Is the 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID reliable?

The 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID has 48 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: SPEED CONTROL problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID?

Top problems: SPEED CONTROL (11 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (11 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID?

The 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID gets 50 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $960. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID is approximately $1,586/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 48. The most common issue is speed control problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2021 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, while slowing down, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward. the vehicle seemed as though it was attempting to accelerate forward. the contact had to depress the brake pedal with excessive force to kee. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SPEED CONTROL

11 complaints

23%

• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, while slowing down, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward. The vehicle seemed as though it was attempting to accelerate forward. The contact had to depress the brake pedal with excessive force to kee
• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that on several occasions while decelerating, the vehicle would lunge forward and the engine would rev. The contact stated that the vehicle would shut off while stopped. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the deale
• The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while slowing down and making a left or right turn, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact also stated that while at a stop, he depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle accelerated at an abnormal speed. The contact s

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, while slowing down, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward. The vehicle seemed as though it was attempting to accelerate forward. The contact had to depress the brake pedal with excessive force to kee”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21/11/2024

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$960

Per month

$80

Per mile

8.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$980/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$923/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,586

Full coverage / month

$132

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1586

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai ELANTRA HYBRID Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2021 ELANTRA HYBRID, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SPEED CONTROL: The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, while slowing down, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward. The vehicle seemed as though it was attempting to accelerate forward. The contact had to depress the brake pedal with excessive force to kee
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: According to the dealership where I bought this car, the ignition coil failed. This has happened two times so far, resulting in two separate trips to the dealership to diagnosis and repair the issue. They were able to reproduce and confirm the problem; however, what caused the coil to go out is unkn
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: On multiple drives the car has "lurched" or accelerated when foot was NOT on the accelerator pedal. These were minor issues, but unnerving when pulling up to park near a structure. Today 3-23-22 I was driving and after about 1 hour of normal operation the car began to accelerate while pressing the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: Our problem started a few months ago. At first, we thought it was just a fluke, but this issue has happened too many times to be so. The issues are, the car does not accelerate when we depress the accelerator, we see the tachometer move, but the engine is not actually accelerating. Then at times it
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)