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2021 Hyundai Elantra: false forward collision warnings

9 of the 132 complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Elantra describe false forward collision warnings.

owner complaints
9
of this car's complaints
7%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

False forward collision warnings by model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2024
    3
  • 2023
    4
  • 2022
    2
  • 2021
    9
  • 2020
    7
  • 2019
    3
  • 2018
    1

What owners say

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Driver assistance · PA

The Forward collision warning light comes on randomly at times and disables the system. It’s done this on 3 occasions. No one has inspected the vehicle. I was told everything was normal. No injuries involved. The problem has occurred 3 times now with code c1620078. The history codes show this has happened to the previous owner as well. I bought it in 7/2025 and it happened driving it home from buying it, in 11/25, and 12/10/25

Filed Sep 16, 2024 · Driver assistance · NY

Several times, including yesterday, my forward collision avoidance engaged by braking suddenly and strongly and INAPPROPRIATELY, almost causing me to be rear-ended. I was nowhere near the car in front of me, and fortunately due to traffic was traveling below the speed limit. This seems to happen whenever there is an overpass above the road. I have reported this to Hyundai, and they don't seem very concerned. Very dangerous. I would think there could be a software or sensor update that can correct this situation.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · KY

On three occasions while turning out into an intersection my steering wheel will lock up and my forward collision warning system will engage and my just stop in the road. Out of those three times, my car has been towed to the dealership twice. The dealer has been working very hard to identify the issue while working with Hyundai tech services. They have poured countless hours and money into this car and still have not been able to identify and correct it. My vehicle has become a deathtrap waiting to happen.

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · Driver assistance · NY

Forward Collision warning system continues to engage dangerously and inappropriately, almost causing me to be hit from behind, as I always leave plenty of room in front. This is very scary and very dangerous. Software updates have not remedied the situation. Hyundai motors seems completely uninterested.

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MD

The forward collision warning stopped working several months ago. We gave the (leased) car to the dealer for repairs after 4 weeks of waiting (parts, etc.) We were told the car was fixed and ready for pick-up. I drove it from Baltimore to DC for a meeting and on several occassions when car stopped abruptly in front of me on the highway it did not give a warning, when I tried using cruise control, it would not engage because the conditions for doing so had not been met - same message I had when foward collision was not working. It's pretty clear that this was not fixed and instead they must have changed the messaging so that it does not appear as a warning when you start the car. The feature is really important to us because it has prevented a potentially fatal accident on a winding road in NY state where we found a truck on our lane due to a downed tree on the other lane - the car braked well before I did- which is the point of these safety systems. The dealer is Len Stoler Hyundai in Owings Mills

Filed Oct 29, 2022 · Driver assistance · MI

A warning light frequently activate to demonstrate malfunction of the driver forward collision avoidance safety features. This was presented to the dealer for warranty repair. The same defect persists despite their intervention.

Filed Sep 29, 2022 · Driver assistance · NY

While driving down the highway, a warning light stating the Forward Collision Warning system became inoperable, as well as the Adaptive Cruise Control System. Vehicle has no collisions, yet the dealer can't get the system to calibrate again.

Filed Nov 13, 2021 · Driver assistance · NY

In the middle of crossing the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge in New York City, the forward collision warning came on and the braking system automatically engaged REPEATEDLY. I was traveling about 30 MPH and had about 4 car lengths between my car and the one in front. The system kept engaging no matter how much room I put between myself and the car in front of me, and as I was in the middle lane of a bridge in heavy traffic I could not pull over. I always keep a good distance in front when driving, but because of the system inappropriately engaging I almost got rear-ended about four times. I was terrified and this continued to happen until I got off the bridge. I use my car mainly on the weekend, and also travel this bridge almost every weekend and this was the first time this happened but it was terrifying and EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!

Filed Aug 9, 2021 · CA · crash

Son was in a crash on freeway. He got cut off and hit into rear of vehicle. Elantra is badly damaged. No collision warning. No airbag deployment.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported November 21, 2024 · 226,118 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 24V879000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2021 Hyundai Elantra collision warning

Is false forward collision warnings a common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

9 of 132 owner complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Elantra (7%) mention false forward collision warnings. The model year with the most reports is 2021.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?

There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra

Adaptive cruise 12Backup camera 12Jerking 6Headlights 5

All model years of the Hyundai Elantra

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