2020 Hyundai Elantra transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 29, 2026OROther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission TCM/IVT had a service campaign recall #963 for TCM relearn / IVT replacement for premature transmission failure. Hyundai USA and dealership Big Star Hyundai of Friendswood, TX have made claims of the repair being done. Service records indicate there was no replacement, relearn or anything transmission related done with the vehicle and Hyundai USA has claimed on their end that their records show it was completed, but refuse to show or display records of…

   NHTSA complaint #11760645 · source
2. Filed Aug 20, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL experienced a total transmission/IVT failure at 81,185 miles. I paid $4,804.14 out of pocket to have the vehicle repaired at a certified Hyundai dealership, Dick Smith Hyundai Genesis of Greenville, now known as Hyundai of Greenville. The transmission was replaced with a new replacement unit. The replacement transmission has now suffered a second total failure at 117,922 miles, meaning the vehicle has experienced two total transmission failures…

   NHTSA complaint #11758271 · source
3. Filed Jun 12, 2026AZTransmission & Drivetrain

   Reporting on 2020 Hyundai Elantra. I have owned since 2023, my car is currently at a Hyundai certified dealership for it's 3rd transmission in the three years I have owned it. All 3 transmission were inspected and then replaced by Hyundai certified technicians. The Safety aspect is the inability to get you vehicle off the highway.

   NHTSA complaint #11743760 · source
4. Filed Jun 9, 2026NJEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Currently, there are 30,564 miles on my vehicle and I am the original owner of the vehicle since early 2021. This is a continuous intermittent problem that can occur at any time when trying to accelerate the vehicle. The vehicle could be moving down the road and you go to accelerate and the RPM's drop dramatically, giving you no power. The same thing has happened when trying to accelerate from a stop. The vehicle would start to accelerate and then all of a sudden the RPM's…

   NHTSA complaint #11742932 · source
5. Filed May 22, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain

   I bought a 2020 Hyundai Elantra in 2024 with 67k miles on it. After driving 22k miles the check engine light went on and when it was brought in to get it checked the transmission went out. I did not buy a warranty so I understood it would not be covered. The issue I had was it was very hard to get information on the condition of the car that was sold to me. What I found out was that the transmission fluid was likley not changed ever and definetly not checked before the car…

   NHTSA complaint #11739559 · source
6. Filed May 15, 202676,000 miNCEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed and at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. The RPM increased and decreased without applying the accelerator pedal. The check engine light was illuminated. A mobile mechanic reset the codes but was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred him to the local dealer. The local dealer was contacted, who stated there was a…

   NHTSA complaint #11738079 · source
7. Filed May 5, 2026106,000 miGATowedAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The Contact owns a 2020 HYUNDAI Elantra. The contact stated while operating the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, he noticed that his RPM were going back and forth while on cruise control, after removing cruise control the vehicle stayed the same. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted but the vehicle was hesitating to accelerate and noticed a issue with the gears not. The vehicle was towed to a independent mechanic but was not fully diagnosed due to the transmission…

   NHTSA complaint #11735846 · source
8. Filed Mar 26, 2026NVEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   I see there was a P0420 error code related to catalytic converter oil consumption recall, but when I put in my VIN it said no recalls. This is for a 2020 Hyundai Elantra 2020. The problem comes and goes and was able to be reproduced or confirmed by a dealer Hyundai. The warning lamps, messages comes on frequently and was reportedly fixed charges $2000 for a sensor. I the code and it is all over the internet that it is a recall.but does not show up with VIN.i need assistance…

   NHTSA complaint #11727146 · source
9. Filed Dec 30, 2025NETransmission & Drivetrain

   Was driving car after a recent oil change. The oil change was performed early because the car was ticking and found oil to be low. Was going to take into dealer to be looked into but the car made a loud sound and stopped immediately and turned off. Luckily I was not driving too fast but had I been this could have posed a risk to myself, my passengers and other drivers. This complaint is consistent with prior engine failure complains of other Hyundai models. The Elantra has…

   NHTSA complaint #11707780 · source
10. Filed Sep 11, 2025100,781 miUTTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the transmission was slipping, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated and that no fault was found with the vehicle;…

    NHTSA complaint #11686594 · source
11. Filed Feb 17, 2025PATransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle was recently purchased and brought in to service recall 22-01-030H (TCU Update and IVT Replacement) Fred Bean Hyundai of Langhorne (1106 E Lincoln Highway, Langhorne, PA, 19047) did the software update, but refuses to honor the IVT replacement as part of the recall, despite the transmission not working and needing to be towed to the dealership. They are attempting to charge me a minimum $5000 to replace the transmission, despite the replacement being covered under…

    NHTSA complaint #11643090 · source
12. Filed Feb 10, 202570,000 miNHTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the RPM elevated to a high level while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted while depressing the accelerator pedal without a warning light being illuminated. The contact used a code reader to diagnose the vehicle; however, no fault codes were found. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission…

    NHTSA complaint #11641636 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology