The left turn signal works intermittently. It has now stopped working about 90% of the time. The multi-function switch was replaced 3 times and I am still having the issue. The signal won't work on the exterior and it won't light up on the interior dash either. This is creating an unsafe driving environment which increases crash rates. Multiple vehicle owner with the same make/model/year are experiencing this issue, which I have found during research.
The worst 2021 Hyundai Sonata problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine35
- Fuel system34
- Transmission25
- Electrical18
- Visibility12
- Driver assistance10
- Airbags4
- Body4
- Brakes4
- Acceleration2
- Seat belts2
- Seats2
- Steering2
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Check engine light 17Loss of power 11Jerking 8Fuel smell 7Sunroof shattered 7Overheating 6
Trouble codes owners of the 2021 Hyundai Sonata mention
P0471 2P0741 2
Recalls 4
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 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 on November 19, 2025.
Recall number 25V796000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
Recall number 22V746000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 21V00M000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 21V524000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Defect investigations
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata 92
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in...
- Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger...
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some...
- Difficulty starting in cold weather
- The federal safety agency has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit...
- The federal safety agency has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag...
- Some Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require replacement of the...
- Certain warning lights and trigger DTC C272246 fault code for the front camera
2021 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 50 | 54 | 52 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23-28 | 33-38 | 27-32 |
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 27 | 37 | 30 |
What 2021 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line suffered a catastrophic, sudden total loss of drive power while operating at speed on a public roadway, creating an immediate crash hazard. The vehicle lost forward propulsion and the gear selector flashed a blinking 'R' when reverse was attempted. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, [XXX] Hyundai Southtowne, where their factory GDS tool pulled transmission code P283601 (Shift Fork 'B' Position Circuit). This matches the exact critical safety failure path targeted by Federal Safety Recall 236 (the federal safety agency Campaign 22V‑746) for the 8-speed wet-DCT high-pressure electric oil pump circuit failure. The vehicle previously received the 2022 software patch, but the underlying physical hardware has now actively degraded. The dealership is attempting to deny the federal safety recall remedy based on the vehicle's high mileage. An active corporate consumer affairs investigation has been opened under Case #XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY DEFECT & IMMEDIATE HAZARD:My 2021 Hyundai Sonata SEL is currently exhibiting the most severe, catastrophic symptoms of the fuel tank expansion defect covered under the federal safety agency Campaign 25V796000. The fuel tank has expanded so drastically that it physically warped the structural interior of the cabin, violently popping the rear passenger seat completely out of its assembly while the vehicle was in motion. Furthermore, there is a constant, heavy, raw gasoline odor inside and around the vehicle. The vehicle is a documented, active fire, explosion, and vapor inhalation hazard. It is currently physically located at Sterling Hyundai in Lafayette, LA.DESCRIPTION OF MANUFACTURER NON-COMPLIANCE & REFUSAL TO REMEDY:Hyundai Motor America and Sterling Hyundai are in direct violation of their legal obligation to provide a safe, accessible remedy or interim safety accommodations under federal recall guidelines. An Executive Case Manager from Hyundai Corporate has officially refused to provide a direct-billed rental vehicle or a dealer loaner.Initially, a third-party rental vehicle was provided. However, that vehicle was compromised in an accident and wrecked through absolutely no fault of my own. Despite my lack of fault, Hyundai Corporate and the dealership are now explicitly using that accident to refuse any further direct-billed rental accommodations or dealer loaners.Instead, they are demanding that I pay out-of-pocket for a rental vehicle at a rate of $60/day for a repair process expected to take multiple weeks, knowing I do not possess the upfront financial means to cover these costs. By imposing this insurmountable financial barrier due to an accident I did not cause, Hyundai has effectively stranded me. Because I must maintain my livelihood and have no other means of transportation, Hyundai’s bad-faith refusal to direct-bill an accommodation is actively forcing me to retrieve and operate a verified, explosive fire hazard.REMEDY SOUGHT:I request that the NH
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, parts were on back order. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. An unknown warning light was temporarily illuminated. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the fuel level had dropped. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an expanded fuel tank. The contact stated that the O2 sensor, spark plugs, and ignition coils were replaced by a local independent mechanic; however, the failures persisted. The contact had headaches while driving the vehicle. Medical attention was not needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Transmission replaced twice and all of them continue to fail. Several Hyundai service centers are unable to determine the cause and are only able to update/relearn and replace whenever they are able to replicate the issue. The issue is that at a cold start, the car makes a popping sound, jerks and shakes. The car hesitates to accelerate. You can hear the noise of acceleration but RPM does not go past 3 and MPH doesn't go past 30mph. I'm unable to upload docs because of the upload limit. If there's another way to send docs, please let me know
Massive loss of coolant in closed loop cooling system Heat soak. Fail safe mode
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated and decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an expanded frame due to an expanded fuel tank. The vehicle was deemed too expensive to repair per the local dealer and was towed for a buy-back. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
I took my vehicle in for the safety recall due to an expanding fuel tank on 08/03/2026. I received my vehicle back on 8/12/2026. Hyundai performed an improper repair on the vehicle that will not correct the fuel tank expansion. They replaced the same check valve that was replaced last time I brought the vehicle in for recall on 11/20/2024 repair order # 107221 at Jones Hyundai of Belair. This valve did not and will not correct the fuel tank expansion issue. The expansion issue is caused by fuel getting past the check valve and entering the purge control system. The correct repair is to replace the fuel tank and the purge control system, as the check valve has already allowed fuel to bypass it and enter the system causing the expansion issue. . Replacing the valve that failed & allowed fuel into the system & caused the tank to expand will not correct the issue caused by the failed valve. My fuel tank has not decompressed. I still have the same problem I brought the vehicle in for because the repair Hyundai advised the federal safety agency on was NOT performed.
Gas tank expansion and pcv melted. Car smells like gas when I was driving earlier, and my garage was flooded with the fumes of gasoline.
The Left blinker switch keeps going in and out, working about 50% of the time. Both the light and the blinker sound do not turn on. When getting it checked out at an auto repair shop, the maintenance tech said this was more and more common for 2021 sonatas and it was not due to anything I did. It was a multifunction switch problem.
Compare the 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Sonata vs Honda AccordSonata vs Ford FusionSonata vs Chevrolet MalibuSonata vs Toyota CamrySonata vs Nissan AltimaSonata vs Volkswagen PassatSonata vs Kia OptimaSonata vs Subaru Legacy
Other model years
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Owners have filed 135 complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, fewer than a typical Sonata model year.
What is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata year score?
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata scores 86 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Hyundai Sonata: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?
Engine and cooling, with 35 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles. Next is fuel system (34).
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata have?
4 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, power train and visibility.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad engine?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (1,012 complaints), 2013 (778 complaints) and 2015 (651 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata range from 27 to 52 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 50 city and 54 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2021 Hyundai Sonata?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history