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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2022 | VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V00M000 (Visibility) and 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | ENGINE | At about 11 months old my car suddenly seized while attempting to enter the highway. This came with no type of warning from the vehicle until the car had stopped and then every light on the cluster came on. I was fortunate not to be rear ended. The car was towed and 2 days later the dealership called to tell me there were no errors and NOTHING WAS WRONG with the car. I told them what had happened and they called later that day and I was informed that they needed to install and entire new engine assembly. The car only had 7000 miles on it and should not need a new engine. There is some major design flaw with this car which poses a safety issue. Additionally I looked at my service records for the car and it looks as if the dealership is trying to cover up the fact that a new engine was placed in the vehicle as it is listed as routine maintenance. Please look into this and contact me if needed | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | SEAT BELTS | Child became entrapped in car seat in rear center seat. Unbuckled seat belt to get child out. Belt snagged on underside of car seat. Belt would not retract from the retractor mechanism. With child's movement belt only tightened around his upper chest and neck. Two adults could not get belt to release. To release child and prevent strangulation, the belt was cut. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 22V354000 (Seat Belts) and 21V00M000 (Visibility) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. 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 |
| Jun 2022 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I went to start the car up and all of the warnings attached popped up, along with losing my power steering. This is the second time it has happened in less then a year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Twice now when starting the car all the driver safety systems will show a warning that they are not working and the message is that the car is not save to drive. A bunch of warning signs will go off and the wheel locks. The brake system has also locked up. I captured it on video, but it won’t let me upload it here. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving on the freeway around 70 mph the car seems to reboot, it slows down and coast and the dash computers shutdown and restarts. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | A squirrel chewed my wiring into the temperature coolant sensor. I had to have two different rental cars for six weeks before I received my car back. Nothing happened to those vehicles during those six weeks. Within a week of having my car (2021 Elantra) back, a squirrel chewed more wiring. My car is now needing another repair. This is a known issue with Hyundai as well as other makers. I feel it’s pretty compelling evidence that there is a problem as two vehicles were not bothered by squirrels for six weeks and then my car comes back and it gets chewed up again right away. All cars were parked on my driveway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Two matters: 1) The recall notice "Campaign 216" regarding my 2021 Hyundai Elantra has not yet been remedied nor has Hyundai announce a timeline for a remedy. It is regarding the windshield. 2) Secondly, my horn stopped working 100% and I took it to Hyundai last week and they said a lot of 2021 Elantra's were coming in with broken horns. They ordered me a brand new part that seems as though they redesigned the horn system. It will be replaced this week. I asked if I missed a recall and they said no, the horn problem has not yet required a recall but they seemed to suggest that the horn issue is a real matter effecting their Elantra's. I would hate for other 2021 owners to suffer a horn failure when they actually need it in a real life safety situation. The horn just stopped working. The horn is a safety function and if that is broken what can one do in an urgent matter "yell", not likely. No warning ahead of time...just one day it stopped working with no indicators. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, a loud squeaking noise was present coming from the vehicle. Also, while driving up a slight incline or down an incline the vehicle would shake and vibrate while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, no fault was found. The contact was informed that the sound was normal. The manufacturer was not notified. In addition, the contact discovered that the passenger’s side floorboard was soaked with water. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that rain had not fallen. The failure mileage was 300. | Crash: No Fire: No | 300 |
| Mar 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Wireless Apple CarPlay frequently disconnects at random during drives. I’ve got the latest iPhone update, done every reset in the book, and spoke with my dealership and there is NO solution. It is also impossible to use a wired CarPlay function despite a data-USB input. It is a totally unnecessary move to force users into using this failure of wireless technology. The screen will frequently black out for an extended period of time creating a challenge if you are following the navigation. Additionally, you must tap through 3 warning pages before being able to access the streamed maps or other content again. It is distracting, unpredictable, and continuously more frustrating as neither Hyundai nor Apple have provided a solution that works and instead resort to a “blame game” of each other. Furthermore, both companies act surprised when hearing about this issue, but a quick Google search shows many users struggling with no solution in site! This started the week I bought my car (brand new) and has only gotten worse since. