10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,250 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems

electrical problem

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2021 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #20

Jul 112024

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear backup camera suddenly stopped working and when in reverse the sensors kick in and breaks the vehicle when there's no object or vehicle behind. Also the code for the backup sensor came up but dealer didn't do anything.

- Hercules, CA, USA

problem #19

Apr 112024

Elantra

  • miles
My car has two warning lights on my dashboard. First one is Check Foward Safety system. Second one is Check Smart Cruise Control System. Both of them turned on when I was driving in the middle of a highway. These warning lights activated out of the blue, without any unusual circumstances.I cannot use my smart cruise control system and the car is not able to alert me about forward collision. This issue has already been addressed through a recall for my vehicle's model and year in Korea. My vehicle was produced in Korea and was imported to the United States; however, Hyundai has not issued a recall regarding the same problem in the United States. This is a safety concern, and Hyundai should repair it free of charge, and the company should compensate customers who have already undergone repairs for the repair costs.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #18

May 242024

Elantra

  • miles
Back up camera doesn-??t work. When put in reverse the screen is static and when you press the back up camera button it won-??t turn

- Guyton, GA, USA

problem #17

Apr 062023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since last year around 55k miles, my backup camera has stoped working. The first incident happened as I was about to back out of my garage. I opened the garage door and put my car into reverse. As I looked down at the screen and began to back up, I realized the screen showed me an image of a closed garage door ever though the door was open. Almost as if it had taken a screenshot or froze. The second occurrence was similar except it was when I was parking in a job site parking lot. When I put my car in reverse to park, what came on my screen was the image of the highway about 15 minutes prior. I-??ve had several experiences like this where the backup camera freezes, has static-like lines all over the screen, discoloration, or delayed effects. This is dangerous because if someone is looking down at the screen and doesn-??t realize the backup camera is giving an incorrect output, this can result in an accident (whether it be a single car or multiple car accident). This is because you can end up hitting something/someone if you get delayed feedback on the camera and don-??t realize.

- Seaside, CA, USA

problem #16

Feb 072024

Elantra

  • miles
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 not appear to be working at all and my cruise control no longer works. I'm very concerned about it malfunctioning based on other entries on the nhtsa.gov website. I took the car to Hyundai Service Center and they are trying to convince me this is due to a collision and warranty will not be covering it. They tried to charge me for diagnostic even though I already had the error code on the Hyundai BlueLink App. They confirmed that my computer has zero reports of any collisions. The service tech said, and I'm quoting, "The system is very sensitive and a swift kick could cause it to malfunction." That sounds like a manufacturing defect to me. I have never been in an accident with this car, there is zero visible damage to the front bumper, and my computer has no report of an accident. The dealership urged me to contact insurance. My Major Insurance Company told me this was absurd, would never be approved, and is clearly mechanical. They also mentioned anecdotally that this problem has been coming up a lot for them with modern Hyundai models. Then I called Hyundai Corporate and they have escalated the issue, agree it sounds mechanical, and will be contacting me in 3-5 business days. They apologized profusely so I am still holding out hope for warranty coverage. I believe the dealership is trying to blame me for this mechanical failure to avoid expense on their end. I have had many software-related issues with this car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #15

Jun 122023

Elantra

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked unattended. Approximately thirteen hours later, he was notified by the fire department that the vehicle had caught fire. A police report was filed. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was parked where the fire occurred. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later the contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss, the cause was assumed to be electrical. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

- Atlantic City, NJ, USA

problem #14

Feb 022024

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had to get the horn replaced on my ELANTRA six times the horn goes out and this can be a very big safety hazard as it has caused people to almost hit me because they didn-??t see me and my horn wasn-??t working to alert them this needs to be addressed as soon as possible as this could cause someone to lose their life in the wrong instance

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #13

Dec 052023

Elantra

  • miles
When driving at 55MPH with cruise control on, the car suddenly accelerated to 75MPH, this happened on the open road and was able to keep under control. Auto has less than 10,000 miles. I will be contacting Hyundai customer service for a case number on this incident. First indication of a problem was cruise control, auto braking failed iin June of 2023. This follows a replacement of defective front radar unit by Hyundai which was replaced at 8295 miles on July 26, 2023. This problem first occurred in late June/early July of 2023. There was no warning.

- Washburn, IA, USA

problem #12

Oct 222023

Elantra

  • miles
I keep getting intermittent HEV warnings and 12-volt light. The engine then shuts down and I have no power. This has occurred several times while on the highway and this creates a safety hazard. I have been fortunate enough that this happened while I was close to the shoulder, otherwise, it could have been critical. - The failed component(s) are the 12 volt battery and engine shutdown - With the vehicle being without power while on the highway puts other drivers and myself at risk of an accident - I have taken the vehicle to two different Hyundai dealers and they have not resolved the problem - The issue was escalated to the manufacturer Hyundai Motors and they have not resolved this issue. - The 12v battery light and an HEV warning light comes on and then the engine shuts off - This issue has been happening intermittently for the past year and I first notice it on October of 2022

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #11

Sep 252023

Elantra

  • miles
My car has 76,000 miles on it fully maintained and recorded at hyundai dealerships. One day I-??m driving and a check engine light pops up the same day I get it taken in to have it diagnosed, few hours go by I get a call they tell me that the Integrated thermal management module on my car has burnt out. I was surprised because my car is fairly new I asked them how could it prematurely fail they could not give me answer and they told me I would have to pay out of pocket for it and I did. They advised me that I should not drive the car as it could pose severe risk to engine failure as coolant is connected to the part in question. So I left my car there and they ordered a new part and it got fixed the very next day, it was ready for me to pick up. I-??m frustrated because I-??m not the only one who had this problem and warranty did not cover Hyundai did not want to work with me to resolve my issue and as a result it costed me money and time. I-??m not the only one who has this problem but is it really safe for my car to have this part if it could cause engine damage worse fire in that area due to a design flaw.

