2011-2020 Hyundai Elantra engine problems: which years and engines have a program

Last reviewed 2026-10-09 · Data: NHTSA, official settlement and manufacturer documents · Independent site, not affiliated with Hyundai, Kia or NHTSA

Short answer

Most Elantras in this range have no engine settlement at all. The exceptions are the 2.0L Nu GDI engines: the 2014-2016 Elantra, the 2014 Elantra Coupe and the 2014-2020 Elantra GT are on the Engine II settlement list (15 years or 150,000 miles for connecting-rod bearing damage, KSDS required first). The 2019-2020 Elantra with the 2.0L Nu MPI has a separate recall for piston oil rings (21V-301). Nearly every turn-key Elantra from 2011-2020 is on Hyundai's anti-theft software list.

Check your VIN to see recalls and which programs list your exact engine.

Which engines and years are involved

2011-2016 Elantra, 1.8L Nu MPI: not on the Engine II list.
2014-2016 Elantra, 2.0L Nu GDI: Engine II settlement.
2014 Elantra Coupe, 2.0L Nu GDI: Engine II settlement.
2014-2020 Elantra GT, 2.0L Nu GDI: Engine II settlement.
2017-2020 Elantra, 2.0L Nu MPI: no settlement. Certain 2019-2020 cars are in recall 21V-301 (piston oil rings).
Turbocharged Elantras: not on the Engine II list.

Trim names overlap engine sizes, so go by the engine, not the badge. The VIN decode in our checker shows displacement and, usually, whether it's GDI.

What the settlement, recall and anti-theft program say

KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) is free dealer software that listens through the knock sensor for the vibration pattern of a worn connecting-rod bearing. If it hears it, it turns on the check-engine light and limits engine power so the car can be driven to a dealer instead of the engine failing on the road. Kia's dealer letter names the trouble code P1326 for this condition.

Hyundai Engine II settlement (In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II, C.D. Cal.): the official site says judgment was entered April 26, 2024. It extends the powertrain warranty to 15 years or 150,000 miles from original retail delivery, whichever comes first, for short-block or long-block damage caused by connecting-rod bearing failure.
Condition: the KSDS update must be done at a Hyundai dealer before any covered failure. Vehicles under Hyundai recalls 198 and 209 (NHTSA 20V-746 and 21V-727) are exempt from that requirement, per the site.
Later owners: the site says the extended warranty carries over to later private owners. It is not available to commercial entities such as used-car dealers or auction houses.
Deadlines: cash claims (towing, rental, inconvenience, fire losses, rebates) expired July 8, 2024. The extended warranty itself needs no claim form.
Recall 21V-301 (2019-2020 Elantra with the 2.0L Nu MPI): dealers inspect and, if needed, replace the engine, and install Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software, per NHTSA's record. NHTSA's consequence text says a damaged engine may stall and leaking oil can reach hot exhaust parts.
Anti-theft: the Campaign 993 bulletin lists certain 2011-2016 and 2017-2020 Elantra and 2013-2020 Elantra GT for the software. The 2013-2014 Elantra Coupe and 2011-2012 Elantra Touring can't take it and get an ignition cylinder protector (9A5) or a steering wheel lock (P32) instead. Certain 2018 Elantras need a revised software update (Campaign 9A8).
Multistate settlement: Elantra 2011-2022 and Elantra GT 2013-2020 are on the multistate site's list (free zinc ignition cylinder protector; theft claims for qualifying thefts from April 29, 2025, while funds last).

Engine and fire-risk recalls

23V-651 is an ABS module recall for 2011-2015 Elantras. NHTSA's remedy text says to park outside and away from structures until the fuse is replaced.

21V-301 · ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
23V-651 · 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 cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Recall text quoted from NHTSA. Whether a recall is still open on a specific car can only be checked by VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer.

What owners report to NHTSA

4,960 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011-2020 Elantra. 1,540 of them name an engine component.

