2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#3 most-complained of 5 Elantra Hybrid years
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 3rd worst of 5 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 29 complaints, 4 recalls, and the top problem area is the Engine at 55% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 29
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 52
- 51 city / 54 hwy
Top 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine16 (55%)
- Electrical System11 (38%)
- Brakes5 (17%)
- Other4 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (10%)
- Fuel System3 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle lunging or accelerating forward unexpectedly while slowing down or coming to a stop, even with the brake pedal pressed.
- Some describe the engine revving and the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while stopped, with no warning lights illuminated.
- Ignition coil failures have been reported, occurring more than once on the same vehicle and requiring repeated dealership visits.
- Owners describe intermittent horn failure, especially in cold weather, that dealerships could not replicate or fix.
- Automatic emergency braking has activated on its own during normal highway driving with no slippery conditions present, causing the car to jerk.
- Some owners report the hybrid battery disconnecting from the engine while driving, triggering a warning light and requiring the car to be pulled over and reset.
2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V879000Nov 21, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras226,118 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 23V589000Aug 18, 2023Engine37,997 vehicles
Vehicle speed control
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V354000May 19, 2022Seat Belts230,233 vehicles
Seat belts:front
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.
Risk: 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.
2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 51 MPG
- Highway
- 54 MPG
- Combined
- 52 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Elantra Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Elantra Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 3rd worst out of 5 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Elantra Hybrid years.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
- The top problem area is the Engine, making up 55% of complaints with a median mileage at failure of 15,000 miles, followed by the Electrical System at 38% with a median mileage of 44,900 miles.
- Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Elantra Hybrid, covering the rearview camera, a motor control unit software error linked to unintended acceleration, and two separate seat belt pretensioner issues.
- How does the 2021 Elantra Hybrid compare to other years?
- The 2021 model has a Complaint Index of 50, which is better than 2022 (75) and 2023 (100), both rated Avoid, but worse than 2024 (0, Best) and 2025 (25, Good).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
- EPA rates the 2021 Elantra Hybrid at 52 mpg combined (51 city / 54 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,250.