- Milwaukee , WI, USA

problem #10

Aug 172023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2021 Hyunadai Elantra HEV Blue 12v battery light comes on and I lose power to the engine and all internal electrical components. It has happened while driving on the highway and it is a safety concern. I have addressed it with the dealership and they stated there were no codes and they canot replicate.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 022023

Elantra

  • miles
On three occasions while turning out into an intersection my steering wheel will lock up and my forward collision warning system will engage and my just stop in the road. Out of those three times, my car has been towed to the dealership twice. The dealer has been working very hard to identify the issue while working with Hyundai tech services. They have poured countless hours and money into this car and still have not been able to identify and correct it. My vehicle has become a deathtrap waiting to happen.

- Irvington, KY, USA

problem #8

Jun 232023

Elantra

  • miles
the h e v warning light comes on when driving. the hybrid battery disconnects from the engine and the car is undriveable. have to pull over, stop the car, turn off the car and then reset the hybrid battery. this has happened twice in last week. thank fully i was able to pull over safely, but this a dangerous situation for me and other cars around me. the car had been taken to the dealership just two weeks ago and they were unable to diagnose the issue

- Brownsville, TX, USA

problem #7

Oct 192022

Elantra

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

problem #6

Dec 122022

Elantra

  • miles
I had reported that the horn wouldn't work..especially in cold weather last winter. The horn would work by the time I arrived at dealer. Told nothing they could do as it was working. It has happened 3 times in the last 2 months, finally totally nonfunctional the past 3 days. I called, stopped at dealer to have it checked. The car was returned to me with service person telling me that the horns diaphragm is stuck. When asked if working, he said for "right now." He told me a new horn(s) were ordered. I asked him what he did: he replied, I hit the horn with a rubber hammer until it worked! Well, one mile or so down the road, it didn't work. I checked the internet and there are MULTIPLE instances listed of ongoing issues with the horns on Hyundai vehicles. In the end, I am driving with some hesitance as the horn isn't working. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A CAR 1.5 years in my opinion. Again, after checking on the NHSSA website, NO RECALLS or MENTION of this safety issue! Please escalate this to TOP PRIORITY! If not, anyone's injury or death is worth the wait!

- Washington, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 132022

Elantra

  • miles
car problems started with back up camera not working, it has caused dash lights to go out, headlights to go out while driving safety sensors to sound for no reason. I have also started having problems with radio flashing and going blank. The vehicle has been checked by Hyundai dealer they did say back up camera bad but no answers for rest of issues.there were no warning lights prior to any of these problems. I still do not know what is really wrong and cannot drive vehicle at night or bad weather for fear of losing headlights. Vehicle is 2021 hyundai elantra with 10,500 miles on it.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #4

Dec 092021

Elantra

  • miles
Twice now when starting the car all the driver safety systems will show a warning that they are not working and the message is that the car is not save to drive. A bunch of warning signs will go off and the wheel locks. The brake system has also locked up. I captured it on video, but it won-??t let me upload it here.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #3

May 092022

Elantra

  • miles
While driving on the freeway around 70 mph the car seems to reboot, it slows down and coast and the dash computers shutdown and restarts.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #2

May 022022

Elantra

  • miles
A squirrel chewed my wiring into the temperature coolant sensor. I had to have two different rental cars for six weeks before I received my car back. Nothing happened to those vehicles during those six weeks. Within a week of having my car (2021 Elantra) back, a squirrel chewed more wiring. My car is now needing another repair. This is a known issue with Hyundai as well as other makers. I feel it-??s pretty compelling evidence that there is a problem as two vehicles were not bothered by squirrels for six weeks and then my car comes back and it gets chewed up again right away. All cars were parked on my driveway.

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #1

Aug 172021

Elantra

  • miles
On August 17, my new Elantra lost power steering, and most safety related features. Most all instrument warning lights came on. Was able to get car to dealer service where they kept car overnight, and reset the error lights. They told me, they recorded the computer codes, but could not find the cause of the problem. On August 26, again the instrument warning lights suddenly came on AGAIN. Took car to dealer service, where they kept car almost 2 weeks, but could not find the cause. They recorded computer codes. I contacted Hyundai, and a case number was established, but no fix has been found. Case worker has been difficult to reach. My wife refuses to drive this car. New electrical problems: 1.Driver's door handle light not working at night when approaching door. 2. Receiving false emails that car doors are not locked, but they are locked. 3. Using myhundai, shows door are not locked, but they are. When using application to lock doors, false message back that a door is open. 4. Navigation cuts off intermittently. 6. Gasoline consumption computer resets sometimes, other times it does not. 7. Remote start application does not work, says my door is open. 8. Items missing from center display menus. (Door light, reset gas mileage etc) Car has to go back to dealer service for needed repairs.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

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