2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, most often about electrical system. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
29
Recalls
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
17,326 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 11 of 29 complaints (38%).
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (10) and engine (8) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 17,326 mi.
  • The 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid has 4 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 3rd of 5 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid problems by category

  • Electrical System
    11 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    10 complaints
  • Engine
    8 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    3 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system9
Vehicle speed control9
Engine8
Service brakes5
Unknown or other4
Fuel/propulsion system3
Forward collision avoidance: warnings2
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k210k–30k230k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid complaints that list mileage.

2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid recalls (4)

  • Recall 24V879000Nov 21, 2024226,118 vehicles
    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."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 271.

  • Recall 23V589000Aug 18, 202337,997 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Elantra HEV vehicles. A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released.

    Risk: Unintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 248.

  • Recall 22V354000May 19, 2022230,233 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

    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.

    Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.

  • Recall 21V796000Oct 13, 2021978 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, Genesis GV80 and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

    Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 211 and 009G. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall numbers 22V-354 for Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles, 22V-458 for Venue vehicles, and 23V-094 for Genesis vehicles. Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, and Genesis vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedies completed.

Recent 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jan 2, 202644,900 miNJElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH during ice and snow, the engine revved, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the Hybrid battery. While turning, the contact stated that the vehicle had unintendedly accelerated. Additionally, the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact believed that the failure was related to the Hybrid battery. The vehicle was driven to the residence, where it remained parked…
    NHTSA complaint #11708400 · source
  2. Filed Jul 9, 2025TXElectrical SystemLighting
    The headlights and back lights turn off at random times when the headlights are on the automatic setting. This problem happens very frequently at night, putting my family at risk when the lights go off and cannot see what is ahead of us. In addition to a cop pulling me over for not having my lights on and he asked me if I was playing with the lights since they were going on and off and luckily the cop did not give me a ticket when I explained and he saw the problem (he…
    NHTSA complaint #11672296 · source
  3. Filed May 18, 2025NYElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    I am writing to report a serious and ongoing safety issue with my 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid that remains unresolved despite multiple visits to Hyundai service centers and independent repair shops. I’ve also found numerous consumer discussions online describing nearly identical issues with the same model and newer Elantra Hybrid models, suggesting this may be part of a wider systemic defect. The core issue lies within the vehicle’s hybrid system. Shortly after a recent…
    NHTSA complaint #11661670 · source
  4. Filed Nov 11, 2024KSElectrical System
    The Hybrid charging system fails once the vehicle is above 75 mph. After about an hour or two, the vehicle will die on the highway. This is a reoccurring issue putting our safety at risk. The dealership cannot find what the problem is. Online forums show similar issues with dealerships unable to solve the problem.
    NHTSA complaint #11624498 · source
  5. Filed Oct 24, 2024SCDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSuspension
    At around 93k miles my HECU unit apparently malfunctioned at the same time as the left front tire speed indicator. All of my safety features ABS, adaptive cruise control, lane departure, lane keeping etc do not work because of this.
    NHTSA complaint #11621727 · source
  6. Filed Jun 3, 202452,000 miTXEngine
    The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra HEV. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power with a battery warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted for the vehicle to recharge and restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the failure was intermittent and within an hour the…
    NHTSA complaint #11592150 · source
  7. Filed Apr 30, 2024TXFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
    When gas is pressed (even to floor) in drive, vehicle stalls, does not accelerate. Then vehicle jerks into propulsion after revving. Other instances, at deceleration the car will jerk and shake to a stop. I have mentioned the problem at every scheduled maintenance
    NHTSA complaint #11586175 · source
  8. Filed Feb 20, 2024PADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    I was driving on the Highway at the posted speed limit when the warning "Check Forward Safety System" came up and remained on my dashboard. The cruise control stopped working also. The light remained on even after stopping and starting the car and has remained on ever since. I have never been in an accident nor has my computer system reported any collision. My Hyundai Blue Link app gives me the following DTC: C162078. It started on [XXX]. My collision detection system does…
    NHTSA complaint #11572957 · source

Compare the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid with another vehicle →

Other 2021 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology