2020 Hyundai Elantra brakes problems

Filed May 25, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · MD

This complaint documents a recurring automatic transmission failure resulting in three complete vehicle shutdowns during active operation — two at highway speed and one in an active turning lane. The most recent failure occurred within 15 minutes of the vehicle being released from an authorized Hyundai dealership in College Park, Maryland, whose general manager admitted in a recorded call that the vehicle was released knowing the transmission was unrepaired and unsafe. The first failure occurred in 2025 on a highway with no prior warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, where the transmission was confirmed defective and repaired under warranty. The second failure occurred in January 2026, again on a highway with no warning. The dealership held the vehicle from January through May 2026 — four months — with no updates despite multiple owner inquiries. In April 2026 the dealership confirmed the transmission had failed again and was seeking Hyundai corporate authorization for the warranty repair. On May 21, 2026 I was told the vehicle was ready and the transmission had been fully repaired under warranty. This was false. On [XXX], within 15 minutes of leaving the dealership, the transmission failed a third time, completely shutting the vehicle down in an active turning lane with no warning. The general manager at Hyundai College Park later admitted in a recorded call that the transmission was never repaired and the vehicle was released only to recover the dealership's rental car, with full knowledge it was unsafe. All three failures were confirmed by the authorized dealer. Component is available for inspection. the federal safety agency investigation and recall consideration requested. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 5, 2026 · Brakes · AZ

I am submitting this complaint to document ongoing brake related concerns on my 2020 Hyundai Elantra that may affect vehicle safety. Since April 2024, I have experienced repeated brake rotor warpage that causes vibration during braking, reduced braking consistency, and a noticeable change in stopping behavior. These symptoms raise concerns about braking performance and overall vehicle control. I reported the issue to Hyundai Motor America and followed their required warranty process, including an inspection at High Desert Hyundai. The dealership indicated the condition should be covered under warranty, but I was charged twice for what should have been a no cost warranty inspection. HMA later denied warranty coverage based on an undefined claim of “outside influence” without providing any criteria, explanation, or evidence supporting that conclusion. The denial prevented me from understanding the basis of their determination or how it applied to the brake condition. HMA then directed me into the BBB Auto Line program under case number HYU2605570 as the next step for disputing the decision. Throughout this process, Hyundai did not provide any additional information or documentation explaining the cause of the brake condition or addressing the safety concerns I raised. Because braking performance affects stopping distance and vehicle control, I am reporting this issue to the federal safety agency so the agency is aware of the repeated brake vibration and rotor warpage, the inconsistent braking behavior, and the lack of clarity from the manufacturer regarding the cause. I possess all invoices, communications, photographs, and documentation related to the inspections and interactions with the dealership, HMA, and BBB Auto Line, and I have maintained these records since April 2024. I also filed a complaint with the federal safety agency for this same reason on February 4, 2025, complaint no. 11638352, for reference.

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 101,000 miles · OK

The contact's mother owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact was informed that the vehicle occasionally stalled without warning and would be immediately restarted to continue driving. Additionally, the vehicle would hesitate before slowly accelerating. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle at start-up, with a constant ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There were signs of an oil leak, and the oil needed to be changed more frequently. While changing the oil, the owner noticed smoke coming from inside the oil pan. The traction control warning light and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ABS module and piston rings in the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AR

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!?

Filed Jan 24, 2025 · Brakes · CA

Please see uploaded (pdf) files

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Brakes, Wheels · WA

Every time I go up a hill the slippery road light comes up. It’s hard to drive straight. I have to drive under the speed limit going up hills. Sometimes it won’t even let me park. I hear rattling when I drive over a certain speed limit. When I brake I feel the brake pad pushing back. And now my wheels are making noise when I turn them.

Filed Aug 26, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · FL

It makes noise when driving a mph

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · Brakes · 64,520 miles · MD · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and turning right during rainy weather conditions, the brake pedal was lightly depressed however the wheels locked. The vehicle drove over a pothole and the contact lost control causing the vehicle to skid 50 feet. The contact crashed into the curb on the driver's side front tire. No warning light illuminated. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was undriveable and towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver's side control arm, the front tire suspension, the tire and rim, the front bumper, and the grill needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that he had also experienced the same failure recently during a rain storm where the vehicle braked independently and he again lost control and crashed. The contact stated that he observed that the ABS warning was illuminated. The contact stated that he had not been injured during the incident. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,520.

Filed Jul 12, 2023 · Brakes · VA

Normal driving, applied brakes and pedal very hard to push down and stop and very fortunate to stop at all, now has happened twice. (what to do?) scared to drive the vehicle!

Filed Apr 13, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · 20,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to depress the brake pedal. The contact also stated that on various occasions, the gear shifter seized between gears. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact sought legal advice from the States Attorney General Office and was advised to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The manufacturer was not made of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.