Last updated: 2026-10-10
2021 Hyundai Venue Reliability Report
The 2021 Hyundai Venue rates good for reliability, but owners report failing horns and seat belt faults, and federal records show two seat belt recalls.
Recalls
2
Complaints
28
Complaint Rate
13.5per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Among the weaker Venue years, with horn failures, seat belt faults and two seat belt recalls, while the 2022 rates better.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- SEAT BELTS (5)
- SERVICE BRAKES (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is year 2 of the First generation (QX).
- Redesigned for the 2020 model year.
- 1st generation Venue (US).
What this means for buyers
Year 2 is typically a safer pick than the first model year — early issues are more likely to be identified, but the platform is still new.
If you're comparing prices, check 2020 (redesign year) vs 2021+ pricing and recalls.
2020: First generation (QX) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2021: This Model Year
2021 is year 2 of the First generation (QX).
Should You Buy the 2021 Hyundai Venue?
Reliability is good for a subcompact SUV, and this year sits above average against other 2021 SUVs. Within the Venue's own lineup, though, it is among the weaker of seven scored years. The 2020 rates about the same. The 2022 rates better and has fewer owner complaints. The federal crash-test rating is 4 of 5 stars.
The horn is the most common complaint. It quits, sometimes for good, and several owners tie it to temperatures below freezing. Some had it replaced under warranty several times, and one failure came at 7,000 miles. A backup camera that stays on in drive and neutral also shows up, and a display software update did not fix it. Seat belts matter more. One report describes the driver's belt coming unlatched while moving, with no warning light. Federal recall records list 2 seat belt recalls, and owners waiting on repairs say dealers cite a nationwide parts back order. Engine and transmission failures are rare, but both reports describe sudden power loss in traffic.
Ask for proof that both seat belt recalls were completed. Test the horn and backup camera, and compare the 2022.
Compared to the 2022 Hyundai Venue, which scored 3 points higher. See also the 2020 Hyundai Venue for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Horn quits, sometimes for days and sometimes for good (9 complaints)
- −SEAT BELTS: Seat belt warning light stays on, even with the passenger seat empty (5 complaints)
Compare 2021 Hyundai Venue With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- SEAT BELTS (5)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2021 Hyundai Venue carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
13.5
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 16.7
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 4/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Hyundai Venue Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Hyundai Venue. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SEAT BELTS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Venue vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Consequence
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy
Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 231. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-796 for Venue vehicles. Venue vehicles previously repaired under 21V-796 will need to have the new remedy completed.
SEAT BELTS
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.
Consequence
An exploding seat belt pretensioner could project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
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 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.
Buying a used 2021 Hyundai Venue? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Venue, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2021 Hyundai Venue NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 14.3%
Safety Technologies
Hyundai VenueRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Hyundai Venue.
Press the horn several times, ideally on a cold morning, and ask for any warranty horn replacement records.
Shift from reverse into drive and neutral and confirm the backup camera image turns off each time.
Connect an iPhone to Apple CarPlay, run navigation during the test drive, and watch for dropped connections or a blank map.
Buckle and tug every seat belt, and confirm the warning light clears with the passenger seat empty.
Start the car several times and confirm the dash lights and climate controls come on at the first try.
Accelerate from a stop and through turns, feeling for hesitation, bucking, or slipping, and ask for transmission repair records.
Brake firmly at several speeds and walk away if the pedal feels hard, crunches, or sinks toward the floor.
Make slow, tight turns and watch for heavy steering or power steering warning lights.
2021 Hyundai Venue Common Problems by Component
28 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 complaintsThe horn quits, sometimes for days and sometimes for good. Several reports tie the failure to cold weather, with the horn fading or dying below freezing and returning when it warms up. Some owners say the horn was replaced under warranty several times and failed again, with one failure logged at 7,000 miles. A second pattern: the backup camera stays on in drive and neutral, and a display software update did not fix it. Apple CarPlay dropping its connection to the screen and an intermittent stereo also come up.
