HyundaiNexo2021Overview/hyundai/nexo/2021/base/

2021 Hyundai Nexo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Nexo.

Within Hyundai's 2019-2024 Nexo lineage, the 2021 model emerges as a notably stable iteration, recording zero recalls and just two total owner complaints across its lifespan. The few reported issues cluster around the fuel system and electrical system, though the absence of any recalls indicates these are isolated grievances rather than systemic design flaws. Sitting directly between the peak complaint year of 2020 and the record-low year of 2022, this model year represents a critical downward inflection point in the vehicle's reliability history. Consequently, the 2021 Nexo signals a meaningful shift toward long-term dependability, offering researchers a clear marker of when the platform's early production issues were largely resolved.

Model year2025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire size225/60R17 99HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height64.6 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight4059 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.4 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Nexo of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2019 Limited Fuel Cell
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Limited Fuel Cell Hydrogen Electric 1.6-kWh8.40 sec16.80 sec161 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts26.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.21-1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil Capacity4.94-5.64 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 62.0-; Rear: 58.0-
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.35; Rear: 0.31
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.039; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0002; Rear: .0001
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 36,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Nexo stands out as the most trouble-free model year in the generation, with only 2 complaints and zero recalls—the lowest figures in the entire 20192024 record. This marks a sharp improvement from the preceding 2019 and 2020 years, which averaged 5 complaints and 4 recalls each, and it also outperforms the subsequent 2022–2024 period, where complaints and recalls both rose again. The TSB count for 2021 is just 5, a dramatic drop from 34 in 2020 and well below the 14–18 range seen in later years, suggesting that Hyundai may have addressed earlier issues by this model year. The two complaints filed involve the fuel/electrical system and a combined electrical/engine/forward-collision-avoidance concern, but with no crash or fire reports, the severity appears low. While the data does not specify root causes, the trend clearly shows 2021 as a low point in the generation’s complaint and recall arc. For a used buyer, the 2021 Nexo is a strong pick given its clean federal record relative to both earlier and later years.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Fuel System, Other,Electrical System1
Electrical System,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V258000Fuel System, Other:DeliveryReported 14/04/2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Nexo vehicles. The hydrogen gas detection sensors may fail to detect leaks in the hydrogen gas delivery system. Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the hydrogen gas detection sensors, free of…

24V761000Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief DevicesReported 11/10/2024

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Nexo vehicles. The thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) may break and cause a hydrogen gas leak, which can result in a fire while parked. Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the TPRD, free of charge. Interim notification letters…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…
23-BD-007H2023-04-24StructureHyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to…
23-BD-002H2023-01-30VisibilityThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
22-GI-006H2022-07-14TiresEffective June 2, 2008, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 (FMVSS 110) established…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Nexo. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Nexo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.