Hyundai Elantra fuel leak problems

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Vehicle Issue Description for the federal safety agency Complaint: Component/System Failure: The engine of my 2013 Hyundai Elantra (VIN: [insert VIN]) completely failed at 51,000 miles. The alternator also failed and had to be replaced. There was a persistent smell of gasoline inside and outside the vehicle, creating a fire hazard. All components are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The engine failure left the vehicle completely inoperable. The gas smell created a serious fire hazard and caused me to experience health issues, requiring an ER visit. The combination of engine malfunction, electrical issues, and fuel leaks posed a risk to my safety and the safety of others while driving. Confirmation by Dealer / Mechanic: Independent mechanics inspected the vehicle and confirmed the engine failure and alternator issues. Multiple mechanics advised not to drive the car due to the fire hazard. The original selling dealer (Larry H. Miller Toyota) inspected the car and acknowledged engine problems in writing on a business card. Inspection by Manufacturer / Others: Hyundai corporate has been notified, but they declined warranty coverage as the vehicle is a second-owner car and beyond the original warranty. The dealer has also been made aware of the engine failure. Warning Lamps / Symptoms: No warning lamps indicated imminent engine failure prior to the engine dying. The first symptoms were mechanical issues, gas smell, and eventual total engine failure. Alternator failure and repeated maintenance issues occurred within 8 months of purchase. Additional Notes: Vehicle purchased at 34,000 miles; engine failed at 51,000 miles. Independent repair receipts, ER paperwork, are available to support the case.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NJ

- Brake and fuel leak smell - yes - yes - no - no

Filed May 26, 2021 · Fuel system · 30,302 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming excessive amounts of fuel. The contact stated that there was no evidence of a fuel leak nor an abnormal fuel odor. The contact compared the fuel consumption to a previous vehicle owned that was the same year, make, and model. The contact needed to add $10-20 daily whenever the fuel gauge showed a half tank of gasoline. The contact's one-way trip from her residence to work was 35.3 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was test-driven for 7 miles and it was confirmed that the fuel gauge was providing inaccurate fuel readings. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back when the fuel gauge was empty to be able to have a code reading. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was also no code appearing on the code reader however, there was a powertrain failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,302.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai elantra. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, an abnormal odor and an abnormal sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The vehicle loss motive power without warning. The contact stated that vehicle was leaking fuel from the front of the vehicle. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to resume normal operation. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The following day the vehicle was towed to wayne mazda (1244 state route 23, wayne, nj 07470) where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2019 · Engine · 64,000 miles · OH

We bought the car used in 2017 from dealership. One month after purchase and less than 1000 miles after purchase, and less than 64000 miles total, the engine needed to be replaced due to oil issues with the cylinders. Adequate oil was in car and dealer insisted that all checks had been performed prior to sale. I have recently read about recalls for other kia and hyundai vehicles due to engine failure problems for the same reason. I am reporting this issue in hope that this agency will consider investigating to see if the recall should be extended to hyundai elantras. This issue appears to be repeating among other vehicles made by hyandai in the same time frame my car was manufactured. I am also concerned about the repair that was performed because now there are additional recalls by hyundai and kia for the engine repairs that were performed on the other recalled models. The dealership and hyundai did cover most of cost of engine replacement but I want to be sure the repair was safely done. There are reports of engine fires related to high pressure fuel pipes and fuel leaks.

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Fuel system · 27,000 miles · NV

My vehicle smells like gas inside the cabin and I can also see the gas fumes coming out of the gas tank once it hits 100 degrees.it is worse when stopped and stop and go traffic due to the air not blowing it away like it does when you keep driving..how is this safe?what if someone smokes? Or a spark hits the gas tank.please check this out so I know my family and I are safe driving this vehicle in the heat..I had the car checked for leaks and no gas leaks.hyundai gave me a generic paper about it saying thats what it is suppost to do.I just want to know how safe is this vehicle?

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Fuel system · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that fuel was leaking out of the fuel tank. While attempting to fill up the fuel tank, all the fuel expelled out of the tank. The vehicle was towed to lee hyundai (1960 skibo rd, fayetteville, nc 28314), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · Brakes, Fuel system · 81,274 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 hyundai elantra. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it failed to start and all the warning indicators illuminated. While the vehicle was parked, a puddle of fuel was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v769000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 81,274. *tt a repair was made on 4/16/2017 by dealership bob howard car dealership in oklahoma city, oklahoma (405‑634‑8900).

Filed Sep 16, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 189,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 hyundai elantra. While operating the vehicle the check engine indicator illuminated and the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. The contact also discovered fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 00v095002 (fuel system). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 189,000. Updated 04/18/17 *lj

Filed Jul 16, 2013 · Fuel system · 1,560 miles · TX

Ran out of gas despite the gauge showing 42 miles left (about 1.5 gallons). Walked to a station and got a gas can; put a couple of gallons in, started the car, and the meter started dropping dramatically, going from 112 miles remaining to 104 to 98... All the way down to 82 miles remaining before I even started driving. Drove about a quarter mile, and it fell another 3 miles. Don't know yet if the car if the problem is with fuel injection, the gauge, or some issue with the tank itself (air/water leaking in or gas leaking out, etc.). Problem occurred the day after bringing the car into the shop for a separate problem. My car is 6 weeks old, and I have broken down two days in a row just driving to work.