Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 6 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

6 total · 6 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V879000 · Nov 2024

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V354000 · May 2022

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V218000 · Apr 2022

Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Body & glass recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V00M000 · Dec 2021

A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V796000 · Oct 2021

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V302000 · Apr 2021

An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

130 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
25

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 9fluid leaks 5transmission slipping 4
A recent report: 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…
Read full complaint

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 still not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak, and the thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11731188 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
35

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 18electrical shorts 3
A recent report: Windshield wipers intermittently malfunction in the intermittent setting. The wipers stop at random locations in the middle of the windshield, pause, move a short distance, stop again, and behave…
Read full complaint

Windshield wipers intermittently malfunction in the intermittent setting. The wipers stop at random locations in the middle of the windshield, pause, move a short distance, stop again, and behave erratically. This can obstruct the driver’s forward visibility. The problem occurs without snow, ice, or an obstruction on the windshield. A previous NHTSA complaint concerning a 2021 Hyundai Elantra describes essentially the same failure: wipers stopping midway and obstructing the driver’s view (NHTSA complaint 11685493/complaint record). A separate 2026 complaint involving a 2021 Elantra reported intermittent wiper operation along with other multifunction-switch functions, and the dealer diagnosed a failed multifunction switch (NHTSA 11726986). I believe this represents a safety-related defect in the windshield-wiper/control system and request that NHTSA investigate whether additional vehicles should be included in a safety recall or other corrective action. The problem persist to this day.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764129 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
14

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 9unintended acceleration 2fluid leaks 1
A recent report: Front sensor problem. Sensor Check Forward Safety System. ABS, Auto Hold light came up out of no where. No damage to sensor.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11664871 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
7

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 4software faults 2
A recent report: The horn stops working. It is not a fuse related issue. It is the horn itself. There are multiple reports of horn failure in this model, 2021 and 2022, on the internet and social media. There are…
Read full complaint

The horn stops working. It is not a fuse related issue. It is the horn itself. There are multiple reports of horn failure in this model, 2021 and 2022, on the internet and social media. There are people reporting that dealerships are also seeing a lot of cars with horn failure. This is a serious safety issue. Someone could go off the road into the woods and crash, unable to signal with a horn that they’re there. Unable to beep their horn to get the attention of a child or animal that is about to run into the road. There are countless scenarios where the horn is important. Cellphones don’t work everywhere… a horn should always work. There are far too many reports of the horn issue for it to not be a manufacture related issue. Please look into this. This could have pretty tragic implications that could otherwise be avoided. I will attach a screenshot from a social media Hyundai group of the 2022 model. I need to get into the dealership to have mine repaired and will do so asap. I’m just very concerned about the safety of everyone. Some are reporting dealerships are not clear about if the horn issue, which involves replacement of the steering assembly, is covered, while others are saying it is.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11548798 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Read closely
26

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 2
A recent report: I bought my car at McGrath Hyundai in chicago in May 2021. It’s been in their shop 30 plus times for various and repeated issues. As of late, over the last 6 months, I have reported to them and to…
Read full complaint

I bought my car at McGrath Hyundai in chicago in May 2021. It’s been in their shop 30 plus times for various and repeated issues. As of late, over the last 6 months, I have reported to them and to Hyundai, my drivers side seat belt won’t retract properly and the high mounted brake light warning continuously goes off, a dinging, stating that there is an issue. Hyundai and McGrath repeatedly misdiagnosed and refused to fix these issues when they were first brought to their attention when under 60,000 miles. NOW that the car is over 60,000 miles, conveniently they’re stating that it’s out of warranty and will cost $2k. The technicians and service advisor Christine Tonelli at McGrath, knowingly and willfully misdiagnosed my car, attempting to cover up the issues stating that there was no issue. They said the seat belt was fine and the wiring wasn’t the issue for the high mount d brake light and kept changing the bulb. They knew it should have known there was a seat belt issue with it not retracting and the same with the high mount d brake light. Suddenly after 60,000 miles, they now state I was right the whole time by telling me it will be $2000 to fix it. I have all service records and emails.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11719531 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
6

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1software faults 1
A recent report: 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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11745530 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
17

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 9
A recent report: See attached document for complaint.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11746507 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 130 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 23 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 130 complaints on file, fewer than the 2020 (250) and more than the 2022 (100). Of the 16 model years of the Hyundai Elantra we cover, the 2013 has the most (1,313). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.