Check a VIN

2026 Hyundai Elantra problems

The most common problem on the 2026 Hyundai Elantra is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical Elantra model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
5
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
23-54mpg

The worst 2026 Hyundai Elantra problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 3

Suspension: front: macpherson strutReported October 20, 2026 · 24 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Tucson Hybrid and Elantra vehicles. The front strut assembly fasteners may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
Risk
A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the front strut assembly fasteners and perform a wheel alignment, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 309. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on October 23, 2026.

Recall number 26V692000 · Recall details

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studsReported October 20, 2026 · 17 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Venue, Elantra N, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles. The wheel lug nuts may loosen and allow the wheel to detach.
Risk
Wheel detachment can cause a loss of vehicle control or create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hub bearing assemblies and reinstall the wheels, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 310. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on October 23, 2026.

Recall number 26V693000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: side impactReported April 20, 2026 · 2,931 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.
Risk
Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 299. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on April 22, 2026.

Recall number 26V254000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra

Technical service bulletins for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra 5

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

2026 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cyl HybridFWD515854
2.0L 4‑cylFWD20-3127-4023-35
1.6L 4‑cylFWD283531

What 2026 Hyundai Elantra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · ME

The “consider taking a break” alert comes on every few miles including in the first few miles of driving. It is distracting and I need it shut off!

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Airbags · CA · 1 injury

my car was t-boned on the passenger side at the b pillar and airbags did not deploy. yes the body shop confirmed the airbags did not deploy. no warnings or messages.

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Wheels · NV

To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting this formal complaint to request review of a potentially serious vehicle-safety failure involving a rental automobile provided to me by Hertz at its [XXX] location. Although Hertz is presently attempting to collect approximately $97 from me for alleged tire damage, the monetary dispute is secondary to the substantially more important issue: Hertz released a vehicle to me with an objectively abnormal tire-pressure reading, was expressly notified of that condition before I left the rental facility, advised me to disregard it, and subsequently documented a nail in that same tire. The chronology is straightforward and concerning. On XXX, I rented a vehicle from Hertz at [XXX]. At the time of checkout, the dashboard tire-pressure monitoring display showed that the passenger-side rear tire was approximately three pounds below the expected pressure. Although the reading had not yet reached a critical or red-warning level, it was clearly abnormal. The vehicle was also dirty and did not appear to have been carefully prepared between rentals, which further raised concern regarding the adequacy of the vehicle's pre-rental inspection. Before driving the vehicle from the Hertz facility, I specifically informed the Hertz employee handling the checkout that the right rear tire was displaying low pressure. The Hertz employee told me, in substance, not to worry about it. I relied upon that representation and drove the vehicle. Over the course of the rental, the pressure in that same tire continued to decline by several additional pounds. When I returned the automobile on XXX, I again specifically advised Hertz personnel that the tire was losing pressure and should be inspected. I also documented the issue in my written customer review, specifically expressing concern that providing a rental automobile with an apparent tire problem was inappropriate INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Compare the 2026 Hyundai Elantra

Elantra vs Ford FocusElantra vs Honda CivicElantra vs Toyota CorollaElantra vs Volkswagen JettaElantra vs Nissan SentraElantra vs Chevrolet CruzeElantra vs Mazda MAZDA3Elantra vs Subaru Impreza

Other model years

19921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2026 Hyundai Elantra

Is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2026 Hyundai Elantra, fewer than a typical Elantra model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

Airbags, with 1 complaint. Next is wheels (1).

How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Elantra have?

3 recalls, covering suspension, wheels and air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2026 Hyundai Elantra airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 26V254000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad airbags?

The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (168 complaints), 2012 (124 complaints) and 2001 (118 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2026 Hyundai Elantra get?

Official estimates for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra range from 23 to 54 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 51 city and 58 highway.

Share your experience with the 2026 Hyundai Elantra

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN