2021 Hyundai Elantra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict. It has 130 complaints, 6 recalls, and its top problem area is Collision Avoidance & Cameras.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Elantra years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 130
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 33
- 29.5 city / 38.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 1
Top 2021 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report forward collision warning and automatic braking failing to activate before a crash, sometimes after the warning system had previously flickered on and off intermittently.
- Some drivers describe the brake pedal being depressed while the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated instead of slowing, leading to collisions.
- One owner reported a parked vehicle catching fire about thirteen hours after being left unattended, at 24,000 miles.
- Drivers describe lane keeping assist yanking the steering wheel abruptly, pulling the car toward another lane or nearly causing a collision.
- Owners report dim headlights that make driving difficult in darkness, rain, or with oncoming traffic.
- Some describe all dashboard warning lights appearing at startup along with a temporary loss of steering and brake control.
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 reliable?
- Compared with other Elantra model years, 2021 rates Good, with a complaint index of 25 and rank 16th worst out of 21 years tracked.
- What problems does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have?
- NHTSA complaints for this year are led by Collision Avoidance & Cameras (26% of complaints), Electrical System (25%), Seat Belts (21%), and Engine (19%).
- Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2021 Elantra, covering the rearview camera, seat belt pretensioners (three separate campaigns), the windshield bonding, and a seat back recliner welding issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Elantra compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 25 is far lower than the worst years like 2013 (index 100) and 2017 (index 95), placing 2021 among the better Elantra years, though 2022, 2024, and 2025 rate even lower.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
- EPA rates it at 33 mpg combined (29.5 city / 38.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,975.