r/HyundaiElantra

My 2003 hyundai Elantra 1.8 engine spark plugs won’t come out. First time car owner and all the videos I watched they had no trouble removing the spark plugs. When I tried they wouldn’t come out and now when I shine a light in the hole I see what looks like a rubber piece in the way. I’ve asked my friends who work on cars and I don’t know if they’re just not interested in helping me or what, but they say they’ve never seen this before.

Edit: forgot to mention yes I used a spark plug socket (I talked to my more mechanically inclined friends before attempting anything) I also I have spent a week watching videos and searching YouTube trying to find a solution and I’m kinda getting sad I love this car and I got it from my uncle it’s an absolute shit box but I still love her

>A gas spring cylinder rupture or a liftgate falling unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

>NHTSA ID Number: 26V252000

>Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

>Components STRUCTURE

>Potential Number of Units Affected: 108046

>Summary

>Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Outlander PHEV and 2014-2020 Outlander vehicles. The liftgate gas spring cylinders may corrode and lose pressure, which can result in a gas spring cylinder rupture or the liftgate falling unexpectedly.

>Remedy

>MMNA will replace the left and right liftgate gas springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-26-001. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov June 3, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V507.

Credit: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Hit this gorgeous milestone today!

2015 Elantra SEL, original engine, no major mechanical problems, oil change every 3k to 5k miles.

I’ve had this car for 10 years and 3 months. I’ll admit the Elantra isn’t my favorite car that I’ve owned, but it has absolutely been the most reliable and the only one to reach this level of longevity. I’ve gained a whole new respect for Hyundai and would have no problems buying a newer one if I had to.

2.5k mi later and the honeymoon phase still hasn’t ended. every late-night drive feels cinematic in this car

Title: Is a 2021 Elantra SEL with 165k highway miles still worth buying, or am I asking for pain?

I’m considering buying a 2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL (US import) with around 165,000 miles. Before everyone instantly says “run away,” hear me out lol.

The car is significantly cheaper than other Elantras I’ve seen locally. The other options are around 135k-147k miles, but they’re also about $1k+ more expensive in my country, so I’m trying to figure out whether the extra money is actually worth it or if they’re all basically in the same “high mileage modern car” category anyway.

Important context:
- Most of these miles are likely American highway miles, not city abuse.
- The car looks VERY clean inside and outside.
- No visible accident damage.
- I don’t drive that much. Probably around 500-600 miles/month max.
- I work mostly using a motorcycle, so the car would mainly be for comfort, occasional Uber, errands, and normal driving.
- I’d probably keep it around 2 years.

I already understand this is NOT a “like new” car. I’m expecting:
- maintenance,
- suspension wear,
- maybe coils/sensors eventually,
- normal high mileage stuff.

What I’m trying to figure out is:

1. Is the 2021 Elantra 2.0 MPI + IVT combo actually capable of surviving well past 165k if maintained properly?
2. How risky is the IVT realistically at this mileage?
3. For owners with 150k-200k+ miles, what started failing first?
4. Is there a major difference between 135k and 165k on these specifically, or are both already “high mileage territory” anyway?
5. If you bought one at 165k knowing the car was maintained and drove smoothly, would you personally do it?

Also:
- I plan to do preventive maintenance immediately.
- Oil, filters, scan, transmission drain/fill (NOT aggressive flush), etc.
- I’m not expecting perfection, just trying to avoid buying a ticking time bomb.

I’d really appreciate honest owner experiences, especially from people with HIGH mileage 2021+ Elantras specifically.

I'm replacing my rear wheel hub/bearing assemblies, I just got the new ones and I noticed the old ones have some kind of gasket/filler plate on the back where the flange bolts onto the cars subframe. Does anyone know what this piece is called? I have had no luck finding anything except a dust shield which mine doesnt seem to have (although im probably 4th owner so i wouldnt know). This is for a 2012 elantra, 1.8L GLS, manual. Any help is appreciated

EDIT: Ok apparently that piece was important (still dont know what its called) because without it, my brake caliper brackets hit the brake rotor, need about 2 mm distance from knuckle flange. I'm in the process of buying 2mm stainless steel shim washers. See how it goes.

EDIT2: Ok I think I know whats going on. The reason I cant find it is because that plate doesnt exist, I think the part im looking for is called a 'backing plate' or 'dust shield' and what I have on the wheel hub is whats left after the rest of the dust shield rusted off. I ordered some fresh dust shields and will follow up to confirm if they are indeed 2mm thick.

This happened once about a week ago, then today while using the AC on the highway it happened again. It doesn't overheat immediately, it fluctuates for a while then the overheating came on about 25 minutes into my drive.

Also the fluctuation continues after the AC is off it just doesn't overheat

I just took a trip to the car wash about 2.7 miles from me totaling a trip of 5.4 miles and my car used about 16 miles worth of fuel? I'm confused on what's going on.

I have a 2020 Hyundai Elantra Value usually in Smart or Normal drive mode. I can't even reach the base 30 mpg that Hyundai suggests. The car has 67392 on the odometer, any advice would be appreciated.

Oil in the breather hose. I checked this with a turbo technician and he told me the turbo is fine but there might be an oil separator block or crankcase decompression issue , ignoring it for long can cause intercooler , turbo and Catalytic issues. Is this true? i really need the car to survive another 4 months cause rn i'm broke as hell

I noticed oil dropping too low after about 4000kms , i had to refill about a litre every 4K kms.

I also notice reduced mileage and thick black smoke when the car is accelerating.

Is it safe to drive for another 4 months? Is this issue expensive?

Purchased my car through Carvana and received it yesterday 5/7/26. Drove it to work and it was fine, as soon as I started to drive it on my way home I heard what sounds like whistling/water pot boiling? Literally had the car for about 27 hours. Carvana told me I have to take it to a dealership but the earliest appt available isn’t until Tuesday. Is this something that can wait? Should I even be driving the car?

Hi can someone help me find what this noise is it’s a 2014 Hyundai Elantra

Working on a 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited headlight connector. Passenger side pigtail got chewed up, so I’m replacing it with the connector ordered from the dealer.

Problem is the wiring doesn’t match at all:

* Original harness: pink, yellow, red, orange + 3 black wires (7 total used pins) (also 3 pins that have nothing in them / not utilized making 10 total)

* New pigtail: all black wires, 10 total pins with wires coming from them

Connector shape looks correct, but I’m not sure how to map the pins/wires correctly.

I’ve attached photos of:

* original connector

•new connector

* damaged harness area

What’s the correct way to map the original pin positions to the new connector when wire colors don’t match?

Also, for the three extra wires on the new connector , can I just cut those and heat shrink them to seal them off safely since they won’t be going to anything ?

Fairly new w anything electrical in vehicles just trying to fix my girlfriend’s headlight (passenger side low) to save some dough. Just trying to be careful and not miss anything since I am kinda new at this stuff

Thanks for looking !

Any wiring diagram or guidance would help a lot.