How many miles can an Hyundai Elantra last? When you’re in the market for a new or second-hand Elantra, that’s, of course, a very reasonable question to ask. After all, you’re probably looking to get the most bang for your buck. In this blog, we’ll look at this question in great detail but first, let’s start with a quick answer:
On average, a Hyundai Elantra lasts between 250.000 – 270.000 miles. An Elantra needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.27 times per year, with a 9% chance of severe problems. Furthermore, Elantra owners spend an average of $452 per year on repair costs.
Having said that, we’re certainly not done. Below we’ll first explain in more detail how many miles an Elantra can last. After that, we’ll also show you how much an Elantra costs per year and which production years are the most and least expensive. Furthermore, we also discuss the common problems that the car can have. Read on!
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Also read: This Is Where The Hyundai Elantra Is Made
How Many Miles Can A Hyundai Elantra Last?
Each year’s increasing cost of production has skyrocketed the MSRP of new cars. As expected, the cost of a used car has also gone up and for the buyer, whether looking for a new or an old car, the question “How long does a particular car last” has become more relevant.
This series blog looks at cars popular in the USA and determines their longevity and reliability. We have a series of tests to which we will subject each vehicle in question. We will look at the reliability of the Korean automobile, Hyundai Elantra, in this particular blog.
We do this by gathering the “miles driven” for a sample set of used Elantras for sale through many different databases dealing with new and used cars. The thing to note is that data is not exhaustive but a small subset of all used Hyundai Elantra.
The data gathered is shown in the table below.
| Number Of Miles | Percentage Of Cars |
| Cars With 150.000+ | 2.42% |
| Cars With 100.000 – 149.000 | 10.85% |
| Cars With 45.000 – 99.999 | 47.09% |
| Cars With 0 – 44.999 | 38.24% |
The sample size of 29,311 is a subset of all Elantras for sale within the US. We have grouped these Elantras according to the miles logged on the road.
The figure that we are interested in is the percentage of Elantras with more than 150,000 miles. We consider 3-5% a good indicator of reliability and longevity. Unfortunately, Elantra falls short of these criteria.
The other thing to notice is that about half the cars for sale are between 45,000 and 100,000 miles. One can argue that perhaps the Elantra begins to show significant problems by this time. In the sections ahead, we will try and address this argument.
How Reliable Is A Hyundai Elantra Compared To Its Competitors?
Next, we compare the Elantra to its competitors by analyzing “miles on the road” figures. The data is given in the table below.
| Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150.000+ | Highest Mileage |
| Hyundai Elantra | 11,229 | 271 | 2.42% | 300,000 |
| Toyota Corolla | 19,583 | 611 | 3.12% | 400,000 |
| Nissan Sentra | 12,823 | 165 | 1.29% | 400,000+ |
| Kia Forte | 8,694 | 78 | 0.90% | 200,000 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 10,988 | 219 | 2.00% | 380,000 |
Toyota Corolla is the only car in the above table that meets the criteria for reliability and durability with 3.12% of the sample size with more than 150,000 miles and still on the road.
The Hyundai Elantra is next on the list. The worst in this comparison is the Kia Forte which has an abysmal 0.9% number of cars meeting this criterion. Nissan takes the cake for most miles logged for a single car with 683,994 miles. However, any vehicle can give you exceptionally high miles, given that proper maintenance has been taken care of.
How Reliable Is A Hyundai Elantra Compared To Other Hyundai’s?
In this section, we will look at the overall reliability of Hyundai by seeking similar data as above for different Hyundai models.
| Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150.000+ | Highest Mileage |
| Hyundai Elantra | 11,229 | 271 | 2.42% | 306,000 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 14,445 | 303 | 2.10% | 320,000 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 11,209 | 366 | 3.27% | 400,000+ |
| Hyundai Tucson | 14,086 | 95 | 0.70% | 340,000 |
With a rating of 3.27, the Sonata is the most reliable among the four Hyundai models compared. This is even better than a Corolla, which says a lot. It is undoubtedly a reliable car with 808,717 miles on one of the Sonatas we found.
