Is the 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA reliable?

The 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA has 321 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA?

Top problems: ENGINE (125 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (65 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (38 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ENGINE. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA?

The 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA gets 30 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1600. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA often stolen?

The Hyundai ELANTRA was the #1 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 21,732 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: very-high. Pre-2022 models are affected by the Kia Boys challenge — verify your VIN has the manufacturer security update.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA is approximately $1,953/year (sedan-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Hyundai ELANTRA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA has 321 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 386. The most common issue is engine problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: engine knocking noise and slows down car speed. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 18 crash reports 8 injuries

321

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

125 complaints

39%

• Engine knocking noise and slows down car speed
• The system that was affected was the engine, and inspection is available. We were all in seatbelts at the time of the incident. PepBoys has confirmed it is an electrical issue and they can't repair it and must be done by the original manufacturer. The warning lamps that appeared were the battery, oi
• The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator without warning. The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine) however, the part for the recall repa

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“Engine knocking noise and slows down car speed”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA

Based on 76 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 44K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Later than typicalmedian 40K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 89K mi · 27 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ENGINE28/04/2021

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.

Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Very high theft risk

#1 most stolen in 2025

The Hyundai ELANTRA was the #1 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 21,732 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,600

Per month

$133

Per mile

13.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,200/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,953

Full coverage / month

$163

Liability only / year

$589

vs US avg

+17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-compact)0.93x

× theft risk1.28x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1953

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai ELANTRA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2019 ELANTRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 321 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: Engine knocking noise and slows down car speed
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: MY BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE WENT OUT ROUGHLY 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A MONTH AGO. MOSTLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND RANDOMLY GOES OUT. THE ENTIRE CASING WAS REPLACED AND THE ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: CAR REPEATEDLY HAS THE BLIND SPOT SENSOR SYSTEM ALARMING OUT AND SHUTTING OFF TILL CAR IS RESTARTED, COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU DONT REALIZE THAT IT IS NO LONGER WORKING. 10 TIMES BETWEEN 275 MILES AND 1300
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE WIND NOISE IS VERY BAD AT ANY SPEED AND THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS VERY BAD ON BUMPS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)