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
134 reports, newest first.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 5, 2025
2021 Hyundai Sonata with approximately 39,000 miles. On [XXX], the dashboard displayed the following message "Shifter system malfunction! Service immediately" When the warning appeared, the vehicle shifter button would not function, creating a traffic safety risk. History: Dealer service history shows the transmission was replaced on the vehicle under warranty on 08/30/2021 with 2,212 miles with no campaign/recall issued. Dealer states there is no recall campaign on this vehicles specific VIN # and NHTSA currently shows no open recalls for this vehicle. However, Hyundai advertises an 8-Speed DCT Safety Recall for the same year, make and model, and describes this identical issue, but has left this vehicle's VIN# out of scope for this recall, which is continuing to demonstrate the same issues. Current dealer/manufacturer response: On 9/4/2025, the dealer declined warranty or recall repair unless the fault was active on their diagnostic scan at the moment the scan was performed. A photo was provided to the mechanics of the dashboard showing the transmission service warning, with current mileage. The dealer advised there were no diagnostic log history showing the transmission error code even with photographic proof and attempted to return the vehicle to me. I have rejected the return of the vehicle and advised that this needs to be escalated, because if logs are not appearing, this is even a bigger cause for concern and that the vehicle is a safety hazard. Concern: Because this vehicle required an early transmission replacement and is now exhibiting new transmission/shifter warnings, I am concerned the failure relates to the known transmission/shifter recall on this model and that the recall scope and/or remedy is incomplete for the affected vehicles including my vin #. It is also possible the dealership is attempting to run out the warranty which expires in 3 months. Vehicle, photo of the warning, and service records are available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2025
The parking assistant camera on the front of the car is loose, which means that the bracket is broke. I took my car into Hyundai and they could not explain to me how it got broke or came loose and this is a safety issue because this helps you park and see what’s in front of you when parking.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 6, 2025
I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding Hyundai’s Recall Campaign 216, which involves a safety defect related to the windshield assemblies of certain Hyundai vehicles. Despite the recall being issued to address the risk of inadequate windshield adhesion due to non-conforming clear coat paint, I have been unable to get my vehicle repaired. I contacted my local Hyundai dealership promptly after learning about the recall; however, they informed me that they were unable to perform the repair at the time due to not having a glass technician on staff/on site. I made multiple phone calls after anticipating the service manager’s follow up, as she promised, with dates a glass technician could be on site. I never heard back after leaving various voicemails or being put through to the wrong departments. This delay is concerning because the recall notice specifically outlines the increased risk of injury in a crash if the windshield is not adequately retained. As a concerned vehicle owner, I am left driving a potentially unsafe vehicle without any clarity on when a proper remedy will be available. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter and ensure that Hyundai and its dealerships are prepared and properly equipped to carry out the necessary recall repairs in a timely manner, in alignment with their safety responsibilities. I have attached the email received 7/31 from Hyundai following my customer service complaint I submitted 7/9. Please let me know if any additional documentation or vehicle information is required.
