Recall 21V301 affects 158,493 2019-2021 Hyundai Elantra, Kona, and Veloster vehicles with a piston-ring defect. Free repair at a Hyundai dealer once available.
Hyundai is recalling 158,493 2019-2021 Elantra, Kona, and Veloster vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines under recall 21V301 because the piston oil rings were not properly heat-treated. A damaged engine can stall or leak oil onto hot exhaust parts, raising the risk of a crash or fire, and the dealer repair will be free once Hyundai opens the final remedy.
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What's wrong?
The piston oil rings on the 2.0L Nu MPI engine are small metal rings that sit in grooves around each piston. Their job is to scrape excess oil off the cylinder walls so the engine burns fuel cleanly and keeps the right amount of lubrication where it belongs. A properly hardened oil ring holds its shape under constant heat and friction for the life of the engine.
On affected 2019-2021 Hyundai Elantra, Kona, and Veloster vehicles, the oil rings went through the nitride hardening process at intervals of low temperature. That left the rings too hard and prone to cracking. Once a ring cracks, oil slips past the piston into the combustion chamber, the engine burns oil it should not burn, and internal parts wear down. In severe cases, the engine is damaged beyond repair.
Watch for a knocking noise from the engine, reduced power or hesitation, the check engine light, the oil pressure warning light, a burning smell, oil leaks, or smoke. Any of these are warning signs to stop and have the vehicle inspected.
Who's affected?
Covers three Hyundai models (Elantra, Kona, Veloster) across the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years, all sharing the same piston assembly part number 23041-2E801.
| 2020 Hyundai Veloster | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2021 Hyundai Veloster | Engine |
| 2020 Hyundai Elantra | Engine |
| 2019 Hyundai Elantra | Engine |
| 2020 Hyundai Kona | Engine |
| 2021 Hyundai Kona | Engine |
| 2019 Hyundai Kona | Engine |
| 2019 Hyundai Veloster | Engine |
| Units affected | 158,493 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged engine can stall without warning and raises the risk of a crash. Oil leaking onto hot exhaust parts also raises the risk of a fire. Watch for knocking from the engine, hesitation, a check-engine or oil-pressure light, a burning smell, or visible smoke, and stop driving if any of these appear. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Hyundai Elantra, Kona, or Veloster is included in this recall.
- Wait for Hyundai's owner notification letter before scheduling the engine repair, since the final remedy is still under development.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer once the remedy opens to schedule the engine inspection and replacement (Hyundai replaces the engine if the piston oil rings caused damage) and the Piston Ring Noise Sensing System software update that flags ring failure early.
- Watch for engine stalling, knocking noises, or oil leaks onto hot exhaust components, and stop driving the vehicle if any of those occur.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 with questions and reference recall number 21V301 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Hyundai's final repair is still under development. Once it opens, a Hyundai technician will inspect the engine and replace it if the inspection shows damage, free under the recall. Dealers will also install Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software, which monitors the engine for symptoms tied to this defect. Parts and labor are free of charge once the remedy is available. If you previously paid for an engine repair tied to this condition, Hyundai's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 to start a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 28, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 25, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| June 25, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 25, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 25, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 24, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V301?
Recall 21V301 covers 158,493 2019-2021 Hyundai Elantra, Kona, and Veloster vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings were not properly heat-treated, which can damage the engine. A damaged engine can stall and can leak oil onto hot exhaust components, raising the risk of a fire.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Hyundai Elantra, Kona, or Veloster is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V301. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the engine inspection. Reference recall number 21V301 when you call, or reach Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. The inspection and any engine replacement are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost. Hyundai dealers will inspect the engine and, if needed, replace it free of charge. Hyundai will also deploy the Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software at no cost to the owner.
What if I bought my Hyundai used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Hyundai never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included, then reference recall number 21V301 when you call a franchised Hyundai dealer.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for engine knocking or ticking noises, a sudden loss of power, an illuminated check-engine or oil-pressure light, or the smell of burning oil. If the engine stalls or you see smoke from the engine bay, pull over safely and contact a franchised Hyundai dealer. Reference recall 21V301 when you call.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V301000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V301 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V301000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →