2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Cruise Control Recall (23V589)
Hyundai Motor America · 37,997 vehicles · Reported August 18, 2023
Hyundai Motor America is recalling 37,997 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released. Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V589 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V589000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 248 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | August 18, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid |
| Units affected | 37,997 |
| Component | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Safety risk | Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid in recall 23V589?
A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Elantra HEV vehicles. A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Elantra Hybrid with recall 23V589?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Elantra Hybrid shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the vehicle speed control, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V589?
Recall 23V589 covers 37,997 vehicles: 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.
NHTSA lists 37,997 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Hyundai | Elantra Hybrid |
What is the fix for the Elantra Hybrid cruise control recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge.
Dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 248.
When was recall 23V589 announced?
Hyundai Motor America reported recall 23V589 to NHTSA on August 18, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as September 29, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| August 18, 2023 | Hyundai Motor America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V589000. |
| September 29, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 38 months ago. If your Elantra Hybrid was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Elantra Hybrid is part of recall 23V589?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V589 is open on your Elantra Hybrid, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 23V589000 is open on your Elantra Hybrid, it will be listed there, along with Hyundai recall number 248. You can also ask any Hyundai dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Elantra Hybrid owners do about recall 23V589?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V589000 applies to your Elantra Hybrid.
- Call a Hyundai dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any vehicle speed control symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Elantra Hybrid owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 25 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 23V589 was reported on August 18, 2023, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 4 of them (31%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the driver assistance and were received on or after August 18, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 124 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 25 of them involve the driver assistance. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: 55 complaints in total, 7 about the driver assistance
- 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: 40 complaints in total, 9 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: 29 complaints in total, 9 about the driver assistance
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The cruise control function ceased to properly function after automatically increasing the speed to 110 mph. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This is a safety risk for myself and for others on the road.
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11655984, filed April 22, 2025
I was performing a low-speed maneuver to reverse-park into my driveway. After making a right turn between my driveway and the driveway of a neighboring townhouse across the street, I came to a complete stop. When I shifted the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle did not reverse as expected and instead unexpectedly accelerated forward.
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11708433, filed January 2, 2026
I turned on Cruise Control at 60 mph and it immediately set itself to 20 mph, braking fast to slow down quickly. This caused the car behind me to slam on his brakes so he would not rear end me. I tried increasing cruise control speed to no avail. I had to turn it off.
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11542784, filed September 5, 2023
Can recall 23V589 make my Elantra Hybrid a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise rely on software and sensors. Phantom braking or a system that shuts off can be dangerous, and these complaints often return after an update.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Elantra Hybrid been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Hyundai Elantra Hybrid recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V589
Did the recall 23V589 fix work?
Since recall 23V589 was reported on August 18, 2023, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 4 of them (31%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed September 29, 2023.
Is the 23V589000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Elantra Hybrid is part of recall 23V589000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V589000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Hyundai. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.