YearToAvoid

2021 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

35/100

#14 most-complained of 21 Sonata years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata has 133 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 35 out of 100 — #14 highest of 21 Sonata model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is engine (36 complaints, 27% of the total). Complaints report 7 crashes and 13 injuries.

Complaints
133
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
7 / 0
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30.5
27 city / 37 hwy

Top 2021 Hyundai Sonata problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine36 (27%)
  2. Fuel System34 (26%)
  3. Other32 (24%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain24 (18%)
  5. Electrical System17 (13%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers12 (9%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body6 (5%)
  9. Airbags4 (3%)
  10. Brakes4 (3%)
2021 Hyundai Sonata complaints: complaints filed per quarter282021 Q12021 Q42022 Q32023 Q22024 Q12024 Q42025 Q32026 Q2
186 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q1 (28).

2021 Hyundai Sonata recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V796000Nov 17, 2025Fuel System85,043 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    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 NHTSA.gov on November 19, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 22V746000Oct 6, 2022Transmission & Powertrain56,148 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    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.

  3. NHTSA 21V00M000Dec 28, 2021Visibility & Wipers26,413 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield

    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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata →

2021 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
37 MPG
Combined
30.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,125
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good25161028.5
2020Good30178431
2021Good35133430.5
2022Best2093331
2023Best1087231

All Hyundai Sonata years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Sonata a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata ranks #14 of 21 among Sonata model years (Complaint Index 35/100, verdict: Good). It has 133 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?
The most reported problem areas are engine (36 complaints), fuel system (34 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (24 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 41,000 miles.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, most recently reported 2025, covering fuel system, transmission & powertrain, and visibility & wipers.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?
EPA rates the 2021 Hyundai Sonata at 30.5 MPG combined (27 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,125. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.