Hyundai Elantra Owners Manual

Hyundai Elantra: Door locks

Features of your vehicle / Hyundai Elantra: Door locks

Proper hood operation is essential for checking fluids and performing maintenance. This section shows how to open and close the hood of your Hyundai Elantra safely.

Operating door locks from outside the vehicle

Hyundai Elantra: Operating door locks from outside the vehicle.

Turn the key toward the rear of the vehicle to unlock and toward the front of the vehicle to lock.
If you lock the door with a key, all vehicle doors will lock automatically. (if equipped)
From the driver’s door, turn the key toward the rear of the vehicle once to unlock the driver’s door and once more within 4 seconds to unlock all doors. (if equipped)
Doors can also be locked and unlocked with the transmitter (or smart key).
Once the doors are unlocked, they may be opened by pulling the door handle.
When closing the door, push the door by hand. Make sure that the doors are closed securely.

✽ NOTICE

In cold and wet climates, door locks and door mechanisms may not work properly due to freezing conditions.
If the door is locked/unlocked multiple times in rapid succession with either the vehicle key or door lock switch, the system may stop operating temporarily in order to protect the circuit and prevent damage to system components.

✽ NOTICE

You can change the system to unlock all doors by turning the key to the right once (Central Door Unlock Mode). Unlock mode can be switched between Two Stage Unlock Mode and Central Door Unlock Mode as follows: Press the lock button and unlock button on the transmitter at the same time for 5 seconds or more. The hazard warning lights will blink four times.

WARNING

If you don't close the door securely, the door may open again.
Be careful that someone's body and hands are not trapped when closing the door.

Hyundai Elantra: Operating door locks from outside the vehicle.

To lock a door without the key, push the inside door lock button (1) or central door lock switch (2) to the “Lock” position and close the door (3).
If you lock the door with the central door lock switch (2), all vehicle doors will lock automatically.

✽ NOTICE

Always remove the ignition key, engage the parking brake, close all windows and lock all doors when leaving your vehicle unattended.

Operating door locks from inside the vehicle

With the door lock button

Hyundai Elantra: Operating door locks from inside the vehicle.

To unlock a door, push the door lock button (1) to the “Unlock” position. The red mark (2) on the button will be visible.
To lock a door, push the door lock button (1) to the “Lock” position. If the door is locked properly, the red mark (2) on the button will not be visible.
To open a door, pull the door handle (3) outward.
If the inner door handle on either front door is pulled when the door lock button is in the locked position, the door will unlock and open.
Front door cannot be locked if the ignition key is in the ignition switch and the door is open.
A door cannot be locked if the smart key is in the vehicle and any door is open.

WARNING - Door lock malfunction

If a power door lock ever fails to function while you are in the vehicle, try one or more of the following techniques to exit:

Operate the door unlock feature repeatedly (both electronic and manual) while simultaneously pulling on the door handle.
Operate the other door locks and handles, front and rear.
Lower a front window and use the key to unlock the door from outside.

With central door lock switch (if equipped)

Hyundai Elantra: Operating door locks from inside the vehicle. Driver’s door

Driver’s door

Hyundai Elantra: Operating door locks from inside the vehicle. Passenger’s door

Passenger’s door

Operate by depressing the central door lock switch.

When pushing down on the front portion (1) of the switch, all vehicle doors will lock.
When pushing down on the rear portion (2) of the switch, all vehicle doors will unlock.
If the key is in the ignition switch and front door is open, the doors will not lock even though the front portion (1) of central door lock switch is pressed.
If the smart key is in the vehicle and any door is open, the doors will not lock even though the front portion(1) of central door lock switch is pressed.

WARNING - Doors

The doors should always be fully closed and locked while the vehicle is in motion to prevent accidental opening of the door. Locked doors will also discourage potential intruders when the vehicle stops or slows.
Be careful when opening doors and watch for vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians approaching the vehicle in the path of the door. Opening a door when something is approaching can cause damage or injury.

WARNING - Unlocked vehicles

Leaving your vehicle unlocked can invite theft or possible harm to you or others from someone hiding in your vehicle while you are gone. Always remove the ignition key, engage the parking brake, close all windows and lock all doors when leaving your vehicle unattended.

WARNING - Unattended children

An enclosed vehicle can become extremely hot, causing death or severe injury to unattended children or animals who cannot escape the vehicle. Furthermore, children might operate features of the vehicle that could injure them, or they could encounter other harm, possibly from someone gaining entry to the vehicle. Never leave children or animals unattended in your vehicle.

Impact sensing door unlock system (if equipped)

All doors will be automatically unlocked when the impact is delivered to impact sensors while the ignition switch is ON. However, the doors may not be unlocked if mechanical problems occur with the door lock system or battery.

Child-protector rear door lock

Hyundai Elantra: Child-protector rear door lock. The child safety lock is provided to help prevent children from accidentally

The child safety lock is provided to help prevent children from accidentally opening the rear doors from inside the vehicle. The rear door safety locks should be used whenever children are in the vehicle.

1. Open the rear door.

2. Insert a key (or screwdriver) into the hole (1) and turn it to the lock ( Hyundai Elantra: Child-protector rear door lock. position. When the child safety lock is in the lock position, the rear door will ) position. When the child safety lock is in the lock position, the rear door will not open even when the inner door handle is pulled.

3. Close the rear door.

To open the rear door, pull the outside door handle (2).

Even though the doors may be unlocked, the rear door will not open by pulling the inner door handle until the rear door child safety lock is unlocked.

WARNING - Rear door locks

If children accidentally open the rear doors while the vehicle is in motion, they could fall out of the vehicle, resulting in severe injury or death. To prevent children from opening the rear doors from the inside, the rear door safety locks should be used whenever children are in the vehicle.

Door locks in the Hyundai Elantra are designed not just for access control but for safety, automation, and peace of mind. They are integrated with features such as auto-locking at set speeds and remote access via the key fob or smart key. Understanding how the locking mechanisms behave under different conditions—like engine off or gear changes—can help you avoid lockouts and misoperation. The system also offers child protection locks that prevent rear-seat occupants from opening the doors internally. In emergencies, the locks can be overridden automatically to ensure safe exit or allow first responders quick access. You can program certain preferences depending on trim level, such as whether all doors or just the driver door unlocks first. This adaptability improves both personal security and convenience in daily driving. Regularly checking for door latch responsiveness and alignment helps avoid mechanical issues later. The door lock system is a prime example of how Hyundai merges mechanical reliability with electronic smart controls. By mastering its features, you ensure greater control and safety for everyone riding with you.