2021 Hyundai Elantra Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,150miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, 6% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,150 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought my 2021 hyuandai elantra on September 7 2023 almost 2 months ago and the emergency braking system comes on pretty often while driving my vehicle on the road and freeway so the brakes will lock on me whenever the car is in drive which could cause a serious crash and probably cause damage over time to brake pads and other things this problem has occurred over 5 times within 2 months”
NHTSA complaint #11558126, filed 2023-12“My vehicle was slowing down and was halfway into a parking spot. Then, it suddenly accelerated, jumped over commercial parking blocks, and ended up stopping after hitting a wall. My brake was not working at that moment. I initially reported it to Hyundai USA (as a dealership doesn't seem to consider this a serious issue at all), but decided not to let them investigate on their end based on their slow and unprofessional responses.”
NHTSA complaint #11484435, filed 2022-09“When I start up my car ALL the warning lights appear on my dash. When I try to drive the vehicle I have no control over the steering wheel or brakes. This is the second time this happened to me”
NHTSA complaint #11434377, filed 2021-09“Hello everyone. I NEED HELP i have a 2021 hyundai elantra and i have had the same issue for over 10k+ miles and 6 months. My traction control light, (no matter what speed or acceleration/deceleration.) will flicker on and off, make a horrible noise almost as if the ABS is applying but no ABS light comes on, and the pedals will go stiff and the whole car jerks. My 2021 elantra has had a new transmission put into it AND when that didn’t fix the issue, the wheel speed sensor was replace… well if that had fixed the issue, i wouldn’t be writing this post. …”
NHTSA complaint #11491780, filed 2022-11“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle collided with a median and another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained stomach chest and arm injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11549764, filed 2023-10, 52,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 7% |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 8 | 6% |
| 2020 | 14 | 6% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 15 | 5% |
| 2017 | 48 | 6% |
| 2016 | 15 | 5% |
| 2015 | 55 | 21% |
| 2014 | 87 | 23% |
| 2013 | 283 | 22% |
| 2012 | 99 | 15% |
| 2011 | 44 | 10% |
| 2010 | 39 | 10% |
| 2009 | 27 | 11% |
| 2008 | 52 | 17% |
| 2007 | 38 | 14% |
| 2006 | 32 | 21% |
| 2005 | 11 | 8% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 27 | 12% |
| 2002 | 34 | 10% |
| 2001 | 30 | 10% |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 8% |
| 1998 | 5 | 9% |
| 1997 | 11 | 10% |
| 1996 | 6 | 6% |
| 1995 | 13 | 12% |
| 1994 | 5 | 7% |
| 1993 | 5 | 21% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra
32 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsSeat belts
27 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsLane departure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology