2021 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Forward collision avoidance is the leading concern among 131 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 8 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 3 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraNov 21, 2024
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."
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V879000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontMay 19, 2022
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.
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
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.
Campaign 22V354000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontApr 1, 2022
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.
Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
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.
Campaign 22V218000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshieldDec 28, 2021
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.
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V00M000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontOct 13, 2021
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.
An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
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.
Campaign 21V796000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerApr 28, 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded.
An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
131 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2021
When using Android Auto via wireless connectivity, and when using Map navigation (tried both Google Maps and Waze), the connection will drop over time. This is a distraction concern for folks using navigation assistance in unknown areas, such as when on business trips. When connected via physical cable the issue does not occur.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel locked not allowing the contact to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the front camera needing to be replaced and an unknown software updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 506.
Lane departure, Jul 6, 2021
New car, about 600 miles on odometer. Travelling on highway, with the (Lane keeping assist, and Lane departure warning on). The vehicle pull the steering so quick, that I almost hit the car in the next lane. In another occasion it pull the car out of the Lane I was travelling on. I turned off the Lane keeping assist, and all seems ok.
Structure, Jun 9, 2021
The hood of the car is clearly larger and "off-kilter" with the rest of the body (and front grill) of the car. Although the body indentations match, the hood looks as if it were from a completely different model. It also shifts down on the driver side of the vehicle giving concern that it may shift further and get damaged. A clear manufacturer defect and safety hazard. After the dealer told me they could do nothing, I opened a case with Hyundai Motor. Hyundai Motor has failed to reply or report back on a resolution. Initial report was made on 5/13/21 and a case # was assigned (case manager assigned on 6/5). As of today, 6/9/21, Hyundai Motor has not yet contacted me for a resolution. I am concerned about driving my vehicle if it causes the hood to shift even further and causes damages, detaches, bumps up against the front grill, or causes an accident.
Steering, Jun 3, 2021
The contact rented a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle drifted to the left and to the right. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 376.
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2021
WIRELESS PHONE PROJECTION WHILE USING APPLE IPHONE XR CONTINUOUSLY DROPS WHILE USING MAPS FEATURE. WHEN IT DISCONNECTS I HAVE TO PUSH TWO BUTTONS ON SCREEN. OK AND THEN THE BUTTON TO RECONNECT. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS AS MUCH AS EVERY 5 SECONDS. I HAVE NEARLY CRASHED WHILE TRYING TO CONSTANTLY RECONNECT. ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM IN AN AREA I DO NOT KNOW. THERE IS NO OPTION TO CONNECT CARPLAY VIA USB WIRED CONNECTION. THIS ISSUE FEELS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. AS IT IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING.