2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. This model year has 459 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2011 Hyundai Elantra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Steering Defects
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 101 | 2 | 3 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 81 | 15 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 76 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 67 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 52 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Brake System | 49 | 5 | 2 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 37 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 36 | — | 3 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 25 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 23 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 20 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 459 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
I have a Piston/Engine Defect according to the mechanic at the car shop. Any time any acceleration is applied you can hear the knocking. I believe it should be covered through the class action alleged that 2011-2016 Elantras engines (including the Limited trim) have a piston def…
The brake lines in our 2011 Hyundai Elantra have rusted out and no longer hold brake fluid, which means the car is not safe to drive. Luckily we were able to get the car to our sidewalk and park it without injury. We found that Sauder Schelkopf is investigating a potential class…
Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring Date of Crash: [XXX] Location of Crash: Duluth, MN Description of Incident: I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring straight through an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and T‑boned the passenger side of my vehicle. The i…
When ever I am turning my steering wheel in either direction there is a clicking noise. It started low and now the noise became loud even when I am going over bumps on the road. I went to a reputable certified shop and I am told it is my steering column bushing and I was advised …
Unknown but my car shakes and makes a loud grinding noise
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…
No incident. Airbag light came on without incident. Hasn’t gone out. Don’t know why. Haven’t gotten it looked at.
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 ca…
Steering wheel makes clacking noise when turning left or right, especially if making sharp right angle turn or when parking. I think I noticed it first in early November 2024 while parking. Since then it has been occurring with greater frequency as well as both directions. I ca…
See attached document for complaint.
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 des…
I was driving my 2011 Elantra, and when I needed to brake, it didn't feel the same as usual. The brake pedal felt kind of soft. After a while, when I needed to brake at an intersection, the brakes completely failed. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor, and there was no …
Our car failed inspection due to a safety issue. Two seats belt are frayed. The photo shows the center belt is frayed where it enters the back seat. The Hyundai dealer wanted more than $1,000 to replace. I went to a local auto wrecker for a used replacements. He had two 2011 …
Air bag fault light is on.
A steering coupler is failing and will eventually cause a loss of steering control while driving. The steering problem was diagnosed at a local Car- X by a certified mechanic. The vehicle is available for inspection. I took the vehicle in for inspection because of a clunking and …
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer…
I received a recall notice some time ago about the ABS issue (251) Although they mention you can still drive the vehicle you shouldn’t park near buildings. I have a driveway and do not feel compelled parking car in the street where a potential vehicle fire could harm my neighbor…
UnKnown. When financing the vehicle through Adonis Auto Group I was unaware of the unrepaired safety recall. Also I am under the impression nothing was done to the car before purchasing it, I have had to make repairs to the car only after 10,000 - 15,000 miles of driving. For ex…
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of …
The front power window motors on both the driver and passenger have both failed twice. This leaves the widow in the down position until it can be repaired which caused a safety hazard.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
Recalls for 2011 Hyundai Elantra
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2011 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has 459 NHTSA owner complaints, 21 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (101 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Elantra?▾
#1: Engine Problems (101 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (81 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (76 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Hyundai Elantra?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2011 Hyundai Elantra?▾
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has 21 crash-related complaints and 9 fire reports out of 459 total NHTSA complaints. 13 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2011 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?▾
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Hyundai Elantra?▾
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2011 Hyundai Elantra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.