The contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon pulling into the driveway, the power steering and ABS warning lights illuminated. After researching the warning lights online, the contact turned off and exited the vehicle. The contact became aware of smoke coming from underneath the hood. Upon opening the hood, the contact noticed that the under hood was on fire and called the Fire Department. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact was informed that fire had originated under the dashboard nearby the computer. The vehicle was inspected, towed, and then deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for an engine overheating failure two weeks prior to the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Hyundai Elantra fire or smoke problems
211 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Hyundai Elantra describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 211
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,000
- typical mileage
- 85,000
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 23Check engine light 16Engine failure 15Stalling 13Overheating 8Knocking 7Sudden acceleration 5Headlights 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P1327 1P0441 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle. The contact noticed fire coming from the engine compartment. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The contact had previously scheduled an appointment with the dealer; however, three months prior to the fire, the dealer informed the contact that the parts were unavailable. The dealer stated a follow-up call would occur to reschedule once parts became available. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The failure mileage was approximately 210,672.
The contact owned a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off with the contact seated inside the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact had previously been smoking a cigarette. The vehicle was idling high, and hesitating while accelerating with a weak battery. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the battery had melted. During a storm, there was a burst of wind followed by a cloud of smoke. The contact and a family member opened the hood and became aware that the engine compartment was on fire. The engine bay was engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished with rainwater, a shower towel, and a fire extinguisher with assistance from bystanders. The fire department inspected the vehicle and determined that there was no evidence of foul play and that the fire originated from the engine compartment. A good Samaritan sustained burns while assisting. The contact and others reported inhaling toxic fumes or chemicals from the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss, as there was no insurance coverage and the contact and her family were left without transportation and had to walk from the location of the fire. The contact referenced a thermal event involving the electrical system associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer had previously been made aware of the issue, but the claim was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
I am reporting that there is not a recall but a factor warranty from the manufacture. Stating that the o ring in the 2019 hyundai elantra was not properly tempered. Which will cause the car to stall, rod bearing to break, and cause the car to set on fire. My report is that my 2019 hyundai elantra with 139,000 miles has did exactly that. O ring was bad and the rod bearing broke. When calling hyundai to report it they claim that my vehicle Vin number doesn't fall under that manufacture recall. Why doesn't it? This is exactly what happen to my car!!! Can anyone please help me. Thanks
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact inspected the engine compartment and there was grey smoke coming from the electrical box behind the ABS Module. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the ABS Module and wiring harness needed to be replaced, and brake fluid needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to turn into the driveway, there was a burning odor and white-grayish smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The contact exited the vehicle, and smoke was still coming from the engine compartment. The failure mileage was 101,000.
I woke up to my neighbor banging on my door that my car was on fire. My car was in flames. The fire department had already been called. The entire front of my car as well as the interior was completely destroyed.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light illuminated. The following day, while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact's dog woke up the contact around 5:00 AM, at which point the contact discovered that the vehicle was on fire. The Fire Department extinguished the fire and informed the contact that the fire appeared to be electrical; however, it was unknown whether a fire report was filed. The contact stated that the fire appeared to have originated underneath the hood, which left the front end of the vehicle completely burned. There was no other property damage, and no injuries were reported. A Police report was filed. The vehicle remained in the driveway, and the insurance company had not yet been notified of the fire. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V061000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the TPMS and powertrain warning lights illuminated, but the vehicle drove normally. The contact stated that a month later, while the vehicle was parked and turned off, a pedestrian saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact arrived at the scene, and the Police and Fire Department were already on scene. The contact stated that a fireman entered the vehicle and opened the hood, and disconnected the battery. A Police report was filed. The contact inspected the vehicle, reconnected the battery, and there was smoke coming from the ABS module inside the engine compartment. The contact then disconnected the battery. The battery was later reconnected, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact arrived at the residence and removed the ABS fuse, and the smoke ceased. The vehicle was taken to an auto shop where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved DTC: P0441 (EVAP system incorrect purge flow). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that around 4:00 o'clock in the morning, she was awoken by the sound of her dogs barking; she then discovered that her vehicle had caught fire and had burned to the ground. The fire spread, which caught fire to a nearby mobile home and a 4-wheeler. The authorities were called to the scene, and the fire department managed to extinguish all three fires. No injuries were reported, and a police report was not filed. A neighbor's Ring doorbell camera captured the footage of the fire, which showed that the fire had started from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The vehicle was a total loss and remained in the contact's possession. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: some sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter v-6 engines and all elantra model vehicles may have experienced intermittent low-speed engine stalling, which could occur if the maf (mass air flow) sensor electrical signal is interrupted as a result of engine vibration transmitted to the maf sensor connector wiring harness.
- Risk
- This condition can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-route the maf sensor connector wiring harness.
Recall number 00V259001 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- In some vehicles, the manufacturer's protective internal coating of the electronic crank angle sensor does not meet specifications, which can cause an open circuit at high operating temperatures. This can cause the vehicle to stall.
- Risk
- Engine stalling has the potential to result in a vehicle crash if it occurs while the vehicle is moving.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the crank angle sensor to determine whether the sensor is involved in the recall, and replace any sensor found with the defective internal coating.
Recall number 94V090000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Elantra fire or smoke
Which Hyundai Elantra years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (28 complaints), 2008 (24 complaints) and 2012 (18 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix fire, smoke or burning smell on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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