2020 Hyundai Elantra: stuck in gear or won't shift

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 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 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 Apr 21, 2024 · Engine · TN

The vehicles engine has gone through a gradual decrease of power and then the car went into "Limp mode" and began burning oil. I have taken it to dealer multiple times and they would run diagnostic and never find anything significant. When it went into limp mode I took it back to dealer and they ran diagnostic and said the engine was bad. They said that the car is out of warranty and they would not cover the repairs. When I look into the problems that the vehicle was exhibiting there was a recall 203 that describes my problem exactly. When I look it shows this was completed at around 6000 miles. I believe this was done to early in the vehicles life and it didn't exhibit any of these issues. Now at 80,000 miles the engine now has all the issues described in the recall and the manufacturer will not replace or repair the engine

Filed Apr 19, 2023 · Transmission · AZ

While driving home from my family’s house in the next town over. My car decided to have transmission issues I have had the car car for 3 years so far with now issues until two days ago when I heard a loud pop and my car stopped accelerating. Tried to put it manual mode and I watched the gears shift from 1st to 8th gear in seconds then get stuck in fifth the the check engine light came on. And I was stuck on the interstate for almost 8 hours while I tried to get it to move. The car turned over just fine and revved but no movement like it was stuck in neutral

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Engine · 8,898 miles · CA

Driving vehicle at 20 miles per hour one block from residence on a city street and made a noticeable knocking sound in the engine. Vehicle went into limp mode. Drive home and had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer stated metal in the oil pan and said internal engine failure. Waiting on further from hyundai.

Filed Oct 10, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 3,200 miles · IA

I baught this car sept 1st 2020, on october 3rd 2020 while driving the car pn my way to work on the hyway the transmition sliped and stopped shifting and wouldnt shift out of 2nd gear amd check engine light came on I was quick to put the hazard on avoiding collision from behind I took it into the dealership. Where they told me it would need a full transmition replacement due to manufacture defect. They are currently with gdpr the transmition to come so I'll have this loner car for the next 2-6 weeks.

Filed Mar 18, 2020 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · IL

2020 hyundai elentra <5,000 miles city/urban driving when attempting to accelerate from stop; transmission quit working would not shift out of first gear. The car would not go above 10-20 MPH almost causing an accident by the next driver accelerating into the back of the car. Dealership wants to replace transmission with a re-manufactured unit. I have it since after thanksgiving 2019