2021 Hyundai Sonata problems and recalls

Owners have filed 134 complaints on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, and NHTSA has issued 4 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (34 complaints).

134
Complaints
4
Recalls
7
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
13
Injuries
82.5
Severity index

Severity index 82.5 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 82.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 13 of 94 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 86% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 34 complaints (25.4%)34 25%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 32 complaints (23.9%)32 24%Power TrainPower Train: 25 complaints (18.7%)25 19%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 21 complaints (15.7%)21 16%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 17 complaints (12.7%)17 13%Fuel SystemFuel System: 13 complaints (9.7%)13 10%GasolineGasoline: 13 complaints (9.7%)13 10%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 9 complaints (6.7%)9 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE3425.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3223.9%
POWER TRAIN2518.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2115.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1712.7%
FUEL SYSTEM139.7%
GASOLINE139.7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE96.7%

Complaints filed per year

020412021: 92022: 182023: 222024: 152025: 292026: 41 (partial year)21222324252641
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20219
202218
202322
202415
202529
2026 (year to date)41
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.4x those in 2021 to 2022 (66 against 27).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V52400009/07/2021FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSHyundai 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.
21V00M00028/12/2021VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELDHyundai 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.
22V74600006/10/2022POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONHyundai 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 re
25V79600018/11/2025FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEHyundai 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.

Other Hyundai Sonata model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-30. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.