2021 Hyundai Elantra recalls and problems
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has 5 safety recalls and 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2021 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2021 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Recall 24V-879: Back Over Prevention
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.
Recall 22V-354: Seat Belts
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.
Recall 22V-218: Seat Belts
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.
Recall 21V-796: Seat Belts
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.
Recall 21V-302: Seats
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.
2021 Hyundai Elantra problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 53 | |
| Electrical System | 31 | |
| Unknown or Other | 29 | |
| Seat Belts | 27 | |
| Engine | 13 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | |
| Lane Departure | 8 | |
| Service Brakes | 8 | |
| Power Train | 7 | |
| Steering | 5 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
Most reported parts
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 28
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 16
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 9
- Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 5
- Structure › Body — 2
- Lane Departure › Warning — 2
- Electrical System › Horn — 2
- Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 2
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 24,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2021 Hyundai Elantra complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Hyundai Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra: 24V-879 (back over prevention), 22V-354 (seat belts), 22V-218 (seat belts), 21V-796 (seat belts), 21V-302 (seats). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners report forward collision avoidance problems most often (53 reports), followed by electrical system (31). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 24,000 miles.
Are Hyundai recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.