Hyundai Elantra Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 422 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Hyundai Elantra across 29 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (72). The words owners use most often: “high beam” (10% of reports).
- 422exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $720typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- High beam: mentioned in 43 of 422 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the Hyundai Elantra at $720, and half of them between $160 and $2,000.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 218 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 422 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 4 an injury.
Hyundai Elantra exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Elantra | 3 | 6% | 21,000 |
| 2023 Elantra | 2 | 2% | 500 |
| 2022 Elantra | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Elantra | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Elantra | 28 | 11% | 19,791 |
| 2019 Elantra | 65 | 26% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Elantra | 16 | 6% | 886 |
| 2017 Elantra | 23 | 3% | 35,500 |
| 2016 Elantra | 9 | 3% | 33,000 |
| 2015 Elantra | 5 | 2% | 38,000 |
| 2014 Elantra | 10 | 3% | 81,076 |
| 2013 Elantra | 72 | 5% | 63,500 |
| 2012 Elantra | 17 | 3% | 61,499 |
| 2011 Elantra | 10 | 2% | 109,000 |
| 2010 Elantra | 5 | 1% | 74,000 |
| 2009 Elantra | 3 | 1% | 135,535 |
| 2008 Elantra | 24 | 8% | 65,000 |
| 2007 Elantra | 23 | 9% | 80,265 |
| 2006 Elantra | 38 | 25% | 86,000 |
| 2005 Elantra | 6 | 4% | 110,391 |
| 2004 Elantra | 2 | 1% | 23,000 |
| 2003 Elantra | 13 | 6% | 48,480 |
| 2002 Elantra | 18 | 5% | 66,963 |
| 2001 Elantra | 11 | 3% | 40,000 |
| 2000 Elantra | 3 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 1999 Elantra | 4 | 3% | 78,250 |
| 1997 Elantra | 3 | 3% | — |
| 1996 Elantra | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1995 Elantra | 1 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2013
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
Risk: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Exterior lighting
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A defective stop lamp switch may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission would not be able to be shift out of the "park" position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (esc) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
Risk: Any of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on september 2, 2009. Owners may contact hyundai of puerto rico customer service at 1-787-999-4310.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2007
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 532,633 my 2006-2007 accent, entourage, sonata, my 2007 azera, elantra and santa fe, my 2005-2007 tucson and my 2007-2008 veracruz vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (esc) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
Risk: Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The passenger side headlight has significant condensation inside the housing. The car is slightly over five years old, with 40,000 miles It was rarely driven the first year due to the pandemic. I have seen there is a TSB regarding the headlights, but clearly this is a far more significant issue…
The high beam lights donât work. Doesnât make changes to high. Relay, bulbs and breakers appear to be ok.
The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. The contact researched and became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting), 15V100000 (Steering) and 20V061000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to…
The vehicle's security system malfunctioned immediately after service at Parks Hyundai of Gainesville on 05/27/26 for Recall 256 & Campaign P33. The alarm blares & emergency lights flash while I am driving on public roads. This defect first presented in the dealership parking lot upon pickup. This…
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the tachometer, the odometer, and the power steering became inoperable, nearly causing the contact to drive off the road. Additionally, the turn signal lights were not functioning. All the warning lights were…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Elantras have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 422 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Hyundai Elantra. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Elantra exterior lighting?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners report a typical cost of $720 (half paid between $160 and $2,000), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Hyundai Elantra?
The most frequent phrase is “high beam”, in 43 of 422 complaints.
Other Hyundai Elantra problems
- Engine problems (1,651)
- Air Bags problems (1,303)
- Steering problems (1,142)
- Electrical System problems (1,034)
- Power Train problems (649)
- Suspension problems (592)
- Service Brakes problems (585)
- Structure problems (486)
See all Hyundai Elantra problems.