Hyundai Elantra: lost key, dead fob or locked out?

The Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra was Canada's second best-selling passenger car in 2012 (50,950 sold). Hyundai Canada lists its Elantra owner's manuals under generation codes: HD for 2010–2011, MD, UDFL and MDFL for 2012–2016, AD and ADFL for 2017–2020, and CN7 for 2021–2022. Hyundai calls CN7 the 7th generation.^[1][2][3]

Hyundai Canada's manuals show three key setups: a transponder key with a separate remote in 2010, a smart key with push-button start "(if equipped)" from 2012, and from 2021 a mechanical key that locks or unlocks only the driver's door. In Transport Canada's recall database, Elantra listings include the Elantra Touring and Elantra GT.^{[4][6][16][25]}

Which key does your Hyundai Elantra use?

Not sure which generation you have? The model year is on your ownership (vehicle permit).

Dead fob, locked out or trunk stuck: what the owner's manual says

Hidden driver's door keyhole (2021–2025)

It sits under a cover on the driver's door handle, the only door the mechanical key works. 2021: press the lever under the cover with the key, slide the cover rearward and remove it; if frozen, tap or warm it by hand. 2024–2025: pull the handle, press the release button inside the bottom of the cover with the key or a flat-head screwdriver, remove the cover, turn the key clockwise to unlock.^[16][20][21]

Metal key out of the fob (2014–2024)

Smart key: press and hold the release button and pull the key out (2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 manuals); the 2024 smart key has a "key protector" to remove and a knob to turn. Flip remotes (2019, 2021, 2024) unfold with their release button.^{[9][11][12][14][16][20]}

Weak fob battery, push-button start (2012–2025)

Press the Engine Start/Stop button with the smart key itself (2012, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025 manuals). The 2014, 2017 and 2019 manuals show the fob held in a set direction.^{[7][10][13][15][17][20][21]}

Fob batteries (2010–2025)

CR2032 in remotes and smart keys in the 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2019 manuals, and in the 2021 and 2024 remote keys. CN7 smart key: CR2032 for 2021–2023, CR2450 for 2024–2025. The 2010 manual gives only "3 volt lithium battery" for the transmitter.^{[4][6][9][12][14][16][18][19][20][21]}

Immobilizer password and key limits (2010–2012)

2010: if the remote fails, one key turn at the driver's door unlocks it, and a second turn less than 4 seconds later unlocks the rest (if equipped). If the immobilizer light goes off after 5 blinks, enter the owner's password by turning the key between ON and ACC, then start in under 30 seconds. The key code is on a bar-code tag on the key set. 2012: at most 2 smart keys can be registered.^[4][6]

Trunk will not open (2010–2024)

2010: the inside release button, or the key in the trunk lock. 2012: hold the fob button over 1 second, the trunk-handle button with the smart key nearby, or the master key if equipped. 2017: the trunk button with the smart key, or the mechanical key. 2019: a switch in the trunk emblem (doors unlocked, or smart key on you). 2024: hold the fob button over 1 second, or the trunk switch with the smart key. The 2010, 2012, 2017, 2019 and 2024 manuals show an emergency release inside the trunk.^{[4][6][12][14][20]}

Digital Key, dead 12-volt battery, keypad (2010–2025)

2024–2025 Digital Key (if equipped): a phone or NFC card held on the door handle unlocks; on the wireless-charging pad it starts. Registering a card needs both smart keys; used-car buyers should delete the previous user's keys. Dead 12-volt battery (2024): only the mechanical key locks, in the outside keyhole; a door without one is opened and locked with the key in its "emergency door lock hole". The key and door sections of the 2010, 2012, 2013 Elantra GT, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025 manuals describe no keypad entry.^{[4][6][8][9][11][12][14][16][20][21]}

Recalls involving locks, latches or keys

To check whether your own vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN on the manufacturer's recall page — Transport Canada lists them here. To browse recalls by make, model and year, use the Transport Canada recalls database.

Known problems and what owners report

Doors that will not open, 2017 (U.S. data)

TSB 21-BD-006H: on some 2017s an inside or outside handle may not open the door, or need repeated tries; fix: a new latch, with latch warranty extended to 10 years, unlimited mileage, for cars built about November 2015 to December 2016. Campaign TNN: on some 2017s the outside-handle fastener may be under-torqued. NHTSA logs 53 complaints coded latches/locks for model year 2017, the most of any model year 2005–2025.^[32][33][37]

Trunk latch and GT tailgate, 2011–2018 (U.S. data)

SB-11-01-004: the inside trunk release handle may not work on some 2011s. TSB 20-BD-010H makes the 2013–2016 trunk latch base orderable on its own. Some 2016 owners report the release inside the trunk failing, the trunk opening while driving, and latches failing again after the recall repair. Campaign T3K: the outside tailgate handle may crack on some 2018 Elantra GTs.^{[30][31][34][37]}

Only one smart key at delivery, 2022–2023 (U.S. data)

