2021 Hyundai ELANTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
129 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
19,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 129 complaints (22.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 15.5% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 7.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 5.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 29 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 28 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Seat Belts | 26 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 16 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 9 |
Unknown Or Other: 29; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 28; Electrical System: 27; Seat Belts: 26; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 16; Engine: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 117 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 45 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 13 |
2021: 11; 2022: 45; 2023: 27; 2024: 18; 2025: 15; 2026: 13
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11434377 · 2021-09-25 (September 25, 2021)
When I start up my car ALL the warning lights appear on my dash. When I try to drive the vehicle I have no control over the steering wheel or brakes. This is the second time this happened to me
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440357 · 2021-11-13 (November 13, 2021)
In the middle of crossing the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge in New York City, the forward collision warning came on and the braking system automatically engaged REPEATEDLY. I was traveling about 30 MPH and had about 4 car lengths between my car and the one in front. The system kept engaging no matter how much room I put between myself and the car in front of me, and as I was in the middle lane of a bridge in heavy traffic I could not pull over. I always keep a good distance in front when driving, but because of the system inappropriately engaging I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423681 · 2021-07-06 (July 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424144 · 2021-07-09 (July 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 506 miles reported. Look up ODI 11424144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488944 · 2022-10-12 (October 12, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The message "Put Car In Neutral And Restart Engine" was displayed. The contact stated that she shifted into neutral (N) and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred persistently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown activator needed to be replaced. The part was replaced. However, the contact stated that days after the repair, the vehicle would not exceed 25 MPH while driving. The contact …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11491323 · 2022-10-28 (October 28, 2022)
Ongoing issues whereby when accelerating the car jerks due to the transmission shuddering. There are many times when acceleration is very slow and the gears slowly shift. Brought this up to the dealership where I bought the car and they keep giving me the run around.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436361 · 2021-10-12 (October 12, 2021)
On August 17, my new Elantra lost power steering, and most safety related features. Most all instrument warning lights came on. Was able to get car to dealer service where they kept car overnight, and reset the error lights. They told me, they recorded the computer codes, but could not find the cause of the problem. On August 26, again the instrument warning lights suddenly came on AGAIN. Took car to dealer service, where they kept car almost 2 weeks, but could not find the cause. They recorded computer codes. I contacted Hyundai, and a c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463131 · 2022-05-02 (May 2, 2022)
A squirrel chewed my wiring into the temperature coolant sensor. I had to have two different rental cars for six weeks before I received my car back. Nothing happened to those vehicles during those six weeks. Within a week of having my car (2021 Elantra) back, a squirrel chewed more wiring. My car is now needing another repair. This is a known issue with Hyundai as well as other makers. I feel it’s pretty compelling evidence that there is a problem as two vehicles were not bothered by squirrels for six weeks and then my car comes back and it ge…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11463131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11693336 · 2025-10-14 (October 14, 2025)
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment while the vehicle was idling. The RPM fluctuated and the vehicle stalled while at a complete stop, and while shifted to park(P). The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the 2.0L engine was known for similar issues. The dealer confirmed that the VIN w…
Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11693336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712831 · 2026-01-23 (January 23, 2026)
How are you? The problem with our Hyundai involves the engine and engine control system. My vehicle is equipped with the same 2.0-liter Nu GDI engine that Hyundai recalled in other 2021 and 2022 vehicles for engine stalling, internal engine damage, and fire risk. Although my VIN is not currently listed, the engine itself is identical to the recalled engines and is available for inspection. Since early ownership, the vehicle has repeatedly hesitated, surged, and jumped when accelerating from a stop, especially at stoplights and intersections. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712831 at NHTSA ↗