NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 8 recalls, 130 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2022 Hyundai Elantra.
28–50 mpg combined
4.7–8.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2022 Hyundai Elantra, seatbelts draw the highest complaint volume, with owners frequently describing warning lights, unexpected tensioning behavior, or perceived failures in the restraint system. Forward collision avoidance is the second most-reported area, where owners describe the system triggering unexpectedly, failing to respond when expected, or generating false alerts during normal driving. Electrical system complaints come in third, covering a range of issues including warning lights illuminating without a clear cause and accessories behaving erratically. A smaller but recurring thread involves engine oil dilution, where owners report oil levels rising above the full mark and a noticeable fuel odor from the engine bay, suggesting gasoline is mixing into the oil supply.
130
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra has 8 recalls, the most serious being front seatbelt pretensioners on both the driver and passenger sides that can explode in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants.
The pretensioner issue spans several overlapping recall filings, including ones specific to hybrid models, but the core danger is the same across all of them: in a crash, the pretensioner detonates beyond its intended force and becomes a source of metal shrapnel rather than a restraint aid. Some filings cover both front seats, others focus on the passenger side, but any version of this vehicle may be affected.
On the electrical side, hybrid models carry a separate concern where a software error in the motor control unit can cause the vehicle to accelerate after the driver lifts off the brake pedal, which raises the risk of a crash in situations where the driver expects the car to hold steady or slow down.
Two recalls involve the driver-side airbag cover. The plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover may not be properly bonded and can break free when the airbag deploys, turning it into a projectile inside the cabin. This issue is covered across multiple filings but describes the same flying emblem risk.
Rounding out the list, a damaged circuit board inside the rearview camera system can cause the backup image to go blank when the driver shifts into reverse, eliminating the rear view that the driver would normally rely on when backing up.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
A damaged circuit board in the rearview camera may prevent the camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the motor control unit may cause the vehicle to accelerate unexpectedly after you release the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the motor control unit software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The emblem on the driver's front air bag cover may not be properly welded, causing it to detach when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover may detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates during a crash.
What the fix does
Hyundai will replace the steering wheel airbag at an authorized dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front seat belt pretensioners may explode when deployed during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a cap to secure the seat belt pretensioner(s).
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front driver and passenger seat belt pretensioners may explode when deployed during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front seat belt pretensioners at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt pretensioner may explode during a crash, potentially spraying metal fragments inside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Hyundai will replace the front passenger seat belt and pretensioner assembly at a dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt pretensioner may explode when the seat belt deploys during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt pretensioner at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