Campaign 988: a June 2022 bulletin says some 2022–2023 Elantra, Elantra N and Elantra Hybrid cars would get one smart key and an extra mechanical key; a February 2023 dealer document says a second fob "can now be provided" (TSB 23-01-016H). Both are Hyundai Motor America (U.S.) documents.^[35][36]

Theft and key security

The Elantra is not on the Équité Association top-10 lists by number of thefts for Ontario 2019–2024 or Canada 2020–2024.^{[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]}

Transport Canada has required immobilizers on new passenger cars since September 1, 2007 (mandatory compliance date). In January 2023 a Hyundai Canada spokesperson told CTVNews.ca its Canadian vehicles have electronic immobilizers, and the automakers said U.S. thefts of keyed Hyundais without one do not affect Canadian vehicles. Hyundai's U.S. anti-theft software (Campaign 993) is for U.S. Elantras without one. Every 2026 trim lists an immobilizer. The 2024 manual: keep a Digital Key phone or card with you "to prevent vehicle theft".^{[49][50][51][52][23][20]}

Hyundai Elantra keys — questions

Related help

Sources

1. The Globe and Mail — Top 10 best-selling cars and trucks in 2012 (2013)
2. Hyundai Canada — Owner's manuals file list, Elantra (2026)
3. Hyundai Worldwide — ELANTRA, the daring venture (2020)
4. Hyundai Canada — 2010 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 4 (2010 model year)
5. Hyundai Canada — 2011 Elantra Owner's Manual (HD), ch. 4 (2011 model year)
6. Hyundai Canada — 2012 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 4 (2012 model year)
7. Hyundai Canada — 2012 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 5 (2012 model year)
8. Hyundai Canada — 2013 Elantra GT Owner's Manual, ch. 4 (2013 model year)
9. Hyundai Canada — 2014 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 4 (2014 model year)
10. Hyundai Canada — 2014 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 5 (2014 model year)
11. Hyundai Canada — 2015 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 4 (2015 model year)
12. Hyundai Canada — 2017 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 3 (2017 model year)
13. Hyundai Canada — 2017 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 5 (2017 model year)
14. Hyundai Canada — 2019 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 3 (2019 model year)
15. Hyundai Canada — 2019 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 5 (2019 model year)
16. Hyundai Canada — 2021 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 5 (2021 model year)
17. Hyundai Canada — 2021 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 6 (2021 model year)
18. Hyundai Canada — 2022 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 5 (2022 model year)
19. Hyundai Canada — 2023 Elantra Owner's Manual, ch. 5 (2023 model year)
20. Hyundai Canada — 2024 Elantra Owner's Manual (2024 model year)
21. Hyundai Canada — 2025 Elantra Owner's Manual (2025 model year)
22. Hyundai Canada — 2026 Elantra specifications (2026)
23. Hyundai Canada — 2026 Elantra specifications data (2026)
24. autoTRADER.ca — First drive: 2017 Hyundai Elantra (2016)
25. Transport Canada — Vehicle recall database, Elantra recalls by single model year 2000–2027 (2026)
26. Transport Canada — Recall 2024-126 (2024)
27. Transport Canada — Recall 2024-126 summary (2024)
28. NHTSA (U.S.) — Recalls by vehicle, Hyundai Elantra 2003–2026 (2026)
29. NHTSA (U.S.) — Recall 24V146000 (2024)
30. NHTSA (U.S.) — Manufacturer communications, Hyundai Elantra 2005–2026 (2026)
31. Hyundai Motor America — TSB 20-BD-010H, via NHTSA (2020)
32. Hyundai Motor America — TSB 21-BD-006H, via NHTSA (2021)
33. Hyundai Motor America — TSB 16-01-036 / Campaign TNN, via NHTSA (2016)
34. Hyundai Motor America — TSB 18-01-040 / Campaign T3K, via NHTSA (2018)
35. Hyundai Motor America — TSB 22-01-054H / Campaign 988, via NHTSA (2022)
36. Hyundai Motor America — Campaign 988 dealer best practice, via NHTSA (2023)
37. NHTSA (U.S.) — Complaints by vehicle, Hyundai Elantra 2005–2025 (2026)
38. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2024)
39. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2023)
40. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2022)
41. Équité Association — Top 10 stolen vehicles, Ontario ("2021", undated list)
42. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2020)
43. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Ontario (2019)
44. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada (2024)
45. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada (2023)
46. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada (2022)
47. Équité Association — Top 10 stolen vehicles, Canada ("2021", undated list)
48. Équité Association — Top 10 most stolen vehicles, Canada (2020)
49. Transport Canada — Background: Vehicle immobilizers (2024)
50. CTVNews.ca, via ABC17 — Kia and Hyundai vehicles in Canada not affected by U.S. theft issue (2023)
51. Hyundai Motor America — Campaign 993 dealer best practices, via NHTSA (2023)
52. Hyundai Motor America — TSB 24-01-009H, via NHTSA (2024)