Model year	All complaints	Engine complaints	Engine + fire	Typical mileage mentioned (engine)
2011	461	101 (22%)	3	71,500 (n=18)
2012	675	143 (21%)	7	81,935 (n=30)
2013	1,330	237 (18%)	15	68,000 (n=67)
2014	385	167 (43%)	11	79,000 (n=42)
2015	262	95 (36%)	1	75,000 (n=28)
2016	293	113 (39%)	2	75,000 (n=27)
2017	767	292 (38%)	6	64,000 (n=69)
2018	283	145 (51%)	7	77,000 (n=37)
2019	251	136 (54%)	0	66,500 (n=24)
2020	253	111 (44%)	4	41,000 (n=23)

Source: NHTSA complaints API, pulled 2026-10-09. "Engine complaints" are complaints where the owner picked an ENGINE component (one complaint can list several components). Mileage is the median of mileages owners typed into their complaint text, shown only when at least 10 complaints mention one. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and counts reflect how many owners filed, not how many cars failed.

The 2013 total is the biggest, but the engine share that year is under 20%; brakes and steering lead. Engine complaints climb to roughly half of all complaints for 2018 and 2019. NHTSA also files many complaints under both "Elantra" and "Elantra GT" (the 2013 counts are almost identical), so we show only the Elantra table here to avoid counting the same reports twice.

Warning signs to take seriously

Ticking or knocking that gets faster with RPM.
Oil level dropping between changes on a 2019-2020 2.0L. That is the kind of failure recall 21V-301 is about.
Check-engine light with low power on a 2.0L GDI that has had KSDS (KSDS limp mode).
Smoke or a burning smell from the engine bay: stop, get out, and call for help.
A punched or loose ignition cylinder on a turn-key car: the car may have been targeted. Report it to police and your insurer, then ask about the anti-theft programs.

What to do, step by step

Run the VIN at NHTSA and Hyundai for open recalls (21V-301 and the ABS recall in particular).
Confirm the engine. If it's a 2.0L GDI in an Engine II year, ask a Hyundai dealer to confirm KSDS is on file.
If the car is turn-key, run hyundaiusa.com/anti-theft and book the free software or protector.
With engine symptoms, call a Hyundai service department with the VIN before paying for diagnosis, and ask which extended warranty or recall is open.

Dealer insider note

Most Elantras in this range have no engine settlement, so be careful about assuming coverage. According to the guide above, the 1.8L is not on the list, while the 2.0L Nu GDI in the 2014-2016 Elantra and the 2014-2020 Elantra GT is on Engine II. The 2019-2020 2.0L Nu MPI has a separate piston oil ring recall, 21V-301. Have the advisor confirm which engine you have from the VIN.

If you hear ticking or notice you are adding oil, do not wait for a warning light. Tell the advisor exactly what you see: how often you add oil, and when the noise happens. Ask whether any engine campaign applies to the VIN, and ask for the written result of any test they run.

Anti-theft is the other question. Nearly every turn-key Elantra from 2011-2020 is on Hyundai's software list. A push-button car, or one with an immobilizer light in the cluster, is a different case. If yours is a turn-key without the light, ask for the anti-theft software by campaign number and ask that the repair order show it was done. After the update, lock and unlock with the fob, not the door key.

Used buyers should ask for: recall history, proof of the anti-theft software, any engine paperwork, and maintenance records.

Until the VIN check is done, do not sign a release, a waiver or a customer-pay repair order. Get any estimate in writing, and ask whether fees are waived if the car is covered.

If the shop stalls or says no, call the manufacturer's customer-care line (number is in your owner's manual). Give the VIN and repair order, ask for a case number, and keep every receipt.

Questions

Is my 2015 Elantra 1.8 in the engine settlement?

We didn't find the 1.8L on the Engine II list. Only the 2.0L Nu GDI Elantra (2014-2016), Elantra Coupe (2014) and Elantra GT (2014-2020) are listed. Check for open recalls by VIN anyway.

What is recall 21V-301?

A recall for certain 2019-2020 Elantra (and 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster) with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. The piston oil rings may not have been heat-treated properly. Dealers inspect, replace the engine if needed, and install piston-ring noise-sensing software.

Does my Elantra need the anti-theft update?

Only if it's a turn-key car without an immobilizer. Push-button-start Elantras already have one. Check your VIN at hyundaiusa.com/anti-theft.