Power train, Engine, Jul 27, 2025
After initial startup and drive for a short time, I come to a stop. Then after vehicle doesn’t want to accelerate as it normally would. Vehicle struggles to gain speed but, the engine revs excessively. I pull off the road and come to a stop and try to accelerate again and the same thing happens. I shut the vehicle off and wait a few minutes,then restart and the vehicle accelerates normally again. There were no check engine lights the when this has happened.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2025
The moon roof made a very loud noise as I was driving down the interstate. It sounded like a loud bang. The safety risk was that I could have jerked the wheel from the scare of the loud sound. My moon roof then shattered and began to fly off.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2025
I bought this car in June 2013 for its safety and its Amazing warranty and all the features that it has Hyundai manufacture had an obligation as a consumer service and failed to send notification of any recalled to us in regards to a recall High pressure, fuel pump, and fuel rail Fuel system engine, gas tank This is a product of liability and negligence on time but they failed to take responsibility and comply with federal laws. I was driving with my family in the car when this car was a ticking Time bomb not even being aware of the Death trap on wheels. We ended having towed our home and then to then had to make a call next day and have it towed to Hyundai service center While we were driving this happen, where we heard two loud pops the gas gauge went down from 200 something to 80 engine lights came right up the backseats were heating up under my son seat in the back stated he felt waves as the backseat was getting hotter, we pulled over to a gas station and that’s when we had to call called O’Reillys and then we called a mechanic friend which stated that he ended up looking up the car and stated please pull over and get out car and called the Hyundai manufacture that there was a recall that’s the only way we found out other than that no prior incidents, then called the service technician of Hyundai i called amd complaint with the Honda manufacture corporate. They have failed to take the responsibility for this and they should be ashamed and take their accountability for this we could’ve died and anyone else around us on road as we drive this car daily The car was a higher risk of a ticking time bomb stated by the Hyundai service center technicians. this is an nere to miss accident narrowly avoid catastrophe
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2025
Rearview camera fails to display an image. It does work sometimes but then most of the times the rearview camera does not display any image as seen in the images attached. This issue started occurring recently, that is when I reverse the car, the rearview camera image is not displayed at all. Earlier the rearview camera was working with out any issue when I reverse the car. Issue seems to be same as campaign number: 24V879000
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2025
P0741 code tcc solenoid
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2025
The buttons to the door locking and unlocking don't work unless I open and close my door a few times. The same thing with the back windows. But after you do the trick and use the intended button once, it stops working and have to repeat the entire process over again. Which is not safe especially when the car is in motion, I am not able to use those buttons at all.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2025
The car would excelerate while in park. While I was pressing the brakes the car would jerk forward, it would not just quietly idle. While driving the car would randomly speed up or slow down. Sometime it would sound like it was going to shut off and start vibrating.
Power train, Mar 11, 2025
My transmission on my 21 Hyundai sonata n line has failed. It began when the car needed to emergency brake when someone jump into my lane on the road. There’s grinding, and whining in the transmission along with delayed shifts, jerking and a burning smell that comes through the vents of my car upon start up. The recall on this transmission is because it may become defective. I bought the vehicle from a Honda not a Hyundai dealer in March of 2023 the recall campaign closed out Jan of 2023. According to Hyundai records show that the TCU update remedy was performed Jan of 23. However, even though that TCU update was performed, 2 years later my transmission began to fail. I brought it to my local dealer for a transmission drain and refill not a flush. Per the service manual it’s a drain and refill however they flushed it which caused the transmission to worsen. I took it back to have it diagnosed and I was told I needed my transmission replaced. Didn’t even explain why or go into further detail what was wrong with the transmission. I brought up the recall on the transmission and they did nothing to honor it. Now I’m stuck with a car with a broken transmission i can’t afford to fix and I’m gonna be forced to hand the car over to the bank. If this recall can still be honored please help.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Mar 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking lot, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and started shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that all four fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2025
My car is giving a p0741 code and I was told has something to do with transmission and my car has been jerking.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2025
A semi truck passed me from the opposite direction and caused a gust of wind to be generated diagonally across the car. Both of us were traveling at highway speeds. The gust of wind caused the undercarriage retainers\clips to completely fail. The undercarriage folded back on itself and was pinned on both sides against each tire beneath the car. On the left side, the tire tore part of the undercarriage off as if it had came between the tire and the pavement. I believe this has the potential to cause a loss of control given ideal circumstances. Luckily, neither tire failed and I was able to safely pull to the side of the road to zip tie the undercarriage in place. However, part of the wheel well was shredded.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 12, 2025
On 5 separate occasions the car has shut itself off while driving. After the first 2 times the car was taken to the dealership where they found nothing wrong and told us to replace the battery. The battery was replaced by the dealer and within the next two weeks the car shut itself off while driving 3 more times. The car will always start back up again right away. This is a very dangerous situation.
Structure, Feb 10, 2025
Sunroof exploded on the highway with no one in-front of me to kick up any rocks or debris.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2025
I live northern suburbs of Illinois. I was backing out of a parking spot when I couldn’t switch gears from Reverse to Drive. My car showed flashing lights and said system malfunction and service immediately. I had to put the safety brake and turn of my car. It took a couple minutes to reset and turn on my car for me to move it.
