2021 Hyundai Elantra Problems And Complaints

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Rating7.1

Ranked #6 in 

Compact Sedan
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$19,650 - $25,450
Starting Price 

Users Opinions on 2021 Hyundai Elantra

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Disliked by Users

  • N

    Nana

    18/07/2023

    Rating:

    (2 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... inconvenient because we have to connect it via USB. No wireless connection. Apple Carplay is not responsive well, either. We had poor experience with local Hyundai services in Austin, TX as their technicians are backed up six months or more for diagnosis work. Our 2021's Elantra has a front collision warning after the first maintenance last year. It came back on again in Jan 2023Read More

    Source: edmunds

  • A

    Amanda

    27/12/2022

    Rating:

    (2 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... fiddle with my phone while DRIVING to pull it back up (we’re military so don’t know our area well enough to drive w/o GPS). The kicker was when my electronic brake system malfunctioned will driving with my newborn and child. Called Hyundai and they told me “don’t drive it but it’ll be at least a month till we can LOOK at it - we also don’t haveRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • WC

    Wavy Campbell

    12/11/2022

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    Vehicle did several lockouts I had to enter the vehicle through the app and when it does this the Collision light is on they can't find any problem wrong with it I just know that I can't move the car for like 8 hours and then it'll go off and then everything is fine it did that aboutRead More

    Source: edmunds

2021 Hyundai Elantra Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and Which Year to Avoid

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

138

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 7, 2024

With the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai brings a lot more to the table than just a bold design. With a palette of standard features, the sedan offers a pleasurable driving experience. For the enthusiasts, Hyundai brings in the more potent 2021 Hyundai Elantra N-Line. The 2021 Elantra comes across problems ranging from engine stalling to diminished headlights. As per the NHTSA records, the sedan has 3 recalls and 19 complaints registered so far for the 2021 model year. All three recalls show a common cause of structural problems. Hyundai focuses on quick resolution of recalls to guarantee a safe and reliable experience to the customers. Hence, carries a 5-star safety rating. The Hyundai Elantra faces off the likes of the Kia Forte, the Honda Civic, and the Nissan Sentra in the compact-sedan class. Here’s a better look at the sedan’s profile.

User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Problems

  • Engine - Major engine problems with the 2021 Elantra are engine stalling and engine seizure. Users experience an unexpected loss of drive power which results in engine stalling. Customer complaints report dashboard notification to turn off the vehicle. An engine seizure follows next. The fix to this requires engine replacement. A few cases report the sedan lurching forward without any driver input. 
  • Brakes - Squealing noise on the application of brakes is common with the sedan. A few complaints report the car accelerating forward while depressing the brake pedal. This can posses a risk of collision.
  • Steering - Hyundai Elantra users face the problem of the sedan veering from side to side. This usually occurs when the lane-keep assist is set to engage.   

Electrical Problems

  • Electrical malfunction - Major electrical issues with the car are lane-keep assist and auto emergency braking(AEB)malfunctions. Lane-assist malfunctions lead to the swerving of the sedan from side to side. AEB malfunctions fail to apply the brakes to avoid a potential collision.

Safety Problems

  • Airbags - Seldom crash cases for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra report an airbag malfunction. The airbags do not deploy in an event of a crash involving a frontal collision. This compromises the safety of the vehicle occupants and increases the risk of injury.

Exterior Problems

  • Headlight - User complaints report that the headlights do not function effectively. The high beams provide low levels of illumination. This compromises the night-driving visibility and increases the risk of crashing.

Recalls 

S. No

Date

NHTSA ID

Issues Noticed

Additional Remarks

Remedy

1

December 28, 2021

21V00M000

Inadequate windshield bonding.

A windshield that detaches from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

2

October 13, 2021

21V796000

The seat belt pre-tensioner may explode.

An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking the occupants and resulting in injury.

Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 211 and 009G.

3

April 28, 2021

21V302000

Seat belt recliners improperly welded.

An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seatback frame during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.

Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the seatback 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.

Should you buy the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a great choice for a practical sedan with charming looks and sharp interiors. The sedan fits in right for executives, commuters, and enthusiasts alike. A wide range of standard tech features available adds to the value of the sedan. The Elantra comes across a few complaints and problems. However, with a fair count of recalls and complaints, the NHTSA ranks the sedan with a 5-star safety rating. Hyundai offers prompt aftersale customers services that benefit in the long run. As a complete package for a sedan, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra gets a clearance from CarHp.

  • Complaints
  • Recalls
  • Investigations
  • Manufacturer Communications

September 19, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11688392

Components: 265000 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

NHTSA ID Number:
11688392

Incident Date:
September 19, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
KMHLS4AG2MU

Consumer Location:
BALTIMORE, MD

Summary
Forward sensors in vehicle have been failing while driving rain or snow since 2021; would go way on its o...

September 6, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11685493

Components: 130000 VISIBILITY/WIPER (PWS)

NHTSA ID Number:
11685493

Incident Date:
September 6, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
KMHLL4AG7MU

Consumer Location:
MATTOON, IL

Summary
Windshield wipers will stop midway moving and stay in place at random times while switched on. Not relate...

August 28, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11683767

Components: 010000 STEERING

NHTSA ID Number:
11683767

Incident Date:
August 28, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5NPLL4AG3MH

Consumer Location:
Unknown

Summary
The Horn never worked since I bought it in August 2023, i've been in a countless near accident situations...

August 4, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11678266

Components: 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA ID Number:
11678266

Incident Date:
August 4, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
KMHLL4AG7MU

Consumer Location:
Unknown

Summary
Engine shots off while on the automatic stop and go idle . It is being doing it for a while but it is hap...

July 9, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11672296

Components: 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA ID Number:
11672296

Incident Date:
July 9, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
KMHLM4AJ5MU

Consumer Location:
EL PASO, TX

Summary
The headlights and back lights turn off at random times when the headlights are on the automatic setting...

80/100Best

Quality & Reliability

Assesses the extent of issues, glitches, and design imperfections encountered by...

86/100Best

Driving Experience

Owners' assessments regarding the vehicle's design, performance, comfort, functi...

78/100Best

Resale

CARHP's projection of depreciation, which estimates the probable decrease in the...

71/100Best

Dealership Experience

Owners' interactions with dealerships associated with this brand, encompassing b...

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