2021 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 134 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 7 involved a crash. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasolineNov 18, 2025
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.
A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 25V796000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2022
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.
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V746000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshieldDec 28, 2021
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.
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V00M000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJul 9, 2021
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.
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 21V524000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
9 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 26, 2026
Massive loss of coolant in closed loop cooling system Heat soak. Fail safe mode
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 1, 2026
Will be driving the car and suddenly hear a beep. Then the dashboard will flash with the ABS light engine light tire pressure light check Blindspot sensors, forward collision sensors. once all the lights appear on the dashboard, I can no longer accelerate. i’ve cleaned the throttlebody. I’ve replaced the gas pedal and it’s still kicking back the same code it still does it the same identical thing. It’s given out on me three times since December with an infant in the car. We are now in February.
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 8, 2025, crash
During a front end collision the car did not auto brake and the air bags did not deploy. The car has been totaled and is currently at a dealership for insurance appraisal.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 29, 2025
Was driving in reverse out of garage and ABS brakes were applied like I hit a patch of ice stopping the car. Released when applied pressure to brake. Then while on highway going 60 miles an hour the emergency brake system went on for no reason applying pressure and red light came on the dash with a left facing arrow. System released within a few seconds but scared me and I still have to drive this car on highway.
Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the Forward Collision Avoidance failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the sensor was braking prematurely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, May 5, 2023, crash
Vehicle in front of me stopped. Six car lengths between us. I applied brakes, nothing, I even put my left foot on top of my right foot. There was plenty of time to stop but brake peddle wouldn’t go down, Felt like it was locked. Automatic Brake Sensor didn’t work either. Still waiting for inspection from manufacturer , 3 weeks. Never had any problems prior to this, After accident my warning came on about front collision failure .
Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 27, 2023
My car barely has 11,000 miles and just the other day it had about 20miles left of gas but as I was driving on the road it started to feel and seem like it was about to die on me, Also the front Wipers are not well restrained with the vehicle you can tell by the way it moves when Wipers are on....Also most of the Signals be It if something is in front of me and the signal goes off BUT THERES NOTHING THERE ...ALSO WHEN IM BACKING UP SOMETIMES the car itself will Force stop as if something is in the way ...BUT AGAIN NOTHING IS THERE AT ALL ...IT HAPPENS EVERY FEW DAYS ....I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ..AND REALLY THINKING IT WAS WORST MISTAKE W ALL THESE ISSUES ALREADY
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 8, 2022
I leased a 2021 Sonata, and the Car has been a nightmare. My Car has been serviced by the dealership twice for a steering wheel that will not stop making noises. I am very concerned for my safety in this Car. The Wheel becomes hard to move. Also, last year, the Car was in the shop for four months while the forward collision sign needed to be fixed. The Car stopped twice. I am terrified to drive this car; it only has 9,200 miles.
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Jul 15, 2022
Unknown