Recall 21V302 affects 1,464 2021 Hyundai Elantra vehicles for improperly welded front seat back recliners. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 1,464 2021 Elantra sedans under recall 21V302 because the driver and front passenger seat back recliners were improperly welded. A recliner that separates from the seat back frame during a crash raises the risk of injury, and Hyundai dealers will inspect and repair the seats free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat back frame is the welded steel structure inside each front seat that holds the seatback upright and locks it at the angle you set with the recliner. Strong welds at the recliner joint keep the seatback anchored to the lower seat frame, so the seat stays in position during normal driving and absorbs load in a crash.
On the affected 2021 Elantra vehicles, a damaged laser lens cover on the welding equipment cut the laser output during a short production window. That means some recliner welds on the driver and front passenger seat back frames were not made to the correct strength specification. A weak weld at this joint can allow the seatback to shift or separate from the lower frame under load, reducing the protection the seat is designed to provide.
There is no warning sign before failure. The weld is hidden inside the seat structure, and the seat will look and feel normal until it is stressed.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,464 |
Not every 2021 Hyundai Elantra is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly welded seat back recliner can separate from the seat back frame during a crash, raising the risk of injury to the person in that seat. There is no warning sign before failure, so the defect is invisible until a collision exposes it. Schedule the inspection soon and ask the dealer to replace the seat back frame assembly if needed. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Hyundai Elantra is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the seat-back recliner inspection and replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V302 (Hyundai recall 204) when you call.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-888-371-9460 with any questions about the free seat-back frame repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician inspects the driver and front passenger seat back recliners and, if the welds are defective, replaces the seat back frame assembly. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related seat back frame repair before the recall notice, Hyundai's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and any repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive, or call Hyundai customer service at 1-888-371-9460 to confirm what documentation to submit.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 28, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 21, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 25, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| June 25, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 25, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V302?
Recall 21V302 covers 1,464 2021 Hyundai Elantra sedans with driver and front passenger seat back recliners that were improperly welded. The weld defect can cause the recliner to separate from the seat back frame during a crash. Hyundai dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the seat back frame assembly free of charge.
What should I do if my 2021 Hyundai Elantra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Elantra is included in recall 21V302. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the seat back inspection and any needed replacement. Reference recall number 21V302 when you call. You can also contact Hyundai customer service at 1-888-371-9460.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. Hyundai dealers will inspect the front seat back recliners and replace the seat back frame assembly when needed, free of charge, at any franchised Hyundai dealer regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
An improperly welded seat back recliner can separate from the seat back frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the driver or front passenger. The defect involves the weld itself, so there is no warning sign before a crash exposes it. Schedule the dealer inspection once your VIN is confirmed.
What if I bought my 2021 Hyundai Elantra 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 Elantra is included in recall 21V302, then contact a franchised Hyundai dealer or call Hyundai customer service at 1-888-371-9460.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V302000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-888-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V302 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V302000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →