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.
Visibility, Dec 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while traveling at highway speeds, a tiny pebble hit his windshield which caused a minor ding on the middle of the driver’s side windshield. Over time, the ding spread from the driver’s side to the lane assist sensor located in the middle of the windshield. The contact stated that the crack spread vertically and horizontally across his windshield. He stated that the crack had obstructed his vision while driving at various speeds. The dealer was initially notified of the failure and informed him that he had to have the vehicle repaired by a recommended third party. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 23,000.
Engine, Dec 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission fluid leaking from the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the transmission fluid leakage was flammable. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they were backed up with other vehicles and could not diagnose the vehicle for approximately three weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 5,600.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2021
2021 Sonata N LINE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AUTO WIPERS WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN USING MY TURN SIGNAL. WIPES ONCE THEN GOES OFF. HAS ALSO COME ON ONCE WITHOUT THE USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL. SWIPED 3 TO 4 TIMES AND THEN WENT OFF
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2021
On August 23rd, 2021, I was on a business trip between High Point, NC and Greenville, SC. I was operating my own vehicle as the mode of transport. Upon arrival in Greenville, the car began behaving strangely. The transmission was not shifting at typical intervals, at times racing the engine at low speeds. After restarting the vehicle, there was a brief return to normal. Then the vehicle reported a "Check Engine" light and the transmission stopped functioning entirely. Due to capacity issues, I was unable to utilize a local dealership. I used AAA to tow the vehicle to Fort Mill Hyundai in Fort Mill, SC, where it remains to this day. The vehicle threw a P0868 code, which is supposedly a generic error relating to an electrical problem in the transmission.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 7, 2021
WE LEASE A 2021 SONATA SEL EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM FEATURING AN OCS IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE OCS IS TO DISABLE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS TA CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR SMALL CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG IS DISABLED TO PREVENT INJURIES TO A CHILD FROM A RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG INFLATION DURING A CRASH. MY WIFE IS ABOUT 4'10" TALL AND WEIGHS 135#. WHEN SEATED IN PASSENGER SEAT, SHE REQUIRES A CUSHION TO RAISE HER SO SHE CAN SEE OVER DASHBOARD AND OUT SIDE WINDOW. OUR SONATA IS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS RAISED TO HIGHEST POSITION. PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN SHE USES CUSHION, THE OCS LIGHT STAYS ON INDICATING THAT AIR BAGS ARE DEACTIVATED AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD CAUSE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD TO MY WIFE. WE TOOK CAR TO DEALER SERVICE CENTER TWICE, AND WE CALLED HYUNDAI USA CUSTOMER SERVICE - BOTH SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. SMALL ADULTS LIKE MY WIFE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BYPASS THE OCS USING A SHUNT OR BYPASS SWITCH. WE FEED THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. EARLIER SONATA MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE.
Parking brake, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after driving out of the garage and parking in the driveway with the engine idling and remote smart parking assist feature activated, 6 minutes later the vehicle suddenly began to slowly roll forward into the garage area making contact with a second vehicle that was parked in the garage before crashing into the back of the garage wall and stopping. During the incident, no injuries were reported, and no police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable the duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,400.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2021
Excessive wind noise is coming from the driver side window when speeds are over 55mph+. A lot of other owners on the forums are experiencing the same problem.
Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2021
SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE WIRELESS APPLE CAR PLAY. REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR NOT IT LOSES CONNECTIVITY. WHILE DRIVING THIS CAUSE YOU TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD AS MESSAGES APPEAR ON THEIR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. CALLS ARE DROPPED, NAVIGATION STOPS SO WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE MESSAGES YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ROAD. APPLE IS AWARE BUT HAS NOT RESOLVED IT. HYUNDAI IS AWARE BUT HAVE NOT RESOLVED IT. THE INTERNET IS LOADED WITH ISSUES FOR THIS SITUATION. NOT SURE IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN ASSIST WITH BUT I'M ASSUMING AT SOME POINT THEIR WILL BE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN'T USE THE HANDS FREE OPTION AS IT ALSO STOPS WORKING.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2021
PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLOSION. HAPPENED ON OPEN HIGHWAY ROAD WITH NO CAR IN NEAR VICINITY OR SIGN OF ANY KIND OF DEBRIS HITTING THE VEHICLE.