2020 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Engine · CA

The car went into 'limp mode' after rpm fluxuation. It's in the shop. Blake, a service manager at Temecula Hyundai, tells me it has "piston slap," which AI says is related to a piston ring recall for this car. Blake went on to say it has 2 power train issues (and needs a catalytic converter). the federal safety agency shows no recall, but whether engine or transmission, my daughter was nearly rear-ended due to this mechanical failure occurring on a two-lane highway at 55 mph. RE: Transmission (copied from Facebook): "Summarized by Meta AI " "Several 2020 Elantra owners describe shuddering, hesitation, and complete transmission failure at low mileage. Some report the car won’t accelerate from a stop or surges in RPM while cruising. Hyundai issued a recall for shifting issues that a software update can fix, but not all owners have been notified." It seems to me that the incident could have been transmission and the the engine 'piston slap' is conincidentally simultaneously discovered by Temecula Hyundai. Naturally, I conferred with AI as to the possibilities and found both transmission software recalls and a piston ring recall both a matter of record, but somehow not fully reported or complied with by Hyundai. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Engine · CA

2020 Hyundai Elantra, VIN [XXX], ~79,239 mi. On or about [XXX], while entering a parking lot at low speed on an incline, I pressed the accelerator but the car had severe power loss and then stalled. It would not move in reverse. All dashboard lights came on only after the stall. I restarted it; the lights cleared. It was towed to Westlake Hyundai, 3610 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; checked in Sep 29, 2026 8:59 AM. Dealer found engine oil below the low mark, no external leaks, DTCs P0302/P0304 (misfires cyl 2 & 4), and all spark plugs worn/fouled. They replaced the plugs and started an oil consumption test per TSB 23-EM-008H. Critical safety issue: the oil pressure warning light never illuminated before or during the stall, despite critically low oil. This removed my only warning to pull over safely. A sudden stall in traffic could cause a crash. The vehicle has the 2.0L Nu MPI engine covered by Recall 21V301 for defective piston oil rings causing excessive oil consumption and engine failure. My VIN is not included, but it shows the same failure. Vehicle is available for inspection. No police/insurance inspection. Manufacturer not yet inspected. Concern: engine defect and oil pressure warning system failure. Attached: Westlake Hyundai repair order/inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Engine · FL

Back in early July, I noticed a ticking sound coming from my engine so when I took it in to a Hyundai dealership, they told me the only way I could pursue any help further was by completing a oil consumption test, which I complied and paid for out-of-pocket very soon after within 48 hours my check engine light came on and was flashing. after pulling the code at an AutoZone which I have documentation of it was a P 1327 which signals that the car had entered limp mode. I very quickly reached out to Hyundai themselves and after going back-and-forth on paperwork, they assured me that since I had no coverage on the vehicle due to its mileageand that it was not produced in the same factory as the other recall vehicles with that same problem that they could not pay or help me with any of the services I would need done to my engine. They told me the only chance I had was by completing the oil consumption test, which would then put me and my safety at risk by driving a car with a faulty engine while it was also in limp mode. I’ve only had the car for about a year and a half when it threw the first sign at me and I’m now struggling to figure out how to afford a completely new engine all on my own with no financial assistance all because my car was not made in the same factory as all the other ones that have had the same issue. I have not been able to drive the vehicle in the last two months and it just put me into financial deficit, trying to figure out reliable transportation to get to my current employer. It also states that the previous owner must have had an engine inspection/replacement but was not specified of which specific action was taken on the official Hyundai website.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Engine · 102,474 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) as a potential cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently with an abnormal electrical wire burning odor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine starter failure. The engine starter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 102,474.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Engine · CA

The vehicle entered limp mode. The Hyundai dealer diagnosed a camshaft problem, said the repair would be covered, ordered the part, and began the work. After the engine was opened, the dealer noted sludge/varnish and denied coverage, claiming lack of maintenance. This VIN is included in safety recall 21V301 for improperly heat-treated piston oil rings on the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Hyundai told the federal safety agency that chipped rings can scuff the cylinder bore, cause accelerated oil consumption, knocking, oil-pressure warning, connecting-rod bearing seizure, stall, and in limited cases fire. The published remedy is inspection of the cylinder bore and piston skirt, engine replacement if damage is found, and PNSS software, at no charge. Hyundai National Consumer Affairs Case #XXX. I sent a written demand that they complete Campaign 203 and not convert an open safety recall into a customer-pay job. On XXX, case manager Mohammad issued a letter denying only “limited warranty” coverage for lack of Owner’s Manual maintenance. That letter does not state whether the Campaign 203 bore/skirt inspection was done, does not state whether PNSS was installed, and does not decide the incomplete recall. Oil and filter were changed on a regular schedule by the owner’s family using the specified oil. A signed affidavit was provided. Hyundai’s warranty does not require dealer-only oil changes. The symptom of the recalled oil-consumption defect (varnish/sludge) is being used to refuse the recall remedy. The vehicle remains unrepaired. I have not authorized customer-pay work or disposal of parts. What I want the federal safety agency to do Record this as an incomplete recall remedy. Require Hyundai Motor America to complete Campaign 203 on VIN [XXX]: perform the official bore and piston-skirt inspection, replace the engine if abnormalities exist, install PNSS, and cover related camshaft/engine damage found when the engine was opened, at no charge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA · crash · 1 injury

2020 HYUNDAI [XXX], VIN: [XXX] Incident Description: On XXX I was pulling into a parking spot and had my foot firmly on the brake pedal. When I attempted to shift the vehicle into Park the engine suddenly revved up excessively. The vehicle then accelerated forward on its own and crashed into a building. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Engine · 46,961 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted but unexpectedly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure caused by a misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,691.

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Engine · AZ

At 105,000 MI. My car stalled out and the engine stopped. It needs a new cam shaft, timing chain set, cam phaser and timing cover. We also had to replace the Variable valve timing solenoids as the metal melted.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Engine · AZ

"I was not notified of Campaign 974 and later experienced engine problems/failure. I am requesting review of whether the campaign was completed and whether the failure is related to the condition the campaign was intended to detect. My engine failed while pulling up to a house, stopping, then preparing to move again the car stalled, car stalled, car would not start for several times tried, then started was able to drive for about 10 miles then stalled again and would not start, car has been intermittently working, car has recent and regular oil changes on time with correct oil and still failed now there is metal in the oil per the mechanics there is knocking sort of like ticking sounds - the car left me stranded due to the engine intermittently working and not working to start the car - the car will attempt to start then turn right off immediately after starting the car and sometimes not turn over the car also had been jumping when in stopped positions as soon as attempt to give gas ever so slightly

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · NJ

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.