2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The public data splits evenly; the trim-level specs decide it.

2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize car with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Elantra Hybrid Blu…

2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize car with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Camry Hybrid LE, is E…

	2021 Hyundai Elantra	2021 Toyota Camry
Segment	Midsize car	Midsize car
Powertrains	Hybrid, Gas	Hybrid, Gas
Best combined mpg	54	52
Safety Signal	44	92
NHTSA recalls	7	1
Critical recalls	0	0
Owner complaints	158	163
NHTSA overall stars	5	5

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.

Recalls at a glance

Source: NHTSA

Elantra

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Back Over Prevention

271

226,118 vehicles

ProblemHyundai 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."RiskA rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.

NHTSA campaign 24V879000reported Nov 21, 2024Hyundai Motor America

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Electrical System

248

37,997 vehiclesHybrid only

ProblemHyundai 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.RiskUnintended vehicle acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.

NHTSA campaign 23V589000reported Aug 18, 2023Hyundai Motor America

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Seat Belts

229

230,233 vehicles

ProblemHyundai 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.RiskAn exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.FixDealers 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 r

NHTSA campaign 22V354000reported May 19, 2022Hyundai Motor America

Camry

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Air Bags

23TA15, 23LA03

999,901 vehicles

ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.RiskAn air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

NHTSA campaign 23V865000reported Dec 20, 2023Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing