If you are looking for a vehicle that is attractive, great on gas, and affordable, then you have probably come across the Hyundai Elantra. This vehicle has been in production for many years and continues to be manufactured by Hyundai.
If you are considering purchasing a Hyundai Elantra or have recently purchased an Elantra, then keep reading for more information about the average life expectancy of the car.
How Long Do Hyundai Elantras Last?
On average, the Hyundai Elantra is known to last at least 150,000 miles before there are significant mechanical issues requiring owners to purchase another vehicle. In these cases, they last around 10 years.
How Long Will A Used Hyundai Elantra Last?
Many Elantra owners will want to extend the useful life of their vehicle for as long as possible. When serviced regularly and maintained properly, on average many Elantra owners can get up to 150,000 miles from their car without any major problems.
Since the average miles driven per year is anywhere between 10,00 to 15,000 miles, these cars can be predicted to last anywhere from 10 to 15 years before experiencing catastrophic failure.
What Is Considered A High Mileage Hyundai Elantra?
As is the case with most cars, once your Hyundai Elantra reaches 100,000 miles or more it would be considered by many people to be a high mileage vehicle.
Also, if you have a newer model Elantra and you are averaging more than 15,000 miles each year, it would also be considered high mileage.
Is The Hyundai Elantra Reliable?
The Hyundai Elantra has been in production for more than 20 years and is considered by many owners to be a reliable car. The Elantra’s competitive starting price, low maintenance costs, and generally good reliability have helped to make it a cornerstone in Hyundai’s lineup.
Most Reliable Years Of The Hyundai Elantra
While the Hyundai Elantra has been in production for quite a while the most reliable models according to JD Power are the 2020 -2022 models. The preceding models typically achieved average reliability rankings as compared to similar vehicles from other manufacturers.
Common Problems That Can Affect Elantra’s Lifespan
Even though many owners would say that the car has been reliable, the Elantra like many cars have had issues over the years. Some of the more notable issues are:
Engine Failure
Catastrophic engine issues were a common problem in Elantra Models in the early 2010s. While most owners achieve at least 150,000 miles before experiencing such issues, some owners experienced engine issues before the 100,000-mile mark.
Hyundais manufactured between 2011 to 2013 were heavily plagued with engine ticking issues and stalling engines.
Electrical Issues
Hyundai Elantras manufactured between 2006 and 2011 also experienced electrical shorts in the vehicles Anti-Lock Brake Module which sadly could lead to the vehicle catching fire.
Owners have also complained about electrical issues ranging from wiring issues that prevent the vehicle from starting to wiring issues that create intermittent failures of vehicle components.
Brake System Failures
Numerous Elantra owners have complained of the Elantra’s lackluster brake system.
Over the years the Elantra has suffered from rather serious brake issues such as inferior quality brake pads, master cylinder failure leading to a spongey feeling brake pedal, and even worse complete brake failure.
Power Steering Failures
Another serious issue that Elantras can suffer from are failures of the power steering system.
The failure of this system can lead to the loss of the electric power steering and potentially lead to a crash. The most common year for this failure to occur was in vehicles produced in 2017.
As we will discuss in more detail in the next section of this article, airbag issues are also a common problem with Elantras.
How Often Has The Elantra Been Recalled?
There have been several recalls issued over the last ten years for the Hyundai Elantra. Just a few of some of the serious recalls for newer model years are the following:
- 2021-2023 Exploding Seat Belt Pretensioners
- 2021 Windshield Bonding
- 2021 Front Seat Recliner Assembly
- 2020 Loose Lug Nuts/Bolts/Suspension
- 2017 Air Bag
Seat Belt Recall
One of the more recent recalls affecting 2021 to 2023 Elantras is related to the vehicle’s seat belt. In the event of a front-end collision, the front seatbelt pretensioners may forcefully engage upon impact.
The seemingly exploding pretensioner can send sharp fragments throughout the cabin of the vehicle posing a serious risk of injury. Cars impacted by this issue have been recalled and Hyundai will replace the faulty seat belt pretensioners.
Windshield Recall
2021 Elantras have also been recalled for an improperly installed windshield. The windshields in this year range may not have sufficient bonding material to hold the windshield in place during an impact.
Front Seat Recliner Assembly
The front seat belt assembly in certain 2021 Elantras may have been improperly welded. The improper welding of the assembly can pose a severe risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Loose Bolts
Hyndai has issued more than one recall to address insufficiently tightened bolts for various components of the vehicle. One recall has been issued because the lug nuts have not been tightened with sufficient force which could result in the loss of a wheel while the vehicle is in motion.
Another recall related to loose bolts impacts the front suspension.
Certain 2020 Elantras may have lower control arm ball joints fasteners that have been insufficiently torqued. The loose fasteners can lead to the ball joint detaching from the control arm resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle.
Faulty Airbags
Hyundai Elantras manufactured in 2017 may suffer from faulty airbags that do not deploy as designed. The fault in these airbags can lead to the second stage of the airbags failing to deploy in the event of a collision.
A Few Recalls For Older Model Year Elantras
- 2012 Hyundai Elantra 12V Overheat
- 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra Electronic Stability Control
- 2010 – 2013 Hyundai Elantra Air Bag Recall
12V Overheating
In the 2012 Hyundai Elantra model, the 12V accessory socket was installed using an excessive amount of pressure potentially damaging the thermal fuse within the 12v plug. The damaged thermal plug can lead to the outlet overheating and can create a fire.
Electronic Stability Control
Elantras manufactured between 2011 to 2012 also have been recalled for potential Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Sensor failures.
A failure of this sensor can lead to a malfunction of the ESC system causing the vehicle to automatically apply the brakes suddenly or for the vehicle’s computer to reduce engine power. The unexpected sudden braking or loss of engine power can lead to accidents.
Airbag Recall
The airbag recall for the 2010 – 2013 Hyundai Elantra models is related to a major recall that happened among several manufacturers who purchased a specific airbag brand for their vehicles.
When the airbag is deployed, it will cause an explosion, become displaced, and cause further damage inside the vehicle. Some of these airbags could eject fragments throughout the vehicle, which is a safety concern.
Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Hyundai Elantra
If you have a Hyundai Elantra, here are some useful tips to get the most use out of your vehicle for many years to come.
- Perform maintenance services
- DO NOT IGNORE RECALL NOTICES
Maintenance Services
While it is important to keep your Elantra up to date with oil changes, there are other maintenance services that your vehicle needs when it reaches certain mile markers.
During these services, your Hyundai Elantra will be inspected thoroughly, and any parts that are worn out can be replaced. These services usually occur at pre-determined intervals as outlined in your owners or service manual.
Take It In For Recalls
The Hyundai Elantra has been the subject of many recalls from the manufacturer. We have only included a brief list of the numerous recalls that have plagued this car.
As you can see from the above list, some of the recalls have been issued to address major issues that can impact the safety of the driver or those around.
If you receive a recall notice from the manufacturer or another third party for your Elantra, you should contact your dealer to have the recall work performed. Delaying the recall repair can significantly increase safety concerns, but can also negatively impact the lifespan of your vehicle.
Conclusion
Generally, you can expect a Hyundai Elantra to last for between 10-15 years if properly maintained and if not excessively driven.
To make sure you get the most useful life out of your vehicle be sure to get it serviced regularly and take care of any recalls immediately. Doing these things will help ensure that your Elantra keeps you on the road for many years to come!