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | AIR BAGS | Not one airbag did not deploy when the car got hit on right rear door side and back bumper by pickup truck while making a left hand turn. I've called dealership about the airbag issue and they have not receive any calls about it. Police report said no airbags were deployed, insurance adjuster is currently inspecting vehicle | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ENGINE | On 1/27/2022 my daughter was driving home from school in her 2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL which was purchased new on 6/19/ 2021 when at 5600 miles on the odometer a message came on the instrument cluster which read put car in neutral and turn off engine, when it was safe to do so she stopped the car and turned it off in the middle of a two way road because there was no shoulder and no place to exit the roadway when she tried to restart the car the engine would not crank or turn over to start the car so she called me and I called a tow truck while she was waiting vehicles behind her where forced to go around her car when it was safe for them to do so, the tow truck came and took her car to the dealership where she purchased it two days later they called and informed us the engine was completely seized up and that they would have to replace it with a NEW ENGINE despite the fact the original engine had oil and was only six months old with only 5600 miles on it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While Driving the car suddenly turns off. It puts me at risk because if I am in a situation where there are other cars, I can be hit and undangering my life and others! This problem happened suddenly and the car restarted only to fail again,multiple times. Towed to dealer /Danbury Hyundai and they claim not to find problem. The car had a full tank of fresh gas. This happened without warning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | In the middle of crossing the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge in New York City, the forward collision warning came on and the braking system automatically engaged REPEATEDLY. I was traveling about 30 MPH and had about 4 car lengths between my car and the one in front. The system kept engaging no matter how much room I put between myself and the car in front of me, and as I was in the middle lane of a bridge in heavy traffic I could not pull over. I always keep a good distance in front when driving, but because of the system inappropriately engaging I almost got rear-ended about four times. I was terrified and this continued to happen until I got off the bridge. I use my car mainly on the weekend, and also travel this bridge almost every weekend and this was the first time this happened but it was terrifying and EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | On August 17, my new Elantra lost power steering, and most safety related features. Most all instrument warning lights came on. Was able to get car to dealer service where they kept car overnight, and reset the error lights. They told me, they recorded the computer codes, but could not find the cause of the problem. On August 26, again the instrument warning lights suddenly came on AGAIN. Took car to dealer service, where they kept car almost 2 weeks, but could not find the cause. They recorded computer codes. I contacted Hyundai, and a case number was established, but no fix has been found. Case worker has been difficult to reach. My wife refuses to drive this car. New electrical problems: 1.Driver's door handle light not working at night when approaching door. 2. Receiving false emails that car doors are not locked, but they are locked. 3. Using myhundai, shows door are not locked, but they are. When using application to lock doors, false message back that a door is open. 4. Navigation cuts off intermittently. 6. Gasoline consumption computer resets sometimes, other times it does not. 7. Remote start application does not work, says my door is open. 8. Items missing from center display menus. (Door light, reset gas mileage etc) Car has to go back to dealer service for needed repairs. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES | When I start up my car ALL the warning lights appear on my dash. When I try to drive the vehicle I have no control over the steering wheel or brakes. This is the second time this happened to me | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Driving headlight output is so diminished that it is very difficult to safely drive in adverse conditions, ie., darkness, rain and oncoming vehicles. The projector lamp assembly used in this vehicle is old technology and is somewhat compounded by the use of a smoked acrylic outer lens cover assembly. I feel that safety was compromised for style and this is not acceptable. I have sent a letter to Hyundai Motors Customer Care dated Sept. 7th in this regard asking for a Hyundai sanctioned solution and authorization for selling dealer to correct situation | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Son was in a crash on freeway. He got cut off and hit into rear of vehicle. Elantra is badly damaged. No collision warning. No airbag deployment. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | When using Android Auto via wireless connectivity, and when using Map navigation (tried both Google Maps and Waze), the connection will drop over time. This is a distraction concern for folks using navigation assistance in unknown areas, such as when on business trips. When connected via physical cable the issue does not occur. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel locked not allowing the contact to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the front camera needing to be replaced and an unknown software updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 506. | Crash: No Fire: No | 506 |
| Jul 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE | New car, about 600 miles on odometer. Travelling on highway, with the (Lane keeping assist, and Lane departure warning on). The vehicle pull the steering so quick, that I almost hit the car in the next lane. In another occasion it pull the car out of the Lane I was travelling on. I turned off the Lane keeping assist, and all seems ok. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | STRUCTURE | The hood of the car is clearly larger and "off-kilter" with the rest of the body (and front grill) of the car. Although the body indentations match, the hood looks as if it were from a completely different model. It also shifts down on the driver side of the vehicle giving concern that it may shift further and get damaged. A clear manufacturer defect and safety hazard. After the dealer told me they could do nothing, I opened a case with Hyundai Motor. Hyundai Motor has failed to reply or report back on a resolution. Initial report was made on 5/13/21 and a case # was assigned (case manager assigned on 6/5). As of today, 6/9/21, Hyundai Motor has not yet contacted me for a resolution. I am concerned about driving my vehicle if it causes the hood to shift even further and causes damages, detaches, bumps up against the front grill, or causes an accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | STEERING | The contact rented a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle drifted to the left and to the right. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 376. | Crash: No Fire: No | 376 |