NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 200 owner complaints for the 2000 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (41) and air bags (39). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 101 |
| 1997 | 118 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 133 |
| 2000 | 200 |
| 2001 | 329 |
| 2002 | 348 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 267 |
| 2008 | 316 |
| 2009 | 287 |
| 2010 | 455 |
| 2011 | 461 |
| 2012 | 676 |
| 2013 | 1,330 |
| 2014 | 387 |
| 2015 | 262 |
| 2016 | 293 |
| 2017 | 770 |
| 2018 | 284 |
| 2019 | 252 |
| 2020 | 254 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 101 |
| 2024 | 56 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 3 |
“FAX FROM CONGRESSMAN DENT ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT WHO IS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN REGISTERING A COMPLAINT AGAINST HYUNDAI. *NJ THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING CRACKED. (THE CONSUMER WHO WROTE IN, WORKS FOR THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM HYUNDAI) *JB”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS AND A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.”
“AT 65 MPH, ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED, ALL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A NEARBY OFF RAMP. FIVE WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE WILL START, AND THE ONL YLIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT WHICH HAS NEVER GONE OFF SINCE THE STALLING EPISODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR A YEAR, WITH THE SAME MULTIPLE MISFIRE READINGS (300 AND 301). I HAVE HAD MECHANICS MAKE ALMOST EVERY POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. ASPARK PLUGS AND WIRES WERE REPLACED TWICE IN A FOUR MONTH PERIOD WITH AN UNKNOWN FACTOR BURNING THEM OUT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS REPORTED ON RELIABLE INTERNET SITES, ESPECIALLY THE ENGINE STALLING WHICH IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. THIS VEHICLE IS REPORTED TO HAVE HAD BOTH RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED IN 2005. WITH THOUSANDS OF NEWER ELANTRA MODELS REPORTING THE INTERMITTENT ENGINE STALLING, HYUNDAI SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE A RECALL. NOTE: I AM UNABLE TO CHECK THE FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM IN THE LIST ABOVE. PERHAPS ONLY THREE ITEMS CAN BE CHECKED, I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WITH ELANTRAS IS ALSO TIED TO THIS SYSTEM.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Elantra Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Elantra Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Elantra Wagon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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.
Owners filed 200 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (41), air bags (39), electrical system (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Hyundai Elantra at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).