2021 Hyundai Elantra Problems: 7 Known Issues

On the 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra 1.6L Kappa Atkinson Hybrid, elantra Hybrids from the CN7 generation were recalled because the motor control unit software can falsely detect a transmission/drive-motor synchronization fault and enter a fail-safe mode that temporarily produces slow, unintended acceleration after the driver releases the brake pedal; service brakes remain fully functional. This is a hybrid-only defect: it lives in the MCU that arbitrates between the 1.6L Atkinson engine and the electric drive motor in the hybrid transaxle, and it does not exist on the conventional 2.0L Smartstream Elantra or on the Elantra N. The car can creep forward unexpectedly as the foot comes off the brake when creeping in traffic or in a parking lot - a scenario where the car is close to other vehicles and pedestrians, which is what makes it a crash risk rather than a nuisance.

On the 2011-2022 Hyundai Elantra, hyundai says certain 2011-2022 models with a turn-key ignition and no engine immobilizer were targeted in a rise in thefts spread on social media. Its campaign updates the body control software to strengthen the factory alarm and ignition-start logic and adds anti-theft window decals. Applies to: Certain 2011-2022 Elantra (MD, AD and CN7) without a push-button start or immobilizer lamp in the cluster. Cars with push-button start or an immobilizer lamp have an immobilizer and are not covered.

On the 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra, 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'. Owners describe a black screen, a screen that shows only the parking guideline overlay with no picture, a badly distorted or lined image, or a picture that appears intermittently depending on temperature. Because the guideline overlay is drawn by the head unit rather than the camera, the presence of guidelines on a blank screen is a useful tell that the fault is in the camera module rather than the display. The defect raises the risk of a back-over collision, which is exactly what the standard exists to prevent.

On the 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra, 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 injure occupants.

On the 2021-2024 Hyundai Elantra, 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 closely from behind in an adjacent lane (with Blind Spot set to Active Assist). The abrupt deceleration can cause tire skid and create a rear-end collision hazard. NHTSA has logged dozens of FCA/AEB complaints across 2021-2024 Elantras.

On the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, a batch of 2021 Elantras built between 29 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 the body structure, so the windshield can separate from the car in a collision. The windshield is a structural member on a modern unibody - it supports the roof in a rollover and provides the backstop the passenger airbag deploys against - so a bond failure degrades both restraint performance and roof crush resistance. Roughly 8,256 Elantras were covered, alongside 2020-2021 Santa Fe and 2021 Sonata built in the same window. Owners typically notice nothing at all, which is what makes this one worth checking by VIN; Hyundai lists wind noise or water leaking from the front windshield as possible warning signs.

On the 2020-2023 Hyundai Elantra 2.0L MPI with IVT, on certain 2020 Elantras the IVT (Hyundai's CVT) can store transmission codes and light the check engine lamp; Hyundai's campaign updates the transmission software and replaces the IVT when the listed codes show it may be damaged. On 2020-2023 IVT Elantras covered by bulletin 23-AT-010H, a faulty IVT oil pressure sensor can also set pressure codes, and Hyundai says to replace the whole IVT if slipping, shift shock, poor acceleration or failure to shift into gear come with them. Applies to: Certain 2020 Elantra (AD) sedans with the 2.0L MPI and IVT (service campaigns T5B and 963), plus 2020 Elantra (AD) and 2021-2023 Elantra (CN7) with the IVT for the oil pressure sensor bulletin 23-AT-010H (dated August 2023; it lists the 2021 model year onward). IVT-equipped cars only.