VehicleVerdict

2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 48 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Elantra Hybrid year — the 2021 model ranks #3 of 6 Elantra Hybrid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (11), speed control (10), and engine (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

48

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Elantra Hybrid years?

Elantra Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted91 complaints2021: 48 complaints2022: 69 complaints2023: 91 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 8 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1123%
Speed Control1021%
Engine817%
Brakes510%
Driver Assistance48%
Other48%
Fuel System36%
Transmission12%
Lighting12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V879000Driver AssistanceNovember 21, 2024 · 226,118 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.

23V589000Speed ControlAugust 18, 2023 · 37,997 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

22V354000Seat BeltsMay 19, 2022 · 230,233 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Consequence

An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

Remedy

Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.

21V796000Seat BeltsOctober 13, 2021 · 978 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, Genesis GV80 and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Consequence

An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 211 and 009G. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall numbers 22V-354 for Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles, 22V-458 for Venue vehicles, and 23V-094 for Genesis vehicles. Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, and Genesis vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedies completed.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The Hybrid charging system fails once the vehicle is above 75 mph. After about an hour or two, the vehicle will die on the highway. This is a reoccurring issue putting our safety at risk. The dealership cannot find what the problem is. Online forums show similar issues with dealerships unable to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 3, 2024

“Sometimes upon depressing the accelerator the engine does not respond. The car does not move in a traffic situation. Putting the car in park, shutting it down and restarting makes it go away for a while. Getting on and off the highway is especially dangerous. This has happened intermittently for…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 17, 2021

“Car will accelerate when pressing on brakes. Once car is able to turn off, the problem does not repeat. This has occurred at least 3 times with the same car and random times while on the road. Dealership is unable to replicate the brake issue every time the car is brought in.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 13, 2023

“Car will accelerate when pressing on brakes. Once car is able to turn off, the problem does not repeat. This has occurred at least 3 times with the same car and random times while on the road. Dealership is unable to replicate the brake issue every time the car is brought in.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 13, 2023

“So the car will come to a dead stop. Then when I give gas, it will not go for 1-2 sec, then all of a sudden it go at high speed by itself. Even when I brake, it will feel like as if I have stepped onto gas. Very dangerous ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 12, 2023

2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 48 complaints put the 2021 model at #3 of 6 Elantra Hybrid years. It is one of the Elantra Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 Elantra Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), speed control (10 complaints), engine (8 complaints).

Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Elantra Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra Hybrid years to avoid are 2023, 2022, 2021. The cleanest record among Elantra Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.