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EnginePart report

2021 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
10%of 132 total for the year
Median mileage
71,250miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, 10% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,250 miles.

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.

“Engine shots off while on the automatic stop and go idle . It is being doing it for a while but it is happening more often even with the auto idle off and it even happened at the freeway. It gives me a message to put it in park or neutral and turn the engine on manually. Making this a very dangerous situation because cars behind me don’t know that my engine suddenly shots off. Thanks”

NHTSA complaint #11678266, filed 2025-08

“Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – Engine Failure – Hyundai To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a vehicle safety complaint regarding a serious engine failure involving my Hyundai vehicle. The engine experienced a failure significant enough to require replacement. This raises serious safety concerns, as sudden engine failure can result in loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11730162, filed 2026-04

“How are you? The problem with our Hyundai involves the engine and engine control system. My vehicle is equipped with the same 2.0-liter Nu GDI engine that Hyundai recalled in other 2021 and 2022 vehicles for engine stalling, internal engine damage, and fire risk. Although my VIN is not currently listed, the engine itself is identical to the recalled engines and is available for inspection. Since early ownership, the vehicle has repeatedly hesitated, surged, and jumped when accelerating from a stop, especially at stoplights and intersections. …”

NHTSA complaint #11712831, filed 2026-01

“I completed an oil change at Greggs oil express in Porterville California on 02-11-2023. I have the invoice. On 02-24-2023, I went out of town. At approximately, 5:00 pm, I heard a loud bang, large amount of oil pouring out of the bottom of the car, the car became disabled and I pulled over to the side of the road. I had it towed to the closest Hyundai dealership in Victorville Ca. They provided me with a report that stated when receiving my oil change stating due to the drain plug issue is a direct result of a third party and was not covered under warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11518666, filed 2023-04

“At about 11 months old my car suddenly seized while attempting to enter the highway. This came with no type of warning from the vehicle until the car had stopped and then every light on the cluster came on. I was fortunate not to be rear ended. The car was towed and 2 days later the dealership called to tell me there were no errors and NOTHING WAS WRONG with the car. I told them what had happened and they called later that day and I was informed that they needed to install and entire new engine assembly. The car only had 7000 miles on it and should not need a new engine. …”

NHTSA complaint #11473491, filed 2022-07

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025314%
2024814%
20232020%
20221111%
20211310%
202010943%
201913453%
201814250%
201729138%
201611138%
20159235%
201416643%
201323318%
201213921%
20119221%
2010154%
2009135%
2008248%
2007124%
200621%
200543%
200453%
200310%
200221%
200141%
200063%
199922%
199711%

Other parts of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra

Forward collision avoidance
32 complaints
Electrical system
31 complaints
Other or unknown
30 complaints
Seat belts
27 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Lane departure
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Back-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 28, 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