Also, when compared to its competitors, the Elantra is again placed second. Sante Fe and Tucson make the rest of the pack in that order.
How Much Does Maintenance Cost Per Year?
Now that we have analyzed data regarding longevity or time on the road, let us analyze the Elantra’s reliability by looking at the yearly maintenance cost for its various model years. The data is given in the table below.
| Model Year | Annual Maintenance Cost |
| 2018 | $420 |
| 2017 | $430 |
| 2016 | $455 |
| 2015 | $440 |
| 2014 | $463 |
| 2013 | $450 |
| 2012 | $473 |
| 2011 | $476 |
| 2010 | $425 |
| 2009 | $404 |
| 2008 | $387 |
| 2007 | $349 |
The data suggests that perhaps the 2007-2010 models were better. It could be accurate, but the labor and parts cost was low, so maintenance was cheaper. The average cost over the years has been $430, which is very good compared to its competitors, such as the Toyota Corolla ($353), Nissan Sentra ($441), and Volkswagen Jetta ($566).
Conclusion: Hyundai Elantra is on par, if not better, with the other popular cars in its category.
Also read: The Complete Cost Of Maintaining A Hyundai
Hyundai Elantra Common Problems
All cars share some common problems that have become a stigma. In this section, we share the Elantra’s common problems and, if possible, try to give some tips to fix them. We will also share the estimated cost to get the problem fixed.
NOTE: Before buying a used car, I always like to make sure the vehicle isn´t having any problems that you should be aware of. The easiest way to do this is by buying an OBD2 scanner. These scanners can easily be plugged into any car you’re interested in, and they’ll give you a rundown of potential problems.
Poor Shift Quality of Automatic Transmission.
If you have an issue with gear shifting and the Check Engine indicator is also lit, then the speed sensors in the transmission may have failed. The model years that have reported this problem are from before 2017. The Check Engine Light diagnosis will provide the conclusive answer, and on average, it costs between $90-$110. The sensors are inexpensive and straightforward to replace.
Engine Stalling/Failure Due to Crankshaft Angle Sensor Failure and Other Engine Problems
This was a major issue for which Hyundai issued a recall, and it affected models from 1992-94, 2000-2007, and 2010-2016. The diagnosis itself costs between $90–and $110.
Other engine-related issues include poor cooling, belt troubles, and check engine light. The worst is the engine catching fire due to the possibility of an electrical short in the ABS module. This issue led to the recall of about 430,000 cars manufactured between 2006 and 2011.
Issue With Failing Canister Purge Valve
If there is a feeling that the engine is idling roughly and the Check Engine Light is lit, then the most probable cause is that the vapor canister purge valve has failed. This issue affects the performance of the EVAP emission control system. The valve is not easy to access and replace, so most owners order and replace EVAP.
The cost of parts ranges between $426 and $525, and the labor costs are between $104 and $131.
Airbag Related Issues
According to a website, Elantra owners have reported close to 1100 issues related to the airbag. Among the most frequent ones is the airbag light going on and off randomly, leaving the driver wondering if the airbag is working or not. Other common issues include non-deployment and problems with the inflator and sensors.
The airbag issues were severe enough that Hyundai had to issue recalls for the Elantra. The first recall between 2006 and 2008 was because the weight sensor on the front seat deployed the airbag even if the occupant was a child. The second recall for 2006-2007 models was due to deployment due to high pressure.
Audio Issue With Car Speakers
Although minor compared to some of the problems above, the result is that there is no audio from car speakers, so one cannot listen to the FM, CD, Navigation, or take telephone calls.
This happens because of a widespread software glitch. The solution is to reset the navigation unit by disconnecting the car’s negative battery terminal and waiting 15 minutes before reconnecting, which will get the speakers to start working again.
