CarComplaints.com Notes: So far the 2011 Elantra doesn't have the same volume of transmission problems that 2010 owners are fighting with. It also doesn't have the same pattern of steering and braking complaints that are piling up with the 2013 model year.

We're not saying the 2011 is perfect -- I mean, what were they thinking advertising their MPGs -- but there are worse choices.

6.4

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
15,050 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. trade-in car (2 reports)
  3. contact dealership (1 reports)
  4. drive 35 miles per hr down hill to achieve 40mpg (1 reports)
2011 Hyundai Elantra fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2011 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 012011

Elantra GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About the MPG issue. Yes Hyundai admitted it was wrong and have the debit card rebate program, but that is such a hassle. Also, if you manually calculate your MPG, you will find that the onboard MPG is showing 2-3 MPG higher than you are actually getting. I did manual calculations for about first 6 months of purchasing the car (new in May 2011) and this was a consistent result. Also, after putting about 30K miles on the car, the MPG started taking a dive.

I'm at 110K miles now, have replaced spark plugs, cleaned fuel injectors, done regular maintenance, and I am only getting about 30-31 MPG with mostly highway driving and keeping it under 70 MPH. Once you go over about 65 MPH, your MPG will take a big dive because the transmission isn't tuned to that kind of speed so it works much harder. You, of course, will get your highest MPG at 45 MPH in 6th gear. If the correct MPG had been listed, I might have made a different purchase. The MPG is disappointing but things could be worse.

- Dallas D., Plano, TX, US

problem #13

Jan 012016

Elantra Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Purchased this car in 2011 brand new. I was getting between 30-35 MPG. In the last year that slowly declined.

In the last 6 months I'm getting 18-20 MPG. I was told by the Dealership that it could be my tires and I changed all 4 ($600). Same problem. Returned to the Dealership and was told to flush this or that, which ran up to $525. I was told to drive with the ECO on, and that should solve the problem. After spending over $1100, I'm still getting only 18-20MPG. My mileage is 77,000 miles and was told that I'm not due for a spark plug change, tune-up until 100,000.miles. FRUSTRATED!! and broke.

- lkalai, Kaneohe, HI, US

problem #12

May 152011

Elantra GLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

I received a gas refund....it doesn't come to close repaying to the gas consumption I was lead to believe it would receive. I am getting 26.5, a combination of highway and city...but mostly highway!

- sshurick, Avila Beach, CA, US

problem #11

Mar 252011

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a brand new Elantra from the dealer with only 6 miles on it. After a couple of days using it, I noticed that the mpg were totally different than the one in the advertisements. I really feel bad about it, since that was the only reason I bought it.

A couple a months ago, got a letter from Hyundai about this issue, took the car in to the dealership to have my odometer read, and the company send me a debit card to compensate me for the difference. After almost 35k miles, I'll get another debit card after taking the car to the dealership to have the odometer read as always. That credit is nothing compared to the gas I'm paying for. I really think they should be paying more than that for that kind of mistake.

- Anthonio R., Plano, TX, US

problem #10

Oct 292012

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,915 miles

It was really very frustrating to know that he 2011 hyundai elantra gls i have right now is not doing what it's suppose to be giving. I bought mine at a Volkswagen dealership and they themselves advertised that it is suppose to make 40mpg. The dealership and the car manufacturer should be responsible in compensating those that bought the car. Just for your info i barely make 32mpg on mine, driving 60miles on the freeway.

- jgonz520, Tracy, CA, US

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problem #9

Nov 012011

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

My Hyundai Elantra is no where near the estimated MPG's. If I would have known this, I would not have bought this vehicle. With gas prices on the rise, I traded in my Paid off Truck to get something that got good enough fuel to pay for itself with the $ I was saving on gas I would have used for my truck. Unfortunately, the best MPG's I got was 37MPG once, and never again. The next best has been 34, but usually only around High 20's to low 30's on the highway. Very upset and won't consider buying another Hyundai ever again unless they address this issue and do something about it. I talk to other people that say they get great MPG in their Elantra, but those might be 2012 models and not the 2011. Maybe they changed something on the computers to up the MPG's on the 2012, but not for sure on this. I haven't seen any complaints on the 2012 model yet, so this may be the case. Come on Hyundai, come clean before a class action lawsuit is filed.

