The best and worst Hyundai Elantra years, by the numbers
Short answer: among Hyundai Elantras old enough to judge (2005–2022), the 2005, 2015 and 2021–2022 have the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The 2010, 2012–2013 and 2017 have the most.
We counted every owner complaint filed with the federal government (NHTSA) for each model year and divided by how many were sold that year, so a year that sold more doesn’t look worse just for being popular. Years newer than 2022 are shown but not ranked — they haven’t been on the road long enough. How this is calculated.
Years with the most complaints
2010 Hyundai Elantra · 28.7 per 10,000 sold (1.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Electric power steering motor and module, typically around 77,000 miles; then airbags, seatbelts and restraints.
2012 Hyundai Elantra · 30.2 per 10,000 sold (1.5× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 89,000 miles; then body control and other modules.
2013 Hyundai Elantra · 52.9 per 10,000 sold (2.6× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 70,000 miles; then tie rods, linkage, shaft and column.
2017 Hyundai Elantra · 38.6 per 10,000 sold (1.9× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim, typically around 68,000 miles; then stalling and no-start.
Years with the fewest complaints
2005 Hyundai Elantra · 6.6 per 10,000 sold (0.3× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 80,000 miles.
2015 Hyundai Elantra · 10.8 per 10,000 sold (0.5× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Stalling and no-start, typically around 63,780 miles.
2021 Hyundai Elantra · 10.1 per 10,000 sold (0.5× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Driver-assist cameras, radar and calibration, typically around 506 miles.
2022 Hyundai Elantra · 8.5 per 10,000 sold (0.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Driver-assist cameras, radar and calibration, typically around 5,500 miles.
Every year: complaints per 10,000 sold
Typical Hyundai Elantra year: 20.2 per 10,000 sold.
Complaints are counted once each, even when an owner lists several parts. Sales are US units sold in the calendar year, a close stand-in for the model year.
Common questions
What is the worst year for the Hyundai Elantra?
Among Hyundai Elantras old enough to judge (2005–2022), the 2013 has the most owner complaints per 10,000 sold: 52.9, about 2.6× a typical Hyundai Elantra year. The 2010, 2012 and 2017 also stand out.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Elantra?
The 2005 has the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold among Hyundai Elantras from 2005–2022: 6.6, against 20.2 for a typical year. The 2015 and 2021–2022 are also well below typical.
What goes wrong on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported problem on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra is airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically around 70,000 miles.
Why aren't the newest Hyundai Elantra years ranked?
The 2023–2026 haven't been on the road long enough. Newer cars have fewer complaints mainly because they're newer, so ranking them would flatter them.
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Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; US sales from public industry figures. Complaints are self-reported and not independently verified. This is not an inspection and not a recommendation to buy or avoid any vehicle.