Recalls · problems · safety

2021 Hyundai Elantra: recalls and problems

6 recalls and 160 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system.

6recalls
160complaints
8crashes reported
1fires reported
3injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Electrical System41 · 26%
  • Forward Collision Avoidance35 · 22%
  • Unknown Or Other33 · 21%
  • Seat Belts27 · 17%
  • Engine21 · 13%
  • Vehicle Speed Control20 · 13%
  • Service Brakes13 · 8%
  • Power Train8 · 5%
  • Exterior Lighting6 · 4%
  • Lane Departure6 · 4%

What owners report

Exterior Lighting

The passenger side headlight has significant condensation inside the housing. the car is slightly over five years old, with 40,000 miles it was rarely driven the first year due to the pandemic. i have seen there is a tsb regarding the headlights, but clearly this is a far more significant issue than hyundai is letting on. i was getting a warning on the dash but that has stopped yet the headlight is still co

Visibility/Wiper

Windshield wipers intermittently malfunction in the intermittent setting. the wipers stop at random locations in the middle of the windshield, pause, move a short distance, stop again, and behave erratically. this can obstruct the driver’s forward visibility. the problem occurs without snow, ice, or an obstruction on the windshield. a previous nhtsa complaint concerning a 2021 hyundai elantra describes essentially t

Electrical System

Vehicle was serviced to remediate recall 271- backup camera replacement in january, 2025. in june 2026, vehicle is exhibiting the same issue. rear camera is non functional in the following ways: 1. vehicle is shifted to reverse, backup camera does not function; 2. vehicle is in park backup camera button is pressed, backup camera does not function.

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other

Door lock actuator, the door latch is stuck on unlock and it won’t close or lock when the lock button is pressed on key fob.

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2021 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering ELANTRA, ELANTRA HYBRID, ELANTRA N-LINE. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.