2021 Hyundai Venue Safety Report

The 2021 Hyundai Venue presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but notable concerns regarding specific component failures and a critical recall. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an overall 4-star safety rating, including 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash, and 4 stars for rollover, indicating good occupant protection in most collision scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 28 total complaints, including 1 crash incident, with no reported fires, injuries, or deaths. A significant safety concern is highlighted by two recalls (NHTSA Campaign Numbers 22V458000 and 22V458000, both for SEAT BELTS:FRONT) addressing a defect where front seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment, potentially projecting metal fragments and causing injury. This issue is directly referenced in multiple complaints where owners report seat belt malfunctions or the inability to get recall repairs due to parts shortages. Beyond the recall, common complaint patterns reveal issues with the 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' category (5 complaints), 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER' (4 complaints), and 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (3 complaints), suggesting a range of electrical glitches. Specific complaints detail horn failures (reported multiple times by several owners), intermittent stereo operation, and backup camera malfunctions that persist in drive or neutral. Power train and engine issues are also present, with complaints describing loss of acceleration, rough idle, and even a vehicle smoking and making loud noises after starting. Brake issues, including hard pedals and crunching noises, have also been reported. Several complaints describe critical safety incidents such as loss of acceleration while driving, leading to near-misses, and steering lock-ups resulting in loss of control and tire damage. The recurring nature of horn failures is particularly concerning as it directly impacts a driver's ability to warn others. While the overall crash ratings are positive, the documented component failures and the serious nature of the seat belt pretensioner recall warrant careful consideration for potential buyers. The relatively low number of total complaints (28) for a vehicle of this age should be viewed in context of the severity of some reported issues.

Our recommendation: Despite good crash ratings, potential buyers should prioritize verifying all recall repairs are completed, especially for the seat belt pretensioners, and be aware of recurring electrical and power train issues that could impact safety and reliability.