Hyundai Elantra VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Hyundai Elantra you are looking at. Then check its model year against 63 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixKMH5NPKM8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Hyundai Elantra

About the Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai has sold the Elantra in the US since the 1993 model year, and there have been seven generations. The J1 came first (1993–1995); RD (1996–2000), XD (2001–2006), HD (2007–2010), MD (2011–2016), AD (2017–2020) followed, and the CN7 took over for 2021–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 63 vehicle recall campaigns and 9,166 owner complaints. The 2013 has the most complaints of any model year (1,345). EPA rates the J1 at 21–22 mpg combined, while the CN7, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 23–54 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1993–2026

GenerationsJ1 · RD · XD · HD · MD · AD · CN7

NHTSA recall campaigns63

Owner complaints9,166 at NHTSA

Hyundai Elantra photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Hyundai Elantra generations

Seven generations since the 1993 model year. The MD (2011–2016) has the most owner complaints, the XD (2001–2006) and CN7 (2021–2026) the most recall campaigns (15 each).

7 / 7

2021–2026· Generation 7 of 7

CN7 · 7th generation

PlatformHyundai-Kia K3

EPA combined mpg23–54

NHTSA recalls15

Engines (EPA)

1.6 L 4-cyl (hybrid) · 2021–2026
1.6 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026
2.0 L 4-cyl · 2021–2026
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2022–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

FWD
CVT (2021–2026), automated manual/dual-clutch (2021–2026), manual (2021–2026)

Known issues to check

Forward collision avoidance (153)Electrical system (144)Engine and cooling (84)2 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 583 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · CN7KMHLN4AJ?PU······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited, built in Ul-San, South Korea

Check an Elantra VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Elantra model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 63 campaigns on file for Elantra model years 1993–2026, and the 2011 and 2022 show up in the most (8 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Hyundai Elantra owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2013 (1,345 of 9,166). Tap any bar or generation.

9,166NHTSA complaints, 1993–2026

909mention a crash

197mention a fire

745injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearCN7: 583 complaints · most for the 2023 (167)

Top complaint areas · CN7

Mentions in 583 complaints, 2021–2026.

Forward collision avoidance153

Electrical system144

Engine and cooling84

Seat belts58

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)53

Lane departure52

Crashes 42Fires 5Injuries 35

2021–2026 (CN7)

NHTSA data summary

Forward collision avoidance leads the CN7 list with 153 mentions, yet no earlier Elantra generation has it among its six most-mentioned areas. Of the six CN7 model years, the 2023 (167) and 2021 (160) drew the most complaints.

What Elantra owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2021–present (7th generation, CN7)

Owner trouble on this generation is comparatively light so far, and the 2021 has drawn far fewer NHTSA complaints than earlier Elantras. The leading categories are forward collision avoidance, electrical faults and seat belts, and several recalls address front seat belts on 2021–2022 cars, seat back recliners on 2021 cars and a rearview camera fault. CarComplaints lists only a small number of early 2021 reports, led by all dashboard warning lights coming on and power steering assist switching off. No widespread mechanical pattern stands out yet in these sources. [1] [2]

2017–2020 (6th generation, AD)

Engine complaints lead NHTSA reports for the 2017, with owners describing stalling, check engine lights, oil consumption and sudden engine failure, sometimes at highway speed. CarComplaints ranks peeling paint first for 2017, followed by engine failure and loss of power while driving. Hyundai recalled 2019–2020 Elantras with the 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine because piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could damage the engine. Dealers inspect it, replace it if needed and install piston ring noise sensing software. The 2017 also had recalls for a power steering connector and a brake booster that could fail. [3] [4] [5]

2011–2016 (5th generation, MD)

On this generation, especially the 2013, steering is a top NHTSA complaint category. Owners describe clicking or clunking when turning the wheel and a loose feel, often traced to a worn flexible coupling in the electric power steering, and a Hyundai Forums thread discusses an extended warranty for that coupling. A recall for 2013–2014 cars addressed a brake pedal stopper pad that could deteriorate, leaving the brake lights on and allowing a shift out of Park without pressing the brake. CarComplaints lists wandering or pulling, uneven tire wear and grinding brakes among 2013 complaints. [6] [7] [8] [9]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, especially for the piston ring recall on 2019–2020 cars and the brake pedal pad recall on 2013–2014 cars.
Ask for records of engine inspections or replacement, regular oil changes and steering coupling repairs.
On the drive, turn the wheel at a stop and listen for clunks, watch for warning lights, stalling or loss of power, and have someone confirm the brake lights go off when you release the pedal.

