2021 Hyundai Elantra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra: 6 recalls, 131 owner complaints and up to 37 mpg combined.
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Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #21V302000 · 2021 · 1,464 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver and front passenger seat back recliners May have been improperly welded.
Why it matters: An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #21V796000 · 2021 · 978 vehicles
What's wrong: In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) May explode upon deployment.
Why it matters: An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #21V00M000 · 2021 · 26,413 vehicles
What's wrong: During manufacturing, the windshield May not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Why it matters: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #22V218000 · 2022 · 6,240 vehicles
What's wrong: In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners May explode upon deployment.
Why it matters: Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 31, 2022. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #22V354000 · 2022 · 230,233 vehicles
What's wrong: In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners May explode upon deployment.
Why it matters: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
The fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #24V879000 · 2024 · 226,118 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image May fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Forward collision avoidance (32): the most common themes are warning light on (6).
- Electrical (30): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), door / lock issues (6), warning light on (5).
- Other / unknown (29): the most common themes are warning light on (4).
- Seat belts (27): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), stalls / loses power (2).
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has 131 owner complaints, ranking #22 of 35 Elantra model years for complaints (well below the 249 average). Complaints peaked in 2022 (45 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 19,750 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (253 complaints, 3 recalls), 2022 (102 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 | 43 | 37 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 41 | 35 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Elantra problems?
Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (32), electrical (30), other / unknown (29).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA ratings run up to 37 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S1)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Hyundai Elantra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.