VehicleVerdict

2021 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra sits mid-pack among Elantra years: 213 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 213, with 6 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Driver Assistance leads the complaint categories with 64 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

213

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance6430%
Other2914%
Electrical System2914%
Seat Belts2713%
Engine168%
Speed Control105%
Brakes84%
Transmission73%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Steering52%
Lighting42%
Body & Structure31%
Airbags21%
Suspension21%
Child Seat10%
Seats10%

Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

6 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.

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.

22V218000Seat BeltsApril 1, 2022 · 6,240 units

Defect

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

Consequence

Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 31, 2022. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 223. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

21V00M000Visibility & WipersDecember 28, 2021 · 26,413 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

Consequence

A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

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.

21V302000SeatsApril 28, 2021 · 1,464 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded.

Consequence

An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the seat back frame assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-888-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 204.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“My father was involved in a car crash, front end into a wall. Apparently, the front end collison warning did not sound and the auto braking system never engaged. Prior to the accident, the front end collsion warning would come on intermittently, but the dealer checked it out and stated it was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 19, 2023 · crash

“The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked unattended. Approximately thirteen hours later, he was notified by the fire department that the vehicle had caught fire. A police report was filed. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was parked where…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 12, 2023 · fire

“Son was in a crash on freeway. He got cut off and hit into rear of vehicle. Elantra is badly damaged. No collision warning. No airbag deployment. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 8, 2021 · crash

“The contact's mother-in-law owned a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her son was driving the vehicle, he had begun to make a left turn onto a highway as an oncoming vehicle struck the front passenger side of the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The impact sent the vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 11, 2022 · crash

“Constant sound of flowing water throughout the front of the vehicle. Several service appointments later and there is still no solution to the issue that has been going on for over a year. Thia can be heard like a stream of water flowing. Engine ticking, loud rattling from engine. You can hear in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2024

2021 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra: 213 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (64 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints), other (29 complaints).

Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra 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.