Elantra (CN7)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
T-GDI GAMMA II
1.6L 4-cyl Turbo / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
T-GDI Theta II
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 276 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
GDI KAPPA
1.6LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
MPI NU PE
2.0L 4-cyl / 147 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra
That's near the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.5 per year). Within the normal range for the category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 43 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2023] The Elantra had less than 15,000 miles on it. I was driving on [XXX] at about 80MPH for about 1 hour. With no warning, while going up over a very large, high bridge/overpass (above a large outlet emptying from the everglades into the Atlantic ocean near Stuart Florida) the power totally died. A warning light came on saying the hybrid system was not functioning instructing me to pull over to the
- [2023] This vehicle I am driving has going on 24,000 miles only and over the course of the 23,000 miles it started making me do a 12V reset which very scary when you in traffic, have to pull to the side of the road, the car blinks "Check Hybrid System" with the little what looks like a tire pressure monitor system but it is a exclamation point and says "HEV" inside. My vehicle will die while pulling off
- [2023] During driving, vehicle displayed a system error indicating an issue with the hybrid system. The vehicle then immediately, and without warning, completely shut off and caused the driver to have to manually guide the vehicle to the side of the road without power assistance. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request, however we have taken it to the dealership who have inspected the vehicl
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2023] Low pressure oil light did not come on until the oil drain plug had completely fallen out. Once the light came on, the vehicle was slowed and came to a stop on the side of the highway within 2 minutes. The car completely shut off as if the battery were dead. It had to be jumped in order to put the car into neutral for the tow truck. The safety issue is that the hwy we were traveling on is 70m
- [2023] I experienced an issue where I was driving the vehicle, and then a "hybrid system fault" message appeared on the driver information display followed by the complete loss of power. This made me have to pull over to the side of the road with no ability to accelerate out of the way of traffic to come to a stop. Once I was stopped I tuned off the vehicle and tried to turn it back on, but the vehicle w
- [2023] Vehicles electronic key fobs and Bluelink become deactivated every 12 hours after vehicle is parked. Had vehicle since June 2023 and this has happened 163 times. Dealerships cannot recreate the issue and vehicle battery tests reflect no issues. To start the vehicle, car has to be manually unlocked and 12V battery reset. The vehicles security features become deactivated during the lapse in battery/
Electric Propulsion
- [2023] The issue involves the hybrid electric powertrain or electrical control system in my 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited Hybrid. The vehicle has shut off multiple times while driving, with complete loss of power and propulsion. This poses a serious safety risk, as it happens without warning in the middle of the road. Restarting the car requires shifting into Park and trying multiple times to turn it off,
- [2023] I experienced an issue where I was driving the vehicle, and then a "hybrid system fault" message appeared on the driver information display followed by the complete loss of power. This made me have to pull over to the side of the road with no ability to accelerate out of the way of traffic to come to a stop. Once I was stopped I tuned off the vehicle and tried to turn it back on, but the vehicle w
- [2023] Auto would not go into reverse or drive gears at startup in regular parking space. Received a Bluetooth message that Drive Train would not function. Towed to dealership where problem confirmed. Electric engine ordered along with high voltage wires. Upon installation of these parts it was discovered that the Assay Harness was severely crimped during construction of vehicle at the factory and had cr
High-Voltage Battery
- [2023] The issue involves the hybrid electric powertrain or electrical control system in my 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited Hybrid. The vehicle has shut off multiple times while driving, with complete loss of power and propulsion. This poses a serious safety risk, as it happens without warning in the middle of the road. Restarting the car requires shifting into Park and trying multiple times to turn it off,
- [2023] I experienced an issue where I was driving the vehicle, and then a "hybrid system fault" message appeared on the driver information display followed by the complete loss of power. This made me have to pull over to the side of the road with no ability to accelerate out of the way of traffic to come to a stop. Once I was stopped I tuned off the vehicle and tried to turn it back on, but the vehicle w
- [2021] The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra HEV. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power with a battery warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle had to be turned off and restarted for the vehicle to recharge and restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact i
Thermal Events
- [2022] This 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid poses an imminent fire and safety hazard due to catastrophic high-voltage system failures. On December 11, 2025 (Mileage: 54,527), the vehicle displayed a "Check Hybrid System" warning. The dealership diagnosed a swollen 12V battery and, critically, a melted power relay assembly and melted power cable. This indicates extreme thermal overload. The dealer stated they
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Hyundai Elantra regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (10)
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."
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, Genesis GV80 and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
All Generations
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra problems?
The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra has accumulated 518 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Electrical System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Hyundai Elantra engine is most reliable?
The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra a good used car?
The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 518 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra have?
The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra has 518 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra?
There are 10 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Elantra?
Before buying a used Hyundai Elantra, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Electrical System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Elantra?
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (10.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 518 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.