Complaint volume
126 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Hyundai Elantra Complaints
126 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, grouped by component category.
126 Total complaints
8 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
3 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are seat belts, forward collision avoidance, electrical system. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 8 crash reports, 1 fire report, 3 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 12 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 32,057 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to seat belts, forward collision avoidance, electrical system?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Hyundai Elantra
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Hyundai Elantra complaints?
8 Crash
1 Fire
3 Injury
1 Fatality
11 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Elantra complaint categories?
SEAT BELTS 20
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11
ENGINE 6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2
126 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The horn stops working. It is not a fuse related issue. It is the horn itself. There are multiple reports of horn failure in this model, 2021 and 2022, on the internet and social media. There are people reporting that dealerships are also seeing a lot of cars with horn failure. This is a serious safety issue. Someone could go off the road into the woods and crash, unable to signal with a horn that they’re there. Unable to beep their horn to get the attention of a child or animal that is about to run into the road. There are countless scenarios where the horn is important. Cellphones don’t work everywhere… a horn should always work. There are far too many reports of the horn issue for it to not be a manufacture related issue. Please look into this. This could have pretty tragic implications that could otherwise be avoided. I will attach a screenshot from a social media Hyundai group of the 2022 model. I need to get into the dealership to have mine repaired and will do so asap. I’m just very concerned about the safety of everyone. Some are reporting dealerships are not clear about if the horn issue, which involves replacement of the steering assembly, is covered, while others are saying it is. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My car has 76,000 miles on it fully maintained and recorded at hyundai dealerships. One day I’m driving and a check engine light pops up the same day I get it taken in to have it diagnosed, few hours go by I get a call they tell me that the Integrated thermal management module on my car has burnt out. I was surprised because my car is fairly new I asked them how could it prematurely fail they could not give me answer and they told me I would have to pay out of pocket for it and I did. They advised me that I should not drive the car as it could pose severe risk to engine failure as coolant is connected to the part in question. So I left my car there and they ordered a new part and it got fixed the very next day, it was ready for me to pick up. I’m frustrated because I’m not the only one who had this problem and warranty did not cover Hyundai did not want to work with me to resolve my issue and as a result it costed me money and time. I’m not the only one who has this problem but is it really safe for my car to have this part if it could cause engine damage worse fire in that area due to a design flaw. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On three occasions while turning out into an intersection my steering wheel will lock up and my forward collision warning system will engage and my just stop in the road. Out of those three times, my car has been towed to the dealership twice. The dealer has been working very hard to identify the issue while working with Hyundai tech services. They have poured countless hours and money into this car and still have not been able to identify and correct it. My vehicle has become a deathtrap waiting to happen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Cars DCT transmission constantly slips into neutral and is very dangerous when getting onto main roads.. every time I accelerate my vehicle it sits in neutral and revs to high rpms and slows down until it abruptly changes gears very hard and it repeats this for every gear after 2nd | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Forward Collision warning system continues to engage dangerously and inappropriately, almost causing me to be hit from behind, as I always leave plenty of room in front. This is very scary and very dangerous. Software updates have not remedied the situation. Hyundai motors seems completely uninterested. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving on highway, dashboard reported "Check Forward Safety System" and "Check Smart Cruise Control System". The car then disabled both while I was driving. This has happened 6 times to me. The first time I brought it to dealer and they stated it was a calibration problem. They reset it and I had no problems for a while. The problem has occurred 5 times more and will stay on for about a week or so and then just go away. It works again and then occurs again. So, it is intermittent and recurring. Each time the diagnostic code reported by the software to my phone is C162078. I see the 2018 Kona had the same exact problem and a software update TSB was put out there. ( https: [XXX] ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My father was involved in a car crash, front end into a wall. Apparently, the front end collison warning did not sound and the auto braking system never engaged. Prior to the accident, the front end collsion warning would come on intermittently, but the dealer checked it out and stated it was working normally (San Bruno Hyundai). AFter the collision repair, the warning light comes on and the car has been at Bakersfield Hyundai now for over a week, but they can't find anything wrong with the warning system, but the system does not function (no warning of collision and auto braking does not engage). Our accident total was $10,000, lucky, no one was seriously injured. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN | First of all suspension has a noise when going over speed bumps or bumps on the road have taking it to dealer they say they cant find nothing. And the transmission has a pop noise from time to time they say at the dealer that is due to the DCT transmission but it hasn’t stop doing it plus a loud noise when you stop and go. They say there is no recall. Very disappointed with this tranny. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Just quit working after being adjusted still not fixed though has been to Hyundai. Say parts are back ordered for months | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 61,000 |
| Jun 2023 | SEATS | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, he attempted to adjust the driver’s side seat however, the handle fractured. The contact stated that ss a result of the failure, the front driver’s side seat shifted backwards separating from the seat back frame. The contact stated that the failure almost caused the vehicle to crash, causing the contact to jerk the steering wheel and swerve. The contact was able to adjust himself and regain control of the vehicle. The contact notified the dealer and was informed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V302000 (Seats). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to another dealer who diagnosed and determined that the seat back frame assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and informed that he would receive a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 11,117. | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,117 |