Also read: Hyundai Elantra Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids
Is A Hyundai Elantra A Smart Buy?
The Hyundai is a smart buy based on the data shown above. It is second behind Corolla in terms of longevity, and also, the average maintenance cost is second only to Toyota Corolla. Hyundai has also seemingly resolved some common problems reflected in increased customer satisfaction and consumer ratings.
When buying a used car, consider the following factors.
- The number of previous owners.
- Maintenance history.
- Check the CarFax.
- The length of time you would keep the car.
There is no doubt that Hyundai has had its share of customer complaints and dissatisfaction. Still, during the last few years, Hyundai has put in a lot of effort to resolve these issues, and there has been a marked decrease in customer complaints. The result is that Hyundai Elantra is now bracketed along with other popular compact cars.
The depreciation data shows that Hyundai Elantra depreciates about 47% in the first five years, which is more than a Toyota Corolla.
According to RepairPal, Elantra 2021 has scored 4.5 out of 5.0, placing it in 8th position out of 36 cars. J.D. Powers rated it 87 out of 100, which is very good; compare this to 78/100 for Ford Focus, 85/100 for Chevrolet Cruze, and 80/100 for Toyota Corolla. Finally, Kelley Blue Book rated it 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Hyundai Elantra Maintenance Schedule
A well-maintained car is more likely to have fewer problems and last longer. Car manufacturers outline a complete maintenance schedule for each vehicle that they manufacture. Each maintenance marker defines specific points that need to be rectified. The maintenance schedule for the Hyundai Elantra is given below.
3,000 or 3 months
This is the first of the maintenance markers where the following specific points are targeted. This maintenance is geared toward maximizing performance, safety, and reliability.
- Engine oil and oil filter replacement (Up to 5 quarts)
- All Fluid check and top up
- Multi-Point Vehicle Check
- Check tire pressure
7,500 or 6 months
The second checkpoint is more detailed than the first and includes an inspection of some essential safety points.
- Engine oil and oil filter replacement
- All Fluid check and top up
- Rotate tires
- Check brakes
- Inspection and adjustment of parking brake
- Fuel and Oil Treatments
- Throttle chamber inspection
- Multi-Point Vehicle Check
5,000 miles or 12 months
This maintenance marker includes most of the checkpoints from the previous two scheduled maintenance plus some additional ones.
- Engine oil and oil filter replacement
- Rotate Tires
- Wiper blades replacement
- Multi-point check
- All Fluid check and top up
- Inspection and adjustment of parking brake
- Throttle body check
- Suspension check
- Inspect for Fluid Leak
- Road Test
- Car Wash
60,000 mile or 36 months
This is the most rigorous of all maintenance checks and includes a test of most of the individual car functions.
- Engine oil and oil filter replacement
- All Fluid check and top up
- Multi-Point Vehicle Check
- Tire balancing and rotation
- Complete brake inspection, including rear brake service and parking brake inspection and adjustment.
- Check battery and clean terminals and top up fluids if needed
- Engine air filter replacement.
- Check and Adjust Ignition Timing and Engine Idle to Proper Specification
- Check and service Steering, and Suspension Components
- Check heating and cooling systems
- Replace Wiper Blades
- If equipped replacement of In-Cabin Micro-Filter
- Replace spark plugs if needed
- Inspect All interior and exterior lights
- Inspect Throttle Chamber
- Service Engine Cooling System – Drain and replace Coolant/Antifreeze
- Service Automatic Transmission – Drain and replace fluid (replace the internal filter when applicable)
- Inspect Trans Case Fluid (4WD)
- Inspect Rear Axle Fluid (4WD)
- Replace Manual Transaxle Oil (where applicable)
Other Maintenance Tips
Apart from the detailed maintenance points outlined above there are other maintenance tips that need to be adhered to from time to time.
- Body wax and polish
- Rust prevention treatment
- Protecting the car from the sun by parking in the shade or covering it up.
Sources
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!