2021 HYUNDAI SONATA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

147

Owner Complaints

11 Crashes

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

18

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA

The 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA has received a total of 147 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. 18 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Unknown Or Other (27 complaints), Engine (26 complaints), and Power Train (18 complaints).

Recalls for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA

NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA, potentially affecting up to 321,225 vehicles.

Recall 22V746000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

| 56,148 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 21V00M000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

| 26,413 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 21V00M000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

| 26,413 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 21V00M000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

| 26,413 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 21V524000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

| 15,752 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 25V796000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

| 85,043 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 25V796000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

| 85,043 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA

147 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11719681 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
On i believe 1/14/26, my check engine light came on. Scheduled appt.for 1/16/26 for diagnostic. Several things were wrong. I decided to come back due to not having the money at the time. Over the wked, I remembered a recall notice i received around November that I asked about in November during my oil change & was told the parts aren't in & they'd give me a call. Upon viewing the recall it seemed some things I was told on 1/16/26 could be a result of the recall. I called my service person Linda on 1/20/26, she spoke to her supervisor & they informed me some of the issues seem to stem from the recall. Linda gave me the manufacturer recall contact information. I contacted them on 1/20/26. She explained there was indeed a recall, there wasn't a remedy yet, it was safe to drive & if something changes, to call back. On 1/28/26 around 5:30am I left home for work & my car all of a sudden experienced a loss of power. It wouldn't go past 30mph. I returned back home & called out of work. I called the manufacturer recall & informed them. She made an appt. to take my car in the follow day, 1/29/26. I decided to drop it off that same day, 1/28/26. I had someone follow me being i could only go 30mph on a flat road & 10mph on a slight hill. I found out my service person Linda was no longer employeed there. I spoke with another employee. He said they would have to do another diagnostic. I left my car. I called the dealership on 1/29/26 for an update, they had not looked at my car. I called the manufacturer recall, they assigned a case manger to my case. Jay from the NCA, called me on 1/30/26 I believe. We've communicated several times without me receiving a adequate update. He's saying the issue seems to be steamed from the recall, there is now remedy yet, & they are still investigating. I've been without a car since 1/28/26, still making payments, missing work, haven't been offered a loaner & have no idea when or if I will get my car back.
#11719681 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles
On i believe 1/14/26, my check engine light came on. Scheduled appt.for 1/16/26 for diagnostic. Several things were wrong. I decided to come back due to not having the money at the time. Over the wked, I remembered a recall notice i received around November that I asked about in November during my oil change & was told the parts aren't in & they'd give me a call. Upon viewing the recall it seemed some things I was told on 1/16/26 could be a result of the recall. I called my service person Linda on 1/20/26, she spoke to her supervisor & they informed me some of the issues seem to stem from the recall. Linda gave me the manufacturer recall contact information. I contacted them on 1/20/26. She explained there was indeed a recall, there wasn't a remedy yet, it was safe to drive & if something changes, to call back. On 1/28/26 around 5:30am I left home for work & my car all of a sudden experienced a loss of power. It wouldn't go past 30mph. I returned back home & called out of work. I called the manufacturer recall & informed them. She made an appt. to take my car in the follow day, 1/29/26. I decided to drop it off that same day, 1/28/26. I had someone follow me being i could only go 30mph on a flat road & 10mph on a slight hill. I found out my service person Linda was no longer employeed there. I spoke with another employee. He said they would have to do another diagnostic. I left my car. I called the dealership on 1/29/26 for an update, they had not looked at my car. I called the manufacturer recall, they assigned a case manger to my case. Jay from the NCA, called me on 1/30/26 I believe. We've communicated several times without me receiving a adequate update. He's saying the issue seems to be steamed from the recall, there is now remedy yet, & they are still investigating. I've been without a car since 1/28/26, still making payments, missing work, haven't been offered a loaner & have no idea when or if I will get my car back.
#11719316 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
The EHRS coolant system failed and had a leak causing the coolant to be excessively burned off as thick white smoke. This caused me to not be able to see anything behind me and forced others to stop or slow down dramatically to avoid colliding with me. I had my engine overheat and force me to pull over on the side of an unsafe road because the exhaust system burned off my entire tank of coolant in less than a mile. I have taken this to a Hyundai dealership and they confirmed it was the EHRS system failure and told me it was a fairly known issue with the 2020-2023 Sonata Hybrids. I was told that even if I get it replaced the possibility of having it happen again are pretty high. This seems extremely unsafe to myself and others.
#11719316 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | | N/A miles
The EHRS coolant system failed and had a leak causing the coolant to be excessively burned off as thick white smoke. This caused me to not be able to see anything behind me and forced others to stop or slow down dramatically to avoid colliding with me. I had my engine overheat and force me to pull over on the side of an unsafe road because the exhaust system burned off my entire tank of coolant in less than a mile. I have taken this to a Hyundai dealership and they confirmed it was the EHRS system failure and told me it was a fairly known issue with the 2020-2023 Sonata Hybrids. I was told that even if I get it replaced the possibility of having it happen again are pretty high. This seems extremely unsafe to myself and others.
#11718194 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Vehicle suddenly lost heat in 30 degree weather. No warnings, check engine light, or temperature gauge indicators came on. Lucky made it to a parts store and found out I was extremely low on coolant. Bought coolant and put it in. Made it back to the house and was immediately low again. No visible leaking. Oil was completely fine (1 gallon of coolant would have have left some kind indicator). Realized it was more than likely the ehrs. If this happened during the summer, my engine could have blown due to a poor design causing a major accident.

