2021 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sonata years
- Fewer complaints than other years 22nd of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. That ranks 22nd out of 32 Sonata model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (34 complaints, 25%), typically at around 44,000 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 13 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
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- 134owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 7complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Hyundai Sonata problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 34 | 25% | 44,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 32 | 24% | 1,400 | — | — |
| Power Train | 25 | 19% | 21,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 21 | 16% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 17 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 13 | 10% | 75,242 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 9 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 6% | 5,836 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 3% | 18,150 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | 26,450 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | 1,400 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Hyundai Sonata recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Sonata vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary. Additionally, dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software. All repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 286. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 19, 2025.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
Visibility:windshield
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will remove and reinstall the front windshield panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 216.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 207.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
My 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line suffered a catastrophic, sudden total loss of drive power while operating at speed on a public roadway, creating an immediate crash hazard. The vehicle lost forward propulsion and the gear selector flashed a blinking 'R' when reverse was attempted. The vehicle was…
DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY DEFECT & IMMEDIATE HAZARD:My 2021 Hyundai Sonata SEL is currently exhibiting the most severe, catastrophic symptoms of the fuel tank expansion defect covered under NHTSA Campaign 25V796000. The fuel tank has expanded so drastically that it physically warped the structural…
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts were on back order. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. An…
Transmission replaced twice and all of them continue to fail. Several Hyundai service centers are unable to determine the cause and are only able to update/relearn and replace whenever they are able to replicate the issue. The issue is that at a cold start, the car makes a popping sound, jerks and…
Massive loss of coolant in closed loop cooling system Heat soak. Fail safe mode
Other Hyundai Sonata years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sonata | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 Sonata | 17 | 0 |
| 2024 Sonata | 46 | 1 |
| 2023 Sonata | 87 | 2 |
| 2022 Sonata | 94 | 3 |
| 2021 | 134 | 4 |
| 2020 Sonata | 180 | 4 |
| 2019 Sonata | 162 | 0 |
| 2018 Sonata | 374 | 1 |
| 2017 Sonata | 766 | 3 |
| 2016 Sonata | 727 | 6 |
| 2015 Sonata | 1,153 | 9 |
| 2014 Sonata | 750 | 7 |
| 2013 Sonata | 1,916 | 9 |
| 2012 Sonata | 1,558 | 8 |
| 2011 Sonata | 3,377 | 14 |
| 2010 Sonata | 345 | 2 |
| 2009 Sonata | 460 | 2 |
| 2008 Sonata | 425 | 3 |
| 2007 Sonata | 696 | 5 |
| 2006 Sonata | 1,047 | 9 |
| 2005 Sonata | 165 | 1 |
| 2004 Sonata | 202 | 1 |
| 2003 Sonata | 199 | 6 |
| 2002 Sonata | 320 | 7 |
| 2001 Sonata | 205 | 3 |
| 2000 Sonata | 276 | 4 |
| 1999 Sonata | 124 | 4 |
| 1998 Sonata | 49 | 1 |
| 1997 Sonata | 49 | 2 |
| 1996 Sonata | 23 | 1 |
| 1995 Sonata | 66 | 2 |
See all Hyundai Sonata problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.
Similar Hyundai models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 34 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Hyundai Sonata a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sonata model years, the 2021 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.