Owners have reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints32
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical issues with the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, with backup camera malfunctions being the most common. Complaints frequently mention the camera displaying distorted images, freezing, or not functioning at all, which could impact reversing safety. Multiple owners describe problems with the horn failing and the vehicle unexpectedly entering limp mode or losing motive power while driving. Some complaints also note electronic system failures like warning lights activating without cause, cruise control malfunctions, and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating. These issues are reported at various mileages, often starting around 10,000 miles, and one instance involves a fire, suggesting potential safety implications.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints21
SEAT BELTS
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra frequently report issues related to a recall involving the seat belt pretensioners, with many indicating that parts for the recall repair are unavailable. Complaints often highlight a delay in obtaining the necessary components to address the recall, with some owners expressing concern about the potential for seat belts to explode and release metal fragments during an accident. One incident involved a crash that resulted in injuries and a fatality, where the occupants were reportedly tossed around inside the vehicle despite airbag deployment. Additionally, a separate report describes a child becoming entrapped by a malfunctioning seat belt that tightened and required cutting to release. These issues have significant safety implications, particularly in the event of an accident, and potential buyers should be aware of the ongoing recall and parts availability challenges.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints18
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, often noting that the system activates inappropriately or fails entirely. Common symptoms include sudden and unnecessary braking, warning lights indicating system failures, and the disabling of related features like smart cruise control. These issues are reported to occur under various conditions, including clear weather and highway driving, and some complaints mention recurring problems despite dealer interventions. One complaint involves a crash where the system did not engage, highlighting potential safety concerns. Many reports involve vehicles with relatively low mileage, suggesting that these issues can arise early in the vehicle's lifecycle.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints18
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving unintended acceleration and hesitation during acceleration. Common symptoms include the car failing to respond when the accelerator is pressed, sudden surges in speed, and the vehicle accelerating independently while idling or decelerating. These problems are often noted at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 2,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one report involving a crash where the car unexpectedly accelerated into a wall. Additionally, multiple complaints mention that dealers have been unable to replicate or resolve these issues, leaving some owners without a clear solution.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra frequently report issues with the horn, which often stops working without warning, and the emergency braking system, which can engage unexpectedly and cause the vehicle to brake suddenly. These issues are noted across various mileage ranges, with some horn failures occurring as early as 10 months into ownership. Additionally, multiple reports highlight problems with the vehicle's wireless connectivity systems, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which disconnect unpredictably and can distract drivers. Safety implications include two reported crashes, one involving a failure of the collision warning and airbag systems, and another where the emergency SOS system failed to reconnect during an accident. These patterns suggest potential safety risks for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints8
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra frequently report engine issues, with common symptoms including engine knocking, stalling, and unexpected surging or acceleration when the accelerator pedal is not engaged. These issues often occur at various mileage points, with some incidents noted as early as 5,600 miles and others around 127,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as several owners describe situations where the vehicle loses power or unexpectedly accelerates, necessitating quick maneuvers to avoid accidents. Additionally, multiple owners mention complete engine failure, requiring engine replacement even at low mileages. These issues highlight potential reliability concerns for prospective used car buyers.
Owner complaints7
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra frequently report issues related to the power train, with common complaints involving unintended acceleration, transmission slipping into neutral, and transmission shuddering. Symptoms described include difficulty accelerating, high RPM revving without gear engagement, and abrupt gear changes, often occurring after 15-30 minutes of driving or at speeds around 40 MPH. Some reports involve safety implications, such as loss of control, unexpected vehicle shutdowns, and situations where the vehicle cannot exceed 25 MPH, potentially leading to dangerous situations in traffic. While specific mileage ranges are not consistently mentioned, multiple owners note recurring problems despite dealership interventions, indicating ongoing challenges with the vehicle's power train reliability.
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners report several steering-related issues with the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. Complaints frequently mention steering wheel lock-up and loss of control, particularly when turning or starting the vehicle, which sometimes coincides with multiple warning lights activating on the dashboard. There are also reports of the vehicle drifting unexpectedly while driving, and instances of the steering wheel shaking during braking. These issues appear at various mileages, with one report mentioning problems as early as 376 miles. The described symptoms suggest significant safety implications, including potential loss of vehicle control, but no specific crashes are reported.
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra report issues with the service brakes, specifically involving unintended acceleration and activation of the automatic emergency braking system. One complaint details a crash at low speeds where the brake pedal was pressed, but the vehicle accelerated, resulting in a collision and injury. Another owner describes the automatic emergency braking activating unexpectedly at various speeds without apparent external triggers, causing the vehicle to jerk and swerve momentarily. These issues are noted at mileages around 52,000 and involve potential safety risks such as crashes and loss of vehicle control. Buyers considering a used 2021 Hyundai Elantra should be aware of these reported brake-related problems.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners report issues with the airbag system in the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, with complaints frequently mentioning airbags failing to deploy during crashes. In one case, an owner describes a frontal collision at approximately 37 mph where the airbags did not activate, despite significant front-end damage and impact sensor damage. Another owner reports a side and rear impact from a pickup truck, also resulting in no airbag deployment. Both incidents involve crashes, highlighting potential safety implications. These issues occur at various mileages, with one vehicle having 12,818 miles at the time of the incident. This information could be crucial for used car buyers considering the safety performance of this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