SEAT BELTS
5 complaintsThe seat belt warning light stays on, even with the passenger seat empty. More serious reports describe the driver's belt coming unlatched while the car is moving with no warning light, and a rear belt that stays locked tight against the passenger. Owners waiting on seat belt repairs say dealers report a nationwide back order on parts, so the fix is delayed. Some complaints filed here also mention unrelated problems, including a check engine light and lane assist tugging the wheel.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaintsSafety-relatedIgnition problems lead this category. Reports describe the car losing power when the key is bumped while driving, and one incident where the steering locked in a turn and the car hit a curb, with damage but no injuries. Another owner had a failed ignition tumbler under 24,000 miles. The warranty covered the switch but not re-keying the car. Wireless Apple CarPlay and navigation also drop out mid-route, blanking the map. A separate report describes the car not accelerating with the pedal pressed, which a dealer could not diagnose.
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaintsBrake pedal behavior is the concern. One report describes a hard pedal with crunching noises at every stop, which the dealer could not reproduce. Another describes the pedal sinking to the floor with an abnormal vibration and the stability control warning light on, at about 23,000 miles. Both involve reduced braking while driving, which is a crash risk. Only two complaints exist, so no clear repair pattern shows up.
POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
2 complaintsCatastrophic failures show up in both reports. In one, the engine smoked, made a loud noise, and dropped parts on the ground at around 43,000 miles, and Hyundai approved an engine replacement. In the other, the car lost all acceleration and bucked while turning across oncoming traffic, with no check engine light. Repeated transmission reprogramming did not help, and the dealer eventually found the transmission slipping and replaced it. Both describe sudden loss of power in traffic.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsPower steering assist can drop out during a turn. The wheel turns firm and hard to move, and the power steering and safety warning lights come on. In the one detailed case, the dealer found a failed electronic control module at about 32,000 miles. The other complaint filed here is about theft, not steering. The owner reports the car was stolen without keys and links it to widely shared theft methods aimed at Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintLoss of drive power and rough idle. Intermittent no start due to voltage drop. Suspected shorted egr valve causing multiple parts on the same circut to go bad. Brought the car to dealer for the 6th time due to loss of power while driving and rough idle. Asked for a diagnostic of the egr valve due to matching symptoms to the egr recall of the 2024 venue which is the same part number installed in my vehicle. Was informed they can't get it covered under warranty without a code present even if it was faulty. Was sent on my way with a dangerously running car. The egr valve is actuating when not commanded and getting stuck in the opposite position as commanded throwing crankshaft position codes due to being on the same circut and has bèen happeneing since new. My children and my self have almost been in two separate crashes already and if the 2024 hyundai venue egr valve recall is not expanded to include the 2021 there will be fatalities from this issue. Please contact me asap
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintCruise control system failure. Safety at risk due to sudden un-commanded full acceleration to 180% of speed while on cruise control. Problem is reproducible - see txt and video attached. Unknown if inspected but it was reported to enterprise renta car upon return april/16/2022. no warning lights lamps audio warnings or anything.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintI purchased this vehicle on 7/25/2021 and didn't drive it at night until 6 days later. When I turned on the headlights, I was shocked to find that they only illuminate a very small portion of the road, hindering my ability to see traffic in front of me, or anything else that may be on the road beyond a few feet. It's as if I'm driving in a dark tunnel, and also cannot see the side of the road. If a deer or other animal or person suddenly ran into the road, I would have no reaction time. I immediately filed a claim with Hyundai, and three months later I heard back saying they deny that anything is wrong with the vehicle. The dealer service manager has looked at the car twice and has admitted that it's a known problem but states, "that's just the way they are made." I have found facebook groups and posts with other owners stating the same issue. This is an enormous safety hazard. I requested that Hyundai replace the headlights or buy back the vehicle but they refuse. I can't safely drive my new car at night.
Best & Worst Hyundai Venue Years
Best Hyundai Venue Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreHyundai Venue Years to Avoid
No Hyundai Venue years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 71 and 82 across 7 scored model years.
Hyundai Venue Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Hyundai Venue Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Hyundai Venue reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Venue?
Does the 2021 Hyundai Venue have seat belt problems?
Why does the horn fail on the 2021 Hyundai Venue?
Is the 2022 Hyundai Venue better than the 2021?
Don’t buy a 2021 Hyundai Venue without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2021 Hyundai Venue
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Hyundai Venue does best on how many systems draw complaints (83/100) and worst on complaint severity (67/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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