| May 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was traveling in the rain and a CHECK FORWARD SAFETY SYSTEM warning appeared on my dashboard. There was nothing in front of me to set that off. I notified the dealership and they said it was an alignment code and must have gotten hit.( Which I doubt) so wasn't covered under warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | I completed an oil change at Greggs oil express in Porterville California on 02-11-2023. I have the invoice. On 02-24-2023, I went out of town. At approximately, 5:00 pm, I heard a loud bang, large amount of oil pouring out of the bottom of the car, the car became disabled and I pulled over to the side of the road. I had it towed to the closest Hyundai dealership in Victorville Ca. They provided me with a report that stated when receiving my oil change stating due to the drain plug issue is a direct result of a third party and was not covered under warranty. I then made contact with my insurance, an investigator also reported the same. I have both reports. I have made contact with Greggs Express where I received the oil change and it was suggested to report the incident as they have come across situations like this with the particular vehicle. Therefore, I am now stuck. It is not covered under warranty, not covered under insurance, and the cost is 10,000. Besides the fact that I could have been injured. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | CHILD SEAT | The contact owns a Maxi Cosi Coral XP car seat, Model Number: IC313FNDV, Manufactured: 10/09/2020. The car seat was being used in a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the seat base failed to separate from the stroller when the release handle was pulled firmly. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to remove the car seat from the stroller. The child was not in the car seat during the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23C002000 (Child Seat), which she related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The car seat was not replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact there was a crack on the radiator. Additionally, the dealer determined that the failure was possibly collision related; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was not involved in a collision. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,573. | Crash: No Fire: No | 39,573 |
| Mar 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving using cruise control when suddenly I got the error message “Check Forward Safety System” and my cruise control no longer functions. Turned car off and back on and message is still there. As the emergency braking system stopped working, this is a safety issue. Have not taken it to dealer yet. The car has other software/electrical issues related to the reverse camera and Apple CarPlay. There seems to be several software issues with this car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Check Forward Safety System Message. Smart cruise disabled | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Horn stopped working. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The forward collision warning stopped working several months ago. We gave the (leased) car to the dealer for repairs after 4 weeks of waiting (parts, etc.) We were told the car was fixed and ready for pick-up. I drove it from Baltimore to DC for a meeting and on several occassions when car stopped abruptly in front of me on the highway it did not give a warning, when I tried using cruise control, it would not engage because the conditions for doing so had not been met - same message I had when foward collision was not working. It's pretty clear that this was not fixed and instead they must have changed the messaging so that it does not appear as a warning when you start the car. The feature is really important to us because it has prevented a potentially fatal accident on a winding road in NY state where we found a truck on our lane due to a downed tree on the other lane - the car braked well before I did- which is the point of these safety systems. The dealer is Len Stoler Hyundai in Owings Mills | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Check forward safety system is on all the time, dealer refusing to fix it. Did have airbag recall repai done yesterday Had computer update done on car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | SEAT BELTS | NHTSA Recall Number 22V354000 has been active since May 18, 2022. The dealership says no dealers in the area have received the part to fix it. The recall itself carries serious safety concerns as the seatbelt will explode metal fragments in an accident. The dealer has also told me that 35 other people are waiting for the recall to be fixed as well. This is ridiculous, Hyundai needs to get these parts to the dealers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | I picked up my Hyundai Elantra n-line today 12/1/22. My car was at the dealership for almost 3 weeks for transmission judder (shudder?) issues and they claim to have fixed the issue with a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) from Hyundai with some snap and cable and additional work that was not disclosed. After picking it up and driving only 3 blocks my car went berserk where all dummy lights went on, the car's engine revved to redline, took off and suddenly the front wheels turned left (due to the avoidance features of the car perhaps) and I was able to pull the emergency break and stop the car. The car stopped luckily and if the e-brake did not work I would have ended up hitting the rear corner of a car and into a house. While the car was stopped, it was still on (unable to be turned off), all lights blinking including dummy lights and the car was showing still in DRIVE mode even though the revving stopped and the car was dead stop. After 10 minutes I was able to turn the car off (push button). Dealership dispatched a tow truck and now my car is back at the dealership for investigation. NOTE: TSB is something that is a known issue from Hyundai but not yet to the level of an official recall is what I was told by the dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Forward collision system continually fails. This disables the vehicles cruise control. The vehicle has been in the shop multiple times with no resolution. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V354000 (Seat Belt) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES | On February 23, 2022, I was involved in an accident with the Hyundai Elantra, Vin# [XXX]. The vehicle’s brakes failed, and I struck a Blue Ford Escape from behind with a speed of approximately 37 mph. On January 13th, I made an appointment with the Napleton Valley Dealership in Aurora, IL. where the vehicle was purchased complaining about the brakes and drifting into an intersection on Route 83 and Sycamore Rd. for 20 feet. The mechanic checked the brake pads, drove it for 3 miles and deemed that the vehicle’s pads were adequate. It was determined that no problem was found, brakes checked good, all within specs. (12,818 miles). The vehicle was towed from Hinsdale, IL. to Dekalb, IL., approximately 85 miles to my residence at 612 Magnolia St. Dekalb, IL. 60115. It was then towed a distance 3.2 mile to Dekalb Body and Collision, 116 Industrial Dr., Dekalb, IL. 60115. Since then, it has been back in the dealership for issues related to the engine, taillight, and a series of additional Inspections verifying that the codes were working. On March 8th when I visited the Body Shop & Collision I was told to “hire an attorney”. The vehicle was defective and should have never been on the streets. Preliminary findings on vehicle were concerning as far as airbag sensor was impacted but no airbags deployed at the time of impact. Upon vehicle arriving at our repair facility, we conducted pre-repair scan vehicle codes read as followed (see picture). Impact sensor was highly damaged, expected to have had airbags deployed at the time vehicle was impacted. Vehicle received front-end damages which resulted in needing the following parts replaced, front bumper and grille. Crash impacted the front bumper reinforcement resulting in some hours needed on frame machine to align front-end. Engine cooling system was impacted resulting in the need to replace radiator assembly and A/C condenser assembly. Hood and both front lamps are needed to be replaced as well. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |