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Your vehicleHome›Hyundai›Elantra› 2021
Hyundai · Midsize Sedan

2021 Hyundai Elantra

Hybrid Gas
Midsize Cars
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
42 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls4 critical 7
Complaints8 crash · 1 fire · 3 injured · 1 died reported 162
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 54 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize sedan with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Elantra Hybrid Blue, is EPA-rated at 54 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 162 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Hyundai Elantra N — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Hyundai Elantra N · Photo: OWS Photography · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Elantra Hybrid BlueHybridFWD1.6L 4-cyl + 240V Li-Ion535654$1,250
Elantra HybridHybridFWD1.6L 4-cyl + 240V Li-Ion495250$1,350
ElantraGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl334337$1,800
ElantraGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl314135$1,900
ElantraGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283631$2,150
ElantraGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo253428$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43613, 43612, 43047, 43046, 43446, 43447.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Elantra Hybrid, Elantra Hybrid Blue7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Elantra5–7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III ULEV70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Elantra5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower147 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainFWD/Front-Wheel Drive
TransmissionContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Blue, Limited, SE, SEL). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length183.9 in
Width (body, without mirrors)71.7 in
Height55.5 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Track, front62.6 in
Track, rear63.0 in
Curb weight2,725–3,020 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear61/39

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door Sedan, N-Line 4-door Sedan. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2021 Elantra
Other years The 2018 Elantra Recalls Hyundai recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

271
226,118 vehicles 68% reported repaired built Dec 23, 2020 – Feb 14, 2022
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDFChronology PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V879000 reported Nov 21, 2024 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

248
37,997 vehicles 97% reported repaired Hybrid only
Problem 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. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V589000 reported Aug 18, 2023 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Seat Belts

229
230,233 vehicles 89% reported repaired
Problem 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. Fix 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 r
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V354000 reported May 19, 2022 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Seat Belts

223
6,240 vehicles
Problem 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. Risk Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury. 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 223. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign 22V218000 reported Apr 1, 2022 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Visibility

216
26,413 vehicles built Oct 29, 2020 – Jan 8, 2021
Problem Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. Risk A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V00M000 reported Dec 28, 2021 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Seat Belts

211/009G
978 vehicles
Problem 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. Fix 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 hav
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V796000 reported Oct 13, 2021 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

204
1,464 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded. Risk An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-888-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 204.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V302000 reported Apr 28, 2021 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003 · the investigation’s page →

Seat Belts:Pretensioner — Seat Belt Pretensioners May Rupture closed

On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) based on 3 incidents alleging front seat belt pretensioners that may rupture during deployment, on model year (MY) 2020-2022 of various Hyundai and Kia Models, resulting in 3 injuries (note: one incident occurred outside the U.S. and its territories).Between October 2021 and March 2023, Hyundai and Kia have filed the following 11 safety recalls for pretensioner rupture: NHTSA Recall No. 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-123, 22V-127, 22V-218, 22V-354, 22V-447, 22V-458, 22V-816, 23V-094, and 23V-210. Hyundai/Kia have stated that the abnormal deployment of the pretensioners is due to over-pressurization of the prete

Opened Aug 8, 2022 · closed May 26, 2023 · action RQ22003 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Elantra

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Hyundai publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Hyundai’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

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Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
162complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 3 injuries · 1 deaths reported

17 per 10,000 built · Hyundai reported 93,371 Elantra built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 13 · 2022: 50 · 2023: 39 · 2024: 24 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 18

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance 57
Electrical System 42
Unspecified 33
Seat Belts 27
Engine 25
Vehicle Speed Control 21

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

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.
Electrical System May 18, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11661670
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.
Engine at 52,000 miles Jun 3, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11592150
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
Vehicle Speed Control Apr 30, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11586175
So the car will come to a dead stop. Then when I give gas, it will not go for 1-2 sec, then all of a sudden it go at high speed by itself. Even when I brake, it will feel like as if I have stepped onto gas. Very dangerous
Service Brakes May 12, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11521781
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Seat Belts Aug 11, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11478822
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V00M000 (Visibility) and 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Visibility/Wiper Jul 26, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11475943

