I am reporting a serious transmission problem with my 2020 Hyundai Elantra, which has approximately 66,000 miles I purchased this vehicle from a private seller approximately two months ago. At the time of purchase, the vehicle drove great, and I noticed no mechanical issues or unusual noises. After only two months of ownership, I began hearing a grinding noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The noise has progressively gotten worse and is now extremely loud. I took the vehicle to a professional mechanic, who inspected it and determined that the problem is the transmission. Although the vehicle still drives, the grinding noise is extremely concerning, and I am worried about the possibility of the transmission failing completely while I am driving. I find it alarming that a 2020 vehicle with only approximately 66,000 miles is experiencing what a mechanic has identified as a transmission failure. The vehicle has a rebuilt title, but there is no insurer "Total Loss" record showing in the vehicle history information. I have also checked for recalls associated with the VIN and have not found any except I did get a letter with a campaign recall I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this is a potential safety-related transmission defect affecting the 2020 Hyundai Elantra and whether other owners may be experiencing similar problems. I am a single mother who depends on this vehicle for transportation and caring for my family. I paid a substantial amount of money for this vehicle and have only owned it for two months. I am now facing what could be a very expensive transmission repair. My concern is not simply the financial burden. It is the safety risk of a transmission failing unexpectedly while the vehicle is being driven. I am asking that this complaint be documented and reviewed to determine whether further investigation into transmission problems with this model is warranted.
Hyundai Elantra grinding brakes problems
126 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Hyundai Elantra describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 126
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 33,600
By model year
Often reported together
Ball joint 10Brake failure 8ABS 8Knocking 6Stalling 5Jerking 5Engine failure 5Check engine light 5
What owners say
About two months ago, I had to replace the camshaft on my vehicle. Then about 3 weeks ago while driving down the road I began to hear a grinding slap near the front right of the vehicle. Then the power died and the vehicle limped into a parking lot. After stopping for about 30 minutes, I was able to restart the vehicle and get it home. The same noise occurred the whole drive. I couldn't start it again, and had it towed to my mechanic. The mechanic's review showed that the engine had seized up despite only being down a quart of oil. The engine was getting plenty of oil to give him confidence that missing oil wasn't the cause of the problem. The vehicle has about 104000 miles on it. To date, Hyundai refuses to even acknowledge that it's their problem despite a similar recall (21V301000) already being announced for this Elantra model.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the brakes made abnormal grinding sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front brakes, but the rear brakes were leaking brake fluid. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the independent mechanic for the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who replaced the rear brake calipers. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
The vehicle splash safety shield has been a big problem . A few times it has made bump noises while slowly driving through speed bumps slowly or on street where there is a low crossway. Today it started making noise and I did not realize that it had loosen . While parking it made a grinding noise underneath the front. While angling to park it jammed underneath the car and would not allow the car to move forward or back. I’m lucky it didn’t happened while driving in the street or fwy. A friend help me to remove it from underneath. The safety shield is not strong nor sturdy I have the damaged splash safety shield in my possession.
Vehicle developed clunking noise in the steering. Was told it was coupler issue. The dealership, Nlorthbay Hyundai, in Petaluma, California, was negligent in the replacement, creating a grinding metal on metal noise, and damaged the steering column as well. The Dealership refused failed to correct the damage and attempted to defraud me over $3,000 for an entirely new steering column, and refuse to honor promised repair warranty despite their own negligence that created the damage. I found out that Hyundai models including mine have coupler issues involving recalls, years ago. I was not aware of this, and so not sure if my vehicle was part of the recall. However, Hyundai Motor America failed to notify me to take my vehicle in for a safety check for the vehicle coupler. And while I found that that my vehicle qualified for an extended warranty due to the recall, HMA so lacking in responsibility, sound business and moral ethics, let alone serious concern for my safety, claims that my vehicle is past the extended warranty by a completely insignificant mileage. As far as am concerned my vehicle is not safe to drive, and it remains at the dealership while I exhaust all avenues to have my car fixed. I have documents including clear repair notes and service request documents to support my complaint. Complaint being filed against both the dealership, Northbay Hyundai and the manufacturer, Hyundai Motor America.