Sources (9) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Elantra complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid Elantra versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

9,166complaints, 1993–2026

909mention a crash

197mention a fire

745injuries reported

11complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2013 (1,345), 2017 (792), 2012 (675)

2013 · 1,345 complaints

Crashes 95 · fires 31 · injuries 68

Service brakes290

Steering273

Engine238

Air bags171

Electrical system155

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Elantra CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 177 Elantra versions for model years 1993–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 165 g/mi, for the 2026 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

J11993–1995

21–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–423 g/mi

RD1996–2000

22–24 mpg · CO₂ 370–404 g/mi

XD2001–2006

24–26 mpg · CO₂ 342–370 g/mi

HD2007–2010

26–29 mpg · CO₂ 306–342 g/mi

MD2011–2016

26–32 mpg · CO₂ 278–342 g/mi

AD2017–2020

25–36 mpg · CO₂ 250–363 g/mi

CN72021–2026

23–54 mpg · CO₂ 165–392 g/mi

Model year2025

36combined MPG

246CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$1,850EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

7/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Elantra · Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L — 36 MPG · 246 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasHybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Elantra vs Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2021–2026. NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the Elantra, against 10 for the Honda Civic and 7 for the Toyota Corolla. Pick a range to compare.

Hyundai ElantraCN7

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 15
NHTSA owner complaints: 583
EPA combined mpg: 23–54
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 153
Electrical system 144
Engine and cooling 84

Honda Civic

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 10
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,720
EPA combined mpg: 24–49
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.5, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 1,245
Forward collision avoidance 217
Lane departure 160

Toyota Corolla

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 7
NHTSA owner complaints: 477
EPA combined mpg: 22–52
Engines (EPA): 3-cyl 1.6 L · 4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L
Also listed: hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Air bags 83
Engine and cooling 76
Electrical system 73

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Hyundai Elantra VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an Elantra

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Hyundai Elantra (seventh generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Elantra's VIN plate sits at the base of the driver's side windshield. Inside the driver's door jamb, a sticker carries the full number, and a trunk lid label near the latch provides a third reference. The CN7 generation starts with the 2021 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (M for 2021) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Hyundai Elantra VIN questions

Which Hyundai Elantra model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2013 leads with 1,345, ahead of the 2017 (792) and 2012 (675). Those first two alone make up 23% of the 9,166 Elantra complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Hyundai Elantra had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 63 vehicle campaigns for model years 1993–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, the XD and CN7 have the most (15 each), then the MD (12), the HD (10), the AD (8), the RD (5) and the J1 (2); a campaign can span two generations.

Which Hyundai Elantra recalls are high risk?

26V-307 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. 16V-956 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 00V-095, 00V-095, 04V-178, 04V-369, 04V-208, 04V-370, 20V-061, 20V-393 and 4 more. Park-outside advisories came with 23V-651 and 23V-526. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Elantra generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the J1 is 1993–1995 and the RD 1996–2000. XD spans 2001–2006, HD 2007–2010, MD 2011–2016, AD 2017–2020 and CN7 2021–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (M is 2021).

What fuel economy does the Hyundai Elantra get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 CN7 at 23–54 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 21–22 mpg for the 1993–1995 J1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Hyundai Elantra compare with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the Elantra has 15 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Civic has 10, the Toyota Corolla 7. Complaints run 583, 1,720 and 477 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Hyundai Elantra have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Elantra 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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About the Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra generations