Hyundai · Known Issues
2021 Hyundai Elantra Problems: 8 Known Issues
2021 model year · 456+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2021 model year · 456+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 456+ owner reports, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra has 8 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are Front Seat Belt Pretensioner May Explode and Project Metal Fragments (Recall 229), Theft Vulnerability — Missing Engine Immobilizer ('Kia Boyz' / TikTok Challenge), Non-Conforming Clear Coat Causing Inadequate Windshield Bonding and Detachment in a Crash (Recall 216 / 21V00M) ($0-$0 repair), Hybrid Motor Control Unit Software Error Causing Unintended Acceleration After Brake Release (Recall 23V589) ($0-$0 repair) and Phantom / False Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Activation ($0-$350 repair). The most commonly reported issue is IVT/CVT Transmission Failure and Power Loss with 456 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $300 to $5,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. 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."
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According to Au7o's analysis of 456+ owner reports, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Front Seat Belt Pretensioner May Explode and Project Metal Fragments (Recall 229), Theft Vulnerability — Missing Engine Immobilizer ('Kia Boyz' / TikTok Challenge), Non-Conforming Clear Coat Causing Inadequate Windshield Bonding and Detachment in a Crash (Recall 216 / 21V00M). Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has 8 known issues documented across 456+ owner reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Front Seat Belt Pretensioner May Explode and Project Metal Fragments (Recall 229) and Theft Vulnerability — Missing Engine Immobilizer ('Kia Boyz' / TikTok Challenge) and Non-Conforming Clear Coat Causing Inadequate Windshield Bonding and Detachment in a Crash (Recall 216 / 21V00M) and Hybrid Motor Control Unit Software Error Causing Unintended Acceleration After Brake Release (Recall 23V589) and Phantom / False Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Activation. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Hyundai Elantra issues range from $0 to $5,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
NHTSA recall 22V354 includes certain 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles. A driver- or passenger-side pyrotechnic pretensioner may deploy abnormally in a crash because its pipe can over-pressurize, allowing metal fragments to enter the occupant compartment and inju… Severity: high.
Hyundai identifies certain 2011-2022 Elantra vehicles with traditional turn-key ignitions and without engine immobilizers as affected by theft methods that bypass the vehicles' security features. Vehicles with push-button start or an immobilizer indicator are not in this software… Severity: high.
A batch of 2021 Elantras built between 28 October 2020 and 8 January 2021 was painted with clear coat containing a non-compliant additive supplied by Axalta. The contaminated clear coat sits in the windshield aperture and prevents the urethane adhesive from bonding properly to th… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Elantra Hybrids from the CN7 generation were recalled because a software error in the motor control unit can command drive torque from the traction motor when the driver lifts off the brake pedal, producing unintended acceleration. This is a hybrid-only defect: it lives in the MC… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance systems can trigger hard automatic emergency braking when no real obstacle is present. Owners report sudden, unprompted braking at 40-65 mph on open road, plus false activation when a vehicle passes c… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: high.
The Smart Stream IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) in newer Elantras has experienced early failures, sometimes before reaching 20,000 miles. Issues include sudden power loss, check engine lights, and RPM fluctuations. Hyundai issued TSB 20-01-047H addressing transmission co… Repairs typically run $0-$5,500. Severity: medium.
CN7-generation Elantras, Elantra Hybrids and the 2022 Elantra N were built with rearview cameras whose internal printed circuit board can be damaged, so the reversing image fails to display on the centre screen. The car then does not comply with FMVSS 111 'Rear Visibility'. Owner… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
P0420 on the Elantra means the downstream (post-cat) oxygen sensor sees the catalytic converter no longer scrubbing efficiently. On the 2017-2020 Nu 2.0L engine this frequently is not just an aged cat — it is a symptom of the well-documented Nu 2.0L piston-ring/oil-consumption de… Repairs typically run $300-$1,800. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.