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Hyundai itself: 13 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 16 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 14 per 100,000 built. Every Elantra model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 16k

miles, typically

Half the 18 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 2,000 and 51,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 18 on file: 6 under 10k, 4 10k–20k, 1 20k–30k, 1 30k–40k, 1 40k–50k, 3 50k–60k, 1 60k–70k, 1 100k–150k.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: lane departure warning.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Hyundai warranty extension (62) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 127
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-08
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 90 service bulletins, 15 service campaigns, 14 warranty extensions

Most often about: Electrical System, Engine, Unknown Or Other, Power Train, Equipment.

  • 26-EM-016H TSB Service bulletin
    2026-10-08 · Engine
  • Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operation, depending on driving conditions and mileage, and this procedure should only be performed when dee
  • 26-EM-015H TSB Service bulletin
    2026-10-07 · Engine
  • Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operation. Oil consumption rates may vary based on mileage, operating conditions, driving habits, and mainte
  • 26-EE-003H TSB Service bulletin
    2026-04-18 · Electrical System
  • Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
  • 11032523 Other
    2026-04-10 · Air Bags
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and
  • 11032522 Other
    2026-04-10 · Air Bags
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may
  • 26-AD-001H TSB Service bulletin
    2026-02-25 · Exterior Lighting
  • Some 2019MY and newer vehicles equipped with a front view camera may illuminate certain warning lights and trigger DTC C272246 fault code for the front camera. In the following cases, the front camera auto-calibration range may be exceeded while driving: • If the front camera is not properly installed and is completely or partially detached. • In case of excessive changes affecting the vehicle's b
  • P33 OL Other
    2025-12-19 · Electrical System
  • In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, we’ve developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade that can be installed at the ignition cylinder location
  • 25-EM-007H TSB Service bulletin
    2025-12-18 · Engine
  • Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines may illuminate a warning lamp for DTC P218100 (Cooling System Performance) related to the Integrated Thermal-Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure in this bulletin to install a spring onto the thermostat within the ITM, in order to prevent premature opening, and perform an ECU

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
C1620Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Forward Collision Avoidance1 bulletin
P011B
P011B on Hyundai →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine1 bulletin
P016CManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine1 bulletin
P050CManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine1 bulletin
P1CD0Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine1 bulletin
P250F
P250F on Hyundai →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine1 bulletin

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra failed the emissions check on 0.54% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.3% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 0.54%

failed emissions

3,169 initial inspections of 3,127 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 ElantraEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check0.54%1.9%3,164
Failed the safety inspection2.3%1.5%3,169
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.09%0.19%3,169
Miles driven a year9,58410,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer50,92154,681odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Elantra by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 D 4 4 54 mpg2025 C 2 34 54 mpg2024 C 2 62 54 mpg2023 D 4 170 Park outside2022 F 8 159 54 mpg2021 this page F 7 162 54 mpg2020 C 3 262 36 mpg2019 B 1 266 35 mpg2018 A 1 335 35 mpg2017 C 4 795 35 mpg2016 C 2 300 31 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 Elantra

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, 4 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 23V589000, covering Electrical System. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Hyundai Elantra 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (42/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, the best EPA combined figure is 54 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

Transport Canada measured it at 183.9 in long, 71.7 in wide (body, without mirrors), 55.5 in tall, on a 107.1 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 2,725–3,020 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, most often about forward collision avoidance, electrical system, unspecified. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra runs 5 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

The manufacturer has filed 127 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, most often covering electrical system, engine, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-10-08. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra failed the emissions check on 0.54% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.3% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations6 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates6 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls7NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints162NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings3 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins127NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations3NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA11 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2018 Elantra The Elantra model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 1 recall.Recalls Every Hyundai recall on file All campaigns filed against Hyundai vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Elantra by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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