2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern vehicle speed control.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 hyundai elantra touring. While driving various speeds, an abnormal ticking noise was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the noise was persistent. Luther burnsville hyundai (14700 buck hill rd, burnsville, mn 55306, (612) 424-7923) informed the contact to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the pistons were causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. *bf *jb”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2019
“After getting on the on-ramp on the highway I shifted my manual transmission from 4th to 5th gear to accelerate to 50 mph but the gear didn't shift to 5th and the engine was inadvertently revved up to 4 on the tachometer without any increase in speed; it felt as if I stepped down on the gas pedal while in neutral. I drove the next 25 miles home in 4th gear at 45 to 50 mph.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 hyundai elantra touring. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. On several occasions, while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the rpms revved while the brake pedal was being depressed. The vehicle was taken to herb chambers hyundai of auburn (located at 735 southbridge st, auburn, ma 01501, (508) 832-9990) to be diagnosed. The dealer cleaned the throttle body, but the failure recurred. Additionally, the throttle body was replaced by an independent mechanic, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. *tt*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“My daughter bought the car used from carmax with 88,000 miles and 2 weeks later had a knocking and clicking sound from the engine. She took it back to carmax and they repaired it noting that the problem was with the cam shaft. 2 years later and 110,000 miles, the same noise occurred with regular oil changes. When we had the car engine diagnosed, this time she needed a new engine.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Vehicle caught fire while parked in garage. Vehicle was not running and had not been driven for over 5 hours. Fire originated in the drivers side of the engine compartment.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2017
“Oil leaked from the crankcase seal while driving. A mechanic replaced the seal, which failed almost immediately. There are metal fragments in the fresh oil.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2017
“Initial issue was automatic speed control (cruise cntrl), will not stay engaged. Cruise no longer works in any way other than to turn it on. This issue began around jan 2017. Next issue is esc off light intermittently comes on and will not reset without restart. Latest issue is the 3rd brake light is the only brake light working. The brake lights and esc issue began around march 2018.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2017
“When accelerating, the engine does not always de-accelerate when the gas pedal is released. This is sporadic and unpredictable. Our mechanic thinks it is a fault in the throttle body. It is dangerous because after accelerating the car will continue to accelerate for up to 10 seconds after my foot is off the gas pedal. Or between shifts (manual transmission) the rpm will go dangerously high because the clutch is pushed in and briefly no load on the engine. The car does not need to be moving for this to happen. It is a throttle control issue, as determined by our mechanic. It has happened numerous times over the last year. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2016
“Our hyundai elantra had suspension problems and had to have the wheel bearings and drive shaft replaced, but no one ever told us there was a recall on the front coil springs. A week ago, one of the front coil springs snapped and gave us a blowout while we were driving. Luckily for us, we were on a side road and not the freeway. We brought it to a les schwab for repair because it was closer. It will take 3 weeks for the parts to come in, so I looked it up. Turns out there was a recall notice we never got. I didn't take a photo before we turned it in, but am attaching a service estimate from les schwab.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2016
“There is an issue with the airbag light in the main dash console staying on. Was concerned airbags would not deploy in accident. Had vehicle serviced at dealership. Dealership informed me that the clock spring in the steering wheel is too tight/defective and there is a 50/50 chance airbags will deploy in an accident. My vehicle just went out of bumper to bumper warranty. If there is any question that the airbags will not deploy due to this manufacturing issue then I believe it should be covered under a recall.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
How other years compare
Check your exact Elantra Touring by VIN
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Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control.
Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.