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Safety Rating for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA

The 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★ (4/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★★ (5/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA

Hyundai Motor America has issued 18 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

25-01-001H DBP — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Certain 2021-2023MY Sonata (DN8) and 2020-2022MY Sonata (DN8A) vehicles may have Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0451 (also known as DTC P14EE00) stored in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.

24-EM-001H — ENGINE

Certain 20-22MY Sonata (DN8a), 21-23MY Santa Fe (TMa), and 22-23MY Tucson (NX4a) vehicles may experience a warning lamp illumination for a diagnostic trouble code P2181 that is related to the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the ITM.

23-EE-009H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin provides warranty procedure for EGR Valve replacement related to DTC P0401 EGR Flow Insufficient on 2020 and 2021MY Sonata (DN8a) equipped with 2.5 GDI Vehicles.

23-AT-009H — POWER TRAIN

If you are servicing an 8-speed DCT front-wheel-drive vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition. • DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES: ➢ P070500 - Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction ➢ P070512 - Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction ➢ P070514 - Transmission range...

23-01-002H — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Some 2021 ~ 2022MY Sonata (DN8/DN8a) vehicles with N-Line trim may not engage Forward Collision Avoidance Assist – Junction Turning (FCA-JT) due to omitted logic.

22-01-018H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Certain 2020-22MY Sonata (DN8a) and 2021-22MY Santa Fe (TMa) vehicles equipped with 2.5L engine may exhibit a MIL with DTC(s): • P2074: Mass Airflow Sensor Plausibility • P2074F0: Manifold Absolute Pressure/Mass Air Flow - Throttle Position Correlation at Lower Load • P2074F1: Manifold Absolute Pressure/Mass Air Flow - Throttle Position...

21-EM-010H-1 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Certain 2020-2021 Sonata (DN8a) vehicles with 1.6T engines may exhibit a check engine light in conjunction with a popping noise, abnormal smell from the engine compartment, rough running, or reduced power due to a misfire.

21-EM-011H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Certain Sonata N-Line vehicles may have an uneven appearance between LH and RH exhaust tips due to slightly misaligned rear mufflers. This bulletin describes the procedure to adjust and realign the rear mufflers to correct the appearance.

21-AT-009H — POWER TRAIN

This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose the push button shifter operation.

21-01-051H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin provides information related to an Electronic Control Module (ECM) software update which revises the OBD Air Fuel Ratio Imbalance (AFRI) monitor function frequency and cylinder imbalance diagnosis logic.

Showing 10 of 18 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 HYUNDAI SONATA

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI SONATA

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