Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra a bad year?
252 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 137, 8.6× a quiet Elantra year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Elantra were filed between 55k and 131k miles. You're at 89,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Elantra owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 89,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 137 (54%) | 55k–131k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 65 (26%) | 14k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 37 (15%) | 9k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 11 (4%) | 4k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 89,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 252 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
46 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Engine failure believed to be related to NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V-301. Vehicle had no warning lights on message.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 89,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra: 1
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 100
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Hyundai has become aware that your Hyundai Elantra equipped with a 2.0 ATK engine may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System…
Some vehicles may have been incorrectly updated with Cylinder Noise Detection System (CNDS) software that can set DTC P132700…
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor logic with the Cylinder Noise Diagnostic System (CNDS) software update
Neighbouring years
2018 Elantra: 284 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2020 Elantra: 255 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Hyundai Elantra year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Elantra years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra a bad year?
252 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 137, 8.6× a quiet Elantra year. At 89,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Elantra were filed between 55k and 131k miles. You're at 89,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Hyundai Elantra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (137), exterior lighting (65), electrical system (37), transmission and drivetrain (11), steering (9). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 55k–131k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 21V-301). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.