The car randomly loses power while driving. This could happen when pulling out onto a highway or railroad tracks etc. Problem been reproduced: It has not been reproduced by a dealer. It's happened twice randomly in the 2 years I've had the car. I did bring it to Hyundai in Syracuse NY but they said they didn't find an issue. Inspection: Hyundai in Syracuse NY checked the car for an issue. No police or insurance. Warning/messages: There were no messages or warnings before it lost power.

NHTSA ID

11705361

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

I was on a delivery yesterday when this first occurred. I put my car into reverse and proceded to back up when my engine cut off suddenly and a loud warning came on , on my dash by the steering wheel it said ... engine off, shift to neutral and restart. That is what I did and it restarted and I continued on with my deliveries. Then the exact same thing happened again today so I called the dealership and they said there is a recall with the isg system that could be the issue but no resolution yet so there's nothing they can do. In the meantime time I can't use my vehicle for work as im a full time food delivery driver and I have to back up into roadways multiple times a day going in and out of driveways and I can't risk my safety or other drivers safety as my car may turn off in the roadway.

NHTSA ID

11691213

Incident

Oct 2, 2025

Vehicle routinely sputters and stalls at slow speeds. This happens once or twice during most times I use the car. This has happened in intersections and on highways at stop and go traffic. The car is not safe to drive. I haves brought the vehicle into the dealer at least three times for this and they have replaced a different valve (don't know what it was) on two of the occasions but the problem continues. I have an upcoming appointment with my authorized Hyundai dealer (the vehicle is still under warranty) and hope I have better luck next time. But a vehicle that stalls on every trip is not safety.

NHTSA ID

11687170

Incident

Sep 14, 2025

Oil filter cartridge housing is leaking from the top.

NHTSA ID

11649816

Incident

Mar 9, 2025

While driving at highway speeds the vehicle will suddenly decelerate forcing vehicles behind said vehicle to make defensive maneuvers to avoid hitting our vehicle. We have taken the vehicle to the dealership twice for this condition. This time we were told it was the EGR valve, but it was on backorder. We are now forced to drive this vehicle until it is repaired.

NHTSA ID

11632815

Incident

Dec 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. During the failure the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cause of the failure was due to faulty motor mount bushings. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 290.

NHTSA ID

11614125

Incident

Dec 24, 2023

Mileage

290 mi

On July 28th 2024, I took my new 2023 Hyundai Elantra to its first oil change at a Take 5 oil change center. They replaced the oil, filter, checked the fluid levels in my car, and topped the fluids off. That evening, I noticed there was a liquid leaking from behind the passenger side tire, and at first thought it was water from the A/C, but in the morning, I noticed a puddle of liquid was under the car. I went back to Take 5 on August 5th and informed them that I believed there was coolant leaking from the vehicle following my oil change. The worker checked and said my coolant reservoir was completely empty, and he refilled the coolant and told me to take it to be diagnosed at a full service auto center. On August 13th I noticed there was a smell of burning metal coming from the engine bay when I turned the car on and took it to a Firestone where they informed me that the radiator cap had failed and was no longer holding the pressure in the radiator, and that almost all the coolant had leaked from my car. I had the radiator cap replaced and kept the original to take to the Hyundai dealership to see if this was a manufacturers defect or the result of improper handling by the Take 5 worker.

NHTSA ID

11608241

Incident

Jul 28, 2024

While driving at the freeway, the car engine failed. Car alarms went off and digital dashboard show alert of the engine failure. Battery and all other symbols in the dashboard lighted up as well. The vehicle lost speed. Dashboard displayed text indicating to shift gear to neutral and to press the start engine button. Engine restarted after following directions.

NHTSA ID

11601622

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

My vehicle usually would turn on the warning light stating that the engine oil level is low when I accelerate. The last time I had an oil change, it would turn on when I accelerate my vehicle to merge on the highway. I have had my engine oil level sensor changed out in my vehicle by a Hyundai tech. Immediately after my sensor was changed and I merged on to the nearest highway, it went on again when I increased speed. My vehicle has been inspected by a Hyundai dealer but it could not be fixed. This does not happen when you are at a consistent speed but rather when the car needs to accelerate.

NHTSA ID

11568998

Incident

Aug 27, 2023

I purchased the vehicle February 6-23 and in April of 2023 my engine light keeps coming on saying low engine oil. I called the Tampa Hyundai dealership and they told me to ignore it I have down 2 service on this vehicle and issue is not fixed on the second service the same day I let the parking lot the issue started again. I bring the car back and they stated it was fix. Car was serviced 01/06/24 and recheck 01/09/24 and today is 01/12/24 and the issue is happing again. So I need help to understand this car issue

NHTSA ID

11565252

Incident

Jan 12, 2024

On two occasion vehicle abruptly shuts down leaving me with no control of vehicle. 1st incident , i was turning corner when car made a loud screeching noise and completely shut down ,i had no control over breaks or steering. Car sat for several hours before i could start it up, i did attempt to drive it down the street. I called to have vehicle looked at by dealership. They were unable to duplicate what happened . I received car back drove it for 2 weeks and then same thing happened, this time I was on a busy road when it shut down making loud screeching noise . I let vehicle roll while i struggled to pull over . I had no control over vehicle something is triggering vehicle to shut down . I am very concerned this will continue happening and it could result in a serious injury or fatality . Dealership as of today has no resolution to this problem , they still have my vehicle in their shop .

NHTSA ID

11556275

Incident

Oct 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the middle console became extremely hot, and the contact was unable to touch the console or the contents for fear of being burned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that heat from the exhaust was permeating into the interior of the vehicle. The contact was informed that a heatshield sleeve needed to be added to the exhaust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.

NHTSA ID

11548508

Incident

Aug 25, 2023

Mileage

8,000 mi

My 2023 Hyundai Elantra vehicle displays a low oil pressure message when accelerating. Is this related to the recent recall for the electric oil pump assembly that may overheat and increase the risk of a fire?

NHTSA ID

11537001

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

On [XXX], I was driving to a hair appointment and was getting over to the far right lane. Traffic was stop and go and as I merged into the far right lane, the car flashed an “engine off” red light warning and had the words “put in N.” I quickly realized that the car had died on me. I tried to press on the gas to get over to the emergency lane, but the car would not accelerate. I tried to push the button to restart it, and it would not restart. I then tried to put it in neutral as I thought that’s what the N letter meant and still nothing happened. With the car dead, I steered the car into the emergency lane with my hazard lights on. I then pressed on the brakes, tried to put in neutral and finally put the car in park (I believe. I don’t really remember the order of events because I was panicking). I then pushed the button to start the car and it started up. I then drove in the slow lane the rest of the way until I got to my appointment, as I was worried the car would die out on me again on the fast lane and be killed. Our car has been at Stockton Hyundai since [XXX], and we still don’t have my car back. The car is in my husband’s name, [XXX]. They are claiming they can’t find anything wrong with it. There is a case number with corporate, but yet I can’t reach anybody there. I’ve talked to Tracy Hyundai, Stockton Hyundai, Corporate Hyundai, and still no car. What can I do to resolve this issue? We are paying on a car that is not in our possession. I leave messages at Stockton Hyundai, and nobody calls me back. I called Lauren at Corporate Hyundai and don’t have a callback from her. I called today and the recording says that she’s not available and then I’ll get transferred to a different agent and the phone just rings. So I called the main number at Corporate Hyundai again and they tell me they can’t give me a different agent. I have to call them again and again then, but still really no resolution and no car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11531900

Incident

Jul 1, 2023