2021 Hyundai ELANTRA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11395046 · 2021-02-07 (February 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,123 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419536 · 2021-06-03 (June 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 376 miles reported. Look up ODI 11419536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420316 · 2021-06-09 (June 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420316 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 11426935 · 2021-07-29 (July 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428372 · 2021-08-09 (August 9, 2021)
Son was in a crash on freeway. He got cut off and hit into rear of vehicle. Elantra is badly damaged. No collision warning. No airbag deployment.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11432104 · 2021-09-08 (September 8, 2021)
Driving headlight output is so diminished that it is very difficult to safely drive in adverse conditions, ie., darkness, rain and oncoming vehicles. The projector lamp assembly used in this vehicle is old technology and is somewhat compounded by the use of a smoked acrylic outer lens cover assembly. I feel that safety was compromised for style and this is not acceptable. I have sent a letter to Hyundai Motors Customer Care dated Sept. 7th in this regard asking for a Hyundai sanctioned solution and authorization for selling dealer to correct s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432104 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V00M000 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 2021-12-28 (December 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.
Consequence: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V302000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 2021-04-28 (April 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.
Consequence: An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V796000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Seat Belts:Front
Reported: 2021-10-13 (October 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.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V218000 · Seat Belts:Front | Seat Belts:Pretensioner
Reported: 2022-04-01 (April 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V354000 · Seat Belts:Front | Seat Belts:Pretensioner
Reported: 2022-05-19 (May 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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗24V879000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2024-11-21 (November 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."
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