Research · Midsize Cars

2026 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve air bags (1) and wheels (1). The EPA rates it 31–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
31–35mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2026
Owner complaints
3
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Wheels: lugs

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Venue, Elantra N, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles. The wheel lug nuts may loosen and allow the wheel to detach.

WheelsReported Oct 21, 2026NHTSA 26V693000

Suspension: macpherson strut

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Tucson Hybrid and Elantra vehicles. The front strut assembly fasteners may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

SuspensionReported Oct 20, 2026NHTSA 26V692000

Air bags: side impact

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.

Air bagsReported Apr 21, 2026NHTSA 26V254000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags1
  2. Wheels1
  3. Other / unknown1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

1 report
“my car was t-boned on the passenger side at the b pillar and airbags did not deploy. yes the body shop confirmed the airbags did not deploy. no warnings or messages.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026Air bagsODI 11759642

Wheels

1 report
“To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting this formal complaint to request review of a potentially serious vehicle-safety failure involving a rental automobile provided to me by Hertz at its [XXX] location. Although Hertz is presently attempting to collect approximately $97 from me for alleged tire damage, the monetary dispute is secondary to the substantially more important issue: Hertz released a vehicle to me with an objectively abnormal tire-pressure reading, was expressly notified of that condition before I left the rental facility, advised me to disregard it, and subsequently documented a nail in that same tire. The chronology is straightforward and concerning. On XXX, I rented a vehicle from Hertz at [XXX]. At the time of checkout, the dashboard tire-pressure monitoring display showed that the passenger-side rear tire was approximately three pounds below the expected pressure. Although the reading had not yet reached a critical or red-warning level, it was clearly abnormal. The vehicle was also dirty and did not appear to have been carefully prepared between rentals, which further raised concern regarding the adequacy of the vehicle's pre-rental…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026WheelsODI 11756046
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S1) · Automatic (AM-S7)
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 3, 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 w/Stop-Start
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
314035$1,850254
Elantra non-ISG
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
304034$1,900263
Elantra
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283531$2,050288
  • Elantra w/Stop-Start
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    31 city · 40 hwy · $1,850/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra non-ISG
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    30 city · 40 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    28 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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 4DR N/A FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 21149
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

2026 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Elantra have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2026 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1), wheels (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Hyundai Elantra at 31–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Hyundai Elantra 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026