YearToAvoid

2021 Hyundai Elantra Collision Avoidance & Cameras Problems

NHTSA lists 34 Collision Avoidance & Camera complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, 26% of all complaints filed for the year, plus one recall (24V879000) for a rearview camera defect. One crash was linked to a forward collision failure.

Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints
34
26% of 130
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
—
Related recalls
1

Typical collision avoidance system symptoms owners report

  • Forward collision warning and automatic braking activate unexpectedly on the highway with no obstacle present, sometimes repeatedly at low speed.
  • Forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control fail and display a 'Check Forward Safety System' error, disabling cruise control.
  • Dealers attempt recalibration or replacement but owners report the same forward collision malfunction returns after repair.
  • Driver safety system warnings appear at startup along with power steering loss or brake lockup, sometimes accompanied by a message that the car is unsafe to drive.
  • One owner reports the forward collision warning and auto braking failed to activate before a front-end crash into a wall, despite prior intermittent warning-light activity the dealer had called normal.

When 2021 Hyundai Elantra collision avoidance system complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 13, 2021, latest Apr 17, 2026.

2021 Hyundai Elantra collision avoidance & cameras complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2021Oct 2022Mar 2023Dec 2023Jul 2024Dec 2024Apr 2026
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2021 to Apr 2026; peak Aug 2023 (4).

Collision Avoidance & Cameras recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra

  1. 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.

Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20050 (0%)
  2. 20060 (0%)
  3. 20071 (0%)
  4. 20080 (0%)
  5. 20092 (1%)
  6. 20101 (0%)
  7. 20113 (1%)
  8. 20123 (0%)
  9. 20139 (1%)
  10. 20141 (0%)
  11. 20151 (0%)
  12. 20161 (0%)
  13. 20174 (1%)
  14. 20181 (0%)
  15. 20198 (3%)
  16. 202015 (6%)
  17. 202134 (26%)
  18. 202222 (22%)
  19. 202322 (22%)
  20. 20248 (15%)
  21. 20254 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

How many collision avoidance and camera complaints does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 34 complaints in this area for the 2021 Elantra, which is 26% of the 130 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra rearview camera?
Yes. Recall 24V879000, reported November 21, 2024, covers a damaged printed circuit board that can affect the rearview camera image. Dealers replace the camera free of charge, and it is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
Did the forward collision system cause any crashes on the 2021 Elantra?
NHTSA records one crash tied to this problem area, involving a reported failure of the forward collision warning and automatic braking before a front-end collision.
How does the 2021 Elantra compare to other years for this problem?
The 2021 model year has the highest share of Collision Avoidance & Camera complaints among Elantra years listed, at 26%, compared to 22% for 2022 and 2023 and lower shares for older years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.