2021 Hyundai Elantra VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has good reliability. There are 10 recalls and 147 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. Severity signals include 8 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (32), Seat Belts (21), Forward Collision Avoidance (18).
Elantra reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Hyundai Elantra before checking the VIN
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Most-reported 2021 Hyundai Elantra issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Electrical System32
- Seat Belts21
- Forward Collision Avoidance18
- Vehicle Speed Control18
- Unknown Or Other17
- Power Train7
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Test backup camera for freezing or distorted images
- Check horn functionality multiple times
- Inspect forward collision avoidance system for error messages
- Verify engine performance for knocking or stalling
- Test cruise control and ensure it engages and disengages properly
- Check for unintended acceleration or hesitation during test drive
2021 Elantra recalls (7)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 Elantra. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- VISIBILITYNHTSA 21V00M000Dec 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.
- BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 24V879000Nov 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.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 22V354000May 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.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 22V218000Apr 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.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V796000Oct 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.
- SEATSNHTSA 21V302000Apr 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNHTSA 23V589000Aug 18, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Elantra HEV vehicles. A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released.
Consequence: Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 248.
Used-market value
2021 Hyundai Elantra resale snapshot
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
2021 Hyundai Elantra on the road
127,360 2021 Hyundai Elantra units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2021 Hyundai Elantra stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra
With an 87/100 score against a 79/100 segment average, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra rates above average for reliability. That points to generally solid ownership outcomes relative to peers, even though this is the first year of a new generation, where variability can be higher.
Issue reports are not confined to a single system. They cluster most around the electrical system, with additional concentration in seat belts and driver-assistance and speed-control functions, plus a meaningful share falling into unknown or other. That spread suggests a mix of concerns rather than one dominant weak point. Recall activity is elevated, which increases the amount of corrective action tied to this model year.
Overall risk level: moderate, with above-average reliability but elevated recall exposure and complaints spanning multiple areas.
What you get in a 2021 Hyundai Elantra report
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2021 Hyundai Elantra — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
With an 87/100 score against a 79/100 segment average, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra rates above average for reliability. That points to generally solid ownership outcomes relative to peers, even though this is the first year of a new generation, where variability can be higher.
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have?
7 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Elantra problems?
The most-reported 2021 Hyundai Elantra problem areas are: Electrical System (32), Seat Belts (21), Forward Collision Avoidance (18).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Hyundai Elantra, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.