2021 Hyundai Elantra recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra and 132 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are forward collision avoidance (32), electrical system (31), unknown or other (29). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 31–50 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2021 ranks #5 of 14 Elantra model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (351). It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 2.6 per model year.
Recalls 6
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts · front
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts · front
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility · windshield
Problem: 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.
Risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts · front
Problem: 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.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Fix: 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.
Seats · front assembly · recliner
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded.
Risk: An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
my car has 60,000 miles and the horns on the car have been replaced 3 times Hyundai issued an extended warranty for the horns on certain 2021-2025 model year ELANTRA, 2022-2025 model year ELANTRA N and 2021-2025 model year ELANTRA Hybrid vehicles' for the 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery I don't know what world this is acceptable in but it's n…
The passenger side headlight has significant condensation inside the housing. The car is slightly over five years old, with 40,000 miles It was rarely driven the first year due to the pandemic. I have seen there is a TSB regarding the headlights, but clearly this is a far more significant issue than Hyundai is letting on. I was getting a warning on the dash but that h…
Windshield wipers intermittently malfunction in the intermittent setting. The wipers stop at random locations in the middle of the windshield, pause, move a short distance, stop again, and behave erratically. This can obstruct the driver’s forward visibility. The problem occurs without snow, ice, or an obstruction on the windshield. A previous NHTSA complaint concerning a 2021…
Safety ratings
2021 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra.
Elantra
Auto (AM-S7) · 4 cyl · 1.6 L · Turbo · SIDI
Regular
Elantra
Auto (AV-S1) · 4 cyl · 2.0 L
Regular
Elantra Hybrid
Auto (AM-S6) · 4 cyl · 1.6 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, most recently for back over prevention · sensing system · camera (11/21/2024). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
Based on 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (32), electrical system (31), unknown or other (29).
Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra safe?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2021 a good year for the Hyundai Elantra?
The 2021 ranks #5 of 14 Elantra model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (351). It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 2.6 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA ratings for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra range from 31 to 50 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2021 Hyundai Elantra in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: ELANTRA, Elantra.