2015–2026 · 12 model years · 35 recalls
Avoid the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Hyundai Elantra: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2021.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $4,177 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $2,412 over 5 years. 4 recalls, 796 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $3,238 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,750 over 5 years. 3 recalls, 262 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $3,124 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,901 over 5 years. 1 recall, 335 owner complaints.
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $2,868 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,834 over 5 years. 1 recall, 266 owner complaints.
Below average for its class. Expected repairs: $2,467 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,411 over 5 years. 2 recalls, 300 owner complaints.
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,694 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $715 over 5 years. 6 recalls, 132 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD | 2015–2016 | 34/100 | Below average |
| AD | 2017–2020 | 8/100 | Well below average |
| CN7 | 2021–2024 | 48/100 | About average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Elantra | Not rated yet | 5 | 3 | 34 |
| 2025 Elantra | Not rated yet | 43 | 1 | 34 |
| 2024 Elantra | 50/100 · About average | 57 | 1 | 34 |
| 2023 Elantra | 27/100 · Below average | 115 | 3 | 37 |
| 2022 Elantra | 53/100 · About average | 119 | 7 | 37 |
| 2021 Elantra | 64/100 · Above average | 132 | 6 | 37 |
| 2020 Elantra | 7/100 · Well below average | 262 | 3 | 36 |
| 2019 Elantra | 11/100 · Well below average | 266 | 1 | 35 |
| 2018 Elantra | 9/100 · Well below average | 335 | 1 | 35 |
| 2017 Elantra | 6/100 · Well below average | 796 | 4 | 35 |
| 2016 Elantra | 23/100 · Below average | 300 | 2 | 31 |
| 2015 Elantra | 44/100 · About average | 263 | 3 | 31 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
Avoid the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Hyundai Elantra: they score lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2021.
The 2021 scores best for reliability (64/100) of the years we rate.
The 2022, with 7 recalls on record with NHTSA.