NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A damaged circuit board in the rearview camera may prevent the camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost to you.
This page covers 9 recalls, 155 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra.
28–50 mpg combined
4.7–8.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The most-reported pattern on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra centers on the automatic emergency braking and forward collision avoidance system, where owners frequently describe unexpected activations, the system braking or alerting without an actual obstacle present. Seat belt complaints are the second most common, with owners reporting pretensioners deploying unexpectedly or restraint warning lights illuminating without an apparent cause. Electrical system complaints cover a range of symptoms: exterior lights cycling on and off randomly, turn signals operating intermittently, and wipers failing to respond. A smaller number of owners describe transmission behavior including slipping and stuttering during warm-weather acceleration, with jerky engagement when pulling away from a stop. A few isolated reports mention engine-related issues, including check engine lights tied to the EVAP system and at least one report of engine failure requiring replacement.
155
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has 9 recalls, the most serious being front seatbelt pretensioners that can explode in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants.
Two recalls affect Elantra Hybrid models only: a software error in the motor control unit can cause the vehicle to accelerate on its own after the driver releases the brake pedal, raising the risk of a crash. On the structural side, some windshields were not properly bonded during manufacturing and can detach in a crash, and front seat back recliners may have inadequate welds that allow the seat back to break away from its frame in a collision. There is also a visibility concern: a damaged circuit board in the rearview camera system can cause the backup image to fail to display when reversing.
At a glance
What can fail
A damaged circuit board in the rearview camera may prevent the camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the motor control unit may cause the vehicle to accelerate unexpectedly after you release the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the motor control unit software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle may slowly accelerate after you release the brake pedal under certain conditions when the vehicle enters fail-safe mode.
What the fix does
Hyundai will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will update the motor control unit software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may explode during a crash, potentially ejecting metal fragments that could injure occupants.
What the fix does
A protective cap will be installed over the driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front seat belt pretensioners may explode when deployed during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a cap to secure the seat belt pretensioner(s).
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front driver and passenger seat belt pretensioners may explode when deployed during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front seat belt pretensioners at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield may not have been properly bonded during manufacturing, which could cause it to detach in a crash.
What the fix does
The dealer will remove and reinstall the front windshield at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode when they deploy.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded, potentially causing failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat back frame assembly and replace it if necessary, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
