Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Genesis GV80Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 61 owner complaints for the 2021 Genesis GV80. Most complaints involve electrical system (15) and exterior lighting (13). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2026
Owner complaints
61
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Genesis) is recalling certain Genesis 2022-2026 GV70, 2023-2025 G90, 2021-2025 G80, and GV80 vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 10, 2026NHTSA 26V229000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Genesis G80, GV80, and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 11, 2023NHTSA 23V630000

Seat belts: front

Remedy pending

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Genesis GV80, 2021-2023 Genesis G80, 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, and 2023 Genesis GV60 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Seat beltsReported Feb 16, 2023NHTSA 23V094000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

61 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system15
  2. Exterior lighting13
  3. Fuel/propulsion system11
  4. Forward collision avoidance10
  5. Engine8
  6. Vehicle speed control5
  7. Lane departure5
  8. Structure4
  9. Fuel system, gasoline4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each GV80 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
202161
202245
202344
202418
202520
202611
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

15 reports1 fire
“I am writing this complaint concerning the headlight assembly issue that applies to my vehicle. The headlight has a well documented record of suddenly failing. To my knowledge there has never been an official recall from Genesis to address this issue. The issue definitely causes a safety issue and the repair of this issue is not a straight forward matter. From the various reports i have read it is a design flaw that was never addressed and it is something that fails repeatedly. With an average repair cost of between $2500 to $4500 plus labor to repair a component that is essential to safely operating the vehicle this is a huge concern for me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11769474

Exterior lighting

13 reports
“Notice condensation building up in driver side headlamp, then I received LED lights failure warning ️ as i was driving. Now i driver side signal is not working some times and now i have about 7 warnings on dash from headlamp failure to collision sensor going off. I know since car is a 2021 and i'm the second owner it's out of warranty, but i speculate that this problem probably known now look at other reports and it only had 35K miles when I purchased it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Lane departureODI 11731358

Fuel/propulsion system

11 reports2 crashes
“This complaint concerns Manufacturer Recall 033G (NHTSA Recall 26V229000) for a fuel crossover pipe with retention fasteners that may loosen over time, creating a fuel leak and engine compartment fire risk. The vehicle has not yet received the recall remedy because the nearest authorized Genesis retailer capable of performing the repair is over 620 miles round trip. The recall filing states that Genesis will reimburse owners for out-of-pocket expenses incurred to obtain the remedy, in accordance with a reimbursement plan submitted to NHTSA on March 2, 2026. I contacted Genesis's National Consumer Affairs team and requested written pre-approval of round-trip transportation costs consistent with that filed reimbursement plan, so I could arrange transport without paying out of pocket on an uncertain after-the-fact review. Genesis responded that they are unable to provide advance approval or written authorization for any round-trip transportation, mileage, fuel, or other travel-related costs. They stated only that a one-way tow may be considered for reimbursement after the recall is completed, subject to review and approval, with no commitment on the return trip.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11761773
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl turbo · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
GV80 RWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212523$3,350394
GV80 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212522$3,500401
GV80 AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,850448
  • GV80 RWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    21 city · 25 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • GV80 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    21 city · 25 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • GV80 AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Genesis GV80 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Genesis GV80 SUV RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 15703Vehicle 15689
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 GV80 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Genesis GV80 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Genesis GV80 problems?

Owners filed 61 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (15), exterior lighting (13), fuel/propulsion system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Genesis GV80 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Genesis GV80 at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Genesis GV80?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Genesis GV80 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026