Research · Midsize Cars

2023 Hyundai Elantra HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 55 owner complaints for the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (17) and forward collision avoidance (13). The EPA rates it 50–54 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
50–54mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2023
Owner complaints
55
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Elantra HEV vehicles. A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released.

Electrical systemReported Aug 18, 2023NHTSA 23V589000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

55 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2023 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system17
  2. Forward collision avoidance13
  3. Power train9
  4. Vehicle speed control8
  5. Steering5
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Engine4
  8. Exterior lighting3
  9. Air bags3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
202130
202240
202355
20246
20257
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

17 reports1 crash
“I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical and/or electrical malfunction that made it unsafe to operate. While driving, the vehicle began displaying warning indicators and experienced abnormal performance consistent with a system malfunction. Hybrid system failed, radar malfunction, blind spot malfunction. I couldn't control the car , while I was exiting the highway XXX and took a excit on [XXX] where the incident was happend. Stering wheel got licked out , braking system got soft , failure notification on my dashboard. I couldn't do anything, stuck on that car , it was trying to go left , n trying to flip over. I had used my full forced to pull it back on the road. Had to find parking spot , let it coast drive and I had to press on the engine start button to stop the car. Due to malfunction caused me the collusion incident, my driver side got scratched on my rims and the tiers The issue raised concerns about potential loss of power and vehicle reliability during operation. This created a significant safety risk, as the failure could occur unexpectedly while driving in traffic, increasing…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11733456

Forward collision avoidance

13 reports2 crashes
“Since 2/2/24 13 episodes of all safety features failing including blind spot monitor, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and others. Last occurrence on 8-8-24. On one occasion the car failed to accelerate in the middle of an intersection, the car did move slowly and operation returned to normal after turning off the car and pressing the 12V reset button. Diagnostic codes found on car APP include both C164286 and C164202 for all 13 episodes. Despite being told this code is "for the speed sensor because it saw a voltage drop from the battery system" the dealer claims there is nothing they can do because they can't recreate the problem. This is highly dangerous to my family and others as the safety features can prevent accidents. The most concerning is the car suddenly losing acceleration as this could potential happen where there is no safe way to get off the road in time prior to an accident. This loss of acceleration has been reported by many other people on the Facebook group I am a part of called Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Owners. The loss of safety features occurred after all recalls were performed as of 8-8-24”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2024Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11607417

Power train

9 reports1 crash
“I was performing a low-speed maneuver to reverse-park into my driveway. After making a right turn between my driveway and the driveway of a neighboring townhouse across the street, I came to a complete stop. When I shifted the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle did not reverse as expected and instead unexpectedly accelerated forward. I applied the brake but was unable to stop the vehicle before it traveled forward into the driveway across the street and struck the garage door of a neighboring townhouse. The maneuver was being performed at low speed. Weather conditions were clear, and the driveway surface was dry. The cause of the unexpected acceleration is unknown at this time. No warning lights, messages, or alerts were observed prior to or during the incident. Immediately following the collision, I placed the vehicle into park and applied the parking brake, at which point the vehicle came to rest. Upon impact, the driver-side front airbag deployed. Smoke and a burning odor were observed coming from the deployed airbag. The incident posed a safety risk due to the vehicle’s unexpected forward movement during a low-speed maneuver and resulted in property damage.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2026Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11708433
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra Hybrid Blue
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
535654$1,100165
Elantra Hybrid
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
495250$1,200177
  • Elantra Hybrid Blue
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    53 city · 56 hwy · $1,100/yr
    54
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra Hybrid
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    49 city · 52 hwy · $1,200/yr
    50
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Elantra HEV 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
0.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026Vehicle 17142
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2023 Elantra Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 13, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 55 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (17), forward collision avoidance (13), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid at 50–54 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026