How the 2022 compares
Too new to judge fully
It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Elantra year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the driver assist systems.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Elantra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The most reported problem area is the driver assist systems (24, 24% of complaints), followed by the seats and seat belts and the electrical system. That ranks 11th of 13 Elantra years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
Complaints102filed with NHTSA
Recalls5for this model year
Crashes710 injuries reported
Fires1reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2022 Hyundai Elantra before you buy.
Driver assist systems
24 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Warnings (13), Adaptive cruise control (7), Automatic emergency braking (6).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Hyundai's forward collision warning light is on and won't allow me to use cruise control. I've tried cleaning the area, but still won't turn off. It did turn off for about an hour and while on the freeway using cruise control it came back on.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Backup camera shows only black screen with dark gray guidelines with display moving across the screen then resetting to start moving again. No availability visible for backing up.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seats and seat belts
23 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Teenage daughter was in seat belt. Laid over a little when she sat back up the seat belt tighten around her waist and would not release. When tried to pull down from top it continue to tighten and lock around abdomen. With every small move it locked up more until there was no choice but you cut the belt because it was cutting off…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Electrical system
19 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I didn't know the horn wasn't working. I was driving and a vehicle almost backed into me on the drivers door. I couldn't warn them that I was behind them I was fortunate to move before they backed into me. I haven't taken the car to the dealer. I searched on the internet to see if this was an isolated incident and I found hundreds of…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I’ve gotten my horn replaced for the second straight time in the past year. Currently at the dealership and service advisors here at West Herr Hyundai in Williamsville state many horns go bad as of today they’ve replaced 7 of them.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
11 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Description of Incident: The vehicle is experiencing significant engine oil dilution by gasoline. Upon inspection of the dipstick, the oil level is consistently found to be well above the "Full" mark, and the oil emits a strong, pungent odor of raw fuel. This indicates that unburnt gasoline is bypassing the piston rings and entering the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not formally diagnosed. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 23,825 miles
Brakes and stability control
8 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Braking system failed to brake properly. It feels like even though the brakes were pressed all the way down, the car did not brake as it should. Also, the automatic collision avoidance system did not respond.Owner complaint, filed 2026
I bought my brand new 2022 Elantra in July of 2021, the only problem I have experienced is the brakes make a sort of wailing noise. It's not a screeching noise as if the brakes need to be changed or that the rotors are worn or brake pads are low. It is not a sound I've heard brake make before and it typically makes the sound when in…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Transmission slippage, near failure, unable to accelerate safely past 20mph. Need to floor the gas peddle which causes me to go over the desired speed.Owner complaint, filed 2026
All of the following has occurred to me; Delayed or sluggish acceleration Gear slips Shaking, shuddering, or juddering Harsh or rough shifts Immobility or stalling Thumping and other objectional sounds My car has just over 25000 miles. I have only had it serviced at the dealership. I have complained about this issue to only get a…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Air bags
4 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
My vehicle did not have any warning lights or issue lights on the dashboard at the time of crash. We were at a full stop on the highway when a car rear ended us going 50-70MPH. The driver had a broken left clavicle. No air bags deployed despite the severity of the crash.Owner complaint, filed 2026
My car was hit from the rear by another vehicle while I was traveling with my [XXX] daughter. The impact was very strong, and one of the tires came off. None of the airbags deployed, and I feel there may have been an issue with the airbag system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
3 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The headlights go off and on randomly It happens during the day and evening I have brought it to the dealer two times and they said after five days they cannot duplicate the problem At night time it is very dangerous when the headlights go off as I drive in a rural area I have submitted daytime photos which shows the malfunction I cannot…Owner complaint, filed 2025
My Rear view camara has stop working and there is no recall available for my Elantra by vin number. Is the same problem from the 24V879000 campaign. Please inform me if there is a recall for my car because it’s causing problems in visibility for reverse parking.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Wheels and tires
3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle and turning to the right or the left, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from nearby the wheels. The contact stated that while continuing to turn the steering wheel, the sound would stop. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 4,000 miles
Hired a local tire shop to install winter tires on a second set of wheels, with a second set of TPMS sensors. Later, I discovered the car was not picking up the sensors, but it also failed to illuminate the TPMS sensor alert. When I took it back to the tire shop, they checked the TPMS with their own sensors and said they were working…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Fuel system
2 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I own a 2022 Hyundai Elantra with only 72,000 miles my check engine light came on for the code p048900 for the Egr valve. It is no longer covered by any warranties but other year models have been recalled due to the same issue.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Vehicle: 2022 Hyundai N Line Mileage at Initial Incident: ~17,000 miles Components Involved: Engine and Engine Cooling; Exhaust System / Emissions; Air Bags (SRS) I am submitting this complaint to document unresolved emissions system and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safety concerns involving my 2022 Hyundai N Line, as well as the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
2 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I drove my vehicle to the store, parked and went in to the store to get some things. When I came out and started the car several things were wrong with the car. The power steering was not working, the RPM gauge didn't work at all, the back up camera also was not operational. The check engine light was on, the forward collision light was…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
2 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
On June 13 2023, I received an alert on my dashboard that my cruise control was unable to be used due to an issue with the front sensor. The alert went away soon after but then reappeared on August 27th, 2023 the error appeared again. Specifically error code C162078. I wasn't able to get the issue repaired until November 2023, which is…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My daughter was driving the car to work. The car accelerated even thou her foot was lightly placed on the gas pedal, it was like pressing the gas pedal to race the car. This happened 4 times on her 4.5 mile drive to work. When she was turning into the parking lot, she had her foot on the brake and the car accelerated again which scared…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Body, doors and structure
2 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
I bought my 2022 Elantra less than a month ago, I drove the car on two round trips on the highway taking care-- that's it. One morning in Ottawa there was a cold snap and the bumper cracked on its own leaving sharp plastic edges on the front of the car. I also had paid almost $3,000 for an extended warranty but I don't know if the…Owner complaint, filed 2022
During the summer, I used to get some rattling on my new Elantra right after beginning to drive, after a long interval of parking under the sun. But once the car cooled down due to the A/C, the rattling would disappear. I never bothered to find the exact source of rattling because it used to last only a couple of minutes. Now in the…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Suspension
1 complaintClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The horn on my vehicle all of a sudden does not work. Im afraid that i'll be in a accident because im unable to blow it. Plenty times ive almost been in a accident & it was literally nothing i could do because my horn isnt working. secondly, something is going in with the suspension on the right side of my car. Too much rattling noise. I…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Hyundai Elantra complaints by year
Compare the 2022 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2022 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Hyundai Elantra | Too new to judge | 5 |
| 2022 Toyota Corolla | Too new to judge | 0 |
| 2022 Honda Civic | Worse than most years | 4 |
| 2022 Mazda Mazda3 | Too new to judge | 0 |
2022 Hyundai Elantra recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2022 Hyundai Elantra, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Air bags
- Risk
- A detached air bag cover emblem may strike a vehicle occupant, which can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the air bag, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.
Seat belts Front
- Risk
- An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Seat belts Front
- Risk
- Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Seat belts Front
- Risk
- An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment.
2022 Hyundai Elantra questions
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Hyundai Elantra?
The most reported problem areas on the 2022 Hyundai Elantra are the driver assist systems (24 complaints), the seats and seat belts (23 complaints) and the electrical system (19 complaints). Within the driver assist systems, owners most often name the warnings, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Is the 2022 Hyundai Elantra a good year to buy?
Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Elantra year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the driver assist systems. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Elantra years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2022 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The most recent, from Nov 2024, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?
The Elantra years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model