2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has 55 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 71, ranking 5th worst of 15 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by Electrical System and Engine complaints, with no recalls filed.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 71/100
- #5 of 15 Sonata Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 49.5
- 47.5 city / 52.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System25 (45%)
- Engine24 (44%)
- Other7 (13%)
- Fuel System5 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (5%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Dashboard lights and the infotainment screen went dark or flickered while driving at highway speed, with fuel efficiency readings jumping erratically.
- Loud alarms sounded and smoke or exhaust bellowed from the rear after an engine overheating warning appeared, in one case while decelerating on a highway exit ramp.
- An engine oil drain plug reportedly backed out during a drive, draining all engine oil and covering the undercarriage.
- The cabin heater blew cold air intermittently despite the vehicle being low on coolant, with no low-coolant warning shown to the driver.
- The transmission shift selector locked in place with all warning lights on, requiring a shift actuator replacement after weeks at a dealer.
- The 12V battery died randomly and without a repeatable pattern, sometimes leaving the car dead while parked or occupied, and dealers could not replicate the fault.
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 47.5 MPG
- Highway
- 52.5 MPG
- Combined
- 49.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Sonata Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?
- It ranks 5th worst out of 15 Sonata Hybrid model years by NHTSA complaint index (71) and carries a Caution verdict, with Electrical System and Engine issues making up most of the 55 complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Sonata Hybrid?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints (45% of the total, median mileage 24,000) and Engine complaints (44%, median mileage 32,547) as the top two problem areas.
- Does the 2021 Sonata Hybrid have any recalls?
- No, NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2021 Sonata Hybrid.
- How does the 2021 Sonata Hybrid compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 71 is worse than 2018 (0, Best), 2020 (29, Good), and 2022 (21, Best), but better than 2012 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (79, Avoid).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Sonata Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 49.5 mpg combined (47.5 city / 52.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,325.