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2021 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems

25 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 28,000.

owner complaints
25
of this car's complaints
19%
typical mileage
28,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Hyundai Sonata transmission problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 8

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported October 6, 2022 · 56,148 vehicles affected
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

What 2021 Hyundai Sonata owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Transmission · UT

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)

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Transmission · TX

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

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Driver assistance, Transmission · FL

Massive loss of coolant in closed loop cooling system Heat soak. Fail safe mode

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · LA

Going down the road driving the car lost power and went in limp mode with no warnings on the dash at all!

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The vehicle has experienced repeated transmission and Electronic Oil Pump (EOP) failures resulting in loss of propulsion, loss of acceleration, and transmission-related malfunctions. The vehicle currently has approximately 69,000 miles. On September 3, 2022, the vehicle lost propulsion while traveling approximately 31 MPH in traffic and would not respond normally to accelerator input. This created a dangerous situation and increased the risk of a collision. On the same date, while backing out of a parking space, the vehicle displayed a "Shifter System Malfunction" warning message and unexpectedly stopped while in reverse. The vehicle had to be powered off before it would operate again. Following these incidents, the vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership and the transmission was replaced in September 2022. Despite the transmission replacement, the vehicle continued experiencing issues involving the same system. The Electronic Oil Pump (EOP) was replaced in 2023 and again in 2024 due to recurring transmission-related concerns and diagnostic codes. In 2026, the check engine light returned and the vehicle was again diagnosed with a transmission-related failure. The dealership determined that the transmission requires replacement for a second time despite the previous transmission replacement and two separate EOP replacements. Internally, Hyundai has since revised its repair guidance for this condition, suggesting that prior repair procedures may not have fully addressed the underlying defect. The repeated failures of the transmission and EOP system despite multiple repairs suggest an underlying defect that has not been corrected. These failures create a significant safety risk because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose propulsion or fail to accelerate while operating in traffic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MN

P0471 code before 55k miles even after repair is made

Filed Feb 16, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MI

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.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · FL

I own a 2021 Hyundai Sonata 1.6T, which has an open the federal safety agency safety recall (25V796000) related to fuel tank pressurization and fire risk. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership due to a check engine light, reduced performance, and DTC P14EE, which aligns with the recall condition. The dealership refused to treat the concern as recall-related unless I paid a diagnostic fee and later attempted to reclassify the issue as a customer-pay fuel pump repair. During this visit, the dealership replaced a fuel system sensor without my authorization, which I did not approve or consent to. The dealership has not provided documented test results explaining how the recall condition was ruled out and has not documented recall inspection on the repair order. I expressed that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle due to the fuel system recall and drivability issues. The dealership also refused to provide alternate transportation. I am concerned the recall is not being handled in compliance with the federal safety agency requirements and that unauthorized repairs were performed while attempting to shift a recall-related condition to the customer. I am requesting review of recall handling and dealer compliance.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and lost power. The vehicle was coasted over to the right side of the road, turned off, restarted, and returned to normal functionality. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the diagnosis was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V746000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · AZ

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 the federal safety agency 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 (

Questions about the 2021 Hyundai Sonata transmission

Does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the transmission of the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, 19% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 28,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Hyundai Sonata transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 22V746000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad transmission?

The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most transmission complaints are 2011 (173 complaints), 2015 (135 complaints) and 2012 (97 complaints).

Other 2021 Hyundai Sonata problems

Engine 35Fuel system 34Electrical 18Visibility 12Driver assistance 10Airbags 4Body 4Brakes 4Acceleration 2Seat belts 2Seats 2Steering 2Suspension 1

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