2021 Hyundai Elantra maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.0L Smartstream inline-4 (147 hp) + IVT (CVT-type), FWD; 1.6L Turbo GDI + 7-speed DCT (N Line); 1.6L hybrid + 6-speed DCT (Hybrid Blue/Limited)SESELLimitedMSRP $19,650

⚠ 6 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

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.

Why it matters: An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 211 and 009G. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall numbers 22V-354 for Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles, 22V-458 for Venue vehicles, and 23V-094 for Genesis vehicles. Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, and Genesis vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedies completed.

Reported 13/10/2021 · Campaign #21V796000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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.

Why it matters: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.

Reported 28/12/2021 · Campaign #21V00M000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded.

Why it matters: An improperly welded seat back recliner could separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the seat back frame assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-888-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 204.

Reported 28/04/2021 · Campaign #21V302000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

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.

Why it matters: Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 31, 2022. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 223. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Reported 01/04/2022 · Campaign #22V218000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

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.

Why it matters: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

The fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.

Reported 19/05/2022 · Campaign #22V354000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

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."

Why it matters: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

The 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.

Reported 21/11/2024 · Campaign #24V879000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
8k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic. Hyundai's Normal schedule is every 7,500 mi; Severe schedule (short trips, extensive idling, dusty/extreme-temperature climates) is every 3,750 mi Check tire pressure and condition Inspect all fluid levels: coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid Inspect brake linings
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change (Normal schedule; every 3,750 mi under Severe) Tire rotation Inspect front and rear brake pads and rotors Inspect cabin air filter, replace if restricted
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Replace engine air filter Replace cabin air filter Inspect IVT (CVT-type) transmission fluid level and condition — this all-new 7th-generation Elantra (2021) uses Hyundai's IVT with a specified long-life fluid; no scheduled change expected yet at this mileage under normal use Inspect drive belt	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Replace brake fluid Inspect spark plugs — iridium tipped; factory replacement interval is roughly 100,000–105,000 mi on the 2.0L Smartstream engine Inspect/replace IVT fluid — Hyundai recommends changing IVT fluid under severe-service conditions around this mileage; normal-service Elantras can often go longer Replace DCT clutch/transmission fluid if equipped (N Line 7-speed DCT or hybrid 6-speed DCT) under severe-service schedule	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Inspect spark plugs; plan replacement by 100,000–105,000 mi Replace engine coolant — Hyundai Long Life Coolant Inspect timing chain and tensioner — the 2.0L Smartstream and 1.6L Turbo/hybrid engines are chain-driven, not belt-driven; no scheduled chain replacement Inspect drive belt for cracking or glazing	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — iridium, if not already done at the 100,000–105,000 mi factory interval Replace IVT fluid (normal-service schedule) or DCT fluid (N Line/hybrid, if not already done) Full brake inspection: pads, rotors, calipers, lines, master cylinder Inspect suspension bushings, ball joints, and wheel bearings	View →

Upgrading your Elantra's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified Elantra fitments at AlloyHaus →

AlloyHaus is our sister site — built by the same maker as eli5cars.

Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.