Hyundai Elantra exterior lighting problems, 2016–2026
112 of the 2,530 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Elantra 2016–2026 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). The loudest years: 2019 (65), 2020 (28), 2018 (19). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Elantra exterior lighting problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the exterior lights | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 6 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 6 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 28 | 11% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 65 | 25% | 40k | 11 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 | 19 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the exterior lights. Nothing here is a rate.
When the exterior lighting complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2018: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 18 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 13
Across the model years, half of the 40 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the exterior lighting problem between 16,000 and 52,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Headlight s are defective. At 40,000 miles right side headlight has gone out and very difficult to drive at night time . The dealership said on service invoice. paperwork dated March 21, 2021 that my 2019 Elantra had a recall for lamp Assy- head service kit . It’s says recall Headlight repair (. 21-01-004h
The high beams just stop working. I bring the car to the dealer on March and the dealer said “ order the parts “… I call the dealer 5 times and the guys told me they don’t receive the parts! After 5 month don’t receive the parts? That’s ridiculous… My 2 high beams are dead and I need it!!!
The highbeam is not working, also lowbeam is poor. Also I can not use the car in the night. The Hyundai Customer services is can not help. I said they have campaign to fix the highbeam. TSB number is 20-01-011H
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH at night, the high beam headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that the high beam on the sign was illuminated on the instrument panel.
The rare brake light is working fine but the car dashboard computer keeps on saying „Check rare brake light“ intermittently. It either needs a repair (although brake lights are working) or a replacement. Please resolve this issue because other Elantra owner have reported the same
What is on file about the exterior lights, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Feb 25, 2026
- Some 2019MY and newer vehicles equipped with a front view camera may illuminate certain warning lights and trigger DTC C272246 fault code for the front camera. In the following cases, the front camera auto-calibration range may be exceeded while driving: • If the front camera is not properly installed and is completely or partially detached. • In case of excessive changes affecting the vehicle's b
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Elantra
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Elantra problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Elantra years have the most exterior lighting complaints?
2019, 65; 2020, 28; 2018, 19. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (25%).
Is there a recall for the exterior lights on the Hyundai Elantra?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 35,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 16,000 and 52,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Exterior Lighting" heading cover?
The area of the vehicle ODI files the complaint under. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.