2011 Hyundai Elantra: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
915 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The fifth-generation Elantra (2011–2016) carries complaints about the engine's piston-slap ticking, premature brake wear, and — with the highest counts — steering that pulls and wanders, which Hyundai addressed with a software update to the electric power steering. The 2011–2013 years are the worst of it; 2014–2016 score above 78. Read the full note on the model page. 2011 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 915 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe and Elantra: beyond the engine recall, including 2011 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 915 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 61.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Car stop working once I got home I notice while I was driving the car kept back firing and Jurking while driving .had a mechanic look at the car he tried to start it but it started and shut off..he even tried to jump start the car with the jumping cables but it will not start..he told me it was electrical..I have a brand new battery and a complete tune up on the car..I have not been able to drive the car in 3 weeks
My car was recalled by Hyundai for a critical safety issue and has been at the dealership since July of 2024 awaiting repairs due to missing parts. Despite repeated follow-ups, Hyundai has been unable to provide a timeline for the repair. Recently, they offered to buy back the car, but the offer was far below its fair market value. When I declined, they stated they would return the car to me unfixed and unsafe. This …
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, a fellow motorist alerted the contact that the vehicle was smoking. The contact pulled over and waited for an extensive period before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the destination while driving at a slow speed. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel since owning t…
Recalls: 8 campaigns (5 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 13V113000 | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled… |
| 13V115000 | Air Bags:Side/Window | Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment. |
| 20V393000 | Equipment:Electrical | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air… |
| 20V061000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. |
| 15V629000 | Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Elantra vehicles manufactured November 12, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to February 28, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,… |
| 14V310000 | Structure:Frame And Members | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment. |
| 23V651000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and… |
| 15V871000 | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Elantra vehicles manufactured October 29, 2010, to October 25, 2011. Due to an electronic stability control (ESC) sensor malfunction, the brakes for one or more wheels may be applied unexpectedly and the engine power may be reduced. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 32 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,050
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine191 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Air Bags161 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
- Steering152 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Suspension134 complaints · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle (4.0 h labour + parts)$780–$1,580
- Electrical System104 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Service Brakes97 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Hyundai Elantra years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (191 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 42/100, computed from 915 NHTSA complaints and 8 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2011 Hyundai Elantra's most common problem?
191 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2011 Hyundai Elantra sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2011 Hyundai Elantra cost to run per year?
About $5,699 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $28,495 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, 5 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/04/2013. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compacts of about the same age.
What will a 2011 Hyundai Elantra really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 915 complaints, 8 recalls on record
- 915 NHTSA complaints on record (61.0/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (32.7/yr)
- 8 recall campaigns, 5 touching safety-critical systems