Door Lock Actuator, the door latch is stuck on unlock and it won’t close or lock when the lock button is pressed on key fob.
Hyundai Elantra key fob problems
43 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Hyundai Elantra describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 43
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 67,500
By model year
Often reported together
Won't start 14Door locks 8Warning lights 3Check engine light 3Stalling 2Loss of power 2Hesitation 2Fuel gauge 1
What owners say
I own a Hyundai Elantra with approximately 103,000 miles. The vehicle has developed an intermittent issue where the engine will suddenly stall while driving. This most often occurs when I am decelerating and turning, such as when entering or navigating roundabouts. At the time of the stall, multiple warning indicators appear simultaneously, including the check engine light, battery warning light, and a “no key detected” message. There are no prior warning signs before the failure occurs—no unusual noises, no loss of power leading up to the event, and no dashboard warnings in advance. The stall is sudden and unexpected. When the vehicle stalls, I must quickly shift into park and restart the engine. The car restarts immediately without hesitation, and all warning lights disappear. The vehicle then operates normally again until the issue randomly reoccurs. This has happened multiple times. This issue creates a safety risk because the vehicle loses power unexpectedly while in motion, particularly during low-speed turns and in roundabouts, which could increase the risk of a collision due to sudden loss of propulsion and reduced control. The problem has not yet been formally diagnosed by a dealer or independent repair shop, but based on research and similar reported cases, it may be related to an intermittent engine or electrical signal failure. The issue has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. UNKNOWN as to the exact failed component, but the failure appears to involve a sudden loss of engine operation without warning, followed by immediate recovery upon restart.
The horn is not working when I press the horn or on the key fob. I had it checked and the fuses were fine. The seat belt chime also does not work out of nowhere, same time the horn stopped working.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there were several warning lights illuminated. The contact pressed START/STOP button several times before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went black, and the radio and clock were inoperable. The contact stated that on other occasions, the key fob failed to unlock the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred several times. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
After anti-theft software upgrage my car will lock me out. I cannot unlock the car door with the key fob or by using the key. This has happened three times. I don't kkow if it will lock me in the car when this happens, since that has never happened. Had to call aaa to get back into car. On another occasion waited two hours and the car opened using key fob.
I had a trunk latch recall done on my car in June 2024. Immediately after that, my trunk stopped opening with the key fob. The latch would click but not release. A few weeks ago, it started doing the same thing with the release lever by the driver's side. There was no way to get the trunk open, so I went to a different Hyundai dealership than where my recall was done at (due to travel costs from school). They had to replace the trunk latch because the recall latch was installed incorrectly. It was an almost $700 expense.
For a little over a year now, my back doors do not open on my Hyundai Elantra. The child lock is not on. Also in the past year, my passenger and driver door do not open. I have to go back and forth on the handle 20-30 times before my door opens. I have changed the battery in the key fob and I have tried unlocking my doors with the actual key with no success. Sometimes if they do not open I have to go through my sunroof. This is such a safety issue it’s insane. I’ve called Hyundai dealerships but they said they will need to keep it for 2 weeks. I do not have any other vehicle to just leave it there for that long. Please help.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that on several occasions while turned off, the horn began honking inadvertently. The key fob was depressed each time to turn the horn off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a new anti-theft system needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the failure was not able to be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
A few years ago, my 2016 Hyundai Elantra hatch stopped opening. The hatch lever next to the drivers seat as well as the key fob button stopped working. I know there was a trunk latch recall number 208 from Oct. 2021. Hyundai told me there’s nothing I can do about it. I haven’t been able to get into my trunk for 3 years.
Car has a ticking sound, car has died on me multiple times. The vehicle has stopped moving regardless of pressing on accelerator and died leaving me stranded, feeling unsafe. I have been driving at 40 mph and then seem to lose power, making it to where can only go 10 to 20 mph or totally dying. I was also having issues with key fobs not working. Door would open, unlock and then not, car stalling. No lights illuminating on dash. Battery in fob replaced after car being towed to shop after stalling, dying issue and I was basically told they didn't know what was up with the stalling, maybe fobs. I had an oil change done and full diagnostic, sent on way without answers. Happened again, electrical issues, fob not working, stalling, start hesitation and dying, no power. I had it towed to different shop and was told had couple of codes showing up even though no check engine light on, they stated a caliper was leaking along with other oil leak and crankshaft sensor needed replaced, which got fixed. The car has 98000 miles on it (around there) and I see safety recall posted. I finance this car and have literally only had it not even 5 months. I do not feel safe driving it. I've been stranded, at times key fobs and locks act up on it still, the ticking is definitely a concern, RPMS off and revs up at times while also lacking pick up and go. I contacted my local Hyundai and they stated no resolution on safety recall yet, can schedule an appointment and pay for diagnostic, which would make my 3rd diagnostic over the last month or so. I need something remedied. I transport myself and at times my children and I do not feel safe in this vehicle which again purchased just about 5 months ago from Car Max. Help please!
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 key fob
Which Hyundai Elantra years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (14 complaints), 2013 (10 complaints) and 2012 (8 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Hyundai Elantra?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history