- camaroman269, Laredo, TX, US

problem #8

Dec 012011

Elantra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Specifically bought the 2011 Elantra hoping for good mpg. I should have bought a Camry and probably would have gotten the same mileage. Hyundai advertises 24/40. After some adjustments at the dealer I get 22/33 if I'm lucky. This is totally outrageous. I've thought of starting a class action suit but don't know how to start it. I keep complaining to the dealer but they're at a loss. Car has 8000 on it now and one day, yes, one day on a smooth Virginia highway I got 36. Haven't come close to that since. What a rip off.

- Brian M., Mohegan Lake, NY, US

problem #7

Jan 062012

Elantra GLS 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,200 miles

First off this is NOT a complaint about the MPG. I bought a 2011 monday. Fearing low gas mileage. I bought a used one that had previously been used as a rental car with 29k on it in 10mo. In the week that I have owned it I have filled up twice. Though understand I drive around 100-200 miles a day for work.

The first day of getting the car it got up to 28mpg the second day it got up to 36mpg I had to refuel at this point to which it quickly went up to 41mpg(to which I did 60mph most of the time) and today it stayed at 39mpg(to which I did 70mph most of the time). I first fill up was around 31mpg when it was all said and done. I realize just because I'm reaching the high MPG doesn't mean the end result will be that.

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess how the vehicle could have been rated in such a way no I don't know for sure I haven't had time to research it. I am guessing they put the car on rollers in a room with no wind to resist and no hills someone got in the car started it and took it up to speed got out and ran it till it was almost out of gas. Is this real life? no its not.

what I'm getting at there are a lot(hills, wind, weight in the car, tire pressure etc) of factors that go into MPG. You have every right to complain when you don't get what you think you pay for. That's the american way it seems. I don't expect to achieve the quoted amount every time I hop in my car. The stated ratings I do feel can be achieved at any rate. I feel I got my moneys worth at this point and will update if this changes. as they say 'your mileage may vary.'

- Derrick C., Bryan, TX, US

problem #6

May 192011

Elantra 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

Purchased brand new for my wife, she drives 160 miles round trip so we bought it for the so called advertisement saying up to 40mpg. We complained to dealer and they said oh you will notice the really good gas mileage after the break in period, which we were told was 5000 miles. We have 16000 miles on it now and the best we are getting is 28.7 miles to the gallon. This is all highway miles.

Again I called the dealer and they said "Sir, to get up to 40mpg you need to drive it at 50 miles an hour". Really!!!!! Last time i checked the highway speed limit is 65 to 70 mph. Hmmm.....

- Scott O., Hagerstown, MD, US

problem #5

Jun 022011

Elantra GLS 1.8L

  • Manual transmission
  • 1,800 miles

With 2,400 miles on the ODO have yet to get any where near the stated 40 MPG. Live in a very rural area with few stops. Best yet is around 32, expected at least 35 MPG.

- John W., Millerton, NY, US

problem #4

Jan 292011

Elantra Limited 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

They tell you all these lies about the advertised 40mpg on highway, guess what? Its all B.S. I bought a silver automatic limited and was only reaching to about less than 24mpg. This car got less mpgs than my 2009 chevy impala w/ a 3.5L. The Elantra was so bad and Hyundai never did anything about it, that it reached the point where i traded it in for the Sonata Hybrid. At least that one gets me more than 30mpg.

- bschoolchris, Chicago, IL, US

problem #3

Jan 122011

Elantra Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54 miles

I like the Elantra Limted but hate the gas mileage I get around the Delaware county. I had a 2008 Elantra loaded and was getting 20.5 mpg / 2011 getting 18.5

Update from Jul 20, 2013: still bad gas mileage

- Bill P., Glenolden, PA, US

problem #2

Jun 012011

Elantra Limited 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22 miles

I bought an Elantra purely for its advertised mileage of 29(city)/40(fwy) because I travel 60 miles on the freeway to work every day. However, my accumulated miles are almost 3,000 now, and no matter how I calculated it, the average mileage has been in the range of 29 to 32. I was very disappointed at its mileage performance. I strongly feel that Huyndai should be punished or disciplined for their misleading ads by the government agency that monitors them in the U.S. Also, they should refund their buyers a reasonable amount of purchase price for their misinformation.

- liangs4god, Walnut, CA, US

problem #1

Apr 072011

Elantra EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

think the car mfg are lying about mpg on the stickers on the window. have to go down hill to get 40mpg as stated. also the 2011 Elantra does not come with a spare. salesman told me it would affect the 40mpg rating. come on. did not know no spare tire for a wk. salesman did not tell me. the 40 mpg will never happen

Update from Jun 20, 2011: 3000 miles on car still no way close to 40mpg. car mfg are way off their ratings. something should be done they are ripping us off

- yucca47, hemet, CA, US

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