HyundaiElantra2021Overview/hyundai/elantra/2021/base/

2021 Hyundai Elantra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Elantra.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra requires 4.7 quarts of oil in 5W-30, 5W-40, or 10W-30 grades, and its reliability record shows 128 owner complaints led by seat-belt concerns plus six recalls. In the context of the model's 1992–2026 history, that total sits far under the 1,325 complaints recorded for 2013 but above the 21 seen for 2025. The combination of modest complaint volume and a handful of recalls positions this model year as a mid-range entry in the Elantra's long-term reliability arc.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. CCA battery, OE oil filter 2630035505. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire size225/45R17 91WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter2630035505 alt 263312J000
Fuel filter31112L1000
Battery37110F9620 alt 37110F2720
Cabin air filterKLC79AC001

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight2725 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Elantra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2021 N Line Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021N Line Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.30 sec201 hpFWD
2021Limited Sedan 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.30 sec147 hpFWD
2021Hybrid Limited Sedan 1.6L I-4 + Elec 1.32-kWh8.40 sec16.50 sec139 hpFWD
2021Limited Sedan 2.0L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec147 hpFWD
2021Limited Sedan 2.0L I-48.40 sec17.00 sec147 hpFWD
2021N Line Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-48.60 sec16.40 sec201 hpFWD
2021Hybrid Limited Sedan 1.6L I-4 + Elec 1.32-kWh8.70 sec16.60 sec139 hpFWD
2022N Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-45.10 sec13.80 sec276 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidGL-4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity1.8 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidKia IVTF SP-CVT1
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.8 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.2 qt
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts26.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs78.0-12.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)640 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity3.04-3.71 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance60 O.E. AmpHrs. cca
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 47

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum290 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum5077 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51.0-73.0 psi
RPM51.0-73.0 @ Idle rpm
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)48.0-54.0 psi
RPM48.0-54.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0002; Rear: .0004
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .331

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
149.0-52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 98-102°49–52 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
187.0-94.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 78-82°87–94 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
At 10,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
Every 10,000 miBody Fasteners (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic Line (inspect) · Vehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)
Every 16,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 20,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 26,000 miClutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra sits within a long-term downward trend of consumer complaints, which peaked in 2013 and 2017 before declining steadily into the current generation. With 128 complaints, the 2021 model shows a significant improvement over the 240 complaints recorded for 2020, though it remains slightly higher than the 95 complaints seen in 2022. While complaints decreased, 2021 saw a spike to 6 recalls and 2 investigations, up from 3 recalls and 0 investigations in 2020. Primary complaint areas for this year include seat belts (20) and forward collision avoidance (18), though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. The record also notes 8 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint for the 2021 model. Given the continuing decline in overall complaints relative to previous years, this is a good year to buy.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
79
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
128
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 128 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts20
Forward Collision Avoidance18
Electrical System12
Unknown Or Other11
Engine6
Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance5
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other4
Engine & Engine Cooling3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V796000Seat Belts:FrontReported 13/10/2021

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… Remedy: 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…

21V00M000Visibility:WindshieldReported 28/12/2021

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 79 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-EE-003H TSB2026-04-17Electrical SystemSome vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
26-AD-001H TSB2026-02-24Exterior LightingSome 2019MY and newer vehicles equipped with a front view camera may illuminate certain…
P33 OL2025-12-19Electrical SystemIn response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Elantra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Elantra take?

4.7 qt of 5W-30 is preferred. 5W-40 may be used if 5W-30 is unavailable. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30; Temperatures above 5°F: 15W-40; Temperatures above 20°F: 20W-50, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Elantra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.