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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-HYUNDAI-ELANTRA NHTSA data synced 9 hours ago
2021 · Hyundai

Hyundai Elantra problems

126 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Elantra?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
24 reports · fails ~45,397 mi · avg $850
moderate
seatbelts
21 reports · avg $500
critical
cruise control
8 reports · avg $600
severe
engine
8 reports · fails ~60,691 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
6 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
5 reports · avg $700
moderate
visibility
4 reports · avg $350
moderate
body
3 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2021 Elantra's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2021 Elantra?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 Elantra · seatbelts
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…
2021 Elantra · seatbelts
The horn is not working when I press the horn or on the key fob. I had it checked and the fuses were fine. The seat belt chime also does not work out of nowhere, same time the horn stopped working.
2021 Elantra · electrical
When driving at 55MPH with cruise control on, the car suddenly accelerated to 75MPH, this happened on the open road and was able to keep under control. Auto has less than 10,000 miles. I will be contacting Hyundai customer service for a case number on this incident. First…
2021 Elantra · electrical
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 51,192 and at the time of receiving the vehicle from the dealer…
12/04/2025 · at 51,192 mi · NHTSA ODI #11702957.0 · see electrical pattern →
View all 126 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2021 Hyundai Elantra? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 21V302000 April 28, 2021

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles

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

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 24 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,397 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The seatbelts is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Elantra has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 126 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Hyundai/Elantra. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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