I had my car brakes replaced checked for the past three months it's been making a grinding noise when braking at slow speeds had the car checked 3 different shops, they said rotors and pads are perfectly fine almost new, but the grinding is still there dust shield is not touching pads are new, rotors on specifications normal now i am reading this could be due to abs system the grinding my car is a 2017 bought on 2018 so shows up as 2018 and there are some recalls on the abs for this car please help. I am concerned about that grinding and there isn't anything metal to metal hubs everything is fine, I can only hear when braking at slow speeds and bumper to bumper braking kind of riding the brake to come to stop grinding creaking
Anytime vehicle is over 35mph brakes fail, vehicle has to coast to a lower speed before you can engage braking. When you attempt to brake at the higher speeds, it click click clicks repeatedly while depressed fully, a mild grind and force against foot from pedal once you coast enough it suddenly will make the sounds less then all the sudden brakes work. Called one dealer (Hyundai sherman oaks CA) and as soon as we said brakes don't work over 35mph were hung up on, twice. The exact same words. Then downtown LA Hyundai basically said we don't accept tow one right now which obviously a non braking car won't drive. Hyundai of America is the ones that called downtown and connected us to them aware of the issues and time frame as we had just purchased the car from carvana and it was this way on delivery. Now returning vehicle to carvana since we can't seem to get a dealer to repair even though it has warranty.
I have had a couple of issues that I have had others tell me or read online that they have had the same issues 1- When I bought the car, which was used at the time. Just a couple of years ago I drove it off of the lot and it had a break issue. I had to take it towed back to the dealership bc something broke underneath and the breaks were failing. So they fixed the problem supposedly. I only had a 30 day warranty and after the 30 days the breaks started grinding every time I stopped. This went on for a long time. I had an other mechanic look at it and did something and I can not recall exactly what he said but after about a week, the noise started back up and at that time I had had the car for about a yr and he said I still had about 25 percent left on my break pads. So probably about 4 months ago I changed my front breaks, including the rotors and the back breaks to, I also had to replace the front left caliber bc while trying to take the pin out of the caliber to clean it, the pin broke. So I replaced it. Took my care in to get inspected And they told me I need to do the back breaks and the back right caliber to pass inspection. So I did the work and got it done. I am not a rich person so I can only take it a mechanic if it something that I can not do myself my I have had good training bc had been a mechanic and had taught at mechanic schools so I know I have help and if I am not sure about something he will help. So now after doing all of that hard work, I am starting to hear the grinding noise again with the breaks and my breaks are good. It always starts our really light and then gets louder within a couple of weeks. 2- the second issue is that my airbag light is on, I am not sure why this is , I have never been in any kind of accident. One day just popped on and never went off 3- I have read online that you have had a recalls on newer models for Hyundai Elantra with the issue but not my year. Well my trunk latch ended up get latched and would not open
There is a grinding in my steering column, worse at lower speeds. I have spoke to Hyundai about this and several other shops and they said this is a common recall for Elantras and there is a barring that is in the recall. However, my VIN is not in this common recall. If this is a common recall on Elantras in my year range, wouldn't ALL Elantras have the option to have to corrected not just a select few? Per Hyundai dealership, They know exactly what it is and it should be on a recall list my VIN just showing it so they can not correct the problem. This started before I purchased the car from a friend and she was told the same thing when she checked into it before.
The dealership replaced my engine and spark plugs when the pistons were grinding metal causing a catastrophic failure in November of 2024. In July of 2025 I started experiencing the same issues and the dealership stated that Hyundais ignition coils have a high rate of failure because they changed the design and used my old ones from my engine replacement. It is now I brought my car into the dealership July 18th and they stated that was their best guess but they didn’t now forsure. I was never informed of the high rate of failure until I was experiencing it.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Recall number 23V651000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
- Risk
- An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Recall number 20V061000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
- Risk
- If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Recall number 17V769000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- Risk
- A loss of power brake assist can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake system booster assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 157.
Recall number 17V063000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
- Risk
- Contact between the rear brake tubes and the steering gearbox mounting brackets may result in rear brake tube wear and corrosion, increasing the risk of brake fluid leakage. Brake fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes, install brake tube clips, and apply anti-corrosion material to the rear brake tubes. Owner notification began january 22, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai of puerto rico at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 03V496000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the rear brake tubes pass behind the front suspension crossmember. Two steering gearbox mounting brackets are welded to the crossmember. On vehicles equipped with an antilock brake system (ABS), the rear brake tubes could contact both steering gearbox mounting brackets. On vehicles that are not equipped with ABS, the rear brake tubes may contact only the left mounting bracket. Contact between the rear brake tubes and the steering brackets could cause wear and corrosion that could result in brake fluid leakage.
- Risk
- Fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes so they do not contact the mounting brackets, install brake tube clips to control the location of the rear brake tubes, and apply anti-corrosion material to the tubes in the areas where contact with the mounting brackets may have occurred. Owner notification began on october 13, 2003. Owners should contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 03V257000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Elantra grinding brakes
Which Hyundai Elantra years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (28 complaints), 2012 (11 complaints) and 2017 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix grinding or squealing brakes on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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