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2021 Hyundai Elantra: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

129 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
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Owner complaints: 129 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 25.8

Forward Collision Avoidance32Electrical System30Unknown Or Other29Seat Belts27Engine13Vehicle Speed Control10

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

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.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was…

Recalls: 6 campaigns (3 severe)

202120222024
CampaignComponentSummary
22V218000Seat Belts:FrontHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver …
21V796000Seat Belts:FrontHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, Genesis GV80 and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. In the …
22V354000Seat Belts:FrontHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event…
24V879000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CaHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe …
21V302000Seats:Front Assembly:ReclinerHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have bee…
21V00M000Visibility:WindshieldHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the winds…

True cost of ownership

EPA combined 31 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,000

Fuel (your region) $2,000
Maintenance band (your region) $0$115
Estimated running cost this year (age 5) $2,115

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$3,965vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Forward Collision Avoidance (32 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 37/100, computed from 129 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/04/2022. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

What will a 2021 Hyundai Elantra really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

37RELIABILITY / 100
AVOID
  • 129 NHTSA complaints on record (25.8/yr of exposure)
  • 6 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

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