2011 Hyundai Elantra MPG
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra gets 28 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway (32 combined), across the 2 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 32 mpg combined. That is 3 mpg better than the best gasoline 2010 version (29 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | Regular · 278 g CO₂/mi |
| Elantra | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | Regular · 278 g CO₂/mi |
2011 Hyundai Elantra fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra costs about $2,040 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (32 mpg combined), or roughly 14 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2011 Hyundai Elantra specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra: a 1.8 L 4-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Midsize Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L | 4 | Automatic 6-spd; Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2011 Hyundai Elantra problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 433 owner complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
Engine is the most-reported area (16% of component mentions), followed by air bags (13%) and steering (13%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 27 complaints a year: more than the 2010 (22 a year) and fewer than the 2012 (43 a year).
That ranks 10th of 17 Hyundai Elantra model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 433, 17 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 9 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 92 | 16% |
| Air bags | 77 | 13% |
| Steering | 75 | 13% |
| Suspension | 67 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 51 | 9% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 34 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 34 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 28 | 5% |
| Power train | 21 | 4% |
| Wheels | 18 | 3% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 17 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 3% |
| Tires | 12 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 1% |
| Structure | 6 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | <1% |
| Equipment | 4 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
UnKnown. When financing the vehicle through Adonis Auto Group I was unaware of the unrepaired safety recall. …
On October 1, 2023, I started my vehicle in the driveway to having the red airbag warning light appear as a dashboard symbol. No accidents have occurred. I do not see any recalls on this issue. …
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. While the contact's wife was reversing at 2 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. …
2011 Hyundai Elantra recalls
The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has been the subject of 5 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 23V651000 from September 2023, concerns hydraulic service brakes.
15V629000 · October 7, 2015 · Suspension
Problem: Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
Risk: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front coil springs, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Elantra years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V651000 | September 22, 2023 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2011–2015 |
| 20V393000 | July 2, 2020 | Equipment | 2011–2012 |
| 15V871000 | December 23, 2015 | Electronic stability control (esc) | 2011–2012 |
| 13V115000 | April 1, 2013 | Structure, Air bags | 2011–2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Hyundai Elantras can be compared fairly. Among other 2011 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2011 Nissan Sentra (29 mpg), 2011 Kia Optima (27 mpg) and 2011 Chevy Malibu (26 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 28 | 314 | 16 | 7 |
| 2009 | 28 | 254 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010 | 29 | 380 | 22 | 3 |
| 2011 | 32 | 433 | 27 | 5 |
| 2012 | 32 | 654 | 43 | 4 |
| 2013 | 32 | 1,314 | 93 | 4 |
| 2014 | 31 | 386 | 30 | 2 |
Every Hyundai Elantra model year compared →
Similar 2011 models
FAQ
Is the 2011 Elantra a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has 27 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (10th most of 17 model years), 5 recall campaigns and up to 32 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2011 Elantra problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are engine (92), air bags (77) and steering (75). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2011 Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Elantra get?
The EPA rates the versions at 32 mpg combined (28 city, 38 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Elantra per year?
About $2,040 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).