2021 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#16 most-complained of 21 Elantra years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has 130 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 25 out of 100 — #16 highest of 21 Elantra model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is collision avoidance & cameras (34 complaints, 26% of the total). Complaints report 8 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 1 death.
- Complaints
- 130
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 33
- 29.5 city / 38.5 hwy
Top 2021 Hyundai Elantra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras34 (26%)
- Electrical System33 (25%)
- Other30 (23%)
- Seat Belts27 (21%)
- Engine25 (19%)
- Brakes8 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (5%)
- Lane Departure6 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (5%)
- Steering5 (4%)
2021 Hyundai Elantra recalls
6 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 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.
- NHTSA 22V218000Apr 1, 2022Seat Belts6,240 vehicles
Seat belts:front
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.
Risk: 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.
2021 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 29.5 MPG
- Highway
- 38.5 MPG
- Combined
- 33 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,975
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra ranks #16 of 21 among Elantra model years (Complaint Index 25/100, verdict: Good). It has 130 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
- The most reported problem areas are collision avoidance & cameras (34 complaints), electrical system (33 complaints), and seat belts (27 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 19,750 miles.
- Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, most recently reported 2024, covering collision avoidance & cameras, seat belts, visibility & wipers, and structure & body.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
- EPA rates the 2021 Hyundai Elantra at 33 MPG combined (29.5 city / 38.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,975. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.