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.
Power train, Jan 5, 2025
2 years after purchasing a new vehicle, the transmission began to pop and cause the car to jerk upon a cold start, RPM would increase but the speedometer would not go over 20mph. There were no error messages or alerts. I reported it several times, and the dealership technicians could not duplicate the issue and stated that the car was driving as it was designed even after providing video proof. They were later able to partially replicate the issue when the car popped and jerked after a cold start and then replaced the transmission, however, it did not resolve the issue. 1 month after the repair the car started having the same issues. After several trips to the service department, they have still been unable to duplicate the issue even with recent video proof. Based on how the technicians enter notes, the manufacturer refuses to pursue any alternative method for figuring out what is going on. This is risky because my car, upon starting cannot be safely driven and the car will shutter upon stopping at lights sometimes.
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2024
In June 2024, I was driving my vehicle when I started to smell burning from under the dashboard. As I continued to drive, the smell got worse, and on my way to the dealer, my air conditioner stopped working. I took my car back to the dealer for service, and several days later, I was told that my car needed a hardness connected to several components in the engine compartment. I remember while I was dropping off my car at the dealer, one of the service advisors told me that it was good. I drove to the dealer because the car could have gone on fire. It's now six months later, and they have not fixed my car. I was told they're awaiting parts from Korea to complete the fix. My concern is that this part can cause a fire. Why did Hyundai not recall these vehicles? Hyundai knows about the problem. I was told that I'm not the only one waiting; supposedly, there are 100's more customers waiting for this part.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 4, 2024
This car has two problems. 2 weeks I was driving on the highway. All the sudden the shutoff and lost all power on the car. Thank god I pulled to the side of the road safely. Turned the car off and turned it back on. The car started to run normal. I took it to mechanic. They scanned the car with their computer. Said the car has no problems. Tested the battery and all other components. No problems found. This happened again yesterday on the highway driving. Car engine shuts off again. The car has engine problems as well. But Hyundai denies to address it.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 6, 2024
2021 Hyundai Sonata 59,850 miles RPM jumps to around 1,300 at zero miles on occasion. If I am stopped, at a red light or behind other stopped autos, the vehicle jumps forward when I take my foot off the brake. Because this happens quite often, I am aware of this and keep my foot on the brake until other vehicles are out of the way to avoid bumping into them. When this happens, I can cruise at 30 miles per hour without having my foot on the accelerator, I can slow down or stop by applying the brakes but the engine RPM stays at 1,300. If I stop and shut off the vehicle and restart, the operation goes back to normal but occurs again later. The Hyundai dealer has had the vehicle back 9 times but the issue continues. The first few times, they could not find an issue, I returned to the shop when this was happening and the service manager and a technician observed this condition, the EGR valve was replaced. Was OK for a bit but condition returned, the computer was then replaced. Condition continued. Brought the vehicle back and a scan was done and system “re-learned. After a short time the condition returned. Went back to the service center and they did another scan and another re-learn. Condition returned 4-5 days later. Problem still not resolved. Have 59,850 miles on the vehicle, warranty expires at 60,00 miles. This started around July 1, Now October 5. Waiting for a loaner so the service center can drive it around until the situation occurs and they can bring it in immediately for diagnosis. This is the same issue as reported for the same year vehicle in July 2022.
Engine, Sep 19, 2024, crash
I purchased this vehicle brand new. It is still under factory warranty. It has approximately 14k miles on it. I have followed all recommended maintenance procedures. During a routine maintenance appointment at the dealership (Vancouver Hyundai 6802 NE 40th Street, Vancouver WA 98661) they identified a catastrophic engine failure due to internal component deterioration and the engine needs to be replaced. They have had my vehicle in their possession since [XXX] of this year for a total of 134 days. I have a case number at Hyundai # [XXX]. They have not been helpful in providing any information and as of now, I do not know when they even expect to receive a new engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.