Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Corolla: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Elantra
Toyota Corolla
Choosing between the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Corolla? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Corolla currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 78/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Corolla is more reliable than the Hyundai Elantra, scoring 79/100 vs 78/100.
The Toyota Corolla leads slightly in reliability with an average score of 94/100 compared to the Hyundai Elantra's 90/100. Despite having more recalls over the past nine years, the Corolla boasts a lower estimated annual repair cost of $362 versus the Elantra's $452. While the Elantra has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold at 3.7 compared to the Corolla's 5.6, the Corolla's lower repair costs and higher reliability score make it the marginally better option. Both models share common issues with engines and power trains, but the Corolla's overall reliability edge is notable.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Corolla costs $90 less per year to repair
- 2Hyundai Elantra has 11 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Corolla has 2% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Corolla: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 79/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 33 | 44 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.7 | 5.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $452/yr | $362/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 9% | 7% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Corolla having a notable number of complaints related to air bags, accounting for 145 issues with 62 linked to crashes, indicating a significant safety concern. In contrast, the Elantra shows a higher prevalence of engine-related complaints at 273, though only three are crash-linked, suggesting a potential reliability issue rather than a direct safety risk. Both models experience electrical system and power train problems, but the Elantra has a higher incidence in the electrical category with 183 complaints. Additionally, the Corolla's steering issues are more crash-linked, with 12 incidents compared to the Elantra's similar number but fewer overall complaints.
| Component | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.8Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Elantra or Toyota Corolla?
How Does Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Corolla Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 87/1000R / 21C | 84/1002R / 37C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2024 | 85/1001R / 50C | 81/1008R / 97C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2023 | 75/1004R / 146C | 73/10015R / 243C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2022 | 74/10013R / 139C | 82/1002R / 120C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2021 | 75/10010R / 147C | 83/1001R / 160C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2020 | 72/1003R / 212C | 74/1007R / 290C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2019 | 78/1001R / 195C | 77/1006R / 190C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2018 | 76/1001R / 309C | 80/1003R / 137C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2026(predicted) | 82/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Hyundai Elantra |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Elantra scored 87/100 and the 2025 Toyota Corolla scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Elantra vs the Toyota Corolla?
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Corolla: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the Toyota Corolla?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Corolla is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 78/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Elantra or the Toyota Corolla?
- The Toyota Corolla has more recalls (44) compared to the Hyundai Elantra (33). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Elantra or the Toyota Corolla?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Elantra has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 sold versus 5.6 for the Toyota Corolla. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Hyundai Elantra or the Toyota Corolla?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Corolla is cheaper to maintain at $362/year versus $452/year for the Hyundai Elantra.
- Is the Hyundai Elantra or Toyota Corolla safer?
- Both the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Hyundai Elantra comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue