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2020 Hyundai Elantra: won't start

8 of the 255 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra describe won't start.

owner complaints
8
of this car's complaints
3%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 14 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

What owners say

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 Aug 21, 2025 · RI

Bought with 63000. Miles, have driven 40000 miles. Engine seized. Will not Start. Told by mechanic that engine is dead and happens frequently with this car. What are my options?. ALL UPKEEPS PERFORMED. NO WARNING.

Filed Dec 20, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

Engine stalled out, oil light and engine repair light both on, call will not turn over

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Engine · OK

My vehicle stalled. I was heading to work and vehicle just cut off while driving. The day before it had started making a strange knocking, clicking sound. It will not charge and will not start up. I have not contacted manufacturer and not inspected by manufacturer. I checked vin # but not on recall list. I have kept my car up to date with servicing.The noise it made when it started to stall was really loud and then cut off. My safety was put at risk because I take the highway to work everyday and almost reached the highway that day before it stalled. My car is used for taking my kids to school, doctors appts and work. I am thankful my kids were not in the car when this happened. It had to be pushed off the road in a high traffic area causing a safety issue.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Fuel system · HI

The soldering of the end cap in the engine fuel rail failed and allowed gas under pressure to leak out. Fuel sprayed out in the engine compartment and the smell was evident inside and outside of the vehicle while in operation. Not sure how it did not start an engine fire. Repairing was a simple task that I handled as this is the only vehicle available to me. Ordered a new fuel rail which was only available from a dealer without issue and completing the repair went without issue. Did not have anyone else look at the problem as once I figured out the problem, did not want to drive the car anywhere. I have the old fuel rail for anyone who needs to inspect it.

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Engine · NC

The vehicle was purchased Nov 2023 with 60,000 mile on it. in december or early january the check engine light comes on. take the vehicle to auto zone to get the codes read where it stated TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE so we took it to the hyundai dealership and they said they were booked up for the next month or so,called around to there shops were booked as well so vehicle wasnt serviced. on feb 3,2023 the car stalled and shut off than wouldnt start back up. i contacted enterprise dealer and informed him the situation, he had me call the warrenty company. they towed the car to the shop and they informed me it was the starter and transmission.had to pay out of pocket for a rental than when i asked could we trade it in because the car add to many issues to be a brand new car,enterprise said they advise we keep the car for a year so basically stuck with a car they already had issuses and a car payment and the car still in the shop.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Engine · CA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine malfunctioned, then failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I decelerated from 65 mph to exit a freeway. At the end of an offramp, I slowed to a stop sign where the vehicle malfunctioned. It jerked, violently, forward as I attempted to accelerate endangering pedestrians crossing the intersection at the stop sign, other drivers on the offramp, and myself. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? To date, 3/8/2022, the Hyundai dealership has not performed any diagnostic testing or repairs on the vehicle since receipt of the vehicle on 2/18/2022. Hyundai Motor America has also refused to acknowledge that the federal safety agency Campaign Number 21V301000 (4/28/2021) is associated to the vehicle. To date, I have made three (3), separate, follow-up attempts to communicate with an assigned case manager. The assigned case manager was unresponsive. After that, I made three (3), separate, case manager escalated supervisor requests. The case manager supervisor was unresponsive. My most recent request has been an initial Hyundai management team request (3/7/2022) …I am waiting for a response but am not hopeful that anyone will respond. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle remains at a Hyundai dealership. I received a text message that read, “the technician has had the vehicle, it has been starting and driving normally.” In my opinion, the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I cannot, in good conscience, operate the vehicle until it is safe to drive. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A check engine light presented just before engine failure. The engine did not start after it failed. Remedy for the mechanical concerns is not yet avail

Filed May 18, 2021 · Engine · CA

Vehicle engine seizes and will not start. Happens multiple times. Towed vehicle to dealership and they state there is no recall for this problem however; the federal safety agency has a recall number of: 21V301000. Really getting the runaround. Same problem happened on 2013 Sonata we owned that caught fire, in which Hyundai paid lien and offered discount pricing to buy 2020 Elantra. Is this a trend?

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported April 28, 2021 · 158,493 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Risk
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460.

Recall number 21V301000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra won't start

Is won't start a common problem on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

8 of 255 owner complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra (3%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 2012.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

There is 1 recall and 14 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra

Check engine light 40Stalling 31Headlights 29Engine failure 28Transmission failure 22Knocking 20Oil consumption 14Loss of power 10Adaptive cruise 9Jerking 8Lane assist 8Won't shift 8Collision warning 7Fire or smoke 7Hesitation 7

All model years of the Hyundai Elantra

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